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That about either Michaelmas was 12 months arlate… the same John Payne articulate meeting this deponent and his contest Sir William Crosdell Mr of Oulton and Edmund Burke at the general then holden at Aylesham and there drinking together in a house Payne said there was a thing in his mind which grieved his conscience which they enquiring of him what it was after much entreaty… said that he heard a voice and report spread in Effingham where he dwelt that Mary Atwood was an ill woman of her body and asked them if they heard not of it in Molton and they said that they heard not of it, and hereupon they were likewise very desirous to hear and know the name of the man with whom she should be so lewd with.
That about Michaelmas last past was a 12 month as this deponent now remembreth this deponent and his precontest Mr Crosdell and Nicholas Bell drinking together within the house of one Kenner of Aylesham general then there holden the articulate John Payne came in thither unto them, and there sitting down to drink with them he fell there in talk with them and amongst… their talk he asked them if they heard a woman that went in Effingham and they answering said no and asked him the matter and he said again that he had a thing in his mind which he would fain utter unto them to have their counsel in the cause and they willed him to speak… and then Mr Crosdell and Bell willed him to discharge his conscience and not conceal anything or affection and this deponent willed him to take cause and to be well advised in the doing of it.
That as this deponent now remembreth this deponent and his neighbours and contests Nicholas Bell and Edmund Burke at general holden at Aylesham about Michaelmas last a 12 month… with Payne articulate who came to them… [while] they were then at dinner and there sitting… with them and falling in talk with them asked them if they heard any crime… in Effingham of Mary Atwood concerning whoredom and they answered no… Whereupon he the said John… would gladly have their counsels what he would best to do for the discharge of his conscience, and they willed him in the name of god to discharge his conscience and to conceal nothing of truth for love or favour.