Examinacion of Jennett Minnis

fol. 83v

1578

The examinacion of Jennett Minnis of Colerane parish in the County of Londonderry Spinster taken before vs at Colerane the said 22th of March 1652

<62> Who being duely sworne & examined saith That soone after Generall Lasley & the Scotch Army marched over the Bann which was in August 1642: She this Examinante Paul Gault Archy Craig James Anderson & Nicholas the wife of James ffulton went vnto Aghidowy a place where she & they had formerly dwelt to looke what they could find ther of there owne goods That after they had beene there a short space some Irish men came thither, for feare of whom this Examinante & the rest fled vnto a bogg & the Irish alighting, pursued them on foote & hurt the said Nicholas, & tooke her, & the said Paul Gault & Archy Craig prisoners, after which this Examinant being then before; was called on & returned, but the said James Anderson escaped away. And this Examinante saith that those Irish who apprehended them, tooke them, vpp behind them vpon their horses & carryed them to a little Old ffort neere Aghidowy Church. That after they were brought thither the Irish stripped them & the said Paul Gault being begging his life she heard the Irish bidd him goe to Martin Taaffe which

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fol. 84r

1579

<A> Which Martin Taaffe had a sway or Command as she perceived over the Irish then present. And further she saith that she see him whom they Irish called Martin Taaffe, shoot the said Paul Gault with a pistoll in the Brest, he the said Paul Gault being in the meane time vpon his knees begging his life from him, & that he not being killed starke dead with the shott, some others of the Brittish Irish stabbed him soe as he presently dyed And that assoone as Paul Gault was dead the Irish there, fell vppon the said Archy Craig & putt him to a most griveous torment, pricking him some before some behind & some on each side soe as he roared most pittifully being a long time in killing, at which sight & the roareing of the said Archy Craig this Examinant was very much terrifyed That after the Murder of the said Paul & Archy they Irish oftentimes would send this Examinant & the said Nicholas a little away from them, as if they would lett them goe home, & then call them back againe, but afterwards God was pleased to putt it in their mindes, to lett them goe with their lives & soe that night they came to Castleroe neere Colerane where the Brittish garrisoned. And further she saith not.

Tho: Coote
Rich: Brasier Major