Middlesex to Wit

The Information of Jacob Read< no role > and Samuel Butcher< no role >
taken before me this 8th. day of July 1783

Who being upon Oath say, and first the said Jacob Read< no role >
says that in the afternoon of last Saturday was a Week as he was
walking along the Strand , he perceived a person now present who calls
himself John Castledine< no role > , walking on the opposite side of the way
That he soon afterwards observed said John Castledine< no role > behind him,
and a fellow striped Silk Purse lying on the GroundThat said
John Castledine< no role > picked up the Same, and put it into his Pocket
saying, that he believed there was something in itThat said Castledine
told this Informant, that as he saw it, he was entitled to half of
it and asked him where he would go to divide itThat he went
went with said Castledine to the house of the said Samuel Butcher< no role >
the Chequers at Charing Cross where he and said Castledine were
shewn into an Empty Room, soon after which another Person
came in (whom this Informant doth not know) and Sat downThat
said Castledine them opened said Purse, in which was, at one end,
a Ring, and at the other the Bill and Receipt now produced
That this Informant then asked him what they should do with
it, to which he replied, that it was a thing of Value"That
he had Fifty Pound to receive and that he would give this Informant
his Share, as he meant to make a Present of it to a Gentleman
who had been a Friend to him"That it was then agreed that a
Boy who was with this Informant should have five Guineas
from said Castledine, and the same sum from this Informant, for being
present when Said Purse and Ring were found, and that he this
Informant should have half the Value of said Ring namely, forty
two Pounds fifteen shillings the said Bill and Receipt expressing that
the sum of Eighty five Pounds ten shillings had been paid for said
Ring - That said other Person who came into said Room then observed,
that it was a Pity this Informant could not pay said Castledine his