Memoirs of the different rebellions in Ireland, from the arrival of the English : also, a particular detail of that which broke out the XXIIId of May, MDCCXCVIII : with the history of the conspiracy which preceded it (vol. 2)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Rescue of whiteboys from dragoon escort en route to Kilkenny gaol

   Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1764

   A note explains that the ambush at Newmarket was the rescue of whiteboys being guarded by dragoons to Kilkenny gaol, planned by the priest Nicholas Sheehy, resulting in deaths and wounds on both sides.

   Read the passage

   • This alludes to the refcue of fome white boys, whom a party of dragoons was guarding to the gaol of Kilkenny ; and in the attempt fome of the military and many of the aflailants were killed and wounded. It was planned by that notorious traitor, father Nicholas Sheehy. ^.

   County

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 126

2. State prisoners negotiate exile through counsellor Dobbs

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1798

   Prisoners confined for high treason in Dublin's gaols, seeing the fate of the Sheares brothers, M'Cann, Byrne and Bond, applied to counsellor Dobbs to intercede with government. An agreement was reached whereby about seventy prisoners, including Oliver Bond, would be exiled for life in exchange for disclosing the conspiracy.

   Read the passage

   to counfellor Dobbs, M. P. to be their intercelfQr with government, hoping through his mediation to ,obtain the royal mercy, on making a fall difcovery of the confpiracy. In confequence of his interference, the lord chancellorj, lord Caftlereagh, and Mr. fecretary Cooke, inclining to do every thing that was merciful on the part of government, condefcended to hold an interview with mefFieurs Arthur O'Connor, counfellor Emmet, and dodor M'Nevin, whom all the ftate prifoners delegated to reprefent them. Government, whofc clemency and moderation were confpicuous on all occafions, agreed to the following terms : That the prifoners, about feventy in number, fhould exile themfelves for life to fuch country as Ihould be mutually agreed upon ; that Oliver Bond, who had been condemned to die, fhould be fpared^ and permitted to accompany them : And in return they were to difclofe the whole of the confpiracy, and their intercourfe with France ; but that in doing fo, they were not to imphcate any perfon whatfoever in their guilt.

   As it was difcovered that the leaders in this band of traitors abufed the lenity of government, by endeavouring fecretly to foment rebellion while in prifon^ the foUov/ing perfons were fent to Fort George in Scotland, where the feverity of their confmement has been mitigated by the greateft indulgence on the part of government ;

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 117

   As the companion tells it

   Dublin in 1798 held men in its gaols facing execution for high treason, and what happened here speaks of the bargains that desperation drives. After the Sheares brothers, M'Cann, Byrne and Bond met their fate, the remaining state prisoners sought a way out through counsellor Dobbs, member of parliament, asking him to intercede with government for royal mercy in exchange for a full disclosure of the conspiracy. He did, and the lord chancellor, Lord Castlereagh and secretary Cooke agreed to terms. About 70 prisoners would exile themselves for life to a country mutually agreed upon. Oliver Bond, already condemned to die, would be spared and go with them. In return they would reveal the whole conspiracy and their dealings with France, but without implicating anyone else in their guilt. Yet some leaders abused that lenity, secretly trying to foment rebellion even from prison. In response, the following prisoners were sent to Fort George in Scotland, where government said their confinement was mitigated by indulgence.

3. Arrest of Leinster delegates at Oliver Bond's house

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1798

   Oliver Bond, one of the principal leaders of the conspiracy, had his house used as the meeting place where the Leinster delegates were arrested on the twelfth of March. Bond himself was later tried for high treason on 23 July and convicted after a trial lasting until seven in the morning.

   Read the passage

   Oliver Bond, one of the principal leaders of the confpiracy, at whofe houfe the Leinfler delegates had been arrefled on the twelfth of March, was arraigned for high treafon on July the twenty -third, and his irial laded till feven o'clock in the morning of the twenty-fourth, when he was convided. This man, who had made a confiderable fortune as a woollendraper, was the fon of a preibyterian minifter of •St. John*s-town, nine miles from Letterkenny, iri the county of Donegal. I have very good authority for faying that he was a confirmed deifl, and that hp had been active in diireminatiiig the works of Tom Paine, of which he was a great admirer. I have been well alfured that he \vas in indiiferent circumitances, till he and Simon Butler were committed to Newgate by the houfe of lords, in the year i 793 ; on which occafion, being confidered as a perfecuted patriot, his cuftomers encreafed fo much, that he became opuleDt in the fpace of four pr five years.

   The prifoners confined for high treafon in the different gaols in Dublin, percei\ang from the trials of the Sheares's, M^Can, Byrne and Bond, that they muft fall a prey to the vengeance of the law, applied

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 116

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, you're travelling the city where the Leinster delegates were seized at the house of Oliver Bond on the twelfth of March. Bond was one of the principal leaders of the conspiracy. He was a woollen draper who had made a considerable fortune, the son of a Presbyterian minister from St. John's-town, nine miles from Letterkenny in Donegal. He was a confirmed deist and had been active in distributing the works of Tom Paine, of whom he was a great admirer. He had been in indifferent circumstances until he and Simon Butler were committed to Newgate by the house of lords, after which, being considered a persecuted patriot, his customers increased so much that he became opulent in four or five years. Bond was arraigned for high treason on the twenty-third of July, and his trial lasted till seven o'clock in the morning of the twenty-fourth, when he was convicted. The prisoners confined for high treason in the different gaols in Dublin, perceiving from the trials of the Sheares's, M'Cann, Byrne and Bond that they must fall a prey to the vengeance of the law, applied for such terms as they could obtain.

4. Attack on Bleakney Ormsby at his house

   Garrane · townland · Cork · 1798

   On Whitsunday 1798 a party of United Irishmen attacked Bleakney Ormsby at his home for refusing to join them, wounding him severely with a pike and firelock and leaving him senseless.

   Read the passage

   me, and made oath on the Holy Evangelifts, That about the hour of eight o'clock on the morning of Whitfunday, 1798, a party of united Irifhmen, all of the popifh religion, as deponent verily believes, went to the houfe of this deponent, and called on him to attend them ; that deponent faid in ^ anfwer that he would remain at home and not take any part with either fide. That thereon one of the faid body of united Irifhmen gave deponent a fevere wound of a pike in the head ; that foon after two of the party defired deponent to go on his knees and beg his life, which he accordingly did. That while deponent was on his knees, one of the party gave him fo violent a blow of a firelock on the head, as to break it in pieces, by which deponent was left fenfelefs on the ground. That deponent lay in a languifhing ftate till Thurfday the thirty-firft day of May, when a numerous body of united Irifhmen armed with pikes and guns went to deponent's houfe, and compelled deponent to go to the houfe of David Cullen at Blackwater, a parifh prieft, to be baptized*, but the faid Cullen declared he would have nothing to do with deponent until he faw how he conducted himfelf in future. That next morning deponent, well knowing that he could not make his pfcape, repaired to the rebel camp at Oulart-hill where he was to be tried, though he had little or no hope that his life would be faved. That on deponent's arrival there a popifh yeoman in military uniform who had become a rebel, cried out that deponent fhould be tried. That deponent appealed to the faid rebels, whether he did not always bear a good charafter, to which they all alTented, except one man of the name of Kierwan, who bore an enmity to deponent, becaufe faid Kierwan had ftolcn turf from him ; that however deponent was difcharged and returned direcSlly to his own houfe. That when deponent returned to his houfe at Oulart aforefaid, he found that his houfe had been burnt and plundered, and that a woman who was filler to John Brennan, a labourer who lived on deponent's land, had turned out his wife and family, and informed them in a threatening manner, that they would be put to death if they remained there •, that about a week after deponent was compelled {though in a lan-

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 159

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in Garrane in Cork, a man named Bleakney Ormsby was attacked in his own home on Whitsunday 1798. He had made a sworn statement about what happened. About eight in the morning, a party of United Irishmen came to his house and called on him to join them. Ormsby answered that he would remain at home and take no part with either side. One of them then gave him a severe wound with a pike to the head. Two of the party told him to go on his knees and beg for his life, which he did. While he knelt, one struck him so violent a blow with a firelock that the weapon broke in pieces, leaving him senseless on the ground. He lay in a languishing state until Thursday the 31st of May, when a large body of United Irishmen armed with pikes and guns came to his house and compelled him to go to the house of David Cullen at Blackwater, a parish priest, to be baptized. Cullen refused, saying he would have nothing to do with him until he saw how he conducted himself in future. The next morning Ormsby went to the rebel camp at Oulart Hill to be tried. A yeoman in military uniform who had become a rebel called out that he should be tried. Ormsby appealed to the rebels, asking whether he had not always borne a good character. They agreed, all except a man named Kierwan, who bore him enmity because Kierwan had stolen turf from him. Ormsby was discharged and returned home to find his house burnt and plundered.

5. Attack on Rev. Mr. Burrowes' house

   Kilcormick · townland · Wexford · 1798

   Early on Whitsunday morning, after burning many protestant houses, John Murphy's party attacked the house of the reverend Mr. Burrowes, a protestant clergyman, which was soon seen on fire.

   Read the passage

   out ! Pull him out ! Have you got him ?" to which anfwcr was made, " Aye, aye and that foon after examinant faw the houfes of John and Robert Webftcr, both proteftants,* in a flate of conflagration, and which houfes were fet on £re by the faid John Murphy and his party. Examinant faith, that faid John Murphy, and his party, proceeded to a townland called Mullaunree, in faid county, and fet fire to the houfe of James Dennifon, a proteilant farmer, after having put him and his family to flight. That he and his family fat up all night, as the faid John Murphy, and his party, were proceeding in their dellructive progrefs j and ihat being very much alarmed and terrified, one of this examhiant's fons, a private in the Ballaghkeene cavalry, repaired to captain White, who commanded faid corps, to inform him thereof, and his other fon went to Ennifcorthy, to communicate intelligence thereof to the yeomanry and king's troops ^quartered there. That early on the morning of A^^iitfunday hft, the faid John Murphy, after having burnt many proteilant houfes in the neighbourhood, attacked that of the reverend Mr. Burrowes, a proteilant clergyman, and that foon after examinant faw the houfe of the faid Mr. Burrowes on fire that the faid John Murphy proceeded in his deflrucSlive progrefs, burning the houfes of prcteftants, until he arrived at the hill of Ouiart, f in faid county, where the faid Murphy encamped, with a numerous body of rebels, and where he, the faid Murphy, was joined by one Edward Roche of Garrylough, attended alfo by a confiderable body of rebels. Examinant faith, that having been informed that the faid rebels meant to burn his honfe on the night of Whitfunday, he, this examinant, ordered his family to take the furniture thereout, and which they accordingly did ; that on the faid night, as foon as it grew dark, the faid rebels, headed by faid Jolm Murphy, and the fiiid Edward Roche, went to the houfe of examinant, and burned the fame *,' and that examinant lay concealed in a ditch, fo clofc to the faid houfe while burning, that examinant could with <lifliculty bear the heat thereof. Examinant faith, that the faid rebels carried ofF, or deilroyed, the whole of examinant's furniture, except one bedtick ; that a great number ©f rebels went the next day in queft of examinant, in order to put him to death, but that examinant lay concealed in ditches at Dranay aforefaid. That two or three days after the |)urning of his houfe, the two daughters of examinant dug

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 144

6. Battle near Ardee leaves seven dead

   Ardee · townland · Louth · 1793

   An armed party of Defenders attacked and fired on the king's troops near Ardee; the troops killed seven and wounded many, prompting inhabitants of the town to keep armed guard by night out of fear of massacre.

   Read the passage

   The fame month a party of them, well armed, attacked and fired on a body of the king's troops, near Ardee, who killed feven, and wounded a great number of them. For fome time after the inhabitants of that town were fo much afraid of being maflacred, that they, headed by the magiftrates, kept guard by night.

   In the beginning of the year 1793, ^^^^Y often aflembled in great numbers at Moneymore, in the county of Derry, and affumed the title of Green Cockade Men, becaufe they wore that badge in their hats j they paraded in arms, and cxercifed in a publick manner ; and at laft they became fo .formidable, that general White was fcnt there with a body of troops to fupprefs them.

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 133

7. Blake of Galway hanged after Ballynamuck

   Ballynamuck · townland · Cork · 1798

   Among the rebel leaders taken at Ballynamuck was Mr. Blake of Galway, a Catholic gentleman, who was hanged; troops found houses along the road deserted as their inmates had joined the French.

   Read the passage

   Our troops made dreadful havock among the rebels, who were moftly dreffed in French uniforms. Three of their leaders were taken, among whom was Mr. Blake of Galway, a popilh gentleman, who was hanged. As our army purfued the French they found all the houfes on the road deferted, their inmates having joined the French.

   I muff not pafs over in filence the fpirited and zealous exertions of the army under general Lake, who advanced fo rapidly in the puriuit of the French,

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 106

8. Bloody Friday massacre at Gorey

   Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

   A large group of men - Thomas Jolly, George Reed, Michael Patchell, John Needham and many others - were murdered together at Gorey on 22 June, an event remembered as 'bloody Friday'.

   Read the passage

   Thomas Jolly, George Reed, Michael Patchel^ John Needh^im, Jofhua'Cheafe, William Hill, Henry Rogers, Jofeph Reed, George Nicholfon, George Cockell, William Bates,. John Cooke, William Spenc;er, Humphrey Spencer, all murdered twenty-fecond June, at Gorey, called bloody Friday, with twelve more.

   John Godkin, George and William Butler, Peter Clough, Stranford Clough, John Buttle, all killed at the battle of Ballyellis thirtieth June, of Kilbride. Ralph Williams, murdered fecond July, at Gorey* Robert Webfter, Henry Kinch, do. twentieth June, at do.

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 154

   As the companion tells it

   You're passing through Gorey now. On the 22nd of June 1798, this town saw what people came to call bloody Friday. Thomas Jolly, George Reed, Michael Patchell, John Needham and many others were all murdered together here. The record names more than a dozen men killed that day, with twelve more besides. Others were killed in Gorey in the days around it, including Ralph Williams on the 2nd of July.

9. Capture of the market-house at Randalstown

   near Randalstown · town · Antrim · 1798

   Rebels attacked Randalstown and captured the lower part of the market-house, where fifty Toome yeomanry were stationed; setting it on fire forced the yeomen to surrender and be rescued by ladder.

   Read the passage

   The rebels attacked Randalflown at half paft one on the feventh of June, and got poiTefFion of the lower part of the market-houfe, in which there were fifty of the Toome yeomanry, and fet fire to it ; on which they furrendered, and were taken out of the windows by ladders.

   Colonel Clavering and colonel Durham marched to Shane's-caflle the evening of the feventh. The rebels evacuated Randalflown at ten that night, and marched to Toome, where they remained two days ; and on feeing general Knox advancing towards them, they broke down the bridge to prevent him from crofTing the Bann. The rebels went from Antrim* to Ballymena and Donegore hill, where they re-^ mained till Monday the eleventh, when colonel Clavering granted them an amnefly, on furrendering

   Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 64

10. Colonel Gough routes rebels near Johnstown and Nineteen-mile House

    Johnstown · townland · Meath · 1798

    On 12 July the rebels marched into County Meath by Johnstown and the Nineteen-mile house, pursued by Colonel Gough who, with only sixty infantry and twenty cavalry, attacked and routed them with considerable slaughter.

    Read the passage

    On the tvv'elfth of July, they parched into the county of Meath, by Johnftown and the Nineteenmile houfe r: They were purfued by colonel Gough, who, with but fixty infantry and twenty cavalry, ^attacked and routed them with confid^rable Haughter. They were next purfued by general Myers, with detachments of the Dublin yeomanry and Buckinghamfliire militia, and though he was not fo fortunate as to overtake them, he drove them towards Slane, where general Meyrick encountered and killed many of them. They were afterwards attacked by different detachments of the military, who in the courfe of a few days ciit off great numbers of them, and finally difperfed them.

    Perry and Kearns made their efcape into the King^s county, where attempting to crofs a bog near Clonballogue, they were apprehended by mellieurs Robinfon and Ridg^eway, of the £denderry yeomen, who conveyed th^m to that ^own^ where they were tried and executed by martial law» Perry was chearful and communicative, aclmowledged the part he had taken in the rebellion, and feemed to glory in it. Kearns was fullen and filent, except when he iipbraided Perry for his candour in frankly confefTmg his guilt.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 43

11. Conspiracy overheard at Johnstown, Waterford

    near Johnstown · street · Waterford · 1798

    A conspiracy in Waterford city, aiming to burn the city and massacre loyal subjects if the rebels took Ross, was discovered when a person in a public house at Johnstown overheard conspirators discussing the plot through a thin partition.

    Read the passage

    The confpiracy was difcovered in the following manner : A perfon who happened to be in a publick houfe at Johnftown, a fuburb of the city, overheard, through a thin partition, a number of the confpirators conferring in -the next room on the plot which was to he carried into execution, on the eruption of the rebellion. They were, in the firft place, to fet fire to Mr. Alexander Alcook's houfe, which is about a quarter of a mile from the city ; and as he was a member of the corporation, and had numerous and refpe£lable connections in it, they knew that the moft confiderable perfons in Waterford, their retainers and dependants, would fly to his affiftance, and that the fire engines would be carried there. During their abfence, occafioned by this wicked device, they were to fet fire to the city in different places at the fame time ; and fuch was their malignity, that, for the fake of concealment, and the better to carry their treafonable defigns into execution, they meant to have fet fire to their own houfea* in the firft inftancc.

    The

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

12. Court martial at Waterford proves mutiny of 4th light battalion

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1798

    A court-martial held at Waterford on 13 November 1798 by order of General Johnson proved the mutiny of the 4th light battalion planned as they marched from Ferns, intending to murder officers, orangemen, and Protestants.

    Read the passage

    By a court-martial, held at Waterford, the thirteenth of November, 179B, by order of general Johnfpn, the mutiny of the 4th light battalion was proved in the cleared manner : That it was to have taken place the night they marched froni Ferns ; and that they were to have murdered their officers, and ail the orangeijien and protedants of the regiment. Vol. II. F It

    * Plate II. 8.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 39

13. Death of Major Daniel from wounds received near Horetown

    Horetown · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Major Daniel of the 41st regiment, quartered at Lismore, was mortally wounded in the knee during the action near Foulkesmill and Horetown; he died a few weeks later in Dublin after having distinguished himself in the East and West Indies.

    Read the passage

    DURING the aiStion at FoulkesVmill, many of the rebel ileaders, among whom father Roche, dodtor Caulfield's •chaplain, was .very confpicuous, were extremely a6live in keeping the rebel foldiers to their quarters, and in preventing them from flying. They horfe whipped fome of them, .and even fired piilols at others j in the performance of this fervjce, Roche attempted to horfewhip a proteftant of the name of Barrington, who was compelled to join them. I have been aiTurcd by a perfon who ferved in the rebel army in that action, that the obje£t of father Philip Roche the general, was to attack Rofs when general Johnfon left it ; that he fent one paTty to Horetown to watch the motions, and engage the attention of general Moore, while the main body proceeded by CuHinftown-bridge, to the attack of that town. The former fuddenly, and unexpe£ledly, came ongeneral Moore, and had a ikirmiih with him j which the main body hearing, w^nt to their alEftance, which brought on a general action. Roche intended to have kept one' divifion of his , army in the woods of Horetown *, the other in thofe ©f Rofsgarland j and to have attacked general Mcore next morning i but the arrival of the Queen's and the 29th regiments, to general Moore, deterred him from that sttempt. It was much to be lamented, that a gallant ci£cer, major Daniel of the 41ft regiment then quartered At Lifrnore, loft his life by this action. He volunteered, and folicited to be employed againft the Wexford rebels i and having received a bad wound in the knee, he died of it rt few weeks after in Dublin. He had difplayed very gre:it valour both in the Esft and Wcli Indies.

    3-

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

14. Defence and Fall of Killala Castle

    Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

    The Prince of Wales's fencibles and town yeomen resisted the French landing near the town for a time before retreating into the bishop's castle, with Mr Kirkwood captured and two of his corps killed.

    Read the passage

    The prince of Wales's fencibies, and the yeomen of the town, in all about fifty, refilled them for fome time ; but as they would foon have been overpowered by the great fuperiority of numbers, they retired into the caflle,]; but not until Mr. Kirkwood,

    who

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 79

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Killala in Mayo, you pass a town that saw fighting in 1798. The Prince of Wales's fencibles and the town yeomen, about fifty in all, resisted the French landing here for some time before retiring into the bishop's castle. Mr. Kirkwood was captured and two of his corps were killed.

15. Defence of the Bann line from Coleraine

    near Coleraine · town · Derry · 1798

    Lord Henry Murray and Colonel Leith, aided by yeomanry from Coleraine and Londonderry, secured the bridges and removed boats on the Bann to prevent Antrim rebels from crossing into Derry.

    Read the passage

    The judicious difpofition and affive exertions of lord Henry Murray, under lord Cavan, from Coleraine, in June, 1798, aided by the yeomanry of the town, and the like conduct on the part of colonel Leith, aided by the Londonderry and Bevagh corps of cavalry, not only checked the defigns of the illaffe£led in the country which they occupied, but completely checked the progrefs of the Antrim rebels, and kept them at the Antrim fide of the Bann ; ' all the bridges of that river having been well fecured, and the boats drawn on fhore to the Derry fide by a party of orangemen.

    The malTacres of the South alarmed and animated many thoufand proteftants, who fuddenly volunteered, armed themfelves, and joined general Knox^ whofe approach from Moneymore towards Toome convinced the Antrim rebels, that they had no bufinefs to quit their ow^n country ; and he would have given them a complete overthrow, and have extinguifhed, for a century, a difpofition to rebellion in that county, but that colonel Clavering, who had made terms with them at Ballymena, went exprefs to ftop the general's approach. The tranquillity of the county of Armagh is chiefly to be imputed to the zeal and activity of the orangemen.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 71

16. Execution of Mahony and Hughes at Wexford, 1799

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1799

    Mahony and Hughes were hanged at Wexford in March 1799 for murders and other crimes; they confessed guilt to Major Jones before execution but recanted after meeting a priest, then reaffirmed their guilt when confronted.

    Read the passage

    Mahony and Hughes, hanged at Wexford in the month of March, 1799, lor different murders, and other crimes, confeHed the jullice of their fcntence in the goal to major Jones, who attended them to the place of execution ; but after having had an interview with a prieft, they declared their innocence. Major Jones having feverely reprirtianded the pried, and having called on the culprits to repeat what they had faid to him in prifon, they acknowledged their guiit 91 fecond time.

    APPENDIX, No. XXV. i, 537

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 186

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Wexford now. In March 1799 two men called Mahony and Hughes were hanged here for different murders and other crimes. They confessed to Major Jones in the jail, but after meeting a priest they declared their innocence. Jones severely reprimanded the priest and called on them to repeat what they had said in prison, and they acknowledged their guilt a second time.

17. Father Mc. Gowen's dispute and death near Crossmolina

    Crossmolina · town · Mayo · 1798

    Father Mc. Gowen, a noted drunkard, lived at Crossmolina but had to change his residence after a dispute with the Maguire family. After hearing a false report of a new French landing, he drunkenly fell from his horse near his home and broke his neck.

    Read the passage

    Father Mc. Gowen, a fellow of very low extraction, and a noted drunkard, lived at Croffmalina ; but having a difpute with the Maguire family, who made a confpicuous figure in the rebellion, he was obliged to change his refidence. Though deeply concerned in treafon and rebellion, the loyalifts could not obtain fufficienc evidence to convict him ; but, though he efcaped the gallows, jullice overtook him in another way. Soon after the iurrender of the French at Ballynamuck, a report having reached him, that they had made another defccnt, while he was reveling at a chriftening, he, elate at the pleafing intelligence, indulged in the joys of Bacchus to fuch an excefs, that, returning to his own houfe at a late hour of the night, he fell from his horfe, and broke his neck within a few paces of it.

    Many circumftances . confpired to favour the defcent and the progrefs of the French in the county

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 90

18. Father O'Donnell of Kilmacshalgan swears loyalty then joins French

    Kilmacshalgan · parish · Sligo · 1798

    In April 1798 the parish priest of Kilmacshalgan, Father O'Donnell, swore an oath of allegiance before witnesses at Seaview, but as soon as the French landed he seized Mr Hillas's best horse and joined the rebels.

    Read the passage

    In the month of April, 1798, father 0'I3onneli, parifli prieft of Kilmeckftialgan, alked Mr. Hillas, of

    Seaview,

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 75

19. General Bellew wounded at the siege of Ismail

    Killala · town · Mayo

    General Matthew Bellew, brother of the Catholic bishop of Killala, served in the Russian army and was gravely wounded when the enemy sprung a mine at the siege of Ismail, burying him and many Russian soldiers, impairing his intellect thereafter.

    Read the passage

    At the liege of Ilmail the enemy fprung a mine, which blew up part of the works, and buried in their ruins our unfortunate hero and a great many Ruffian foldiers. Happy had he been to have been numbered with the dead, and to have finifhed his life hke a foldier, as he had begun it ! but Providence referved him for a more ignominious fate, and exem- . Vol. II. plihed

    14^ MEMOIRS OF THE DIFFERENT

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 89

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now, Killala in Mayo. A general of this town, Matthew Bellew, brother of the Catholic bishop, served in the Russian army. At the siege of Ismail the enemy sprung a mine, which blew up part of the works and buried him and a great many Russian soldiers in the ruins. He survived, but the blast impaired his intellect for the rest of his days.

20. General Lake redirects Needham from Oulart before Vinegar Hill attack

    Oulart · town · Wexford · 1798

    Lieutenant-general Lake, being near Vinegar Hill with an immense body of rebels present and fearing a night attack, ordered general Needham to Soliborough from Oulart instead of his original post, delaying Needham's arrival at the attack.

    Read the passage

    The reafon that lieutenant-general Lake ordered general Needham to repair to Soliborough, from Oulart, contrary to the general orders given to the different columns deftined to attack Vinegar-hill, was this : General Lake was very near that mountain, on which there was an immenfe body of rebels ; and apprehending an attack, in whicli the rebels by the great fuperiority of their numbers, aided by the darknefs of the night, in a very inclofed country, might have baffled difcipline, he, defirous of ilrengthening his main body, fuddenly changed his orders to major-general Needham, which made it impoffible for the latter to be at his pofl of attack in due time. This contradids the miftatement of Mr. Gordon in page 193. I give this from the very firji authority on that command.

    The relation which 1 have given of the affair at "Whiteheaps, in page 56 of this volume, was obtained from the ftafFofficers of the king's troops, and fome refpedable officers of the militia and yeomen, and is therefore to be relied on. It differs materially from that of Mr. Gordon, who has mifrcprcfented it, feemingly for the purpofe of refledling on the co-ndu£i: of the general officers concerned in it.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 192

21. John Byron found dying at Ballynabola bridge

    Ballynabola · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Returning from the battle of Ross, informant William Fleming was captured by rebels at the bridge of Ballynabola, where he saw John Byron, a wounded protestant inhabitant of Taghmon parish, lying in a ditch covered in blood and near death.

    Read the passage

    county, where the rebel officers fixed their head-quarters, at the'houfe of one Murphy •, that when he was returning thence, after the battle of Rofs, he, this informant, was taken piifoner by a body of rebels, at the bridge of Ballynabola, in faid county. Informant faith, that one of the faid rebels told him, that he had juft put an end to an orange rafcal, of the name of Byron •, and informant faith, he faw, lying in a ditch at Ballynabola aforefaid, John f Byron, a proteilant inhabitant of the parifh of Taghimon aforefaid, with whom informant was well acquainted ; and that faid Byron was grievoully wounded, and covered with blood, and on the point of expiring. Informant faith, that faid rebels called informant an orange rafcal, and threatened to ferve him as they did Byron ; and informant faith, he is convinced in his mind, that the faid rebels would have put him to death, but that he produced a pafs which he had obtained from Brien Murphy, a priell of Taghmon> and that faid pafs faved the life of informant. That faid rebels had a cuftom of warning the inhabitants of each townland to attend their army, under pain of death, in cafe of difobedience *, and that informant was compelled by fuch warning, to attend a rebel camp at Slievekelta,* lometime in the beginning of June, where the faid rebels were on the point of trying him for being an orangeman ; but that informant was relieved by the kind interference of Mr. John Devereux, of Taghmon. Informant faith, that father Roche, a prieft, who was commander in chief of faid camp, preached a fermon, or exhortation, to the rebels therein, of the following tenor : "That they were fighting for their religion, their liberty, and the rights of their anceftors, and that they muft perfcvere. That they fhould examine their ranks, and if they found any orangemen, or difafFecled men among them, to extirpate them, as they could not profper or thrive while they had fuch among them."f Informant faith, he was again taken prifoner by a body of the faid rebels, at Kilburn mountain aforefaid, on the nineteenth of June, and compelled to repair to the Three-rock camp, near Wexford, where many thovifandr. of the rebels were aflembled and arrayed for the purpofe of jri;arching next day to fight the^ king's troops, at Foulkes's

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 163

22. Lady's eyewitness account of the panic on Wexford bridge

    Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

    A lady's journal describes rebels stationed on the bridge suddenly breaking into panicked flight when word spread that the army had entered the town, with armed rebels rushing into houses to hide their weapons and cockades.

    Read the passage

    with men on whom he thought he could rely, to the end of our houfe, that we fhould try to get into it, fend the fire of the rebels from the quay and in paffmg under the bridge ; and if we got clear, throw ourfelves on the mercy of the gun-boats. This was rruly defperate : I walked up itairs, and went to a window ; the rebels were fettling themfelves as before, on the bridge, and fending a boat to the prifonfliip ; when, conceive my aftonifhment, I faw them all begin to run. I flew down flairs, doubting my fenfes, to tell dodtor Jacob. He came to the window. It was no illufion ; run they did, in fuch confufion, that I was amazed numbers were not trampled to death. A general cry, " The army are come^ they are in the tov/n," explained their flight.— Wretches ran out of the infirmary in their fliirts. In an incredible fliort fpace of time the flireets were almoll clear. Above fifty armed rebels rufhed into our houfe, tore out their green cockades, threw their arms under the beds ; and hoped to efcape by being found under dodor Jacob's roof. He put on his regimentals, and went into the fl:reet. A villain that Avas going off, turned about, and fired at him, but miffed him.

    " Mr. Perceval, the fherifF, galloped down the quay to our door, and faid, " Here are twelve thoufand foldiers with us." Imagine, if you can, our feeHngs ! I never fhall forget EUzabeth's countenance as fhe came down flairs and fhook us by the hand. The boat, that was fent to bring them * to torture and to death, brought them to liberty and to rapture. Several came to us. No kind q£ decorum was obferved. Nothing but kifling and embracing. Moil of the men cried violently. I faw above five thou* fand men fly from one horfeman. It was fuppofed that four thoufand of them fled from one end of the town. My bridge acquaintances are thofe who, under the command of Perry and Fitzgerald, have fmce fpread mifery and defl:ru£i:ion over the counties

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    Along here on this street, Wexford Bridge was where a lady watching from a house window in 1798 saw the rebels stationed on the bridge suddenly break into panicked flight. She had gone upstairs to a window. The rebels were settling themselves on the bridge, and sending a boat to the prison ship. Then she saw them all begin to run. She flew downstairs, doubting her senses, to tell Doctor Jacob. He came to the window. It was no illusion. They ran in such confusion that she was amazed numbers were not trampled to death. A general cry went up: the army are come, they are in the town. That explained their flight. Wretches ran out of the infirmary in their shirts. In an incredibly short space of time the streets were almost clear. Above fifty armed rebels rushed into their house, tore out their green cockades, threw their arms under the beds, and hoped to escape by being found under Doctor Jacob's roof. He put on his regimentals and went into the street. A man going off turned about and fired at him, but missed. Mr. Perceval, the sheriff, galloped down the quay to their door and said, here are twelve thousand soldiers with us. Elizabeth came downstairs and shook them by the hand. The boat that was sent to bring them to torture and death brought them to liberty and rapture. No decorum was observed, nothing but kissing and embracing. Most of the men cried violently. She saw above five thousand men fly from one horseman. It was supposed that four thousand fled from one end of the town. Her bridge acquaintances were those under the command of Perry and Fitzgerald, who have since spread misery and destruction over the counties.

23. Lord O'Neil summons magistrates to Antrim amid rising fears

    Shane's Castle · townland · Antrim · 1798

    Lord O'Neil, residing at Shane's Castle and serving as governor of the county, summoned magistrates to meet at Antrim on 7 June 1798 to concert measures against a feared insurrection, prompting rebel leaders to bring forward their attack to that day.

    Read the passage

    Lord P'Neil, who refided at Shane's-caflile in the county of Antrim, having received certain intelligence that' an infurreclion was iliortly intended, as governor of the county, fummoned by publick notice the magiftrates of it, to meet at Antrim, oil the fevcnth of June, 1798., f:)r the purpofe of concerting meafures to prevent it. To co\intera6: his defign, the leaders of the confpiracy refolved to bring forward the rifing on that day, to attack the town of Antrim, to feize his lordfaip and the magif^ t rates, and to keep them as hoflages ; and they in^ lended at the fame time to have ieized a quantity of

    arms

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 59

24. Mob plunders Westport, sparing Catholic houses

    Westport · town · Mayo · 1798

    A numerous mob of rebels entered Westport and plundered and almost demolished the houses of Protestants, but did not injure any house belonging to a Roman Catholic; loyalists fled to Castlebar to save their lives.

    Read the passage

    On the night of the battle at Cafllebar, bonfires were lighted on all the high grounds near it, particularly towards Weflport and Newport, for the purpofe of inciting the common people to rife, and which it occafioned moil eife6:uaily. A numerous mob of favages entered the former, and plundered and almoft demoliflied the houfes of the proteftants^ but did not injure one belonging to a Roman catholick. All the loyaliils were obliged to fly to Cafllebar to preferve their lives.

    Though lord Altamont and his family had evinced a very itrong partiality for the Roman cathohcks, and had on all occafions given to government the warrnefl affurances of their loyalty, their property was not fpared. They carried off his lordfliip's horfes.^ cows, and iheep, drank all the liquor in his cellars^^ brolie fome of the doors and windovv^s in his houfe, which they would have demolifned, but that James Jofeph Mc. Donnell, accompanied by a French officer,

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Westport in Mayo. In 1798, on the night of the battle at Castlebar, bonfires were lit on the high grounds towards Westport and Newport to rouse the common people to rise. A numerous mob entered the town and plundered and almost demolished the houses of Protestants, but did not injure one belonging to a Roman Catholic. All the loyalists were obliged to flee to Castlebar to preserve their lives. Lord Altamont and his family had shown strong partiality for the Roman Catholics and had given government the warmest assurances of their loyalty, yet their property was not spared. The mob carried off his lordship's horses, cows, and sheep, drank all the liquor in his cellars, and broke some of the doors and windows in his house. They would have demolished it, but James Joseph McDonnell, accompanied by a French officer, intervened.

25. Murder of Ephraim Singleton near Clonegal

    Clonegall · town · Carlow · 1798

    Ephraim Singleton, a Protestant farmer, was murdered by rebels at Coolroe near Clonegal and robbed of a considerable sum of money.

    Read the passage

    George Driver, of Tinnehaly, all of the proteflant religion, and whom they inhumanly butchered and put to death with pikes, on the hill of Boulamorogue, in faid county, for no other reafon than becaufe they were proteftants. Informant faith, that the bodies of the faid perfons were fo mangled and butchered, that their friends were obliged to convey them to the place of burial fwathed in linen clothes. Informant faith, that about three weeks ago, a party of faid rebels went to the houfe of Jofeph Faris, of Crownafkeagh, in the county of Carlow,farmer, who lay fick in bed with a violent fever j and tliat the faid rebels took the faid Jofeph Faris out of his bed, and fhot him at the end of his own houfe, which they burned to afhes. — Inform.ant faith, that the faid rebels, about the fame time, anaflinated Thomas Mathers, of Crownafkeagh aforefaid, farmer : And he, this informant, verily believes, that the faid rebels murdered the faid Faris; and the faid Mathers, for no other reafon than becaufe they were proteftants, vvho they, without exception, denominated orangemen ; and informant" further faith, that the faid rebels, never to this informant's knowledge, injured the houfe or property of any Roman catholick, refident in any of the aforefaid places. Informant faith, that a numerous body of rebels burned, on the twenty-fourth of July lall, the houfes of twenty-three proteftants, af Lany and Johnftown, in the county of Carlow, and at BallydufF in faid county, and at Ahold, Coolkenno, Killybeg,; and Gold, in the county of Wicklow ; inform.ant faith, that the houfe of Lorenzo Nickfon, efquire, at Coolkenno afcrrfaid, was among the houfes fo burned ; and that the faid rebels, previous to the burning of the fame, had the poftiilion of die faid Lorenzo Nickfon, who was dying in a confumption, brought out from faid houfe by two women, and that the faid rebels fliot the faid poftillion in prefence of his wife. Informant faith, that about a fortnight, previous to the date hereof, a party of rebels went to the houfe of Robert Davis, a farmer, ' and of the proteftant religion, and refident v/ithin half a mile of Tullow, in the couniy of Carlow, and ftiot the faid Davis in his houfe, at a late hour in the night ; and tliat the faid rebels compelled a daughter of the faid Davis, who did not exceed the age of ten years, to hold a candle while they fhot her father j and that faid rebels burned a biblf^, the property of the faid Davis. Inlormantfaith, that Ephraim Sin-^leton, farmer, and of the proteftant religion, was murdered by the faid rebels at Coolroe, near Clonegal, in the county of Carlow, about a fortnight ago, and that they robbed him at the fame time of 'a con-

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 135

26. Newbrook estate plundered by tenants declaring Catholic ownership rights

    Newbrook · electoral division · Mayo · 1798

    The traveler arrived at Newbrook, seat of Mr. Bingham, which was completely plundered by his own tenants who slaughtered his livestock, declaring that none of his heretic family should enjoy his property which should belong to Catholics.

    Read the passage

    as a pnfoner all night. Next morning I arrived at Newbrook, the feat of Mr. Bingham, which was completely plundered by his tenants, who carried off and llaughtered all his bullocks and fheep ; declariiig, that none of his heretick family fhould ej-^oy any part of his property, which Ihould be given to Roman catholicks, the original and rightful owners of it."

    The bifhop of Killala often folicited the French to permit doctor EUifon to go to fee his family at CafUebar, but they would not comply, till they had got pofleflion of it ; becaufe, from his influence as the parifh minifter, and a magiftrate, he might have injured them materially ; but when that event took place, tliey permitted him to go there, accompanied by monfieur Touflaint.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

27. Occupation of Mr Goff's house at Horetown

    Horetown · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Rebels under the command of one Monk occupied the house of Mr Goff, a Quaker, at Horetown, attended by a priest named Byrne who forced the Miss Goffs to bake bread and perform menial duties for the rebels.

    Read the passage

    A party of them took poffefiion of Mr* Goff's houfe, under the command of one Monk, and they were attended by father Byrne, a prieft, who was purveyor to the party ; and he compelled the Mif^ Goffs, young and amiable women, to bake bread, and do every other menial office to fupply the rebels. A party of them one day af^ed his benedidlion, having knelt down for that purpofe ; but he refufed to give it, only to fuch as produced their pikes ftained with the blood of hereticks.

    It was mentioned before that general Moore was to take pofl at Foulkes's mill, ten miles from Wex* ford, to prevent the rebels in their flight from Vinegar-hill from efcaping by Clomines. He remained in the demefne of Mr. Sutton, of Longraige,| which is quite clofe to it, on the evening of the nineteenth of June.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 9

28. O'Doude family lands and confiscation after 1641 rebellion

    Tireragh · barony · Sligo · 1641

    The O'Doude family, ancient chieftains of the baronies of Tireragh and Tyrawly, once held twenty-four castles across their estate, many still in existence. After the 1641 rebellion the estate was confiscated, though a small mountainous tract called Bonneconclane was preserved for the family by special favour.

    Read the passage

    Colonel O'Doude was defcended from a very ancient family of the fame name, who formerly poffefled a large tract of country in the counties of Sligo and Mayo, two baronies of which, namely, Tireragh and Tyrawly, had their names from two fons of the original chieftain of the family, who divided his eftate between them. On this extenlive eftate they counted twenty-four caflles, which w'ere occupied by them and their adherents, and many oiwhich are ilill in exiftence. O'Doude having beeji very adive in the rebellion of 1641, this tine eftate w^as confifcated, and divided amongft the followers of the conqueror ; but a fmall m.ountainous tract of land, called Bonneconclane, having been given by fpecial favour to one of the famdly, was handed down to the late polTeflbr James O'Doude.

    The father of this man, whole name was Thady, being a younger brother, and having neither property nor employment at home, went out a volunteer to Germany, at the age of twenty-five year^^ and in the courle of time was promoted in the Hun-^ garian fervice to the rank of captain, having preyioufly married a German lady, filter to baron Wipler, of whom James w^as the iifue. He having been

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 111

29. Patrick Rourke convicted for conspiring to burn his house and seize Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1798

    Patrick Rourke was found guilty by court martial in Waterford of conspiring in an insurrection and attack on the city, declaring he would burn his own house to create confusion among king's troops, and it was revealed the Clare militia planned to seize cannon and ammunition to help take the city.

    Read the passage

    By a court martial held at Waterford, the twenty-fecofid of June, 1798, John Abbott was convi£led of having con* fplred to aflift the rebels in an infurreftion in that town, and of faying that he would fet fire to his own houfe for the purpofe of confounding the army ; and that he declared, that Thomas Gough and Michael Bohan were preparing to do the fame. It was proved alfo that he had concealed arms.

    On the trial of Garret Murphy, by court martial, held at Waterford, the twenty-fifth of July, 1798, captain Lowrie, of the thirteenth regiment, prefident, it was proved, that Mr. Thomas Anthony, architect, who had employed the prifoner, pretended that he had been an United Irifhman, for the purpofe of learning his fecrets, and that Murphy informed him a few days after the battle of Rofs, that he had been, previous to that event, with Mr. Colclough, in the county of Kilkenny, and that T^r. C. having left him, went to Carrick and Clonmell, to prepare the people there for rifmg : That he told Mr. Colclough of the infurre6lion intended in Waterford, and that he mufi go there to fave a particular friend : That he was fure the king's troops would be compleatly defeated, as there were fo many United Iriflimen encamped in the county of Wexford. He told Jiim that there were arm.s in the outlets of the city of Waterford : That he had been concealed in a ditch in the county of Kilkenny, near Rofs, and miffed fire twice at two gentlemen, who rode by in their way to Waterford ; and that one of them, when tliey proceeded a little farther, was* (hot in the arm : He believed one to he young Mr. Tottenham; that Waterford was the object of the United Iriflimen, when they had defeated the king's troops at Rofs; but that city had nothing to fear, unlefs they fucceeded there. Mr. Anthony gave a mofl excellent chara£ler of him, but fanaticifm had made him a rebel.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

30. Priest Conway of Ardagh refuses to join rebellion

    Ardagh · townland · Mayo · 1798

    Mr Conway, priest of Ardagh, was one of only two priests in the area who could not be induced by fear or promises to join the rebellion, instead exhorting his flock to remain loyal and attend to their industry.

    Read the passage

    were two, however, of this clafs, who could not b« induced, either through fear or promifes, to partake with their flocks in the rebellion, but Itrongly exhorted thsrn to continue in their allegiance, and to attend to their induftry, forewarning them of the confequences of their difloyalty. One of thefe was Mr. Conway, prieft of Ardagh ; the other, Mr, Grady, prieft of Rathrea ; of whom the latter was treated with great fever ity, and dragged from the altar by his rebellious flock, becaufe he refufed to partake in their wickednefs, and accompany them to Killala, He had even the boldnefs to denounce vengeance on their guilty heads, fliould they perfevere in their treafonable fchemes.

    The perfecution levelled againll the proteftant clergymen, was not confined to the imprifonment of their perfons, joined to the infults and menaces offered to them, and the deftrudion of their houfes and property, but was extended even to the demolition of their churches, which they gutted of all the timber and carpenter's work, and moft wantonly and mfultingly abufed and tore the books which they found in them.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 77

31. Priests' frequent visits to Vinegar Hill amid daily murders

    near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

    Father Sutton and many other priests frequently visited Vinegar Hill, where murders were committed daily during the rebel occupation.

    Read the passage

    Counfellor William Turner, who profecuted on behalf of the Crown for crimes committed in the county of Wexford, during the rebellion, declared openly, in the town of Ennifcorthy, fome^time in the month of May, .799, that he believed he fliou'd be under the neceffity of profecuting Mr. Sutton, for being privy to the murder of Mr. Heyden, as he muft have known, but never difclofed, the perpetration of that horrid crime. In a few days after, Mr. Sutton gave information againfl Beaghan, and profecuted him to conviction. Mrs. Heyden, who was well acquainted with Beaghan, pofitivelv declares, that (he did not fee him among the perfons who murdered her hufband ; and that if he had been there, fhe muft have known him. It is fuppofed then, that Beaghan, who was old, profligate, and had committed many other crimes, was made a victim on this occafion, to filence the fufoicion which prevailed againft this reverend gentleman. Mrs. Heyden declares, that Sutton never put his arm round her hulband, though he pofitively afferts that he did fa — It is well known, that many allalFins were concerned in that murder, and yet Beaghan was the only one whom Sutton feleclcd for profecution. — This prielt, and many others, frequently vifited Vinegar-hill, where murders were dally committetl ^ and it Is very fingular, that Beaghan was the only perfon againtt whom any of the facerdotal order gave information. FATHER

    * St.e her affidavit, vol, ii p. 346.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 191

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass Vinegar Hill, that rise above Enniscorthy, you are near ground where, during the 1798 rebellion, murders were committed daily under the rebel occupation. Father Sutton and many other priests frequently visited the hill. Counsellor William Turner, who prosecuted for the Crown for crimes committed in Wexford, declared in Enniscorthy that he believed he would have to prosecute Sutton for being privy to the murder of Mr. Heyden, as Sutton must have known but never disclosed that crime. Within days Sutton gave information against a man called Beaghan and prosecuted him to conviction. But Mrs. Heyden, who knew Beaghan well, positively declared she did not see him among those who murdered her husband, and that if he had been there she must have recognised him. Beaghan, old and profligate, was supposed to have been made a victim to silence suspicion against the reverend gentleman. Many assassins were involved in that murder, yet Beaghan was the only person Sutton selected — and the only person against whom any priest gave information.

32. Proclamation against loyalist magistrates issued at Wexford

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

    A proclamation dated 9 June 1798 issued at Wexford by the people called for the apprehension of former magistrates James Boyd, Hawtrey White, Hunter Gowan, and Archibald Hamilton Jacob for alleged acts of cruelty, calling for them to be brought to the gaol of Wexford before the tribunal of the people.

    Read the passage

    Now we, the people, afTocIated and united for the purpofe of procuring our juft rights, and being determined to prote£l th€ perfons and properties of thofe of all religious perfuafions who have not opprefled us, and are willing, with heart and hand, to join our glorious caufe, as well as to fhew our marked difapprobation and horror of the crimes of the above delinquents, do call on our countrymen at large, to ufe every exertion iti their power to apprehend the bodies of the aforefaid James Boyd, Hawtrey White, Hunter Gowan, and Archibald Hamilton Jacob, and to fecure. and convey them to the gaol of Wexford, to be brought before the tribunal of the people. Done at Wexford, this ninth day of June, 1708.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 170

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Wexford, this is the town where on the 9th of June 1798 the people issued a proclamation against four former magistrates. The rebels, describing themselves as associated and united for the purpose of procuring our just rights, called on their countrymen to apprehend James Boyd, Hawtrey White, Hunter Gowan, and Archibald Hamilton Jacob. They accused these men of crimes and cruelties and wanted them conveyed to the gaol of Wexford to be brought before what they called the tribunal of the people. The proclamation also pledged protection to persons of all religious persuasions who had not oppressed them and were willing to join the cause.

33. Protestant fugitive protected then threatened near Foulkes's Mill

    near Foulkesmill · population centre · Wexford · 1798

    A protestant fleeing to Duncannon fort found the passes over the Barrow guarded by pikemen and took refuge at Barrietstown, but rebels surrounded the house and forced him and his host before father Edward Murphy at Carrig.

    Read the passage

    AS doctor Caulfield, in his reply, has denied what I have faid of father Edward Murphy in vol. i. p 522, and is become his apologift, I think right to obferve, that the very refpe£lable protellants who were eye-w^itnefles of the fa£ts which I have related of that reverend gentleman, have afTured me, that they are willing to verify them by affidavit, fliould 3t be thought neceflary ; and in addition to them, a gentleman has informed me of the following circumftances : He attempted to fly to Duncannon fort from a part of the country mzY Foulkes's mill, at a time that gangs of popifh aflaffms were fearching it for proteitanrs ; but finding the fearpafs over the Brmnow guarded by a large body of pikemen, he repaired to the houfe of a proteftant friend at Barrietiiown, where he was protected ; but, after a few days, a party of thefe ruiBans furrounded the houfe, and infilled that he and his friend Oiould appear before father Edward Murphy. On the firft appearance of the pikemen, they declared that they were in queft of the out-liers, meaning the few proteflants who, fcartered over the country, had not been able to effeS: their efcape. On appearing before Murphy, at Carrig, he told them that they mud repair to the camp, where they would probably have been immolated, with the numerous victims who were dally maflacred there ; but they fufpended the execution of his fevere orders, for one day, by their piteous fupplications ; and, very fortunately for them, the arlival of the king's troops next day at Foulkes^s mill, having occafioned a general alarm, all the pikemen in the adjacent

    country

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 189

34. Protestant houses burned across Kilmuckridge parish on Whitsunday morning

    Kilmuckridge · townland · Wexford · 1798

    George and Elizabeth Williams witnessed numerous Protestant-owned houses ablaze across the neighbourhood on the morning of the rising, including those of Webster, Davis, Fox, Burrowes and many others, all identified as Protestants.

    Read the passage

    ford ; who being duly fworn on the Holy Evangelifts, make oath and fay, That the faid George is tenant to William: Bolton, of Ifland, in faid county, efquire, and that faid George Williams, who, with his wife, commonly refides at Ballyadams, frequently flept at the houfe of the faid William Bolton, his landlord, for fome time previous to the twenty-feventh of May laft. Informant, George Williams, faith, he was alamied on the morning of the faid twenty-feventh of May, about the hour of four o'clock, in the faid houfe of Ifland, where he had flept the preceding night, by the barking of dogs, and the noife of a concourfe of people, tumultuoufly aflcmbled in different parts of the, country, and alfo by the firing of fliots. That, on mounting to the upper Itory of faid houfe of Ifland, he faw the houfes of many proteftants on fire in different parts of the adjacent county, and great numbers of the lovi^er clafs of people ailembled together in a tumultuous manner, and moving from one part of the country to the other. This informant, George, faith, that he faw among other houfes> thofe of the following perfons in a ftate of conflagration i Edward Webfter's, John Davis's, Edward Fox's, the reverend Mr. Burrowes's, at Kyle, in the parilh of Kilmyckridge, James Jolmfon's, Jofeph Afton's and James Afton's^ John Rath's and James Rath's, William Walih's, Richard Burke's, Edward Thackaberry's, Francis Colbyrne's, Robert Johnfon's, Charles Francis's, Blakeney Ormfby's, and the houfes of many other perfons, whofe names this informant cannot at this time recolle61: ; all of whom were of the proteftant religion. This informant, Elizabeth, who had pafled the preceding night at her own houfe at BaHyadams aforefaid, faith, that fhe was alarmed during the whole of the night by the barking of dogs ; and that, on rifing about four o'clock, on the morning of Whitfunday laft, fhe faw great numbers of people moving about in a tu-multuous and riotous manner, and fome perfons on the tops of houfesj> looking out, as this informant verily believes, for fignals and that two boys, the fervants of the faid Geor-ge, were on the top of the houfe of the faid George Williams, at Ballyadams aforefaid, looking out in the fame manner. This informant, Elizabeth, faith, that being much terrified at fuch alarming appearances, fhe repaired to her hufband, at Ifland, aforefaid, for prote£^ion. Thefe informants fay^, that about the hour of ten o'clock, on the fame day, Hawtrey White, efquire, captain of the Ballaghkeene yeomen cavalry,,

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 146

35. Protestants flee to sea and hide in caves to escape rebels

    Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

    Some protestants on the sea coast took to boats to escape rebel vengeance, and when they came ashore for food were captured and taken to Ballina; others fled to the mountains and hid in caves or corn fields, nearly starving.

    Read the passage

    Some proteflants on the fea-coafl went to fea in boats, to avoid the vengeance of the rebels ; and on coming on fliore for food, fome of them were taken prifoners and conveyed to Baihna. Some fled to the mountains, and hid in caves, others in corn fields, and were almofl: fliarved.

    Conry, the domeftick chaplain and bofom friend of doctor Bellew, the popifn bifliop, and who had recently obtained the parifli of Adergold from him, father M'Donnel, of Efl^y, and father O'Donnel, of Kilm.eckflialgan, and Mangan, his coadjutor, made it a practice of compelling protefliants to be chrifl:ened by a priefl:, to which they fubmitted to fave their lives and their property.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Ballina, in 1798, Protestants along the sea coast took to boats to escape rebel vengeance. When some came ashore for food, they were captured and brought here to Ballina. Others fled to the mountains, hiding in caves or corn fields, and nearly starved. Priests including Conry, chaplain to Doctor Bellew, Father M'Donnel of Efly, and Father O'Donnel of Kilmeckshalgan, along with his coadjutor Mangan, made a practice of compelling Protestants to be christened, to which they submitted to save their lives and property.

36. Rebel captain shot after demanding surrender of Castlecomer

    Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

    A rebel captain on horseback rushed from a by-road near Castlecomer and demanded that Captain James Butler surrender the town; Butler missed his shot but the rebel was shot dead by a yeoman nearby.

    Read the passage

    An inftance of uncommon audacity occurred within a few perches of the town : A rebel captain, with a green fafh, rufhed out from a by-road on horfeback, and accolHng the honourable captain James Butler, brother to the earl of Ormond, at the head

    of

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg

37. Rebel leader Harvey releases Protestant prisoners in Mulrankin parish

    Mulrankin · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Rev. Mr. Wilson and his Protestant parishioners of Mulrankin, taken prisoner and sent to Wexford gaol, were ordered home by Bagenal Harvey on condition of taking the United Irishmen's oath.

    Read the passage

    The following fad proves that he was a man of humanity : The reverend Mr. Wilfon, minifter of the parifh of Mulrankenj in which he lived, and fuch of his proteftant parilhioners as could not make their efcape, were taken prifoners, and fent to Wexford gaol on the firft of June ; but Mr. Harvey ordered them home, on their taking the united Iriflimen's oath.

    From the following incidents we may Infer, that, with the beft military talents, and the warmeft zeal in the rebel caufe, his power could not have been of any duration. Mr. Solomon Richards alfured me^ that a priefl refufed to grant him a protection, the day after our troops evacuated "VY exford ; but on applying to B. Harvey, he gave him one, which afforded him liberty and fecurity till Mr. Harvey's power began to decline, and then no refpedt was paid to it, and he was committed to prifon.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 31

38. Rebellion suppression and executions in the King's county

    Tullamore · town · Offaly · 1797–1798

    United Irishmen organized defenders in the King's county from 1797, but the plot was betrayed by a Protestant informer. Two Dempsey shopkeepers from Tullamore were tried, convicted, and hanged for their role, and buried in the barrack yard.

    Read the passage

    Two op\ilent fnopkeepers of the name of Dempfey, in the town of Tullamore, were captains, and were tried and convi£led of being fuch. As one of. them had been prin-' cipally concerned in the rnafl^acre at Rathangan, the fqiia-

    dron,

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

39. Rebels plunder Edgeworthstown, sparing few houses

    Edgeworthstown · town · Longford · 1798

    The evening before the attack on Granard, a body of rebels entered Edgeworthstown and plundered and almost demolished every Protestant house except those of Mr. Edgeworth, Mr. William Bond, and Mr. Alexander Bond; no Catholic-owned property was harmed.

    Read the passage

    The evening before the attack on Granard, a body of rebels entered Edgeworfhftown, and plundered and almofl demolifhed every proteftant houfe in it, except thofe of Mr. Edgeworth, Mr. William Bond, the captain of the Maflrim yeomanry, and Mr. Alexander Bond, poft-mafter ; but they did not injure the houfe or property of a Roman cathoHck.

    For a day or two before, reports had been induftrioully propagated, that the orangemen were deftroy-r ing all the neighbouring country, and had burnt the preceding night Street and fome other adjacent villages. This, which was the watch word and fignal for infurreclion, fpread like a conflagration, and had the defired effed: on the popifh multitude.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 107

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Edgeworthstown, you're moving through a place marked by the rebellion of 1798. The evening before the attack on Granard, a body of rebels entered the town and plundered and almost demolished every Protestant house, sparing only those of Mr. Edgeworth, Mr. William Bond, captain of the yeomanry, and Mr. Alexander Bond, the post-master. No Catholic house or property was touched. For a day or two before, reports had been spread that the orangemen were destroying the neighbouring country and had burnt Street and other villages the night before. It served as the watchword and signal for insurrection, and it had its effect on the people.

40. Rebels seize churchyard at Antrim and maintain heavy fire

    near Antrim · town · Antrim · 1798

    Rebel musketeers pressed on and got possession of the churchyard at Antrim, from which they maintained a heavy fire on government troops during the battle.

    Read the passage

    The church is about feventy yards from Maffareene-bridge, where the guns began to play on the rebels, who were at that time about feventy yards above the church, advancing from the upper part of the Scots quarter, in a clofe column of about twentytwo in front, and about four thoufand ftrong. Their front was compofed of about eight huniired mufketeers, who were excellent marldmen. Whenever they came within fight of the dragoons and yeomanry, they commenced ftreet-firing, and by the time they came within one hundred and fifty yards of the army, they filed to the rear. Their fixpounder * was then in front, with which they fired two rounds of grape fhot, and did great execution, having killed and wounded three yeomen, two artillery men, and four or five dragoons. The recoil of the fecond faot difabled the gun fo much, that they could not fire any more. The cafe fhot from our curricle guns did fuch great execution, that the rebels perceived they could not advance without immenfe lofs. However, their mufketeers prelfed on, and got poiTefTion of the church-yard, from whence they maintained a heavy fire.

    The greater part of the pikemen went acrofs the fields, and formed in Bow-lane, to take our army in the rear, which, being perceived, the gunners were ordered to retreat under lord Maifareene's wall, where the g4ins could play on the rebels advancing up that lane ; and at the fame time the dragoons were ordered to charge, in order to cover the retreat

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 62

41. Refusal of food to a Protestant widow at Tintern

    Tintern · townland · Wexford · 1798

    After the Scullabogue massacre, Catherine Poer asked a rebel commissary at Tintern for food but was refused because she was not considered a 'christian' (Catholic) and was told to be baptized by the priest to receive meat.

    Read the passage

    on the n?orning bf Sunday, the third of June, 1798^ John Flaherty, of Tintern, taylor, Michael Ryan and Pat. Hogan, labourers, of Salt-mills in faid county, went to her houfe and callea for her hufband Pat. Poer, a proteftant ; faith, they carried him, as flie heard and believesj to Scullabogue, where he was burnt with the other proteftants. Saith, that fome time after the maflacre at Scullabogue, flie, this examinant, went to John Houghran of Tintern, rnafon, who acted as a commifTary to the rebels for diftributing provifions, and afked him for a pound of^ meat, as fhe was (larving •, and that faid Houghran afked. her if fhe was a chriftian ? and that on faying fhe did not come under the rules of his church, he faid flie was not a chriftian, and that it would be giving meat to his enemies, ?ind breaking his oathi Saith, faid Houghran ordered her to go to the prieft to be made a chriftian, and was furprized file did not do it before. Saith, that to fave her life and get victuals, fhe went to the prieft to be chriftencd.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 160

42. Reinforcements march from Kinnegad to relieve Clonard

    Kinnegad · town · Westmeath · 1798

    A guard who had been excluded from Clonard fled to Kinnegad and alerted the garrison there; eleven Northumberland fencibles and fourteen Kinnegad infantry under Lieutenant Houghton marched to relieve Clonard.

    Read the passage

    The conflidl had now laited fix hours, and the rebels feemed determined to maintain it ; but very fortunately an. event happened, which at the fame time that it depreffed their courage, infpired the loyal garrifon with renovated valour. One of the guard, who had been excluded on the fudden fliutting of the gates in the morning, fled to Kinnegad, and informed the garrifon there of the perilous fituation of his friends at Clonard j on which, eleven of the Northumberland fencibles, under a ferjeant, and fourteen of the Kinnegad infantry, under lieutenant Houghton, marched for Clonard.

    Lieutenant Tyrrell, with great gallantry, fallied forth , from the houle, and formed a junction with them. After having pofted this reinforcement in the molt advantageous fituation, to gall the enemy, he, with a few picked men, undertook to drive the rebels from the garden, which about four hundred of them flill continued to occupy. Some of them were on a mount thickly planted with; fir trees, which aflbrded them a

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 41

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kinnegad in Westmeath, you are moving along the same line a relief force took during the 1798 rebellion. A guard shut out of Clonard when its gates suddenly closed that morning fled here and told the garrison how desperate the situation was. Eleven Northumberland fencibles under a sergeant and fourteen Kinnegad infantry under Lieutenant Houghton marched out for Clonard. There, Lieutenant Tyrrell sallied forth with great gallantry and joined them, posting the reinforcement where it could gall the enemy, then with a few picked men set out to drive the rebels from a garden that about 400 of them still held, some on a mount thickly planted with fir trees.

43. Sir Charles Asgill relieves Castlecomer with grape-shot

    Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

    General Sir Charles Asgill arrived with nine hundred men and dislodged the rebels with grape-shot, who retreated the way they had come in a slow, irregular manner.

    Read the passage

    was kept up, and not a rebel wais fulFered to crofs the bridge alive. At length when their ammunition was almoft expended, general father Murphy, who had kept aloof from the heat of the adion, near the church where they tried their prifoners, fent a black fervant of the countefs of Ormond, whom they had taken prifoner, to inform thofe who fired from the houfes, " That if they marched out with their hats on the top of their guns, their lives fhould be faved ; that it was in vain to refift any longer, as he expeded a reinforcement from Ballyragget immediately/* They detained his ambalTador for fome time, and at length fent the reverend general v/ord, that they would fubmit if he would by the fame meflfenger fend them a written affurance of mercy. This they did to gain time; and.foon after they obferved the trdops from Kilkenny lining the hills, and taking their pofitions to attack the rebels. General fir Charles Afgill, with nine hundred men, went to their relief, and a few rounds of grape-fliot foori diflodged the rebels, who retreated the way they came, in a flow pace, and in an irregular manner.

    When fir Charles arrived near the tovm, he fent a detachment of the Wextbrd, under lieutenant colonel Ram, (v/hich were foon joined by the grenadiers of the Wicklow) and a party of cavalry, to take poft on a bridge contiguous to it, and on the Doonane fide of it ; and after firing a few rounds of grape into Caftlecomer, they marched into it. At that time the rebels, a fev/ itragglers excepted, had abandoned it ; but two of them, who remained under the bridge, fired up the ftreet feveral times, and wounded two of the Wicklow regiment. Lady Ormond's manfion, and feveral other houfes in the town V ere then in a blaze ; and the heat was fo great, that the bombardier of the Wicklow regiment requefted that fir Charles would change his pofition, as he was afraid that the guns might go off; upon

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 50

44. Victory at Foulke's Mill intimidates Wexford rebels into seeking mercy

    near Foulkesmill · population centre · Wexford · 1798

    News of general Moore's victory at Foulke's Mill, combined with the army surrounding Vinegar Hill, intimidated the rebel leaders in Wexford, including Thomas Dixon's band, causing them to abandon further massacre plans and instead seek mercy.

    Read the passage

    The black flag was carried in proceffion again on the morning of the twenty-firfl of June by Thomas Dixon, and his band of alTaffins, as a fignal to murder the reft of the proteftant prifoners ; but the large army which had furrounded Vinegar-hill the day before, and the vidory obtained by general Moore the preceding evening at Foulkes's mill, had intimidated the blood-hounds fo much, that they, fearing left they might provoke the vengeance of the royal army, refolved to fue for mercy.

    Doctor Jacob and his family were not molefted for the following reafon : Being a gentleman of great

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 18

45. Victory at Vinegar Hill and rescue of examinant

    near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

    When the king's troops were victorious at Vinegar Hill, Whealey's daughters called for help from three Ancient Britons who conveyed the injured examinant on horseback to Oulart.

    Read the passage

    a hole In the bawn of faid houfe, and having laid fome oak planks thereon, and having covered the fame vi^ith ftraw, and afterwards with the afhes of his houfe fo burned, examinant lay concealed in faid hole for about the fpace of one month j and that examinant during that time was fupplied by his wife and daughters with food, but in the night only, left he fliould be difcovered ; examinant faith, that during his concealment, the rebels came often and examined the ruins of faid houfe, and the fields and ditches in its vicinity, for examinant, declaring at the fame time, that they would put him to death j and that the faid rebels often faid during their fearch, at one time that he was a bloody orangeman, though examinant faith he never faw an orangeman, nor knew what they meant by that appellation, except that examinant has been univerfally informed that they meant a proteftant by the word orangeman. That one day that the faid rebels went to the ruins of faid houfe, in queft of faid examinant, they the faid rebels knocked down the fon of examinant, of the age of nine years, with the but-end of a fire-lock, becaufe the fiiid fon refufed to point out where his father lay concealed, and that faid rebels put examinant's fon on his knees three diiFerent times, and fworc they would fhoot him, unlefs he would do fo, but that his faid fon declared his ignorance thereof, Examinant faith, that during his concealment at Dranay aforefaid, a great number df proteftants were fliot contiguous to examinant's houfe by faid rebels, as they were flying acrofs the country from various quarters from the mercilefs rage of faid rebels ; and that Michael Shea, Anthony Thackberry, Samuel Judd., Benjamin Judd, Clem.ent GofF, James Shaw and Henry Lancafter, were of the number of proteftants fo fliot or killed with pikes. That when the king's troops were vi6lorious at Vinegar-hill, examinant's daughters called to his reUef three of the Ancient Britons, who conveyed examinant to Oulart aforefaid, on horfeback, as examinant was unable to walk, having had a bad fever from his confinement, and that he was afterwards conveyed by his two fons to Gorey, in faid county, where Mr. Peppard gave examinant a fmall houfe, as examinant's houfe at Dranay aforefaid, and all his fubftance, were deftroyed.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 144

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up is Vinegar Hill in Wexford. In 1798 the king's troops were victorious here, and that victory saved a man who had been hiding for about a month in a hole beneath the ashes of his burned house at Dranay. His wife and daughters brought him food by night while rebels searched the ruins, swearing to put him to death and calling him a bloody orangeman, though he said he never saw an orangeman or knew what they meant, except that it meant a Protestant. One day the rebels knocked his nine-year-old son down with the butt of a firelock and put the boy on his knees three times, threatening to shoot him unless he pointed out where his father lay, but the child said he did not know. During his concealment, several Protestants fleeing across the country were shot or killed with pikes near the house, among them Michael Shea, Anthony Thackberry, Samuel Judd, Benjamin Judd, Clement Goff, James Shaw, and Henry Lancaster. When the king's troops won, the man's daughters called three Ancient Britons to his relief. He was unable to walk, having taken a bad fever from his confinement, and they carried him on horseback to Oulart. His two sons afterwards took him to Gorey, where a Mr. Peppard gave him a small house, since his house and all his substance were destroyed.

46. Whiteboy meeting and drilling at Drumlemon, Ardfinnan and Fethard

    Ardfinnan · town · Tipperary · 1762

    An informant described nighttime musters of whiteboys under Robert Keating, Nicholas Sheehy, Edmond Sheehy, James Buxton and James Farrell at Drumlemon, Ardfinnan and Fethard, where recruits were armed, mounted, and drilled in white uniforms.

    Read the passage

    Aglifh, in the county of Kilkenny, who being duly fworn on the Holy Evangelifts, depofeth, That fome time in the month of I^Iarch, 1762, he was enUfted in the fociety of whiteboys, at Newcafble, in the county of Tipperary, by Mr. Robert Keating, of Knocka, in faid county, gentleman, and fworn by him at the fame time, to take the following oath : " To be true and faithful to the king of France, and to the true king, prince Charles, and to obey all the orders of his officers, and not to difclofe his fecrets to any one, except to a Frenchman, or one of his own party." That he told informant that the objetl they had in view was, to collett an army together in this kingdom, fufhcient to raife a rebellion againft an invaOon which they expected from France, with prince Charles, their rightful fovereign, at their head \ and, for whom, they were to conquer England, Ireland, and Scotland. And that he told informant they had powerful friends in England and Scotland, who would caufe and foment rifings in faid kingdoms, for faid end. That a ftrong French army would make a defcent in thefe kingdoms, at the fame time that they would invade Ireland. That therefore the whiteboys muft keep well and faithfully together, againft faid event. That informant made many expeditions by night on the lands of Drumlemon, Ardfinnan, and Fethard, in the county of Tipperary, under the command of faid Robert Keating, and others, who were mounted, armed, and drefled in white uniforms; together with the late Nicholas Sheehy,* Edmond Sheehy, James Buxton, nnd James Farrell. That faid Robert Keating, and James Butler, drew out their troop, and difciplined them at faid places. That fomf time after, informant was prefent at a meeting held at the houfe of Thomas Browne, of Clonmell, alefeller, together with faid Robert Keating, James Butler, and one Patrick Gilbert, farmer, who all took an oath to put to death, the firft time an opportunity offered, the earl of Carrick, fir Thomas Maude, baronet, John Bagwell, efcjuire, and the reverend John

    Hewetfon,

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 123

47. Whiteboy meeting and oath at Ardfinnan innkeeper's house

    Ardfinnan · town · Tipperary · 1762

    At Ronan's inn in Ardfinnan, Nicholas Sheehy, Edmond Sheehy, James Buxton and James Farrell and others took the same murder oath as sworn at Clonmel.

    Read the passage

    Hewctfon, who were the only enemies they dreaded to their rebellious defigns; and that informant took fuid oath.f 'J'hat at another meeting held at the houfc of one Ronan, innkeeper, at Ardilnnan, iiiformant faw faid Nicholas Sheehy, Edmond Shcehy, James Buxton^ James Farrcil, and many others, take the fame oath. Infonnan.*; faith, tliat the execution of faid Nicholas Sheehy, and the red of hi.s friends, has been the means of faving the lives of the {aid perfons whom they fwore to aflaffinate. Informant faitli, he was prefent at a meeting held at the ruce-courfe of Clogheen, on the night of the day that the earl of Drogheda came there, and that five hundred perfons, all in white uniforms, were prefent, and moft of them were arrried; andxthat faid meeting was held in the fpring, fomctime before the French took Newfoundland. That at faid meeting it v/as propofed to them, by faid Nicholas Sliecliy, and others, to burn the faid town, and to mafTacre the fait! earl, and the corps under hi^ command, in order to get their arms, and to frighten the protcftant gentlemen from purfuing them, or giving them any further hindrance in their future purpofes. Informant faith, that ihey woul^* have executed the faid defign, but that John Doyle, popifh prieft of Ardfinnan, prevented them, by" falling on his knees, and giving them his curfe, if they undertook v/hat mult occafion their own ruin; for he faid, we are not ripe yet for fuch a blow, nor can we 'till prince Charles and his friends from France land to our affiftance: if you attempt it before that time, every proteftant in Ireland will be up in arms againfl us, and give no quarter to man, woman, or child of our religion. Whereupon they defilled.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 123

48. William Burke Forced into Rebel Ranks and Hanged at Castlebar

    Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

    A messenger sent to warn General Hutchinson of the French route was intercepted by Conroy and forced to swear the United Irishmen's oath; he was later hanged at Castlebar for this involvement.

    Read the passage

    ranks. His name was William Burke. He was afterwards hanged at Caftlebar. The flopping him was the occafion of many calamities to this kingdom,

    Conroy, confcious of his guilt, and fearing that he fhould be aiTeiled, kept guards conftantiy round his houfe, after the arrival of our troops at Kiilala ; but a party detached by general Trench furprifsd his videttes, killed t\\o of them, wounded a third, and took the fourth prifoner. They were rJl in French arms and uniforms. They found in his houfe a French carabine, and fome cartridges ; a printed proclamation of the French, offering liberty to the people of Ireland ; and the entire correfpondence which had taken place between him and one Maguire of Croffmalina, * a noted rebel leader.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 84

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Castlebar now. In 1798, a man named William Burke was stopped by Conroy and forced into the rebel ranks. He was afterwards hanged at Castlebar. The stopping of him, the source says, was the occasion of many calamities to this kingdom. Conroy knew his guilt and feared arrest. After the troops arrived at Killala, he kept guards constantly round his house. But a party detached by General Trench surprised his videttes. They killed two, wounded a third, and took the fourth prisoner. All were in French arms and uniforms. In the house they found a French carbine and some cartridges, a printed proclamation of the French offering liberty to the people of Ireland, and the entire correspondence between Conroy and one Maguire of Crossmalina, a noted rebel leader.

49. Ambush and burning of the village of Maglass

    Maglass · townland · Kerry · 1798

    The village of Maglass was set on fire by the retreating royal army after they were treacherously fired upon by a party of rebels lying in ambush there, causing panic among the rebel forces marching towards Wexford.

    Read the passage

    ing of the defeat of a detachment of the Meath regiment ; but, to fatisfy them, they propofed that Fitzgerald, his brother and himfelf, fhould take horfes, and proceed to meet the regiment, if coming, and to tell colonel Bradfhaw, who commanded it, of the circumftances as they then flood. They advanced within a mile of Taghmon, where they met a large foraging party proceeding ,to the rebel camp, with from fix to eight car loads of provifions, and who declared that the thirteenth had retreated. They then returned fpeedily to the rebel camp, and made their report; but Carthy came forward again, and faid, < Can thefe men be fincere ? the whole country towards the barony of Forth, is in flames !' alluding to the village of Maglafs, which our retreating army had fet fire to, as they had been treacheroufly fired on by a party of rebels, who lay in ambufh there for them. Mr. L. Richards replied, if they had any doubts of their fincerity, that he would remain as an hoftage with them, while his brother and Mr. Fitzgerald went to Wexford, to which they affented. He then remained in the hut, with a guard at the door, and, while there, he perceived, through a hole in the wall, about a foot fquare, a great number of men armed with the defperate weapons which he before defcribed, inceflantly marching,'except that now and then, they knelt down to pray; and at the end of each prayer, bent their bodies towards the earth, and thruft the forefinger of their right hand into their mouth, as far as the extremity of the knuckle. When he had remained about three hours in that unpleafant fituation, Mr. John Hay came to him, and faid, ' That the people had agreed, that he had betrayed Fitzgeraldj, and therefore that he muft be put to death.' Mr. Richards infiftcd on the contrary. Mr. Hay went off, returned in about half an hour, and declared, it was univerfally agreed, <;^That Fitzgerald had either fold them, or that he had betrayed him.' And he fwore vehemently, that the forces would be marched immediately towards Wexford, which Mr. Richards faid, < would be the bed thing to prove his fincerity.' In about" five minvites after, the whole body of the rebels proceeded towards ' Wexford ; and as they marched,. continued to fire mufkets,' and' give the moft dreadful yellsv . They left two fpntinels to guard Mr. Richiards ; who," in the mean time,' examined the wounds of fix unfortunate wretches who lay upon ftraw in the hut, and

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

50. Attack and robbery at Heathstown; assassination of informer Sommers

    Heathstown · townland · Westmeath · 1795

    On 24 June 1795 defenders attacked the house of Mr Murdock of Heathstown, county Westmeath, robbing it of arms; four attackers were later condemned to hang on evidence of a servant named Sommers, who was assassinated by defenders the night before the execution.

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    June twenty-fourth, they attacked the houfe of Mr. Murdock of Heathilown, county of Weflmeath, and robbed it of arms. Four of tlv. m were foon after taken, and condemned to be. hanged on the evidence of one Sommers his fervant. The night before the execution the defenders afTaffinated Sommers.

    In

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

51. Bonfires signal rising near Castlebar toward Westport and Newport

    Westport · town · Mayo · 1798

    On the night of the Battle of Castlebar, bonfires were lit on high grounds near the town, particularly toward Westport and Newport, to incite the common people to rise, which they did effectually.

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    On the night of the battle at Cafllebar, bonfires were lighted on all the high grounds near it, particularly towards Weflport and Newport, for the purpofe of inciting the common people to rife, and which it occafioned moil eife6:uaily. A numerous mob of favages entered the former, and plundered and almoft demoliflied the houfes of the proteftants^ but did not injure one belonging to a Roman catholick. All the loyaliils were obliged to fly to Cafllebar to preferve their lives.

    Though lord Altamont and his family had evinced a very itrong partiality for the Roman cathohcks, and had on all occafions given to government the warrnefl affurances of their loyalty, their property was not fpared. They carried off his lordfliip's horfes.^ cows, and iheep, drank all the liquor in his cellars^^ brolie fome of the doors and windovv^s in his houfe, which they would have demolifned, but that James Jofeph Mc. Donnell, accompanied by a French officer,

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Westport, you are on ground that saw the fallout of the Battle of Castlebar in 1798. On the night of that battle, bonfires were lit on all the high grounds near Castlebar, particularly toward Westport and Newport, to incite the common people to rise, and it did so most effectually. A mob entered Westport and plundered and almost demolished the houses of the Protestants, but did not injure one belonging to a Roman Catholic. All the loyalists were obliged to flee to Castlebar to preserve their lives. Lord Altamont and his family had shown strong partiality for the Roman Catholics and had given government the warmest assurances of their loyalty, yet their property was not spared. The mob carried off his horses, cows, and sheep, drank all the liquor in his cellars, and broke some of the doors and windows in his house, which they would have demolished but for the intervention of a French officer.

52. Burning of the Webster houses

    near Boleyvogue · population centre · Wexford · 1798

    Soon after the incident at Goff's house, Whealey saw the houses of protestants John and Robert Webster set on fire by John Murphy and his party.

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    out ! Pull him out ! Have you got him ?" to which anfwcr was made, " Aye, aye and that foon after examinant faw the houfes of John and Robert Webftcr, both proteftants,* in a flate of conflagration, and which houfes were fet on £re by the faid John Murphy and his party. Examinant faith, that faid John Murphy, and his party, proceeded to a townland called Mullaunree, in faid county, and fet fire to the houfe of James Dennifon, a proteilant farmer, after having put him and his family to flight. That he and his family fat up all night, as the faid John Murphy, and his party, were proceeding in their dellructive progrefs j and ihat being very much alarmed and terrified, one of this examhiant's fons, a private in the Ballaghkeene cavalry, repaired to captain White, who commanded faid corps, to inform him thereof, and his other fon went to Ennifcorthy, to communicate intelligence thereof to the yeomanry and king's troops ^quartered there. That early on the morning of A^^iitfunday hft, the faid John Murphy, after having burnt many proteilant houfes in the neighbourhood, attacked that of the reverend Mr. Burrowes, a proteilant clergyman, and that foon after examinant faw the houfe of the faid Mr. Burrowes on fire that the faid John Murphy proceeded in his deflrucSlive progrefs, burning the houfes of prcteftants, until he arrived at the hill of Ouiart, f in faid county, where the faid Murphy encamped, with a numerous body of rebels, and where he, the faid Murphy, was joined by one Edward Roche of Garrylough, attended alfo by a confiderable body of rebels. Examinant faith, that having been informed that the faid rebels meant to burn his honfe on the night of Whitfunday, he, this examinant, ordered his family to take the furniture thereout, and which they accordingly did ; that on the faid night, as foon as it grew dark, the faid rebels, headed by faid Jolm Murphy, and the fiiid Edward Roche, went to the houfe of examinant, and burned the fame *,' and that examinant lay concealed in a ditch, fo clofc to the faid houfe while burning, that examinant could with <lifliculty bear the heat thereof. Examinant faith, that the faid rebels carried ofF, or deilroyed, the whole of examinant's furniture, except one bedtick ; that a great number ©f rebels went the next day in queft of examinant, in order to put him to death, but that examinant lay concealed in ditches at Dranay aforefaid. That two or three days after the |)urning of his houfe, the two daughters of examinant dug

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 144

53. Colonel Meade encounters and disarms rebels near Castlebar

    Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

    On his way to report to lord Cornwallis, Meade's dragoons charged and killed rebels on a bridge and, after signalling friendliness, received the surrender of about sixty French muskets from rebels who had deserted the French.

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    When on his way, about fifteen miles from Cafllebar, he perceived on the adjacent hills about three thoufand rebels, of whom fome were near him in a bog. Part of his dragoons charged, purfued, and killed fome rebels who were on a bridge, but contrary to his orders and his wiflies, as it might have brought on a conflid, and have impeded or even defeated his miffion to lord Cornwallis. Having made figns to them, that he would receive them in a friendly manner, a good many of them came to him, and furrendered about fixty French mulkets ; and probably the remainder would have done fo, if he could have remained there long enough. At Swineford he perceived great numbers of them in the adjacent fields. All thefe deluded wretches whom he met in his progrefs had deierted from the French. He overtook lord Cornwallis between Clare and Ballyhannis, t where he remained that night.

    Colonel Meade was fent a fecond time to reconnoitre the French, whom he faw pafs the Shannon at Ballintra, | over the bridge, which they endeavoured to make impalTable, by blowing up one of the abutments.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 104

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Castlebar in Mayo, you are on ground that Colonel Meade crossed in 1798. He was on his way to report to Lord Cornwallis. About 15 miles from Castlebar he saw about 3,000 rebels on the adjacent hills, with some close to him in a bog. Part of his dragoons charged, pursued, and killed some rebels who were on a bridge. This was against his orders and his wishes, as it might have brought on a fight and impeded or even defeated his mission to Lord Cornwallis. He then made signs to the rebels that he would receive them in a friendly manner. A good many of them came to him and surrendered about 60 French muskets. The remainder probably would have done so too, if he could have stayed long enough. At Swineford he saw great numbers of them in the adjacent fields. All of these people he met in his progress had deserted from the French. He overtook Lord Cornwallis between Clare and Ballyhannis, where he remained that night.

54. Defenders attack army detachment near Petersville

    near Petersville · sub-townland · Meath · 1793

    A large armed body of Defenders attacked a detachment of the 41st regiment near Petersville, County Meath, resulting in a severe conflict. Presbyterians in the area aided the king's troops with zeal.

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    On the twenty-fecond of January, 1793, a numerous body of them, well armed, wantonly attacked a detachment of the forty-firft regiment near Peterfville, in tlie county of Meath, and had a fevere conflift with them ; and on that occafion the prefbyterians who live in that country aided the king's troops with great zeal, which (hews that they were loyal at that time. About the fame time the defenders in great numbers furloufly affaulted a company af the fame regiment, commanded by major Grey, when on their march, at Manor Hamilton, in the county of Leitrim, and dcftiroyed their baggage, though they were ultimately repulfed ; on that cccafion the defenders charged the foldiers, and wrenched their bayonets from their mulkets.

    A proclamation iffued on the thirteenth of February^ X793, againft them. Hating that outrages had been com^ mltted by them in the counties of Louth, Meath, Cavan, Dublin, Monaghan, and the county of the town of Drogheda ; and it alludes to enormities perpetrated by them in the preceding year. '

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 133

55. Distribution of Arms to Killala Townspeople by Charost

    Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

    French commandant Charost, left in charge of Killala, distributed arms without regard to religion to protect the town from robbers, an act protested by rebel officers who feared the protestants would turn on the French.

    Read the passage

    the envenomed hatred which they had ah'eady fliewn towards all loyal lubjecls, proved that they coul.l not place much reliance on their protection. The commandant, wiihing to adopt meafares for fecurin^ the lives and property of the inhabitants of the town and the adjacent country againft robbers, invitett them without any diltinclion of religion or party, to accept of arms, but on condition that they would return them when called for. The inhabitants of the, town, and efpecially the proteftants, embraced the offer with alacrity, and the diilribution took place ou the evening of September the hrft.

    The rebels objected llrongly againfl fupplying the protellants with arms, as they faid that they would turn them againll the French and their allies, as foon as an Kngliili army appeared ; and two of their officers, of the name of Mulheeran and Maguire, who were fpokefmen on the occafion, became clamorous and vehement, the former having manifeiled his difguO: fo much as to lay down his arms.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 85

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Killala in Mayo. In September 1798 the French commandant Charost was left in charge here, and he wanted to secure the lives and property of the townspeople and the surrounding country against robbers. He invited the inhabitants, without distinction of religion or party, to accept arms, on condition they would return them when called for. The townspeople, especially the protestants, took up the offer eagerly, and the distribution happened on the evening of September the 1st. The rebel officers objected strongly to arming the protestants, saying they would turn the weapons against the French and their allies as soon as an English army appeared. Two of them, Mulheeran and Maguire, were the spokesmen and grew clamorous and vehement. Mulheeran showed his disgust so much that he laid down his arms.

56. Father Prendergaft, mendicant friar near Westport

    Westport · town · Mayo · 1798

    Father Prendergaft lived near Westport as a mendicant friar who extorted large contributions from local Catholics through the sale of scapulars and dealing in charms and prophecies. He attached himself strongly to the French upon their landing.

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    Father Prendergaft lived . near Weftport, and was of the order of mendicant friars, whp fupport themfelves by the voluntary donations of fuch perfons in their neighbourhood as can afford to exercife adls of liberality ; but he, like many others of his order, extorted very large contributions from the bigoted herd of papifls, who have an extraordinary fuperftitious reverence for their facerdotai guides of every defcription.

    Such was father Prendergaft, a ftout, fturdy, wellfed prieft, who battened on the fat of the land, Epicuri de grege porcus, without giving himfelf any trouble about his fpiritual concerns, except when he could turn them to profit.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 86

    As the companion tells it

    Just ahead is Westport, in Mayo. In 1798, a mendicant friar called Father Prendergast lived near here. He was meant to live on voluntary donations, but instead he squeezed large sums from local Catholics, selling scapulars and dealing in charms and prophecies. One writer called him

57. Father Roche and the bullets at the battle of Enniscorthy

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Deponent heard rebels who had been at the battle of Enniscorthy declare that Father Roche, a rebel general, constantly caught bullets fired by the king's forces and gave them to his men to load their pieces with.

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    eJ, whllil in cuftody, that John Colclough and Thomas Macord, both of Tinrcrn in. iaid county, were very active in promoting the rebellion ; that he fav^*- John Devereux, juniory of Sliilbeggari, in laid county^^ at Scullabogue, on Monday the fourth infiantj and that he feenied, and believes that he had a principal command in the rebel airny. He iikev.'ife faw Charles Reilly, of Rarner's-grange in faid county, at the camp at Carrickbyrne amongfl the rebels, ^ery bufy and active to promote their caule. Deponent farther faith, that he attended mafs celebrated by Edward Mlirphy aforefaid, parifh priefl: of Bannow ; and that after mafs he heard him preach a fermcn, in which he faid Bre- *' thren, you fee you're victorious everywhere — that the balls of the hereticks fly about you Vvithout hurting you — that few of you have fallen, whilll tlioufands of the hereticks are dead, and that the few of you . that have fallen Avas ' ' from deviating from our caufe, and want of faith — that ^« this vifibly is the work of God, who now is determined that the hereticks, who have reigned upwards af an hundred years, fnould be extirpated, and the true cathoiick religion be eftablilhed." — And deponent faith, this fermon was preached after the battle of Rofs, and that he heard feveral fermons preached by the priefls to the fame effect ; that he likewiie heard many rebels who had been at the battle of Ennifcorthy and clfewherc, declare, that father Roche, a rebel general, did conftantly catch the bullets that came from his majeftv's arms, and gave them to his men to load their pieces with. Deponent further faith, that every proteftant that was admitted into the rebel corps, was firft baptized by a piieil ', and that every proteftant that refufed to be baptized was put to death : and that many, to fave their lives, did fuffcr themfclves to be baptized. Sworn before r/J, 27,(1 Jime^ I79^j

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 162

58. Father Synnott's visits to rebel camp on Vinegar Hill

    near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

    William Synnott, parish priest of Enniscorthy, saved the life of Mr Nunn, vicar of that parish, and frequently resorted to Vinegar Hill while it was held by the rebels, though he saved no other protestants there.

    Read the passage

    WILLIAM SYNNOTT, parifh prieft of Ennifcortliy, feavlng a warm friendfhlp for the reverend Mr. Nunn, vicar of that paridi, faved his life from the blood-ihirlly rebels ; and he might have faved many other proteilanis in the fame manner. Mr. Nann faid to me in converfation, if there is a loyal prieft in Ireland, it is William Synnott. On which I alked him, Whether Mr. bynnott did not frequently refort to Vinegar-hill, while it was in polfeflion of the rebels ? and on hisanfwcring in the affirmative, I afked him, Whether he did not think that Mr. Synnott could have faved any of the prbteltants, while the rebels were daily mafLcring them? and he pofitively faid, that he believed he could*

    No. XXVL I.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 192

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Vinegar Hill, where rebels held their camp in 1798. Father William Synnott, the parish priest of Enniscorthy, came here often while the rebels were in possession of the hill. He had saved the life of the reverend Mr. Nunn, vicar of the parish, from the rebels, and Mr. Nunn told the author of the memoir that if there is a loyal priest in Ireland, it is William Synnott. When asked whether Father Synnott could have saved other Protestants while the rebels were daily massacring them on the hill, Mr. Nunn said he believed he could have, but no other lives were saved there.

59. Fermanagh regiment soldiers tried for conspiracy at Wicklow

    Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1799

    In April 1799 five soldiers of the Fermanagh regiment were tried at Wicklow for conspiring to murder their officers; three were sentenced to be hanged and two transported.

    Read the passage

    In the month of April, 1 799, five foldiers of the Fermanagh regiment were tried at Wicklow, for having confpired to murder their officers, of which three were fentenced to be hanged, and two to be tranfported. Thefe unfortunate men fell a prey to the delufive arts of fediic tion, too often fuccefsfully praclifed on the king's troops.*

    * The great numbers of the popifli niilitla and yeomen who were difaffeiilcd, and the great fufceptibih'ty in that order of being feduoed, demands ths ferious confideration of the Irapcrial government.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 140

60. General Johnson's encounter with a captured rebel near New Ross

    New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

    On his march from New Ross, General Johnson encountered a rebel armed with a pike who, told he deserved hanging for bearing arms against the king, replied that his body might be hurt but his soul could not be injured as Father Roche had taken care of it.

    Read the passage

    As the part which general Johnfon took in ths attack on Vinegar-hill was by far the moft perilous and brilliant, I Oiall give the reader a more circumflantial relation of it. In his march from New Rofs, he met a rebel armed with a pike, who, on being informed •that he deferved to be hanged for having appeared in arms againft the king, repHed, " You may hurt my body, but you cannot injure my foul, as father Roche has taken care of it."

    The evening before the attack on Ennifcorthy, he marched to Ballymacus, f about four miles from it ; but wilhing to have his men frefh for the onfet next morning, he moved forward to Daphne, within a mile and a half of it. Soon after his arrival there, a large body of rebels, marching in columns and intermediate hues, advanced within half a mile of his army, and feemed determined to attack it, on v/hich the general prepared to receive them ; but they fent forward their fharp fhooters, who maintained a very fmart fire on his line, till he brought up bis cannon and diflodged them with it.

    Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 8