Joseph Skelton< no role > of Witney in the County of Oxford Maltster
maketh Oath, that about the Caller and of September last past and the
beginning of this present October; he this Deponant did deliver into
he possession of Benja Tomkins< no role > Junr of Abingdon in the County of Berks
to be carried to London by his Barge and to be sold there by him 70 yrs
of this Deponants own malts,whichhe this Deponant made last Malting Season
before ye 30th day of May last at his own Malthouse in Witney aforesaid, for all which malt he this Deponant
(doth hereby make oath that he have paid ye full Excise due to his Majesty
in to the hands of Mr James Furnell< no role > his Majestys Collect [..] Excise
And this Deponant has been since ye since first mentioned credibly informed
by his fact or ye Said Benja Tomkins< no role > Junior that ye said 70 yrs of malts
after it was carried to London and delivered out of ye Barge of ye said
Benja Tomkins< no role > Junior, into ye Aghter of Richard Howard< no role > Lighterman
was on the 7th day of this instant October drowned or welted in ye said
Lighter in the River of Thames as it was passing from Queen Hith
to ye Wharfe of Mr Josias Nicholson< no role > Brewer in Thames Street
and that part of ye said 70 yrs of man it is lively cost, and ye remaining
part thereof in same measure perished for Witness whereof he this Deponant had &
hereunto sett his handthis 28th day of October 1720

Jurat die et
Anno dict
Coram

John Dewe< no role >

Marke of
Joseph [mark] Skelton< no role >