Middx

The pre and voluntary Confession
of Robert Croston< no role > of the Parish of
Gilly gate in the County of Durham
Mariner taken before me (one of
his Majesty's Justices at the
Peace for the County of Midd'x
this 20th. July 1756

The said Robert Croften< no role > voluntarily confession
and saith that he being in the Cabin of the Ship Little
John Thomas Carr< no role > , Master now lying in the River
Thomas & belonging to the Port of Sunderland in the
County of Durham aforesaid, about some Business
to which he was order'd by the Mate of the said ship
one Joseph Ellis< no role > a Coal heaver (who was then at Work on
board the said Ship accidentally came into the Cabin
and asked for a Dram which the said Robert Croften< no role >
told him he could not give him, & the said Robert
Crofton< no role > being then cummaging in the Chest of small Arms
(which then stood in the Cabin) merely out of Curiosity having
never Seen at Sea before nor never seen or handled any
fire Arms he by Accident took up a Pistol which was
then in the said [..] Chest, & as it was in his hand it
by change went off & shot the said Joseph Ellis< no role > in or
near the left Eye of which Wound he drap'd down but did
not then expire & the said Robert Croften< no role > further confesseth
& sayth that he did not know that the said Pistal was
charg'd but taking it up by Accident it accidentally went
off in his hand & that the said Joseph Ellis< no role > as aforesaid

Taken the Day & year aforesaid
before me

Walter Berry< no role >

The Mark of
Witness [mark]
Thomas Towno< no role > }
Headborough of Shadwell