Catalogue description Examination of JOHN WILLIAMSON, servant to Mr. Lieutenant at the Tower.

--Has been keeper to John Cotton, ever since he was committed to the Tower. Sir George Cotton came four times to see his brother. The first he spoke not with him, because Mr. Lieutenant would not suffer him. The second time, Sir George told examinate that Mr. Lieutenant willed him to receive 30s. which he had brought for his brother. At that time Sir George came into the garden, and said to John Cotton, "Good morrow brother, how do ye? I am glad you are well. Your brother Richard is well, and so are all your friends in the country; to whom John Cotton replied with thanks, and asked him how his lady did." The money which Sir George brought was to buy stockings and shoes, and certain French and Latin books (which by leave of Mr. Braithwait, gentleman gaoler, and with consent of Mr. Lieutenant, examinate fetched at John Bill's in Paul's churchyard) and to pay for his washing.

The third time that he met Sir George he was going out of the Tower, Mr. Braithwait being with him; it being so late before examinate came in that he could not speak with his brother.

The fourth and last time, one Mr. Blake, the Lieutenant's servant, came to him in John Cotton's chamber, and said to him "Mr. John Cotton must go out upon the walk, for Mr. Lieutenant would speak with him." Mr. Lieutenant was in the garden, and examinate understood that Sir George Cotton was then in the Tower, but whether he spake with his brother he cannot tell.

Mr. John Cotton was used to walk alone on the Long Walk while examinate swept his chamber every morning (but of late he may not do so) and other times he used to walk upon the leads over the Tower where he lay. Mr. Talbott also walked on the Terrace while his chamber was sweeping, but the two have never walked there together since Mr. Lieutenant turned away Haugham, a month or more ago, for suffering them to do so. John Cotton writeth much, taking notes out of the books bought for him, and hath used this custom of writing ever since about Bartholomew tide last, at which time he first had pen, ink and paper.

Being asked how John Cotton hath paper to write so much, he now saith that he had only "a sheet or two or three to write petitions and a letter to his wife, and out of that perhaps he might save some to write his notes upon." Of these three sheets, examinate brought him one from Mr. Braithwait and two from Mr. Talbott, about the time that the King returned from his progress. Signed by deponent.

Endorsed by the Archbishop.