note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

47

Province of Nova Scotia
Halifax Co

James Norton of Halifax in the county of Halifax laborer maketh oath and saith that he was a passenger in the Brig Lancaster, John Miles Junior Master, and was wrecked on Sable Island and arrived in Halifax on board the Brigantine Maria, that whilst he was on the Island, and for about one fortnight before he left the Island, Deponent resided in the house of Joseph Darby the Superintendant and assisted as a laborer in saving the cargo of the Lancaster - that he was treated kindly by Mr Darby as were all the passengers, that George Collingham resided also in Mr. Darby's house and a few days previous to Deponents departure from the Island several articles were missed and suspicion fell on the said George Collingham, who denied the theft at first but afterwards the articles having been found in his possession he confessed his guilt and was dismissed from the house, that since deponents arrival he had heard the said Collingham say that he would make Darby suffer for his treatment of him whilst on the Island; that during the voyage and since his arrival in Halifax the said Collingham associated chiefly with the Sailors of the Lancaster and not with the passengers and That Deponent never received any [word?] on the part of Mr Darby nor concealments of any goods about his Establishment