London

The King
agst
Ann HIll< no role > }
On the Prosecution of
Thomas Francis< no role > for a
Felony

Thomas Francis< no role > of the Parish of St. Anns Blackfryers
London Victualler the Prosecutor above named Maketh Oath and
saith that he said Ann Hill< no role > in June last stole out of this
Deponents House Two Brass Candlesticks and was Committed to
Woodstreet Compter by the Right Honble the Lord Mayor to take
her Trial at this present sessions and this Deponent was found
to Prosecute and entered into a Recognizance for that purpose
and this Deponent further saith that on Friday last he
preferred a Bill of Indictment against the said Ann Hill< no role > for
the said offence which was found a June Bill by the Grand
Jury and this Deponent attended at the Session House in the
old Bailey on Saturday last until Four o' Clock and received a
Message from his wife that she was taken suddenly ill and
desired to are this Deponent and this Deponent not apprehending
that the Trial would come on so soon he this Deponent went to
his House the sign of the Queenshead in water Lane Blackfryers
and returned again in less time than half an Hour and stand in
the Old Bailey till half past seven o' Clock the same evening
when this Deponent to his great surprize was informed that
the said Ann Hill< no role > had been discharged for want of this
Deponents Evidence whereby this Deponent recognizance he came
Forfeited and this Deponent further saith that the cause of
this Deponents absence was really on account of receiving the
above message and that his wife at this time continuous very ill
and that this Deponent did not go home as abovementioned out
of favour or affection to the said Aun Hill but fully
intended to Appear and Prosecute her according to his said
Recognizance

Sworn in Court this 20th day
of July 1778

Thos. Francis< no role >