Period referred to: 1692
Sound category: Authority: Sounds of crime
Title of work: The Proceedings of the Old Bailey
Type of publication: Administrative record
Author: Unknown
Year of publication: 1692
Page/volume number: 31st August 1692
Counterfeiters given away by the sounds of their activities
John Harris, Jonathan Sheldon, and Thomas Drury, were all three Tryed, for that they together with Richard Drury, not Taken, Did Falsly, Feloniously, and Traitorously Counterfeit 60 pieces of Money, made of Copper, Tin, and other mint Metals, on the 25th of August, in Gravel Lane in Ratcliff high-way. The Evidence swore that a Noise and Thumping was heard, much like the beating of Hemp, in the House where the Prisoners were, whereupon Search being made, there were several Stamps found and a parcel of counterfeit Money, besides some Clippings that were cut off of the said Counterfeit Money. There were several Half-Crowns produced in Court against them, &c. The Prisoners denied the whole matter of Fact, but the Evidence on the King's side was so plain and pregnant; that they were all found Guilty of High-Treason.