Examination of William Graham

fol. 213r

3828

The Examinacion of William Graham of Island Magee husbandman taken by vs the first day of June: 1653
Who deposeth a sayth that hee this Deponent vpon the Sabboth Day in the Eveninge of that night when the great murther was Comitted in the Island Magee haveinge occasion to goe to Portdavy scituate att the southeast end, of the said Island. In his way thither mett James Mitchell and one John Hill (now dead) rideinge homewards from Portdavy the sayd James Mitchell tould this deponent that that verry night the Irish his Neighbours of the Island Magee were to bee, all murthered by strangers come into the Island that Day And beinge demanded what busines hee had att that tyme soe late & soe farr from his house, hee sayth it was to send a ffreinds daughter of his into Scotland and saith that hee returned home againe about three or foure of the Clocke in the morninge And saith that in his returne hee mett with about (as hee Conceived 50: or 60 men on foote, who beinge demanded by them what hee was, one John Lowther (since deceased) then of Island Magee and in the said Company that answered that hee was a neighbour and wisht them to Lett him alone, wherevppon this deponent went forward towards his house neither meetinge any, nor heareing any noyse, till hee came to his house, where hee was tould his Irish neighbours were that night slayne And saith that hee knoweth not neither hath hee heard who they were that did Comitt those murthers And further saith not

The marke of William Graham [mark]
Taken by vs
Sam Bonnell
Roger Lyndon
Geo: Talbott

fol. 213v

3829

(71) B. primo Junj 1653
The examinacion of William Grames, touching the Murders of Ileland Magee by persons vnknowne