Examination of William Stafford

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The examinacion of William Stafford gent aged about thirtie nyne yeares taken vpon oath on the behalfe of the Comonwealth Concerning Nicholas Stafford of Ballimakeharne in the County of wexford esquire vpon the Interrogatoryes annexed to the Comission of enquiry
<To the 1st Inter> The Examinant deposeth that the said Nicholas did liue in the said County in the Irish quarters the first yeare and the whole time of the warre and did not thence remooue into the english quarters as the deponent Conceiues he might haue done as well <I> as Nicholas Codd, Adam Waller & other protestants but not without losse of his estate as the deponent Conceiues the deponents cause of knowledge is that he dwelte in the said County and had some Conuersacion with the said Nicholas
<To the 2d inter> Hee cannot depose
<To the 3d inter> The examinant deposeth that he credibly heard that in or about March in the yeare 1642: the said Nicholas with Robert Hay of Tacumshane were Impowered by the Lord of Mountgarret & Generall Preston to <k> Leuy in the barrony of forth prouisions for mayntenance of the Irish army which went to rayse the Lord of Ormonds seige from Rosse which prouisions were accordingly raysed & carryed by the said Nicholas & Robert to the Irish Armie aforesaid, The deponents cause of knowledge is for that he heard the same by relacion of diuers gent in that barrony & to the best of the deponents remembrance from the said Nicholas himselfe
<To the 4th Inter> Hee deposeth and saith that the said Nicholas was Impowered by Comission of the Lords Justices and <l> Councell at Dublin to be gouernor of the said County by vertue of which the said Nicholas sumoned the whole County to order his proceedings in persuance thereof: And that thereuppon the said Nicholas
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Impowered Peirce Buttler of Clough & William Browne of Malrankan to be Collonells & rayse Regiments in the said County, parte whereof they accordingly raysed; And afterwardes the said Collonells Borwne & Peirce Buttler & some of his Inferior officers Imployed their said forces against the english in Duncannon forte for the Countryes defence without the priuity or consent of him the said Nicholas Stafford: And the said Nicholas finding disobedience giuen to his said Comission sided with the Irish and acted as a member of <m> the County Councell (wherto the deponent was Clearke) and that the said Nichas signed warrants made at & by the said Councell in the first yeare of the warre, the deponents cause of knowledge appeares in that he was Clearke to the said Councell as aforesaid
<To the 5th inter> The deponent saith that he hath seen the said Nichas at seauerall publicque meetings of the Irish <at> of the County Councell in the said first yeare <n> in order to the promoting and furthering the Irish designe Cause against the english
<To the 6th inter> The deponent saith that the said Nichas was personally present at the Hill of Carricke & at diuers other meetings of the Irish for choosing members for the generall Nationall assemblyes His <o> Cause of knowledge is in that he did see the said Nicholas present at the said seauerall meetings as well the first yeare as since
<To the 7th inter> Hee deposeth that he is very Confident that the said Nichas did take the oath of associacion His <p> cause of beleife is for that the said oath was ordered to be ministred by the vicar generall to all the members of the County Councell generally and without excepcion
<To the 8th> Hee cannot depose
475

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<To the 9th inter> Hee deposeth that the said Nicholas was high sherriff of the said County in or about the yeare 1644: his cause of knowledge is for that the deponent did see him the said Nichas officiate as high sherriffe <q> at the assizes in that yeare held for this County & for any further place of trust the deponent referreth himselfe to his deposicion to the 4th Interrogatory
<To the 10th inter> Hee saith that the said Nicholas had one brother by name Jesper Stafford whom the deponent hath <r> seen to act as ensigne or in some other Capacity to the trayne band Company of the barrony of forth & hath seen the said Jesper <march> with the said Company to and from their seauerall Rendezuous in the yeares 1646: & 1647: And that the said Nicholas had another brother Namely Melcher Stafford a preist who liued in the Irish quarters the time of the warre & was executed by Collonell Cooke about the yeare 1649 or 50
<To the 11:> Hee cannot depose
<To the 12th inter> The deponent saith that in the first yeare of the warre the County Councell sent forth a warrant directed to William Esmond of Johnstowne Richard Wadding of Ballecogley (and to <s> the best of this deponents remembrance) the said Nicholas was Joyned therein, Impowering them to seize on the castle & goods at Castletowne bellonging to Nicholas Codd then fled into wales which warrant was executed & the Corne and goods seized accordinglie And further saith that William Codd brother to the said Nicholas Codd) residing on his brothers estate Complayned to this examinant, that the said Nicholas Stafford did take and carry away some of the said Nicholas Codds corne in the first yeare of the warre from Castletowne aforesaid the said Nichas Codd being protestant
<To the 13th inter> Hee cannot depose & further saith not &c
William Stafford
Sworne before vs 18o January 1653
Tho: Sadleir
J: Ouerstreete
Am Andrewes
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2o Nicholas Stafford Ballimake