Examination of William Stafford re Peirce Buttler

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The examinacion of William Stafford of Tamon gent taken vpon oath on the behalfe of the Comonwealth Concerning the said Peirce Buttler of Clough in the County of wexford esquire deceased
<To the 1st inter> The examinant deposeth & saith that the said Peirce dwelte at Clough in the said County in the Irish quarters the first yeare & the whole time of the rebellyon, & did not thence remooue into the english quarters, as the deponent <o> conceiues he might haue done, among the english & protestants Liuing neere him) but not without Losse of his estate, as the deponent conceiueth
<To the 2d interr> the examinant saith that when the Lord Generall Cromwell was approaching towards the towne of wexford with his Armie, the said Peirce with his cattle, & stocke fled into other Counties to decline the english Armie, His cause of Knowledge is for that the deponent did see the said Peirce & his stocke in the County of Kilkenny, flying from the english as aforesaid
<To the 3d Inter
& 4th> Hee saith that the said Peirce was appointed a Collonell by Nicholas Stafford of Ballimakeharne esquire then gouernor of the said County, & by vertue thereof the said Peirce raysed some men, whom he afterwardes <p> Imployed in beseiging Duncannon forth, then guarrissoned by the Lord Esmond, & the english & saith that the said Peirce was actiue in & did abet the said warre to his vtmost & that the said Peirce was present at Duncannon forte (as he heard) when the same was sumoned by Hugh Rochford & the then high sherriffe, & the said Peirce & others, As Collonel william Browne & Nichas [ ] of [ ] told the deponent
<To the 5th Inter> The examinant deposeth that he hath seen the said Peirce personally present at seaverall publicque meetings of the Irish in the first yeare of the rebellyon & since in order to the Aduancing & putting forward the same
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<To the 6th Interr> The examinant deposeth that he hath seen the said Peirce present <q> at and voting in the electing of members out of the County of wexford to serue in the seauerall generall assemblys & assemblyes
<To the 7th Interr> Hee deposeth that he is Confident that the said Peirce did take the oath of associacion being a man of a great estate, & actiue & zealous in the catholicque cause & for that the <r> deponent hath seen his Name in the printed booke of the said oath & the seauerall Names Alphabeticallie therein specifyed.
<To the 8th Interr> Hee cannot depose
<To the 9th Inter> The deponent saith that the said Peirce was a Collonel of foote as aforesaid - & further saith that the said Peirce was a member of the County Councell in the yeares 1641: & 1642: & in the yeares 1643: & 1644: a Commissioner of Ciuill Causes in the said County & Likewise in the yeares 1644: & 1645: A Comissioner for <s> Setting delinquents or english estates, & enquiring after the foure partes - And one of the supreame Councell for a season the certayne time he cannot remember – And frequently a member of the generall assembly The deponents cause of Knowledge is for that the said deponent hath seen & knowne the said Peirce to act in them seauerall capacityes
<To the 10: & 11th> Interros Hee cannot depose
<To the 12th Inter> The deponent saith that walter Lacie seruant Agent to Sir Henry wallopp then keeping the castle of Eniscorthy the said first yeare was dispossest by the said Peirce Buttler, which said Peirce did booth [ ] cease & possesse himselfe of the said castle <t> & but of the Armes & goods therein bellonging to the said sir Henry wallop The deponents cause of knowledge is for that the said walter told the deponent thereof, & after the said walter Complained to the County Councell that parte of his goods were detained as the goods of the said Sir Henry wallop, whereupon the said walter had orders to be restored to his owne goods & & the possession of that castle still Continuing with the said Peirce, which the deponent
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till he was thereout remooved by order
<To the 13th Inter> Hee Cannot depose & further saith not
Wm Stafford
Sworne before vs the
17th of January
1653
Will Woodwards
John Walker

Nicholas [ ] of great [ ]

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Peirce Buttler

Peirce Buttler of Clough