Deposition of Edward Briscoe

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Edward Briscoe late of Coolemanaghe in the Countie of Catherlagh [ ] farmer sworne and examined deposeth and sayth That since the begining of the present Rebellion that is to say on or about the viijth of November 1641 he this deponent at Coolemanaghe aforesaid: Hee this deponent was forceibly expelled & driven from his farme and was then and there alsoe depriued robbed, or otherwise dispojled of his goodes and chattells Consisting of Cattle horses Corne hay howshold stuff provition apparrell debts and the improvement of his farme which he accompteth vtterly lost all worth CClxxvj li. v s. ster: By one Murtoghe Cavenaghe late procter to Mr How the minister and <A> divers others others the souldjers vnder the Comand of Captain Bagnall: whose names hee knows not because they were and are strangers vnto him: And this deponent with his wiffe great with child: & nyne Children (stript and robbed (all but his wiffe) stark naked) at last escaped & gott into the Castle of Catherlagh where he his wiffe & children endured a great want and misery. Insoemuch as seven of his Children died by want of necessaries: And this deponent further saith That whilest this deponent and his family were at the seige Castle of Catherlaghe: that is to say at Christmas 1641 the towne of Catherlaghe was surprised by the Rebells & then they beseiged the Castle there, & manteined that seige from Christmas vntill Wednesday next before Easter then next following: during which time the Castle was putt to great distresse: & the possessors thereof could not goe for soe much as a little water but in danger of their Liues: & this deponentes servant maid was shott as shee attempted to fetch water and others were likewise slaine at the Centry & about in the Castle. And when the Rebells perceived that the English forcs were comeing to releeve
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Catherlagh aforesaid: Then they burned the said towne of Catherlagh and fled away And further saith That the parties Rebells that beseidged the said Castle were theis that follow vizt Edmund Wall of Rufflin in the same Countie Esquire <B> Edmund Wall the sonn of Vnick Walle of Ballneki{l} in the same County gent Esquire the said Capt Bagnall Captain ffox whoe had a howse in Catherlaghe Captaine Davills & divers others & in deed (as he hath beene credibly informed) the most of the papistes in the same Countie
<Mr A Mr Br>
Signum Edri Briscoe
[mark]
Jur 27o Junij 1643
Will: Aldrich
Hen: Brereton

{Com Catherlagh}
Edw: Briscoe Jur
27 Junij 1643
Intw
8 Nov

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