Middlesex to Wit

The Information of James Ballinger< no role > Servant to Thomas
Richardson< no role > of Grays Inn Lane Cow keeper and Thomas
Grover< no role > of Paradise Street near Battle Bridge Labourer
taken before in this 17th. day of July 1786

Who being upon Oath say, and first the said James Ballinger< no role >
says that about ten Minutes after three o' Clock yesterday morning he
observed a person now present who calls himself Thomas Astill< no role >
go into his Masters Fieldthat he went by one of his said Masters
Horses and went on until he came to his Masters Brown Mare
that he then stopped, turned round and led as it appeared to
this Informant at that time it being rather dark the said Mare
until he came to the middle of the fieldthat said Astill finding a Gutter
there, and that he could not get said Mare over it he led her to the lower
end of said fieldthat observing Thomas Grover< no role > a Watchman now
present Standing near the field he asked him what said Man (meaning
said Astill) could be doing there amongst the Horses so soon in the morning
that said Grover said he had not observed any person there, that Informant
and said Grover went to said Astill and asked him what he was doing
amongst the Horses, that Informant then went up to said Mare, that
said Mare had on her head a Cord or Halter now produced which
was tied very tight and which said Mare was endeavouring to get
from off her headthat said Grover then took said Astill into Custody
and secured him, that said Astill then offered Informant and said
Grover one Shilling to let him goAnd the said Thomas Grover< no role > says
he is employed by Mr. Harrison of Grays Inn Lane to take care of his
Cattle, that he saw said Astill with said Mare at this time and was
present with said Ballinger when he found said Mare with the Cord
or Halter now produced on her head, and that he secured said Astill

Sworn before me this
17th. day of June 1786 }

W Addington

his
James [mark] Ballinger< no role >
Mark

his
Thomas [mark] Grover< no role >
Mark