Examination of Martin Linch
- Reference: MS 830, fols 261r-262v
- County: Galway
- Date: 24/1/1654
- Type: Commonwealth
- Nature of Deposition: Assault, Captivity, Military Action, Multiple Killing, Robbery
- How to Cite
fol. 261r
2052
Gallway 24th January 1653, Martin Linch Maior of Gallway being Duely sworne and Examined saith
To the ffirst interg That Mr Robert Clarke brought a ship Loaden from ffraunce to this Port of Gallway in the yeare 1641 which shipp was Loaden with salt, and <A> there was in her about seaven Barlls of powder, and some Arms, whereof Thomas Linch fitz: Andrew was Marchant, and Domnick Kerwin ffactor and Marchant with others, this Deponent ffarther sath that the Amunicion was Lade aboard by the ffactor and Marchant Domnicke Kerwan as he Credably heard, and it was brought as Marchandize to this Port but that he the said ffactor was Desyred by any of the Towne to bring the same this Examinant knowes not
To the 2d interg: this Deponent sath that he Credably heard that the abouesaid Amunicion was Endeavored to be Carryed into the ffort by John Turner, and the Governor Capt: Anthony Willoby which as he Conceiues was by Warrant from the Lords Justices, and he farther Deposes that the said Mr Clarke was Comitted prisoner in <B> the said Towne of Gallway, by Wallter oge Linch Major of Gallway,
fol. 261v
2053
To the third interg, This Examinant knoweth not the Manner of the Committall of the said Mr Clarke onely that he was Comitted by the then Major as aforesaid
<C> To the ffourth interg this Examinant Deposes not
To the ffifth this Deponent sath, that the shipp whereof the said Mr Clarke was seazed on by Domnicke Kerwin, with other the Inhabitants of the Towne of Gallway with Boats and ffarther he saith that Sir Vallantyne Blake procured the takeing of the said ship (as he himselfe acknowledged, and that some of the Councell of Eight Did procure and advised the takeing of the said shipp, as he Credably heard, and this Examinant ffarther Deposes that he Credably heard that there was Murther Comitted in the <D> surprisall of the said ship, (but how many were slayne he knoweth not) besides many wounded, and that the persons that were Actors in the said surprisall, with Domnicke Kerwin were steph: Linch, Andr: Linch, Tho: Martin Rich: ffrench fitz Rowland, and ffarther to the Interg saith not.
fol. 262r
2054
<E> To the sixth interg: this Deponent sath, that all the Arms, Ordinance, Amunicion and Powder in the said ship, were taken out by the persons which surprised her accompanied with a great Number of the said Towne to assist them therein, and that it was all Disposed of ffor the vse of the Towne, and this Deponent saith that part <f> of the Councell of Eight, Ordered the Disposeing of the said Arms & Amunicion as he veryly beleiues, for all things that was Done was Acted by theyr Order and the Magistrates of the said Towne were, as followeth (viz) Walter Linch Major Tho. Linch Recorder, John Martin and Math Martin sheriffs, but that Pattr. Darcy did know of the surprisall of the said ship before Done, or Did Councell the takeing of her, or was in Towne then this Examinant knowes not
To the seaventh interg, this Examinant Deposes that the o fflahertyes and the Irish <g> of Err: Connoght, were sent for to Come into the Towne of Gallway in the begining of the Rebellion, by some of the Councell of Eight, (and with the p mitance permittance of the Inhabitants of the said Towne of Gallway) or the Major Vote, But the Persons in particculer of
fol. 262v
2055
of the said Councell and Towne he knoweth <H> not, this Deponent ffarther sath that the End of the o fflahertyes and Irish of Err Connoght Comeing into Gallway was to lay seidge against the ffort
To the Eight interg, he Deposes, that Dureing the stay of the said Irish there was Murdered John ffox and his wife in the said towne by one of Mor[
To the Nineth interg. he sath not
This Dosition was
Taken by vertue of
a Comission to that efect
ffrom Honorable the High
Courte of Justice siting
at Dublin before vs:
H: Hurd
John: Eyre
H Hurd
John Eyre