Examination of Thomas Theaker

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The Examinacion of Thomas Theaker suffraine of Belfast taken the eighteenth day of July 1644 by the right Honorable James Earle of Roscomon and Sir James Ware knight &c vpon oath before administred by the clerke of the Councell
<v> Who being duely sworne & examined saith that since the Scotts have possessed themselves of Belfast they have erected a Presbytery there consisting of about Twenty Elders and fower Deacons, and that they have silenced one Mr Brice and other Ministers in the Scottish quarters for not taking the new Covenant.
<w> He saith also that while he this Examinant was resident in Belfast the free Commoners of the said Towne (who have wholy is a mnner also all of them except a very few taken the said Covenant) about three weekes since preferred a Peticion to this Examinant and to the Burgesses of the same, a true copy of which peticion followeth in these words vizt The humble request of the whole free Commoners of the Burrogh of Belfast unto the sovereigne & free <x> Burgesses of the same. First our request is and as wee conceive our right is by his Maiesties lettres patents that wee may all of vs have our free votes in electing & choosing

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of Burgesses as occasion of vacancy may require, if not wee protest against the election as unlawfull. Further our request <y> is that such men as shall be chosen to be free Burgesses bee of the Inhabitants & resident within our Corporation and free of the same and men of good respect, and such as have subscribed to the Covenant for reformacion of religion for the true worship & service of God the Honor of our King and good of his people otherwise wee hould all other people persons nominated <z> or elected to be chosen otherwise to be malignants & wee protest against any other election as inlawfull Whereas also there as are some of the free Burgesses that are neither Inhabitants within the Corporacion neither Assistants for any good or welfare of the same, Therefore wee thinke it fitt that such shall be removed according to the Orders & Customs of this said Towne warranted by the said Lettres patents
He saith also that the said Peticion was <a> delivered to him this Examinant about three weekes since at which at such time are he kept the Court for the Towne & Burrough of Belfast. But vpon purusal of the Contents of the Peticion and finding the same to be of dangerous Consequence he refused to assent therevnto, and having

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Chichester

<b> adjourned the Court within a few dayes after he too repayred to Dublin to acquaint Collonell Chichester who is principally interested in the said Towne with the Contents of the said Peticion, being still insisted vpon by the said Commoners.
He saith also that as he conceives [ ]

Tho: Theaker

Roscomon
Ja: Ware

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18 July 1644
The Examination of Thomas Theaker Suffraine of Belfast taken the 18th of July 1644