his Lady his two Daughters two Boyes two men and a Gentlewoman Master Andrew Adare and his Wife and Sisters Son Master Alexander Mountgomery his Wife and eldest Son Master William Liston his Wife and Daughter Master Thomas Fullerton and his Wife Patrisk Deomand Master Adares man Sir after the writing of this Letter we are brought to Dromahear Castle and Order left with the Captain to bring us unto the Camp at Mannor-Hammilton where we must suffer death if those Prisoners with you be not delivered Sir Frederick Hammiltons Answer to the Letter afore-mentioned SIR I have received your Letter whereby I am given to understand of your treacherous surprisall not with standing of your safe conduct promised for the which I am very sorry But such is the treacherous falshood of those distoyall Traitors generally throughout this wholc Kingdom that hath made me vew and swear in the presence of Almighty God That I will never give or take quarter with them or any of them yea though my own Sons that discended from my Loyns were in your estate I had rather they should die gloriously for the cause of Christ then I should so abase my self as to deal with such Traytors to God and His Majestic Thus beseeching God Almightie to strengthen and incourage you that you may continue constant untill it shall please God to give you deliverance either by life or death In the mean time I am perswaded that they will use you with no worse measure then their Prisoners who were apprehended by me in the action of Rebellion are used So recommending you to God I rest Your very loving friend Frederick Hammilton Castle-Hammilton January the 19. 1641. And after he delivered this Letter unto the Messenger he hanged the chief of the Prisoners being brother to Colonell O Roirke who was desired by this exchange in the sight of the Messenger before he would permit him to depart upon whose return to the Rebels they in revenge thereof murthered about ten or eleven of the said Protestants whereof two were godly Ministers and yet if their mercy and compassion in the midst of their Barbaritie had not far transcended Sir Frederick Hammiltons they had likewise put Sir Robert Hannay and his Lady and Children and all the rest to death And that his ill disposition may the more fully appear he hath with striking and other ill usage so behaved himself toward his Officers that his Lievtenant Ensigne Minister and one of his Serjeants have all forsaken him so that he hath now no Officers but one Serjeant to command his Company at Mannor-Hammilton consisting of seventy men or thereabouts And not withstanding all this The said Informer is labouring for the Government of London-Derry and because he conceived he might prevail in that suit if his miscarriages were not discovered he moved this Respondent that all the differences betwixt them might be composed by the order of friends which motion if this Respondent would then have accepted he conceives this Information had never been heard of And as touching the Government of London-Derry aforesaid this Respondent humbly desires leave to declare that once it was conferred upon Sir George Pawlet a man whose temper in some things was not much unlike this of the Informers whose passionate demeanour in his Office was not onely the occasion of the losse of his own life but of the losse also of the lives of many of this Nation there and the burning of that Town with the kindling of a violent though as it hapned but a short Rebellion in the Countrey thereabouts which did put the State then to much unnecessary expences in the suppressing of it All which together with the premisses this Respondent humbly representeth as pertinent instances and reasons to induce the honourable Parliament not to put the Government thereof into the power of the Informer whose demeanour will never be brooked by those good people that now inhabit there upon whom all the aspersions that are laid by any late reports or Printed Letters this Respondent beleeves were invented and contrived by the Informer or his Instruments of purpose to make them detestable to this Honourable Parliament whom this Respondent is confident are as loyall and wel-wishing to the Parliament as can be expected and will really witnesse the same by their ready and joyfull receiving and obeying of any Governour except Sir Frederick Hammilton that the Parliament will be pleased to appoint over them But his conditions are so well known unto them that they will quit their fortunes and stations there which they have hither to preserved with so much expence and hazard rather then submit unto his Command And this Respondent most humbly desires this honourable Committee would be pleased to pardon him if he have trespassed upon your Patience in answer to the Charge given in by the Informer being necessitated thereunto for his more ample Vindication by laying open the disposition of the Informer which he hath most unnecessary drawn upon himself without any provocations given to him by this Respondent And humbly prayes such reparations as in your Wisdoms shall be thought fit Exhibited 11. of January 1644. Signed William Cole The Replication of Sir Frederick Hammilton Knight and Colonell To the Scandalous Recriminating Answer of Sir William Cole Given in to the Information of the said Sir Frederick Exhibited against him to the Honourable Committee of both Kingdoms the 26. of December 1644. THe said Sir William Cole confesseth the first charge and for his defence pretendeth That he gave advertisement of the said intended Rebellion by his Letters to the then Lords Justices and Councell with all possible speed with advice That their Lordships would strictly examine the Lord Mac Gwire and others his Complices concerning the same But if his notice given to the Lords Justices had been so timely as his Information was seasonable by him confessed to have been twelve dayes before the breaking out of the said Rebellion without all peradventure the Lords Justices and Councell would not have neglected the opportunity of preventing so great a mischief which had not been easily done if to have understood thereof so long before nor can it be credited for tructh that the Respondent gave them any such timely notice when it is manifest That the discovery thereof unto the Lords Justices and Councell by Captain O Connelly was with much difficulty to his person very late in the night immediately before the same day it was to have been acted at Dublin And the Respondent being a Justice of the Peace and Corum and a man invested with great power and authority in his Countrey and of great credit amongst the people by the duty of his place should as very easily he might and ought to have apprehended the Conspirators the said Lord Mac Gwire and the rest of the chief of them being his neer neighbours whose persons if he had secured in so long time before the Tragedie was to have been acted would
being at New-town brushing his Masters Cloths the Butler William Parkinson came to the Deponant telling him there was a Horse-man at the Gate desirous to speak with him and as the Deponant went down the staires he perceived Serjeant Heath and a many of the souldiers upon the Bawn-Walls gazing upon some Horse-men riding by the Castle and as the Deponant came to the Gate he did see â— Kinsman of his own called Maurice mac O Bryan sitting on Horseback who had formerly served Mr. George Craston and was now in service as he told the Deponant with Captain Bryan Mac Donaghie who was riding by the Castle with Colonell Lucas Taffe who had sent him the said Maurice to present both their services to Mr. Robert Parck and withall told the Deponant they were riding towards Mannor-Hammilton where their Regiment lay with the Camp neere that Castle whiles the Deponant was thus in discourse with his Kinsman William Parkinson the Butler called the Deponant to come in that the Gate might be shut but before the Deponant entred the Gate Captain Mac Donaghie called to him Owen mac O Bryan how do you but the Deponant being in haste to shut the Gate made no answer but presently went to his Master being in Bed acquainting him that Colonell Taffe and Captain Bryan mac Donaghy were with four or five Horse riding so neere the Castle towards Mannor-Hammilton thinking Mr. Parck they being so few would have commanded men to have followed after them but Mr. Parck being in Bed observing so many come in unto him with these news angerly bid them let them Ride where they would for him what had he to do with them Mr. Parck at that time commanding neere sixty or seventy able men within that Castle most willingly to have been imployed The Deponant further faith that about Candlemasse last one Cormick mac Robert MacTernan then in Rebellion with Bryan Ballagh O Roirk the said Cormick being Foster-father to Walter Harrison being then in the Castle with Mr. Parck did send three Beeves about midnight to the said Walter Harrison Mr. Parck causing the Gate to be opened and received them one of the Beeves being bestowed upon Mr. Parck another was sold for ten shillings to John Darrington and the third sold too to Rice Jones as this Deponant heard and faith that shortly after John Powell and others of the souldiers being not suffered by Mr. Parck to meddle with any of Bryan Ballaghs and the Rebells Cows which grazed daily neere to the Castle in the night-time the said John Powell and and others conveyed themselves over the Bawn-walls with Ropes and brought in some Cows with them that same night which Walter Harrison alleadged to be his Foster-fathers Cormick mac Roberts Cows and therefore would not suffer one of them to be touched but turned back to the Rebells The next night the same souldiers ventured as before with Ropes over the Walls bringing whom with them eight Cows and thirty Sheep wherewith Mr. Parck being acquainted got out of his Bed clapping his hands and crying out that they should be all undone causing them presently to drive back both the Cows and the Sheep not suffering the Souldiers to kill one Beast of them And further saith that he did see Bryan Ballagh O Roirks herd brought to Master Parck by one Mullmory O Diggennan complaining to Master Parck that they had found one of Bryan Ballaghes Cows which had been taken and killed by a poor Englishman Thomas Normand and his Wife who were by Master Parck turned out of the Castle a little before that upon which complaint Master Parck in a great anger bid the said Mullmory and the Cowherd do with the said Normand and the killed Cow what they pleased for he had before that turned him and his Wife and Children out of the Castle and since had nothing to do with them The Cow-herd many times threatning the poor Englishman in Master Parcks presence that since it was so he would have the said Normands head for the Cow This Deponant further faith That he being in company with Walter Harrison and Thomas Lambard neer to the Castle of the Newtown they all three went towards Torilagh O Boyland and his Brother Donnell O Boyland where they were a Ploughing within lesse then Musket shot to the Castle where the said Donnell O Boyland shewed this Deponant severall stobs and cuts which he had received in his Jerkin that day Mullmory mac Ternan and divers others of the Countrey Gentlemen were killed by Sir Fredericks party as they retreated from the Newtown The Deponant asked the said Donnell how he durst fight against any of the Kings Souldiers who answered That neither he nor any of his Fathers Children would fight against any other but such as were commanded by Sir Frederick Hammilton who daily destroyed so many of them the Deponant being asked why they did not upon that confession apprehend the said Donnell and carry him to Master Parck the Deponant replied That none of them durst meddle with any of these O Boylands nor any other of those Irish that used daily about the Castle and allowed by their Master to Plough which he might easily see out of his Chamber Window as also the Deponant doth acknowledge severall times to have seen the Cloath while it was a Weaving within the Castle by Master Parcks directions for Bryan Ballagh O Roirk at that time whiles the said Bryan Ballagh O Roirk was incamped about Mannor-Hammilton Castle The Depositions of Walter Harrison taken the 13. of January 1642. WHo acknowledgeth That he the Deponant being in the Castle of the Newtown with Master Robert Parck the Deponants Foster-Father called Cornick mac Robert mac Ternan did one night since this Rebellion send by a Boy of the Deponants called Teag mac Ternan three Beefs which this Deponant received about midnight Master Parck causing the Castle-Gate to be opened and to put them into the Bawn Which three Beefs as the Deponant alledgeth were for the use of the Castle The next night after the Souldiers brought in five Cows more which the Deponant believed did belong to his Foster-Father telling them if they were his it was shame for them to bring in a poor mans Cows who had supplied them the night before there being so many of Bryan Ballaghes O Roirks and others of the Rebels Cows daily grazing so neer that Castle and that it were better to seize upon them then upon his poor Foster-Fathers whereupon by order were commanded to forsake those Cows And the next night the same Souldiers brought eight Cows and thirty Sheep from the Rebels wherewith Master Parck being acquainted got out of his Bed in a great passion clapping his hands coming to the Gate and many times crying out now we are all undone causing the Gate to opened and to drive the Cows and Sheep towards the Rebels again The Depositions of Benjamin Alexander Clerk taken the 10. of August 1642. WHo deposeth That
upon the rumour of this Rebellion the Deponant being then at Sligoe went to Master Parcks with whom he remained in his Castle and being there about the 20. of January last being in Bed This Deponant heard that there was three or four Captains riding in haste by the Castle and that they had a compliment to Master Parck of their love and service and that they were going to Camp at Mannor-Hammilton the Deponant being asked what men as he thought was then in the Castle the Deponant thinketh neer betwixt fifty and sixty and denieth to have heard of any motion for stoping or following of them which pretended to go to the Camp at Mannor-Hammilton And further deposeth That at the same time as Lievtenant Lesly was sent with a party to have relieved Master Parck being then as was reported beset with the Rebels the Countrey being observed to be gathering together to prevent the Lievtenant and the parties return This Deponant heard it mentioned to Master Parck but by whom he cannot tell that the Drum should beat and that twenty or thirty of his men should go along as a guard to help the Lievtenant and the party which motion was prest by divers but Master Parck would not yeeld to it And further deposeth That one Roger Guise told this Deponant that he had received a Box on the ear from an Irish footman of Master Parcks for speaking against Owen O Roirk who was said to be killed when they were camping neer the Church of Clanclare And further deposeth He heard that Serjeant Heath and Roger Smith upon their return from Mannor-Hammilton delivered a message to Master Parck that he should apprehend Mullmory O Diggennan and send him to Mannor-Hammilton otherwise Sir Frederick would hold him as a Traitor The Depositions of Connor O Fynny taken the 13. of January 1642. WHo deposeth That upon the Tuesday or Wednesday before Easter last the Rogues of the County of Sligoe and Letrim lying their incampt neer Mannor-Hammilton Castle the Deponant was sent for by his Master Master Parck of Newtown and commanded him to carry a Linnen Bag with him with some things in it along in his Company with one Teage Reagh O Gillgan a Tenant to Andrew Crean dwelling at a Village called Curvulagh on the way neer Sligoe and as he went from his Master he met the party Teage O Gillgan at the Gate with whom the Deponant was commanded to go to his house and there to have left the Bag and to have brought to his Master from thence an example of some Malt but as the Deponant was going he was commanded within lesse then a quarter of a mile to the Newtown the Deponant was taken by half a score of Rogues calling themselves Souldiers to Donnell O Connor they taking the Bag from the Deponant threatning to carry him to Mannor-Hammilton Camp to their Colonels where he should be hanged but by the perswasion of Teage O Gillgan they meddled not with the Bag but carried this Deponant a little way off where they met with the two Captains Captain John O Crean and Captain Donnell O Connor who by the perswasion of Teage O Gillgan suffered this Deponant to return to his Master after promise made by him that he should return to them the next day having got his Cloaths and that he should bring a peece with him being demanded whether there was Money or Plate in the Bag by the vertue of his oath deposeth That he could not say what was in it for he never opened it but faith so soon as the Captains came the Bag was delivered to the party in his Company as Master Parck had appointed and that by the command of the two Captains and the Deponant sent home to his Master without further harme who when he came to his Master telling what had befaln him his Master asked how he escaped saying that he was glad he so escaped without any more harme the Deponant not being from him above three or four hours and asking what became of the Bag the Deponant told him the party had received it by the Captains command whom he sent it to And further saith That he was told that day by the Rogues that the Sunday before they had carried away fifteen or sixteen of Sir Frederick Hammiltons Horses and that before Sunday next they were sure to have his Castle Bidding the Deponant tell Master Parck to yeeld his Castle otherwise they had a Peece of Ordnance and would beat it about his ears when they came from Mannor-Hammilton whether that day the Deponant saw the Rogues flocking towards the Camp in severall numbers as if they had been going to a Fair being asked whether or not to the Deponants knowledge Teage Reagh O Gillgan had spoken with his Master that morning he received the Bag or not to which question the Deponant faith He doth not know he meeting him at the Gate The Copy of a Certificate given under the hands of severall Gentlemen at the desire of Sir Frederick Hammilton Dated 14. of January 1642. WE the undernamed persons do hereby acknowledge to have been present by the desire of Sir Frederick Hammilton Knight and Colonell while as he read the severall Depositions of Benjamin Alexander Rice Jones Thomas Jones Roger Smith William Parkenson William Morray William Bryan Dermond Offerry and George Heath concerning Master Robert Parck of Newtown being personally present there himself at the reading of the foresaid Depositions where the severall Deponants did in all our hearings acknowledge the Depositions to be the same which upon oath they had deponed formerly before the said Sir Frederick And thus much we have thought fit to certifie under our hands being desired so to do least hereafter any of the said former Witnesses should miscarry to the prejudice of His Majesties future Service which accordingly we have done As witnesse our severall hands hereunto set the day and yeer aforesaid William Lesly Lievtenant John Long Preacher John Cunningham Preacher Alex. Mountgumery Preacher Robert Sidney James Vaughan Lievtenant David Greere John Baxton The Copy of a Letter from the Lords Justices and Councell of Ireland AFter our very hearty Commendations on the 21. of this Moneth We received your Letters of the 19. of November and second of December and do acknowledge to you with speciall thanks your good indeavours in those parts and although we cannot yet send you relief as we desire yet we are assured that in short time we shall be inabled to do it There are arrived here this day fourteen hundred men sent us forth of England and further powerfull succours are in the way a coming whom we expect to arrive ere long and with them will come plentifull store of Arms whereby we shall be the better inabled to supply those parts as we much desire to do In the mean time we think fit that you reinforce the Foot-Company under your Command so as they may consist of a hundred men and to Arm them the best way you can untill by the coming of the supply of Arms we expect we may be inabled to send Arms for them which yet we cannot do with safety if we had Arms here untill by the strength of His Majesties Army we shall cleer the passages thither which by Gods help we doubt not in short time to do And so we bid you heartily farewell From His Majesties Castle of Dublin 30. Decemb. 1641. We send you here inclosed a Commission for prosecution of the Rebels with power of Martiall Law Ormond Assery Will. Parsons Joh. Borlasse Cha. Lambard Adam Loftus Joh. Temple William Parsons Joh. Borlasse By the Lords Justices and Councell TRusty and Welbeloved We greet you well We having entred into a serious consideration of the most Rebellious Insurrections of divers false Traitors in the Province of Vlster and elsewhere in this Kingdom and of the most wicked inclination of many unnaturall men inhabiting upon the severall Borders of Vlster and elsewhere who have already begun in the action of the most Rebellious conspiracies now on foot threatning a generall destruction to all His Majesties good Subjects of this Kingdom To cut off the said detestable offenders and to prevent the devastation and spoil of His Majesties good People We therefore thought fit and so do Ordain Require and Authorise you to make diligent search and inquiry throughout the Counties of Letrim and Sligoe and the Borders adjoyning thereunto for all Traitors and Traiterous persons above mentioned and their adherents And them to apprehend and duely examine concerning their Traiterous actions And if you shall finde any person or persons that have committed or joyned in any of the said actions to proceed with him or them in the course of Martiall Law by hanging him or them till he or they be dead as hath been accustomed in time of open Rebellion as your conscience and discretion shall guide you therein And for the better execution of this Our Commission We do hereby Authorize you to raise such numbers of men of those Counties for your assistance as you shall think fit and to take Meat and Drink not exceeding the value of six pence per diem each man during the service onely And we straightly Command the Sheriffs of the said Counties for the time being and all other Officers Ministers and loving Subjects to whom it may appertain To be unto you in the due execution hereof alwayes ayding helping and assisting whensoever they shall be required by you as they shall answer the contrary at their uttermost perils And that this Our Commission shall continue during Our pleasure onely As for your so doing as aforesaid This shall be your sufficient Warrant Given at His Majesties Castle of Dublin 30. Decemb. 1641. To Our Trusty and Welbeloved Sir Frederick Hammilton Knight Ormond Assery Cha. Lambard Ada. Loftus Joh. Temple FINIS
the parts thereabouts and amongst others did then direct particular advertisement thereof to be given unto Mannor-hammilton where the Rebellion broke not out in a Moneth after and of which the Informer could not afterwards be ignorant though he himself was then absent and certainly of all men hath least reason to lay this as a crime to the Respondents charge had he not wanted other matter II. To the second Article he answereth That the Commission therein mentioned as he hath heard was the first ground of the Informers envy and discontent not onely against this Respondent but also against all the other Brittish Colonels then in Vlster that received Commissions from His Majestie at that time for the raising of their Regiments and prosecuting of the Rebels taking it in great disdain that there was not the like Commission then sent unto him whereas for ought this Respondent could ever hear none of the said Colonels knew any certainty of the said Commissions untill they were brought unto them neither did this Respondent receive his said Commission untill almost a yeer after the Rebellion began at which time he gave notice thereof unto all his Captains for that during the greatest part of that yeer he was so inclosed on all sides with multitudes of the enemies being above fourty miles distant from any that were able to give him relief that he could not receive any intelligence how the state of the Protestants of that Kingdom stood in any part thereof though he had often used his best endeavours to gain the same to his exceeding great charges and the hanging of twelve or fourteen of his Messengers by the Rebels And the said Informer finding this Respondent next unto him and conceiving him easiest to be dealt withall hath ever since used his uttermost indeavours by invective Calumnies to asperse and undervalue both him and his actions which he hath ever envied so that by extolling his own unknown services he laboureth as much as in him lieth so eclipse those well know services performed by this Respondent and all other the Commanders and Officers in Ulster and Conaught And this Respondent further saith That by vertue of a Commission from the Lords Justices and Councell of Ireland to him directed at the beginning of the said Rebellion for raising Arming and Banding all the Brittish within the County of Fâ—rmanaugh he with the help of his friends raised Armed and Banded the nine Companies in the said second Article specified together with a Troop of Horse by vertue whereof also he might have raised Armed and Banded as many of the Brittish as he could have drawn together for their own mutuall defence and prosecution of the Rebels by whose assistance and Gods great blessings sundry good services have been performed whereof this Respondent did often give intimation both to the Honourable Parliament and to the Lords Justices and Councell of Ireland Humbly desiring that in reward of their good services they might be listed into the Parliaments pay and Regimented under his Command But inasmuch as he could not obtain that favour by reason of the troubles then hear though earnestly sollicited by his friends and that but 500. of his Foot and his Troop was inlisted and taken into the Parliaments pay from the first of July 1642. as appears by Order of the 21. of that Moneth and Provisions of Cloaths and Victuals being onely sent for them upon the solicitation of his Agent Master Robert Barklay this Respondent was constrained to deliver out the said Cloaths unto the Officers and Souldiers of the said five Companies not being able to divide the said 500. Suits amongst 900. men viz. Unto his own Company his Lievtenant-Colonels his Serjeant-Majors to the Company of Captain John Cole and to the Company of Captain Hugh Rosse of whom three are Scottish Officers and whom without prejudice to the others merrit he conceived very deserving of the Imployment Offering at the very same time to the other four Captains and their Companies an equall divident of all other Provisions sent him then by the Parliament and of what spoils they could get from the Rebels if they would continue with him in the Service promising also to use his best endeavours to have them taken into pay and added to his Regiment But the Cloaths being thus divided which could not be otherwise the said four Companies were so discontented that of their own accords they disbanded themselves and went to seek their fortunes elsewhere and yet the greatest part of their best and ablest men were perswaded to continue in the Garrison so that this Respondent denieth that he did cashiere four of the said Captains and their Companies of purpose to gain all the said Provisions to himself and his son in law Master Barklay as is suggested by the Informer but was so far from doing so dishonest an act that during the stay of the said four Captains and their Companies in the Garrison they received an equall and proportionable share of the Victuals sent by the Parliament unto his five Companies onely and moreover he then and about that time did procure upon the credit and obligations of himself and his friends worth 1300 l. more in Corn and other Provisions for his said five Companies and Troop besides those Provisions before mentioned to be sent them from the Parliament without which care and charge it was impossible for him to keep his Souldiers together and to do service for the publike in a remote Garrison invironed then with Rebels on all sides III. To the third Article this Respondent saith That one James Dunbar Esquire and son and heir of Sir John Dunbar Knight whose Lands with a good Iron-work thereon lies next adjoyning to part of the Lands of the Informer whose desire to intrude upon and gain their Rights to himself as they often affirmed to this Respondent begot much contention amongst them as it did between him and all others also who were his Landed Neighbours which bred such malice in the heart of the Informer against the said James that he not onely exceedingly thirsted after his life but after the Lives also of his two servants the Hetheringtons in the said Article mentioned not Papists as therein is surmised but then and now Protestants who as well to shun the malice of the Informer as the fury of the Rebels came with his said Father unto this Respondent in December 1641. Who intrusted the said James with the custody of the Castle of Lissgole neer Iniskillin with 74. persons with him where he was assaulted the 18. of December 1641. or thereabouts by a powerfull party of the enemy under the conduct of Rorie Magwire brother of the Lord Magwire who then took and burned the said Castle and massacred all that were in it except the said James Dunbar whom the Rebels kept in prison untill May or June 1642. At which time he made an escape and came again accompanied with the said two Hetheringtons unto this
and that upon much importunitie whose extreme misery was lamentably bewailed by all the men that were in that Garrison And then he not onely seized upon and kept his Castle of Newtown putting a Guard of his own into it but also plundered and converted to his own use all his Money Plate Arms Housholdstuff Beding Furniture and all other his Goods whatsoever which he had then as wel without as within doors there not suffering his Souldiers to come out of restraint or use their own Arms untill he had unlawfully compelled them to take an Oath to serve as Souldiers under his onely Command By reason whereof the said Master Parck was utterly disabled to perform far greater and much more advantageous Services in every degree in that place for this Honourable Parliament against the Rebels then ever the Informer did or could do there as this Respondent hath been credibly informed as well by the Testimony of sundry other honest men as by the said Master Parck himself Whereupon Sir Edward Pavie Knight whose daughter was the Wife of the said Master Parck together with others his friends being advertised of his extreme hard usage Petitioned the Lords Justices and Councell of Ireland for his removall to Dublin to answer such matters as the Informer had to lay to his charge and entered into Recognizance of 10000 l. for his appearance upon which their Lordships by Order dated in May 1643. or thereabouts required the Informer to set the said Parck at libertie to be sent either to Captain Folliot to Ballyshannan or unto this Respondent to Iniskillin together with the matters that he had to object against him That so he might be conveighed by them or one of them to London-Derry to be sent from thence to Dublin But the Informer notwithstanding the said Order was shewed unto him denied obedience thereunto and detained the said Parck still in durance untill his said friends procured severall Orders commanding his inlargement yet nothing would prevail to that effect with him untill that about the beginning of Septtmber 1643. Captain King coming with a Troop of Horse from Conaught into Vlster about some businesse he had with Sir William Stuart and Sir Robert Stuart he came about the thirteenth of that moneth to Iniskillin unto this Respondent who sent his Ensign with fifty Muskettiers to guard the said Troop to the Abbey of Boyl in Conaught which is about fourty miles from Iniskillin who were so far from knowing or allowing of the said Cessation mentioned in the said fourth Article that they fought with and kild some Rebels in the passe of Ballinafadd and took a prey from thence to the Boyl whence upon return of the said Ensign he came to Mannor-Hammilton in his way where he delivered a Letter from this Respondent to Lieutenant Lesley the Informers Lievtenant it being directed to the Informer or in his absence to the Officer in chief at Mannor-Hammilton with an Order of the Copy of an Order which the Respondent received from the said Captain Foliot in it directed also as aforesaid from the Lords Justices and Councell of Ireland for the inlargement of the said Parck to be sent to Iniskillin or Ballyshannon which this Respondent left to his choice to do or not to do as best pleased the Informer or his said Officer who sent the said Parck along with the said Ensign and because he was sensible of the great misery which he had wrongfully sustained by his Captains severitie he delivered to the said Master Parck two of his own Horses with some other little help toward his charges as the said Parck told this Respondent when he came to Iniskillin before which time this Respondent was never acquainted with him neither did this Respondent know or ever heard that he was affected to the Rebels neither did he know any manner of certainty of the concluding of the Cessation with the said Rebels untill he received advertisement together with a Proclamation to that effect from the Lords Justices and Councell of Ireland the 23. of October 1643. or thereabouts nor did he or could he obey the said Cessation before or since that day neither did he take any notice whether the Informer or his Wife and Children were gone to London-Derry neither was the Marquesse of Ormond at that time Lord Justice Lord Deputy or Lord Lievtenant of Ireland nor did this Respondent receive any such commands from his Lordship to send to the Informer as in the said fourth Article is surmized neither did this Respondent look for or expect any indirect corresponding from the Informers Lievtenant And this Respondent saith That as a Prisoner and poor distressed Englishman his Countrey-man being under bail and mainprize as aforesaid he gave some entertainment unto the said Parck for some few weeks in his house far short of feasting as the Informer terms it and not finding safety to convey him by the neerest way to Dublin he sent a guard together with one Henry Langford and other English and Scotchmen with him to Mannor-Hammilton again where he heard he was lodged for a night and where the Informer or his Officer might have detained him if they pleased But from thence he was conveyed by the said Langford and others to the Abbey of Boyl whence after he recovered of a Feaver whereof he had almost died he repaired to Dublin and according to the condition of his said friends Recognizance appeared before the Lords Justices and Councell at the Councell Board there where how he was proceeded withall this Respondent knoweth not neither did this Respondent return him back amongst the Rebels neither doth he know whether any of them did company him to Dublin neither doth this Respondent believe that the state there would grant him an Order for Restitution of his Castle with whatsoever Arms or Goods were in it unlesse it appeared to them that he was wrongfully expulsed by the Informer And this Respondent saith That he heard that by vertue of such Order of the State the said Castle was restored unto him and that he keeps it as the rest of the Brittish Forces in Conaught doth their Holds for the Parliament forces For upon the 25. of March last past as this Respondent hath been informed the said Parck his Souldiers of Newtown with the Informers Souldiers did spoil and prey the Rebels at Dromahear within six miles of Castle-hammilton and two miles of Master Parcks Castle of Newtown so as the Informers allegation that he and the Rebels makes good that Castle against the Parliament to the prejudice of the Parliaments service and the danger and hazard of all those parts of Conaught is meerly surmized invented and devised of purpose as this Respondent conceives to make him odious on the one side that the Informer may thereby the better work his malice against him and on the other side to bring the said Master Parck into the displeasure of the Parliament whereby he may make way to gain his
threescore of naked Bodies of which number was one Marcusse O Clery who had long served the King of Spain in whose Poceats were found divers Passes written in Spanish mentioning severall Services he had performed there Thus did we beat them bringing home abundance of their Arms most of them new Muskets and Calivers marked with the sign of the Crosse on their Priming Pans We likewise took prisoner he that had charge of the Ammunition with whom we found a great Bag of Powder a most welcome commodity for us which as he tells me was all the Powder that was amongst them Now Sir in discharge of my duty to God and His Majesties Service I have thought sit not withstanding your many great neglects and unkindnesses towards me to acquaint you with these passages My men being few and sorely wearied out some of them deadly wounded so as I am unable without help to lay hold on this brave opportunity so suddenly as is requisit to perform the rest of this Service being credible informed by divers prisoners that there is 10000. of their Cows within ten miles to this Castle driven hither from Boylagh and Bannagh assuring you were my men as fresh now as they were yesterday morning knowing the Rogues Posture as we have now left thâ—m we would grudge you or any man else a share of the second part of this Service who was not at the first But now as it is an offer is made you of welcome to the purpose where you shall finde if you will be advised worth your pains to fetch it So as we may have but your help for killing of the Rogues you shall be your own Carvers for all the Cows What you do do it quickly for this Service can brook no delay least the Rogues having met with no better welcome into Conaught indeavour to hasten from whence they came Thus expecting your speedy Answer as you tender Gods glory the Kings service and Common Cause I rest Yours ready to joyn with you for God and His Majesties Service Fred. Hammilton Castle Hammilton the 15. of May. 1643. By this Letter may appear the main grounds of the Respondents mentioned service intended for the Province of Conaught to wit for catching of Cows being promised to be his own Carver as the Repliants Letter mentioned never formerly having made any such hast for the Repliants relief while as he stoed in danger of being destroyed And since the Respondent hath thus ingaged the Repliant to answer the severall base unworthy and most impudent untruthes alledged by the Respondent in this passage the Repliant craves leave to inform the truth That hearing the Respondent was in person with his party within a mile or two to this Repliants Garrison and being informed the Respondent intended to come no neerer the Repliant thought fit being at that time sick in Bed to command the Gentleman who then commanded the Repliants Horse to take with him a party of Horse to attend the Respondent and to let him know the desire the Repliant had being so neer other that they might speak together and withall to inform the Respondent of the Repliants sicknesse at that time But it seems the guiltinesse of the Respondents conscience did possesse him with some base jealousies that the Repliant had some designe upon him so that he absolutely refused to come neer the Repliant but sent his Lievtenant Colonell Acheson and Captain Adam Catheart with orders to go back to the Repliants Castle with his party of Horse and that they should deliver from the Respondent a Paper to the Repliant which contained as followeth May 20. 1643. HUgh oge mac Gwily informed that Hester Edwards tells him That her Brother Richard Edwards a Souldier of Mannor-Hammilton charged her to notifie unto Sir William Cole That Sir Frederick Hammilton did purpose to lay hold and imprison the said Sir William Cole if ever he could get him within the Castle of Mannor-Hammilton wishing that this may be a Caveat unto the said Sir William Cole to prevent him Upon reading this Paper which this Repliant received being in Bed he asked the Lievtenant Colonell and Captain Cathcart if Sir William Colâ— had commanded them to deliver that Paper which it seemed put some fear in him and scared his coming neerer The Repliant telling them That he was very sorry to see Sir William Cole sâ— fir abused as to wrong himself upon the information of a poor simple Women in harbouring so base and treacherous a thought of the Repliant he having so many good fellows at that time about him to witnesse his usage The Lievtenant Colonell telling the Repliant That Sir William Cole needed not to have made any such use of that Paper for before they left their Garrison he had told Sir William Cole that he had heard her Brother Richard Edwards to have spoken the like whereupon this Repliant took a Copy of this Paper attested under the hands of the Lievtenant Colonell and Captain Cathcart returning the principall with them to the Respondent and withall sent the Souldier Richard Edwards along with them for the Respondents better satisfaction As likewise the Repliant sent his Minister Master John Long to inform and satissie the Respondent of the Repliants sicknesse and unability to go to the Respondent and the great necessity there was that the Respondent and the Repliant should speak together since they were so neer for ordering and concluding the course they meant to take for marching with that party the Respondent and his men being but strangers in that Province were to be guided by the Repliants party the Minister having Commission from the Repliant to make offer to the Respondent for his safe conduct if his sear still continued that the Repliants Wise and Children should be sent as pledges to the Respondents party whereupon this motion of the Ministers the Respondent was pleased to venture himself with a many of his Officers who the Repliant dare say were both kindly and courteously received by the Repliant and his Wife though he ill deserved it howsoever for the service sake the Repliant thought sit to strain himself and upon their meetings the Rupliant gave Orders to his Officers both Horse and Foot what party they should draw out and what course they should take being joyned with the Respondents party which course God blessed with successe as the Respondents expectation and the Repliants undertakings were both well answered the party returning within two dayes with a Prey of neer 2000. Cows and very neer so many Sheep besides abundance of Plundering which the Respondents Souldiers knew well how to go about though the main thing the Repliant most desired they came short off the rogues not daring to face or fight such a great party The Repliants small handfull having many times made greater execution upon the Rebels then was performed in that march upon their return the Respondent made no such ceremony as formerly in taking up his Quarters at
good successe and prosperity of His Majestie which with confidence I give you an assurance off having of late infinitely prevailed against his most malicious and disloyall enemies in that high degree as I am confident they will very suddenly submit and render themselves to his most mercifull protection Sir I understand that most of the Irish of this Nation pretend the having of a Commission from our King to countenance their actions which is a most false surmise he being so far from incouraging them in their proceedings as he deemed them Rebellious and solely intended to the destruction of the English Nation and Government There is since my coming into this Countrey an Army of theirs came into the County of Rescommen what their number is I cannot advertise you but their intention is to take all the Garrisons in that County and to destroy such of the Kings Army as reside there the prevention whereof must be laboured by all such as hath either power or authority Sir a great number of my Tenants complain unto me how you have destroyed them which I am confident they deserved being erroneously blinded by such as for their own particular interest would destroy the Generall I have laboured in some measure to reform some and seeing I cannot reside here I must refer them to your protection being confident that for the future they will neither misbehave themselves nor labour to hinder any of your designes Sir I herewith send you a Petition of Master Parcks with the Lords Justices and Councels Order thereupon And though my Lord Precedent be not in the Province to receive him I will under take if you will trust him to my care to convey him safe to Dublin with what examinations of his you send I shall expect to receive your Commands and in the interim remain Your humble servant Taaffe Bellimote the 12. of July 1643. A Copy of the severall Depositions of Witnesses taken by Sir Frederick Hammilton Knight and Colonell concerning Master Robert Park and his Brother William Parck their carriage since the beginning of this Rebellion THomas Powell Mason being duely sworn deposeth that some three or four dayes after the news came to the Castle of Dromahear that the Rebels had burned the Iron-works called the Garrison Master William Parck living at that time in the said Castle of Dromahear did upon the news transport most of the Goods he had within that Castle and delivered them a keeping to the Friers then dwelling at Crimley not half a mile from the said Castle of Dromahear At which time the Deponant heard Owen O Roirk desire Walter Harrison of Crimley to speak to William Parck that he would leave him the said Owen O Roirk in the possession of the said Castle upon condition That if came peace the said Castle should be surrendered unto the said William and if it continued wars That as the said Owen O Roirk said was more more kindly unto him then to any other of his name To which motion William Parck in the Deponants hearing answered He had already disposed of the Charge of that Castle to one Teage oge mac Quin who to the Deponants knowledge was and is for any thing the Deponant knoweth the chief servant and follower of Owen O Roirk And further this Deponant saith That William Parck having delivered in his Goods to the Friers locked in the Castle Gates of Dromahear not leaving one man in it and that very day transported himself and his Wife to his Brother Robert Parcks Castle at the Newtown From whence the said William Parck returned to the said Castle of Dromahear the next morning and with a Ladder went over the Band-Walls and stayed some short time within the Castle returning by the said Ladder as he went leaving the Castle without men and the Gate barred in the inner side and so returns back to his Brother at the Newtown the next night one Hugh O Roirk Grandchild to Mac Naw with many Rogues in his Company possessed himself of Dromahear Castle who the next morning was dispossessed by Owen O Roirk who alledged to the Deponant and others living there at that time that the Keyes of the Castle Gate was delivered him by William Parck This Deponant further saith That he the Deponant remained at Dromahear neer to that Castle almost five weeks after Owen O Roirk had possessed himself thereof his Souldiers daily robbing him and some few Brittish more whose lives were daily threatned till at last the Deponant was forced to beg leave to be gone which was granted him upon condition that he should neither go to Mannor-Hammilton nor to the Boyl but to Master Robert Parcks of the Newtown the said Owen O Roirk seizing upon all the Deponants Cows that were left him onely allowing him one Cow for the relief of his children the Deponant being come to Newtown acquainted Master Park with the manner of his parting with Owen O Roirk and within a week after this Deponant procured Master Parcks Letter to Owen O Roirk in favour of the Deponant That the said Owen then called Colonell O Roirk would grant this Deponant two more of his own Beefs for the maintenance of the Deponant his Wife and Children at Master Parcks Castle Upon which Letter of Master Robert Parcks the two Beefs were delivered and the Deponant returned with a courteous kinde answer to Master Parcks Letter And further saith That he hath many times heard Owen O Roirks Souldiers brag that the Newtown they held it their own for they could have it at their pleasure having got Mannor-Hammilton Castle This Deponant being further questioned what Irish servants Master Robert Parck kept in his Castle and how many of them went to Church to this he deposeth he kept divers Irish servants but he knew none of them that went to Church Also Owen mac ô Bryan being questioned if he heard of a quarrell betwixt Loghlan ô Diggennan Master Parcks footman and one English-man called Roger Guise The Deponant to this saith He was by when the quarrell began and helped to part them the quarrell beginning upon a report that Sir Frederick Hammilton had killed Colonell Owen ô Roirk whilest he beat his Regiment being incamped about Mannor-Hammilton The said Guise wishing a thousand more of the like kinde were hanged or killed whereunto the said Loghlan replied in the Deponants and others hearing That it were better that the said Guise and a thousand the like of him were hanged then that the said Owen ô Roirk should be killed in that manner by Sir Frederick Hammilton and with these words the said Loghlan in the Deponants sight and others struck the said Roger Guise over the mouth with his first the Deponant and others parting them the said Guise with divers others of the English in the Castle much discontented at the said Loghlans boldnesse complained to Master Parck of what had passed but no reparation was made the said Guise neither was there any punishment
inflicted upon the said Loghlan The Deponant being further asked if he knew one Mullmory ô Diggâ—nnan or if he had heard of any words that had passed between Serjeant Heath and the said Mullmory concerning Sir Frederick Hammilton if he was by when the words were spoken or if he heard what words they were To this the Deponant answereth That Mullmory ô Diggennan he knoweth to be Master Parcks Husbandman and father to the said Loghlan ô Diggennan and did hear that Serjeant Heath being one day in the Forge within Master Parcks Bawn Mullmory ô Diggennan brought into the said Forge some Plow-Irons which Serjeant Heath perceiving was said to have told the said Mullmory it was a good sight to see him provide for plowing or words to this purpose to the which speech of Serjeant Heaths Mullmory was said to reply it was to no purpose for any man in this Countrey to Plough or Sowe untill Sir Frederick Hammilton were cut off These words the Depâ—nant did not hear spoken by Mullmory himself but did hear it from Serjeant Heath to whom it was spoken and heard divers others talking of it within the Castle admiring that fellow should be suffered to live And further this Deponant saith That many Irish were daily coming and going to Master Parcks Castle and Ploughing neer about it such as the three Brothers Torilagh Donnell and another of the ô Boylands with one James ô Gallocher Son in law to the said Mullmory ô Diggennan having been a Souldier to the Arch-Rebell Torilagh mac Caffry ô Donnell This ô Gallacher going severall times from the Newtown Castle to Sligoe and Dromahear to Masse and other times would be abroad two or three dayes and so return pretending to have been looking for Mares or Cattle of his Father in laws and his own when no good Subject of greater strength then they durst wander abroad or had any Cattle left them The Depositions of George Heath Serjeant taken the 23. July 1643. WHo being duely sworn deposeth That about the 24. of February last Sir Frederick Hammilton hearing that Master Robert Parck of Newtown whose Serjeant the Deponant then was was besieged or blockt up in his Castle of Newtown by the Rebels of the County of Sligoe and Letrim for whose relief the said Sir Frederick sent his two Lievtenants Lievtenant Lesly and Lievtenant Vaughan with a party of Horse and Foot with Orders as the Deponant was told to view in what Posture the Rebels lay about us and to indeavour to speak with Master Parck and to bring him and his men off if he found himself unable with those men or feared his Provisions for the making good of that Castle At the parties coming to us Lievtenant Lesley found our Castle free and delivered his Message to Master Parck from his Colonell withall desiring Master Parcks answer which was That he would not leave his Castle and that he much feared the parties danger upon their retreat observing the Fields foul and the Rebels gathering on every Hill round about us whereupon Lievtenant Lesly desired Master Parck for the better guard and strengthning of that party which his Colonell had so ventured for his relief that therefore he might be supplied with twenty or thirty of his men he having sufficient besides to guard him in his Castle which request of Lievtenant Leslies was altogether denied by Master Parck though it was seconded and much urged by the Deponant and most of Master Parcks Souldiers who told him it would be a great shame for them all to see those men in danger to be destroyed who had so ingaged themselves for his relief Master Parcks answer was That he would not spare a man neither would he do any thing to provoke the Countrey against himself The Deponant further saith That shortly after this parting of Lievtenant Lesly with Master Parck news was brought us by Mullumry O Diggennan who then served Master Parck as his Bailiff or Husbandman that he had seen Sir Frederick Hammiltons party sore put to it upon their retreat homewards having been charged by neer six or seven hundred of the Rebels having incountered them and fought with them as they were mid way betwixt Master Parcks and their Garrison which news made the Deponant and most of Master Parcks Souldiers much ashamed of themselves and began to mistrust their own safeties in that Castle Some few dayes after this Deponant standing and mourning upon the Castle-Wals of Newtown did perceive four or five Horsemen riding from toward Sligoe which Horsemen the Deponant was told was Captain Mac Donnaghy and Colonell Taaffe riding towards Mannor-Hamâ—…lton to meet their Troops having incamped about that Castle they sending a Horseman before them with a compliment as this Deponant was told to Master Parck and to ask leave freely to passe by his Castle as they did to this Deponant and others of the Souldiers great grief if they durst have followed this Colonell and Captain being not above five or six Horsemen in Company Wâ—… fâ—rther deposeth That Mannor-Hammilton Castle being besieged by â—…onell Owen O Roirk and his brother Bryan Ballagh O Roirk with the assistance of the County of Sligoe the said Bryan Ballagh had his Cows brought close to the Castle of the Newtown where they daily and peaceably grazed with a small guard of three or four heards during the time the Camp lay about Mannor-Hammilton not a Souldier daring from Newtown Castle to meddle with a Cow of of them though they were sometimes in great distresse for victuals this Deponant many times telling Master Parck what a shame it was to him and how he might one day be put to answer it for suffering the Rebels to graze their Cows so meanly guarded so neer his Castle and so many of His Majesties Subjects within his Castle in such distresse being abâ—… to supply themselves and him both if under the Deponants care and charge he would suffer the men to venture for them but the Deponant could never prevail with Master Parck to meddle with a Cow of them Further the Deponant saith That one night some of the Souldiers being in great distresse for victuals John Powel and others ventured with a Rope to go over the Wals and that night brought in thirteen Cows from the Rebels wherewith one Walter Harrison being acquainted that so many Cows were brought by in two Souldiers the said Harrison did alledge those Cows to belong to his Foster-Father swearing many oaths that who should meddle with those Cows he would have their hearts blood and with this acquaints Master Parck who no sooner heard of it but in great anger threatning and checking the Souldiers caused them to turn back all the Cows not suffering a Souldier to kill a Beast of them The next night the same Souldiers being sore pinched with wants for the relief of their Wives and Children ventured as the night before over the Wals by the help of a Rope and brought home that night some sheep
with them which they speedily killed the next morning they were challenged by a woman from the Rebels who complained to Master Parck that his Souldiers had that night brought away some of their Muttons For the which Master Parck gave her present satisfaction threatning the Souldiers to stop it in their allowances The Deponant further saith That neer about Candlemas last he being in Master Parcks Forge within the Castle Bawn of Newtown one morning Mullmory ô Diggennan came into the said Forge with some Plough Irons in his hand to whom this Deponant said it was a good sight to see the said Mullmory provide for Plowing to whom the said Mullmory replied in the presence of Thomas Witticomb Smith that he the said Mullmory might provide what he pleased but that he held it to no purpose for any man in that Countrey to provide either for Ploughing or Harrowing untill Sir Frederick Hammilton were cut off whereunto the Deponant replied It were better the said Mullmory and a thousand the like of him were cut off With which speeches Master Parck was acquainted who sent for the Smith Thomas Witticomb asking if he heard those speeches of Mullmory ô Diggennans to Serjeant Heath which the Smith justified That he did hear them this Deponant being present then yet was not the said Mullmory questioned at all for those speeches to this Deponants knowledge And further saith That about the time that Bryan Ballagh ô Roirk was incamped about Mannor-Hammilton Castle this Deponant was informed That the said Bryan Ballagh had sent a Web of neer fourty yards of Broad-Cloath to be Woven by Master Parcks Weaver William Bryan upon report this Deponant went into the Work-house where the said Cloath was a working and meeting with William Bryan told him that he would one day be hanged for working of Bryan Ballagh ô Roirks Cloath then in Rebellion whereunto the Weaver replied That he did nothing in that without the leave and orders of his Master And further saith That the news being brought to Newtown on Good-Friday morning that Sir Frederick Hammiltons Souldiers had beaten Owen ô Roirks men and all those who were incamped about Mannor-Hammilton Castle upon which news all Bryan Ballaghes Cows which during the Camp about Mannor-Hammilton had so peaceably grazed about Newtown Castle were that morning all driven away and a servant of Bryan Ballaghes sent to the Weaver to demand the Cloath which at that time was not altogether finished the Messenger being most impatient as the Deponant was afterwards told by the Weaver to attend one hour for finishing of it which Web of Cloath was delivered to the Messenger by Master Parcks command as the Weaver said The Deponant further saith That shortly after the Camp was broke up towards the latter end of April last this Deponant was sent and one Roger Smith in his Company with a Letter to Sir Frederick Hammilton from Master Parck and in our Companies went along one Loghlan ô Diggennan son to the aforesaid Mullmory ô Diggennan this Deponant acquainting Sir Frederick Hammilton what had passed betwixt the Father and the Deponant at which time one Master Huthersall acquainted Sir Frederick that a Foot-boy of Master Parcks had come to him the said Huthersall who was sitting upon the Hill looking upon the Lievtenant as he was exercising of the Company The said Foot-boy of Master Parcks telling Master Huthersall that his Master remembred him kindly to him and intreated him by all means to write unto him the true state of Mannor-Hammilton Castle and in what condition the Souldiers were in how they were payed and as they were pleased and what other news the said Huthersall could inform himself besides and that this Letter must be delivered to the said Loghlan with all secrecy not to be known to Serjeant Heath or Roger Smith assuring Master Huthersall of his Masters thankfulnesse This curiositie of the Foot-boyes Master Huthersall thought not fit to be concealed from Sir Frederick upon discovery whereof Loghlan ô Diggennan is apprehended the Deponant and Roger Smith are returned to Master Parck without any other Answer to his Letter but that we should tell Master Parck that his Footboy was taken upon strong presumption that he was a Spie for the Rebels and that it was reported Master Parcks had made his own conditions with them upon which reports Sir Frederick was jealous of him wishing us to tell Master Parck That if he would have Sir Frederick trust to his Loyalty and had a minde to save his Footman from hanging that betwixt and the Friday following he would send unto Sir Frederick the Father Mullmory ô Diggennan to answer and justifie himself and his son both of them being Traitors kept in by the O Roirks about Master Parck as Sir Frederick was informed for their intelligence for our destructions And that if Master Parck did not send the said Mullmory as was desired then would Sir Frederick hold Master Parck himself no good Subject afterwards Which message and information from Sir Frederick was accordingly delivered by Roger Smith and the Deponant to Master Parck who gave no other answer at that time but seemed to be much vexed for the leaving of his Footman behinde Saying he knew not where to finde Mullmory yet the Deponant was informed afterwards that whilest he and Roger Smith went to sleep having marched that night that Master Parck sent one Rice Jones privately to Mullmory ô Diggennan who was come to the Castle that morning to advise the said Mullmory to shift for himself for he durst not longer keep him Sir Frederick Hammilton having caused to apprehend his son and sent for himself that morning and further this Deponant saith not The Depositions of Roger Smith taken ut supra WHo deposeth That towards the latter end of April last being sent with Serjeant Heath from Master Robert Parck with a Letter to Sir Frederick Hammilton Sir Frederick having a little before this beaten the Rebels of the County of Letrim and Sligoe which had long incamped about Mannor-Hammilton Castle during which time Bryan Ballagh O Roirk and divers others of the Rebels grazed their Cattle neer within a Musket shot to Master Parcks Castle of the Newtown and upon the Deponants return from Mannor-Hammilton Master Parck asked if he had brought no answer to his Letter who said he had none but a Message That Sir Frederick being informed that he had made his own conditions with the Rebels who had promised to spare Master Parck untill they had got their will of Sir Frederick Hammiltons Castle and that Master Parck had promised not any way to interrupt the Rebels being daily so bold about Master Parcks as not onely to graze their Cattle so neer his Gate but in suffering them to make their daily passage thorow his Land with victuals and other relief for their Camp whilest they lay five weeks about Mannor-Hammilton Castle without the interruption of Master Parck or any in his Castle having at that
time neer threescore of able men in it wishing the Deponant to tell Master Parck that unlesse he would send him Mullmory O Diggennan who as Sir Frederick was informed had been fighting against the Kings Souldiers he would hold the said Master Parck as a Traitor himself Which message this Deponant in presence of Serjeant Heath delivered to Master Parck he being in Bed shewing a great deal of anger against the Deponant for leaving of his Footman Loghlan O Diggennan behinde him The Deponant being weary with the nights march went to sleep and as he awaked he was told that Mullmory O Diggennan was run away but afterwards the Deponant heard Rice Jones say that Master Parck had sent him to advise the said Mullmory to shift for himself shortly after the Deponant and Serjeant Heath had delivered their message that morning they came from Mannor-Hammilton And further deposeth That he did see a Cow which one Norman a poor Englishman had taken while as Bryan Ballaghs Cows grazed neer the Newtown Castle during the Camp about Mannor-Hammilton and did see Bryan Ballaghes Herdsman Thomas Carvell complain to Master Parck giving order to his Bailiff Mullmory O Diggennan to make search for the same who found the Cow killed by the Englishman Norman and his Wife whereat Master Parck was very angry Saying That was the way to bring trouble enough and bring the Country upon their backs wishing Mullmory O Diggennan to tell Bryan Ballagh that the Englishman should no more come within his Gates for meddling with Bryan Ballaghes Cows And further saith That the Newtown Castle was daily relieved with Milk from Bryan Ballaghes Bolly during the Camp about MANNOR-HAMMILTON the Herds Wife bringing of it freely The Depositions of Dermond O Ferry Harper taken the 12. of January 1642. WHo deposeth That upon Friday the 28. of January 1641. this Deponant coming to the Church of Clanclare within half a mile to Mannor-Hammilton Castle where he found that night Colonell O Roirk with divers other Colonels and Captains gathered together with intention the next morning to burn off the Town and Garrison of Mannor-Hammilton with both the Water-Mills there which accordingly was performed in this Deponants sight who afterwards got leave of Owen O Roirk to go back to the Castle of Dromahear where the said Owen O Roirks Wife and family lived living himself with his Brother Bryan Ballagh O Roirk with five or six hundered more of the Rebels incamped neer unto the Castle of Mannor-Hammilton where they lay till Friday the fourth of February following which day they were beaten from the Camp where the said Colonell Owen ô Roirk told the Deponant he escaped narrowly himself divers of his Regiment being killed and the rest chased The Deponant further faith That about the 20. of February following he this Deponant obtained leave that he might go visit Master Parck at Newtown whom he had formerly served as his Harper which granted him conditionally that he should stay but one night with Master Parck and that this Deponant should tell Master Parck That Colonell O Roirk and the rest of their Army were informed that Master Parck had supplied Sir Frederick Hammilton with what Powder was spent upon them the last day they were beaten from their Camp which if Master Parck had done so it was more then they expected from his hands For whosoever should lend Armes or Ammunition against them was to be held as much an enemy as those that fought against them And withall Colonell O Roirk bid this Deponant tell Master Parck that he with his Brother Bryan Ballagh ô Roirk had been desired by severall Letters from the Gentlemen of the County of Sligoe to joyn with them in laying a Camp about Master Parck and his Castle at the Newtown which they both refused advising the County of Sligoe Gentlemen rather to joyn with them in camping about Mannor-Hammilton Castle who had done them much hurt Master Parck having done them none and being able to destroy Sir Frederick Hammiltons Master Parck and his would be easily their own This Deponant having delivered his message to Master Parck letting him know withall That he could stay no longer then that night being ingaged by his promise to Colonell O Roirk to return the next morning whereupon Master Parck wished the Deponant to tell Owen ô Roirk that whosoever informed that Sir Frederick Hammilton was supplied by him with any Powder wronged him much for he was not stored as to have spared his Father any And further the said Parck told this Deponant That though he was desirous to have enjoyed his Company longer yet since he was ingaged by his promise to Colonell O Roirk to return the next day he would by no means to have him break his word Master Parck likewise telling the Deponant That it was reported amongst them that Colonell O Roirk was likewise killed by Sir Frederick Hammilton at the breaking up of the Camp till the Deponant assured him of the contrary and that he was an eye-witnesse that day the Town and Garrison of Mannor-Hammilton was burned Master Parck afterward asking this Deponant what the Countrey said was the reason for this Rebellion they alledged the King to have incouraged them to it which if he did said Master Parck we must all do as the King will have us to do but untill the truth of this appear I will keep my self quiet and meddle as little as I can The Deposition of Thomas Jones Clerk taken the 14. of July 1642. WHo being duely sworn deposeth That in June last coming from Newtown to Mannor-Hammilton Master Robert Parck desired the Deponant to advertise him privately if at any time he observed Sir Fred. Hammilton displeased towards him or that the said Sir Frederick had any intention to take away his men from him or any other matter that the Deponant thought fit to advertise him with privately shewing the Deponant a peece of paper cut in such a manner as a man might write by it to his friend and none could read it or make sence of what they read but by the like paper which Master Parck called a mask for a Letter And shortly after this Deponant being at Mannor-Hammilton had one of the masks cut in Parchment and sent from Master Parck by Rober Slixton to the Deponant which he presently shewed to Rice Jones who told this Deponant That he the said Rice Jones was sent by Mascer Robert Parck at such a time as Serjeant Heath and Roger Smith came from Mannor-Hammilton to give warning to Mullmory ô Diggennan to shift for himself for he could no longer protect him Sir Fred. Hammilton having sent for him and committed his Son in law This Deponant further saith That after the taking in of Sligoe by the Rebels and the great murders there committed upon the Brittish the Deponants Son in law Humphrey Jones told this Deponant That he was sent by Master Parck in the night time with two
peeces of Plate to Andrew Crean to a place called the Armagh where he borrowed from the said Andrew for the use of Master Parck eight pounds sterlin The said Andrew Creans two sons John and William ô Crean being at that time in open Rebellion The Depositions of Rice Jones Gentleman taken ut supra THe Deponant by vertue of his oath doth acknowledge to have seen the mask for a Letter cut in Parchment and sent as Parson Jones told this Deponant from Master Parck to Parson Jones from Newtown And further this Deponant doth confesse That morning after Serjeant Heath and Roger Smith returned from Mannor-Hammilton to Newtown Master Robert Parck sent this Deponant to Mullmory ô Diggennan to acquaint him that Sir Frederick Hammilton had caused to apprehend his son Loghlan Oge and had sent for the said Mullmory to be sent him likewise and therefore Master Parck wished the Deponant to advertise him and to advise him to shift for himself for he durst no longer protect him The Depositions of William Parkenson of Newtown Butler taken the 12. Jan. 1642. WHo deposeth that he was told by Mullmory ô Diggennan that he had procured for his Master Mr. Robert Parck eight pound sterlin of one of the Creans neer Sligoe upon three peeces of Plate which was sent from his Master by Humphrey Jones who received the Money and brought it to Master Parck And further deposeth That since this Rebellion one Irishman called Owen mac Bryan told this Deponant one day in a great passion that he hoped ere long all the English Rogues or English Dogs should be cut in peeces and destroyed or words to this purpose with which words this Deponant acquainted Master Parck And further deposeth That while as Bryan Ballaghes Cows grazed neer Newtown during the Camp about Mannor-Hammilton Castle this Deponant observed a Woman and a Wench once or twice a week to bring in Milk to the Castle of the Newtown from Bryan Ballaghes Bolly which was spent at Master Parcks Table but whether or not this Woman was Bryan Ballaghes Cow-heards Wife as by others is alledged this Deponant knoweth not The Depositions of Thomas Witticomb Smith taken the 10. of August 1642. DEposeth That about Candlemas last one Mullmory ô Diggennan servant to Master Robert Parck coming to this Deponants shop with Plough-Irons in his hand Serjeant Heath meeting him there told him it was a good sight to see him in these troublesome times provide Ploughing whereunto this Deponant heard the said Mullmory reply That they might provide what they pleased but none of this Countrey would do any more good with Ploughing untill Sir Fred. Hammilton were cut off whereunto Serjeant Heath replyed it were better a 1000. the like of Mullmory were hanged than that Sir Frederick should be cut off And further this Deponant sayth that he was sent for by Master Parck to his own Chamber and examined upon these words in presence of Serjeant Heath both of us justifying to Master Pa r that we heard Mullmory speak these words The Depositions of William Bryan of Newtown Weaver taken ut supra WHo being duely sworn and examined deposeth that having served Master Parck in his Town of Newtown since May was a yeere untill the beginning of this rebellion that he got leave from Master Parck to put his Loomes in the Castle of Newtown where he wrought for his Master and others as would pay him and further deposeth that about Shrovetide last whiles the camp lay about Mannor-Hammilton Castle a servant of Bryan Ballagh O Roirke whose name the Deponant knowes not who many times used to come to Master Parcks house did ask the Deponant if he would work a peece of cloath for his Master Bryan Ballagh who answered if Master Parck would give him leave the Deponant shortly finding Master Parck without the Castle-gate told him that Bryan Ballaghs man desired him to work a peece of cloath for his Master This Deponant asking Master Parck if he thought it would be any hurt for him to work it whereunto Master Parck replied that he hoped it would be no hurt for him at all Some weekes after this Bryan Ballaghs man coming againe to the house this Deponant advised him to bring his Masters yearn which accordingly the man did towards the middle of Lent the Deponant at that time having some of Master Parcks own cloath in hand Master Parck coming into the work-house asked this Deponant if Bryan Ballagh had not as yet sent his yearn to be woven which so soon as it came imployed one William Morray a Scots man of his own Trade to work the cloath for him this Deponant during that time onely providing of the pernes which cloath was a weaving untill good Friday which was the day after the camp was beaten and broken up from about Mannor-Hammilton Castle which morning very earely before Sun rising Bryan Ballaghs man came for the cloath the Deponant telling him it was not quit ready wishing him to come in the afternoon and he should have it but the messenger replied that he could not go without it the cloath being shortly afterwards finished Master Parck sends one Anthony Collecarway a servant of his own commanding speedily to deliver the cloath to Bryan Ballaghs man this Deponant receiving for his work six shillings wanting two pence the cloath amounting to so much after the rate of two pence the yard weaving this Deponant further deposeth Whiles the Cloth was in the Loome a working that Serjeant Heath divers times came into the Work-house telling this Deponent that he would be hanged for working of Bryan Ballaghs Cloth then in Rebellion the Deponant answering him that he did nothing but he was commanded and warranted by Master Park The Deposition of Willam Morray Weaver taken ut supra VVHo Deposeth that about New-years day last being kept at Kilkenny Castle in the County of Mayo and coming in that case towards Mannour Hamilton and passing by Master Parkes mill neere the New-town one of the Rogues laid hand on this Deponant not suffering him and one Edward Maxwell in his company to passe towards Enniskillin as they pretended but advised this Deponant to go towards New-town one of the Rogues speaking good English whom this Deponent hath divers times since seen at New-town Castle where the Deponant being come he was imployed by Mr. Parke as other souldiers were in standing Centry and doing duty about the Castle and sometimes working in his Trade and at such time as Bryan Ballagh O Roirks yearn was sent to be wrought by William Bryan Mr. Parke at that time commanded the Deponant to leave all other work and to fall about Bryan Ballagh O Roirks cloth promissing the Deponant he should be exempted of all other work and duty untill it were finished The Deposition of Owen Mac O Bryan Serjeant to Master Robert Parke taken the 15th of July 1642. VVHo deposeth that about the 20th of January last in the morning