That he this examinate being commanded to be centinel at the Cross within this city about twelve a clock in the night (upon Wednesday the 27th of this instant April 1687) relieved one George Owen who stood there centinel before him. He this deponent further saith that about half an hour after he this deponent was relieved and was come to the main guard, he said these words (as he and his comrades were sitting by the fire) what means this smell of brandy. The above Owen replied John Cotton vomited and that makes the smell and about a quarter of an hour after, the said George Owen came to this deponent and asked him to walk into the churchyard (meaning the Great Church Yard) whereupon this deponent did go with him… and when they were both together in the churchyard, Owen said I have gotten a prize; and brought this deponent to a rundlet which was laid in a corner beyond the porch of the broad aisle, and this deponent saith he tasted of the liquor in the said rundlet twice, and saith he believeth it was brandy or strong water, then the said Owen took the rundlet in his arms and desired this deponent to go along with him, who accordingly did; over Dee bridge and then (Owen being weary) to take the rundlet in his arms who accordingly took the said rundlet into his arms and carried it to one Arthur Brown’s in Handbridge. This deponent saith, that he asked Owen several times how he came by the rundlet or where he had it but Owen made him no answer to those questions, nor could this deponent prevail with him to tell it. And he this deponent saith that Owen and he called Brown up and caused him to make a fire, and all three… sat by the fire from about 3 o’clock in the morning till about 5 in the morning at which time this deponent left them there still drinking.
Being examined saith that he was relieved and came from being centinel at the Cross within the City of Chester about 10 of the clock at night… from whence he went to the Main Guard where he sat down and smoked a pipe of tobacco and stayed about half an hour, and then took a walk down into the Foregate Street for about half an hour, and then returned to the Guard, where he stayed till four o’clock in the morning or thereabout, and then took a walk into Handbridge and went ot one Arthur Brown’s house in Handbridge and saith that he did carry the rundlet now showed him and marked TS from the great churchyard… and then Thomas Johnson [took it] from him, and carried the rundlet to Brown’s house… this examinate going along with him to the said house, where the liquor was in the rundlet was drunk out… which this examinate left at Brown’s house. And he further saith that he found this rundlet in a house near the Cross as he went to the guard finding the door open.
Upon oath… saith that about eight o’clock the next Morning being Thursday he this deponent went to the shop, and that his servant (who was ordered to open the shop about 2 hours before) told him that he found the door of the shop opened… He further saith, that the rundlet now showed him (which was brought from Brown’s house mentioned in the former deposition) by Thomas Johnson the deponent in the former examination is his (the said rundlet being marked TS).