Deposition of John Clerke

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109

John Clerke late of Dundalke in the County of Lowth shoemaker duely sworne and examined before vs by vertue of a Comission vnder the broade seale of this kingdome to vs and others directed beareing date &c. deposeth and saith That on or about the first of November 1641 this examinant was robbed and forceably dispoiled of his goodes & chatles to the value of fourscore pounds or thereabouts
This examinant further saith That soone after the Rebellion broke forth in this kingdome this examinant & seuerall other protestant men women & children were forced to stay at dundalke aforesaid where amonge many other vnmercyfull Actes the deponent observed theis particullars following vizt That seuerall protestants flying for their liues out of Vlster were at dundalke aforesaid cruelly handled by the Rebells thereabouts insoemuch that vppon a Sunday morneing this examinant tooke speciall notice that of men women & children there perished at the Riuer of dundalke being professed professed protestants the number of fiue & Thirtie all driuen by the Inhabitants therabouts where they were all drowned, this passage was seene acted by this examinants serveing maids himself being kepte close prisoner. The deponent further saith That about the same time he obserued that one Thomas Dee of Dundalke aforesaid took a subtill & malitious course to seduce & withdrawe the people giueing foorth that he pressed the Country souldiers to assist her Maiesty the Queene of England in this Rebellious Insurrection, thereby makeing her the author of this Rebellion. The deponent likewise saith that his brother Thomas Clerke yeoman being kepte prisoner at CarrickmcRosse in the County of Monghan was there cruelly murthered by the Rebells in the said County And further he cannot depose

John Clerke
Jurat coram nobis
Vltra 7bris 1647
Hen: Clogher
Hen: Brereton

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