3d: July 1754

Informations taken before John King< no role > Esqr . One of the Coroners
for the County of Middx the 3d: day of July 1764 Touching and
Concerning the Death of One William Povey< no role >

Middlesex

John Barratt< no role > of Shoe Lane Scourer , This Informant on his Oath Saith
that on Sunday the 16th: day of June 1754 about binthe Afternoon he was Standing
at his Opposite Neighbours One Mr. Millers a Cook in Shoe Lane , he heard a Disturbance
at the End of the Lane, and a great Number of People together, and Saw them go over
the way to Salisbury Court Says then he went to see what was that matter, And saw
two Men Engaged, Says that the Deced William Povey< no role > , was then amongst them, and
was going to Cross the way in Order to go to the Swan Alehorse ; Says then the prisoner
who as this Informant has heard since was one Barnard Smith< no role > , Say Dam the
Scoundrells we will like them all round, and pulld off his Coat & Wastcoat and
hit the Deced povey 2 or 3 blows with his past in the face, and after the last blow
povey the Deced fell down and fell with his head against the stones, further says
that all this time povey never once offerd to Strike ablors, but said that he would
not fight, This Informant further saith that the Deced povey was then some what
in Liquor as he thought, But the prisoner seemd to be very Sober, This Informant
them told him that he was a Scoundrell for Using the Man so He, that had not en [..] cored
or offended him, And told him that the Man was dead, and seemed so to all Appearance
Says then he run of but was soon Seized, further says that he went the next day before
a Majestrate and the said Barnard Smith< no role > was Committed to the Compter

William Wooton< no role > of Shoe Lane Barber This Informant On his Oath Saith
that on Sunday last was fortnight Standing at his own door he saw the Deced William
Povey with 2 or 3 More going Cross the way in Order to drink at the Swan Alehouse in
Salisbury Court , and presently came up 5 or 6 young Fellows Daming their Eyes and
Limbs, and Quarrelld with one of poveys friends, and went to fighting, And then the
Prisoner went up to povey, and said Dam you I will fight yoy, and pulled of his
Cloaths, but povey ceased his hand, and said that he would not fight any body
with that the prisoner upt with his fist and Struck him one or two blows on the
right side of his head, and then povey fell down with his head against a stone
Says that povey made no Resistance nor ever offerd to strike once, But [..] delivered
fighting, This Informant then Imagined the said povey to be dead, Says that he was
taken up and Carryed to Mr. Freaks a a surgeon insalisbury Court and Dressed, And then
had home to his Masters one Mr. Tooks a Distiller in Fleet street , says the next day
he went before the Alderman and he was Committed for Want of Bail, Says that
to belives the Deced was Somershat in Liquor; But the prisoner was Sober