Mary Hobbs: The Voluntary Examination and Deposition on Oath of Mary Hobbs, late of the Town of Bridgewater in the County of Somerset and now residing at East Cowes in the parish of Whippingham in the Isle of Wight and County of Southampton 2 July 1698

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The Voluntary Examination and Deposition on oath of Mary Hobbs late of the Town of Bridgewater in the Country of Somersett and now residing at East Cowes in the parish of Whippingham in the Isle of Wight and County of Southampton aforesaid taken before us Sir John Dillington Barronett and John Leigh Esqr two of his Majestys Iustices of the peace for the county of Southampton aforesaid the 2d. day of Iuly anno Domini 1698

Who Deposeth that not about 6 weeks after Christmas last she was had before the Mayor of Bridgewater aforesaid and did then swear that the said Iames Taylor of the said Town of Bridgewater coyn money, and that the said James Taylor was thereupon sent to Gaol where he now is as this Deponent believes and that the said James Taylor was afterwards as this Deponent hath been informed brought upon his Tryall at Taunton in the said County of Somersett and this Deponent being the only evidence against the said James Taylor and she not being there at the assizes the Tryall of him was suspended she being persuaded to go out of the way at the time of Tryall and this Deponent further saith one John Vandevatt called by the name of Dr. Vandevatt of Evill in the said County of Somersett did about a month before the tryall of the said James Taylor perswade her this Deponent to go along with him the said Doctor Vandevatt and he would provide her a good service Whereupon she this Deponent went alone with him to Wells and he the said Dr. Vandevatt afterwards sent her this Deponent from place to place till she came to portsmouth to one mrs Baker to whom this Deponent was recommended by Letter from the said Dr. Vandevattt the Contents of which was that the said Mrs. Baker should provide for her all necessaries till such time as she heard from him and further this Deponent sayth that the said Dr. Vandevatt did promisse her that if she would stay away till after the assizes he would in the mean tyme provide all necessaries for her and get what money he could for her of the said James Taylor and this Deponent further sayes not

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the mark of
Mary Hobbs

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