Deposition of Joseph Smithson

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Joseph Smithson Minister and Preacher of Gods word in the Parish of Clonekeene in the Countie of Dublin and Barony of Rathdowne a Brittish Protestant being duelie sworne [ ] Deposeth That in December last vpon Innocents day at night hee was robbed in houshold goods to the value of 40 s. in hay 50 s. in a horse 3 li. in bills and bonds 10 li. in the losse of his gleabe land & garden 5 li. in duties henns geese ducks piggs and turkeyes offerings and other duties 5 li. And that his wife that night was taken Prisoner <A> in her owne house at Deans grange Com Dublin by twoe of the servants of Nich: Rochford of the same Parish in the Countie of Dublin gent: vizt Phillip Malene and John Garvie of Rochestowne and others whose names are James Goodman of Ballincley Alexander Rochford of Rochestowne and Patricke Kernan of the Kill all of the Parish and county aforesaid aforesaid and being taken in her owne house her Appron pulled off and her selfe dragged out by the hayre of her head was then pinioned and set vpon her owne bare horseback and pluckt her Clothes pluckt from vnder her and they drove the horse through Boggs to one Mr William Woolverstons <B> of Stillorgan in the said Countie Esquire whoe gave commaundment to the Rebells to hange her but not vpon his lands Afterwards she was carryed still vpon the same horse in and about a matter of 20 myles after the same manner And this deponent further saith that the said Mr Woolverston told him this Examinant that hee would pay noe more tithes but to the Masse Preist And this deponent is like to be deprived of the same tithes which the said Mr Woolverston since the Rebellion beganne hath deteyned from him And saith alsoe That about a fortnight after alhollantide last Mr Nicholas Rochford of Rochestowne aforesaid gent a wilfull Papist kept from this deponent soe many tithe furrs as came to 5 li. and said to this Deponent that hee kept them in hope to see Protestants burne in them And this deponent is like to be deprived of those tithes Alsoe the sai{d} Rochford since the rebellion beganne peremptorilie denyedinge to pay them And further the said Rochford did say to one Thomas ffrizby that if hee could get Mr Smithson instead of his wife hee would shoote him to peeces with his Pistoll And further saith that as hee hath crediblie heard the persons that soe tooke away his wife had alsoe the Councell assistance and help therein of {the} <C> said William Woolverston aforesaid and of one Patricke Coleman Nicholas ffarrell and Daniell mc Quy of the Kill aforesaid and Nicholas Rochford aforesaid and William Taylor of stelorgen aforesaid the same Parish beinge all Papists and meere Rebells as hee conceaveth And is crediblie informed that the said Rebells haue most barbarouslie and crewellie hanged his said wife till shee dyed and a servant woman of hers alsoe And this deponent for feare of the Creweltie of the said Woolverston Rochford and the Rebells aforemencioned was
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inforced to flie from his benifice with his twoe sonns and thither dare not retorne but is deprived of the benifit thereof beinge worth yearely 40 li. and above and being as aforesaid robbed of his other goods hath noe meanes whereby to maynteyne himselfe and his Children, but they all exposed to great want and miserye
Joseph Smithson
Jur 18o Jan 1641
Will: Hitchcock
William Aldrich

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7 {Dublin}
Joseph Smithson exam
Jur 18 Jan: 1641
Intw Ex

649