Deposition of Thomas Allen
- Reference: MS 837, fols 067r-067v
- County: Down
- Date: 18/5/1653
- Type: Commonwealth
- Nature of Deposition: Arson, Captivity, Multiple Killing, Robbery
- How to Cite
fol. 67r
4041 3939
The Examination of Thomas Allen of Ile Lecale adged 25 yeares taken before vs the 18th of May 1653
Who being duely sworne and examined saith that hee hath knowne Art o Neile brother to Sir Bryan o Neile since about the first of January next after the begining of the warrs or Rebellion And saith that the said Art in that month of Jan: takeing vpon him the command of fourscore men or thereabouts came to the Church of Ballee in Lecale within three miles of downepatrick and Comming with his said partie to a house nere the Church a man called John Miller was then and there killed by them, whose Corps this deponent saw the doggs eate And presently after the man was soe murdered, the said Art and Company came to the Church doore where this deponent and 6 men three weomen and two little boyes were, and Cast stones at the Church doore to breake it open, Then one Charles Kimming one of those in the Church called and said who is there (it being about midnight) who had noe answere made him, But saith that suddenly after the said partie without placed straw to the Church doore and put it a fire. And then the said Art called to the said William Kimming saying William Kimming, you have done mee once a pleasure and I will doe you another now, yeeld the Church and I will saue your liues, how shall I know that you will saue our liues whereupon the said Art said here is my hand, how can I get your hand through the fire, here it is said hee through this hole, that not a drop of your bloods shall bee spillt, on which tearmes the fire being remoued hee the said Art and his company entered into the Church in the presence of this deponent leaueing two of his men at the Church doore that none should goe out of the Church And saith that the said Art notwithstanding his promise did commande some of his men then in the Church to tie Kimming and all the rest of the said persons formerly with him in the Church except the three weomen, this deponent and two Children theire armes behinde them, with some Lynnen yearne thye found in the Church, and they being soe pinioned, hee caused them to bee bound two and two together, and from thence tooke them away about a mile and halfe and caused them to be murdered, as this deponent afterwards heard, And saith that when the said Art left the Church, hee tould Kimmin, that Strongford was gon, and downe was gon, and that Ballychinder was on fire, and therefore giue mee your monyes and I will warrant you. And further saith not
Thomas Allen
Sworne before vs 19th of
May abouesayd
Roger Lyndon
Griffin Haward
fol. 67v
40 42 3940
18o May 1653
The Examinacion of
Thomas Allen
versus
Arte o Neile &c
Griffin Haward
Roger Lyndon