Examination of William Bentley
- Reference: MS 836, fols 149r-150v
- County: Louth
- Date: 24/2/1653
- Type: Commonwealth
- Nature of Deposition: Captivity, Killing, Multiple Killing
- How to Cite
fol. 149r
2464
The examinacion of Willyam Bentley of Buley in the County of Lowth Taylor ageed 40 yeares or there abouts take before vs whose names are vnder written this 24th of ffebruary 1652.
<1> Who beinge duely sworne & examined saith that in the begininge of the Rebellion 1641 that this examinant liued in the parish of Drum <A> Glasse in the County of Tyeroane who heareinge & seeinge a greate vproare in the Countrey and people crying out that Sir Philim O Neale of Conard of the County Tyeroane had taken by treachery the Castle of Charleamount who beinge terrifyed with the newes thereof betooke himselfe to Armagh Church where many more English were gathered for their safety, & this examinant further saith that he was in the said Church not 24 howers before Sir Phelim O Neale came with a great multitude of Armed Rogues & att his first approach beinge the 25th of October 1641 some of the said Rebells shott & kild one John Hunton a Merchant liueinge in the said towne of Armagh which was a greate terrour to all that was in the Church; the next day after beinge the 26th of October Sir Philim o Neale sent into the Church one Mr Maxfeild who said in this <B> examinants heareing that he was sent vnto them by Sir Philim o Neale to lett them knowe; if that they would deliuer vp the Church vnto him they should not loose any of their goods, and if that there were any man that had lost any thinge it should be restored vnto them againe, if not to stand vpon their guard this examinant further saith, that vpon this the Soueraigne of the towne one Mr Richard Sushicke and some others of the towne went forth to treate with Sir Philim o Neale who promised them that they and all that were in the Church & towne should haue good quarter for all their liues & goods which the Soueraigne & those that went out with him did consent to. And did further say unto them that if they did question his performance that he would write their quarter with his owne blood as it soueraigne was generally reported to told this examinant & the rest that was in the Church, vpon which engagement the Church & all their Armes was surrendred and the said Philim putt a garrison there in, And this examinant further saith that soone after the surrender of the said Church of Armagh that he was taken by some of the said Rebells and carried to the Castle of Charleamounte
fol. 149v
2465
and was keept Prisoner there And further saith that in May <B> 1642 that he did see the towne of Armagh on fire and there was the same night diuers English men brought from the towne of Armagh to the Church of Charleamounte & there was keept Prisoners one night and the next day taken out of the Church by one Captain Shaen o Neale who was vnder the Commands of Sir Philim O Neale who tooke them ouer the bridge of Charleamounte and there did murther them; And as this examinant doth beleue was by the Command of Sir Philim o Neale: And the cause of this examinant knowledge is that some of their Cloathes was brought to him to be made fitt for the Rogues, & could not heare that any one of them did escape. And further <2> that there was many other persons murthered & hanged in and neere the towne of Charleamounte. Viz: one Anne Adams ffrancis Dauis Bromley Taylor was hanged and one Mr Starkey and his two daughters with many more were murthered att severall tymes And further saith that Sir Philim o Neale was in the Castle when some of them was executed and further saith not.
Will: Bentley
Rob Meredith
Hen: Jones
Edw: Pyers Rd: Tighe
60
fol. 150r
1466
fol. 150v
2467
3
The examinacion of william
Bentley of Buley in the Countie
of Lowth for the murthers
att Charle a mounte by Sir
Phelim o Neale.
Z Z
3
Edward Pyers
Henry Jones
Richard Tigh
Robert Meredith