deposition before His Majesty's Council, 12 October 1685; 3 August 1686
Rt Honble GoverE & Capt Genrall of ye Somer Islands-
Your servant Jonathan Stoakes Senr being about his affaires on ye land belonging to Pagetts Fort did see a boat with four persons in her goe to Smiths Island; not knowing who was in her as he afterwards came to Penistons Island, on wch ye said servant dwells, he found ye persons were George Bascomb & Willm Keel, young Thomas Stow and John Askew Junr and ye aforesd George Bascomb & Willm Keel tould me ye sd Jonathan Stoakes they were come to me about ye King & Countrys Military affayres to see what stock of powder was in ye forts and tould me if I would not open ye dore they would it was on yt day yr Excelly held ye court in ye sessions house about Mr Phillips business, and further yr servant saith not. This transaction was ye one and twentieth day of Octobr 1685, as declared by ye aforesd Jonathan Stoakes in ye presence of us whose names hereunder written and memorand yt they brought no power or authority from the Generale & Gover. yt they shewed to me, ye said Jonathan Stoakes, but tould me they came from ye officers of ye country upon yt att.
Jonathan Stoakes
Witness, Daniel Seymour
Attested upon oath ye 12th day of Octobr 1685 before ye Rt Honble ye GoverE & ye Councell ye 3rd day of Augt 1686.