Examination of James Michell

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The Examinacion of James Michell of Ileland Magee taken before vs the first of June, 1653
Who being sworne and Examined sayth that hee this deponett, being at Ballycarry on that Sabbath day about sermon tyme in the afternoone on which day the Irish of the Isle of Magee were murdered when there was a great confluence of Scottishmen met togeither at the sayd village of Ballycarry from the county of Tyrone from beyond the Bane waters from Ballymenagh, all Strangers to this examinant, who (as this examinant then heard generally reported) gaue out that they had a warrant from the king to murder all the Irish, and that they would kill any man that would saue or protect the Irish; And that this examinant meeting (in his way home) with on William Graham, told him, that he this examinant, was affrayd that all their Irish neighbours, of the Island of Magee, would be killd that night; for that he had heard the same at Ballycary; And this examinant further sayth that he heard the sayd party at the towne of Ballycarry, threaten, that they would kill Doctor Colvill, because he would not shew vnto them the warrant for the execucion of the Irish; And this examinant alsoe sayeth that on the next morning after the sayd massacre he went into the house of Ever McGee, who with his family was that Sunday night murdered. and saw John Marshall now prisoner in this towne of Carrickfergus comeing out of the house with Bloody brackans & cloaths hanging on a staff which he caried on his shoulder. wherevpon he this examinant told him the sayd John, it had ben fitter for him to bury the dead; then to take away any of the murdered persons cloaths. who makeing noe answeare went into his owne house with the sayd cloaths; And this examinant sayth that he beleeveth that the sayd John Marshall was a man apt to doe mischeif, for that within a shorte tyme after; he the sayd John Marshall gaue to one Thomas Russell of Bellymanagh, a potle of Beere for to kill one Jennet Mcffurlan, a widdow in the Island of Magee because she demaunded of the sayd marshall

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some money which he owed vnto her as this examinant was credibly informed and heard it generally reported in the Countrey that the sayd Russell did therevpon murder the sayd woeman according to the sayd Marshalls desire; and that k neere vnto the sayd marshalls doore. And this examinant sayth that he knoweth not of any other persons other then is herein specified that were actors or accessaryes in the sayd massacres and further sayth not.

The mark of James Michell [mark]

Taken before vs
Owen Wynn
John: Reding

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(81) B
June 1o: 1653

The Examinacion of James Mitchell concerning the murthers at Island Magee
against
John Marshall prisoner
Thomas Russell

The examinacion of James Michell concerning the murder of Ever McGee & his family by Jo Marshall & c.