Islandmagee County Antrim
Islandmagee a Peninsular Between Carrickfergus and Larne, This is where the first atrocity of the 1641 era occurred, (even the English historian, Leland, admits that) from here the Scottish and English armies English launched their savage campaign to claim the lush lands of the Antrim Plateau. They massacred men women and children burned and sacked their Chapels, some having been built by St. Patrick himself, as at Templepatrick and at Ballylinney and Ballycarry.From that day to this hardly a trace of the ancient Irish Catholic families can be seen working their former lands from Islandmagee to Dundrod. At Carmavy the atrocites continued when women and children who ran for shelter to their chapel . had the walls toppled in on them while the chapel was set on fire. The following poem by Ethna Carberry, tells well of the horriffic slaughter of the Magee's at Islandmagee.
Brian Boy Magee
The Massacre of the Irish Magee's BY English and Scottish Soldiers.
I am Brian Boy Magee, my father was Eoghan Ban,
I was wakened from happy dreams by the shouts of my startled Clan.
And I saw through the leaping glare that marked where our homestead stood.
My mother swing by her hair, and my brothers lie in the blood.
In the creeping cold of the night the creeping wolves came down,
Scotch troops from that Castle grim guarding Knockfergus Town.
And they hacked and lashed and hewed, with musket and rope and sword, ‘
Till my murdered kin lay thick in pools by the Slaughter Ford.
I fought by my father’s side, and when we were fighting sore,
We saw a line of their steel with our shrieking women before.
The Redcoats drove them on to the verge of the Gobbins Grey.
Hurried them - God ! the sight, as the sea foamed up for its prey!
O, tall were the Gobbins Cliffs, and sharp were the rocks, my woe
And tender the limbs that met such terrible death below.
Mother and Babe and Maid, they clutched at the empty air,
With eyeballs widened in fright , that hour of despair.
Sleep soft in your heaving bed, 0 little fair love of my heart.
The bitter oath I have sworn, shall be of my life a part.
And for every piteous prayer. you prayed your way to die.
May I hear an enemy plead, while I laugh and deny.
In the dawn that was gold and red, Aye, red as the blood choked stream,
I crept to the perilous brink - Great Christ ! was the night a dream ?
In all the Island of Gloom, I, only had life that day -
Death covered the Green hillsides, and tossed in the Bay.
I have vowed with the pride of my sires - By my mother’s wandering ghost -
By my kinfolks’ shattered bones, hurled on the cruel coast -
By the sweet dead face of my love, and the wound in her gentle breast,
To follow that murderous band, a sleuth-hound knows no rest.
I shall go to Feilim 0’Neill, with my sorrowful tale and crave,
A blue-bright blade of Spain, in the ranks of his soldiers brave.
And God grant me the strength to wield, that shining avenger well.
When the Gad shall sweep his foe, through the yawning gates of Hell
I am Brian Boy Magee, and my creed is the creed of Hate !
Love, Peace, I have cast aside, But Vengeance, Vengeance I wait.
Till I pay back the four fold debt, for the horrors I witnessed there.
When my brothers moaned in their blood, and my mother swung by her hair.
The Witches of ISLANDMAGEE 1710.THESE ARE THE ACTUAL DEPOSITIONS OF THE FAMOUS LAST TRIAL OF WITCHES IN IRELAND. 1710. ( I have modified the language and spelling at many points to make it more easier read. Joe Graham)
THE EXAMINATION OF JOHN SMITH. OF LARNE, IN YE 50 COUNTY ANTRIM, TAKEN AT CARRICKFERGOS, 21 MARCH, 1710,
who, being duly Sworn and Examined Saith that Mrs. Mary Dunbar, who has for this Long time been in a most unusual manner tormented and afflicted (as she Saith, and ashy all that see her do verily believe) by witches and Witchcraft, having since the Confinement of Jannet Liston, Janet Meane, and Jane Miller, whom she affirms to be her Tormentors, declared that she was troubled only with one young woman, whom the aforesaid women, when about her And tormenting her, did call Mrs. Ann, but that the said young woman told her that she should never be discovered by her name as the rest were, she, the Said Mary Dunbar, having given Exact marks and Description of one Margaret Mitchell, whom she, this Ext doth verily believe, the Said Mary never had seen before the Said r Mitchell was brought to her, and that the Said Mary assured this Ext and others that the Said Margaret was the young woman that did Torment and afflict her, And that she never saved her before but when she was tormenting her; and that after the Said Margaret was set at Liberty, the Said Mary fell into a most violent fit, in which the Said Ext heard her say—’ For Christ Sake, Let me alone, and I won’t discover you.” And after being Recovered out of the Said Fitt, was asked to whom she spoke. The Said Mary told them that the Said Marg’ Mitchell was then afflicting her, and told her she would have this Examt James Blithe’s Picture made & roast it like a Lark, and that they should not Catch her, for she would turn herself into a Hare, and further Saish that the Said Mary did remit Several Pins, buttons, and horse Hair, and further Said not.
THE EXAMINATION OF MARY DUNBAR,THE PLAINTIFF. TAKEN 12TH MARCH, 1710,
Who, being duly Sworn and Examined. Saith that during these Several weeks she has been in a most grievous and violent manner tormented and afflicted with Witches; that Several whom she never had known, or to her knowledge seen before, did frequently appear to her (tho’ invisible to her keepers and attenders), who make her fall very often into fainting and tormenting fitss, take the Power of Tongue from her, and afflicts her to that Degree that she often thinks she is pierced to the heart, and that her breasts are cut off; that she heard the Said women (when about her) name one another, and that called one Jannet Litton, another Flit. Cellor, another Kate McCamont, another Jannet Carson, another Jannes Mean, another Latimore, and another Mrs. Anne, and the Said Jannet Litton, Eliz. Cellar, Kate McCamont, and Jannet Carson being brought to her, att their first appearance she knew them to be four of her Tormentors, and that after they were taken into Custody the aforesaid Latimore and Mean did very much Torment her, especially when Mr. Sinclare, the Diasenting Minister, was praying with and for her, and told her they would hinder her of heating his prayers ; but if she would do as they would have her, she soon would be ts’ell, and that Jannet Latimore and Jannet Mean being brought to her, she likewise knew them so be other two of her Tormentors, and that since the confinement of the said Jannet Liston, Ella. Cellar, Kate McCamont, Janet Carson, Jannet Mean, and Jannet Latimor, none of them has troubled hor, neither has been so touch tormented as when they were at Liberty, and that there do now only tu’o appear to her (viz5’), the aforesaid Mrs. Ann, as they called her, and another woman, blind of an eye, who told her when Mr. Robb, the curate, was going to pray with and for her, that she should be little the better for his prayers, for they would hinder her from bearing them, which they accordingly did.
Tate Examination OF JOHN SMITH, TAKEN I4TH MA5CH, 1710
V/ho, being duly Sworn and Examined, saith that, upon the within. mentioned Mary Dunbar giving an account that there was a woman blind of an eye that did torment her, three several women blind of an eye were brought to her, but she, the Said Mary, declared they never troubled her, and that she had nothing to say against them or Lay to their Charge; and one Jane Miller, of Carrickfergus, who is blind of an eye, being likewise sent for to come to the Said Mary, that as soon as she drew nigh the house where she Said Mary was (the Said Mary did not know of her coming), she became very much afraid, faintish. and Sweat, and as soon as she came into the Roomer where the Said Mary lay, she, the Said Mary. fell into Such a violent fit of paint that three men were Scarce able to hold her—cryed out, “For Christ’s Sake, take the Devil out of the Room;” and being asked, Said the blind woman, meaning the Jane Miller. for she was the woman that did Torment her, and shee bad seen her too often in her fitts, and the Said Miller being taken from the House, the Said Mary came to her Right Senses, and Declared that the Said Jane Miller was the woman blind of an eye that did afflict her, tho’ she did not know her name, nor never had seen her before, but when in her fitts aforesaid, and the Said Jane Miller being brought into her again, she assured them that thee was the woman that did afflict her, and being brought in the third time into the Room unknown and unseen to the Said Mary, as he does verily believe, the Said Mary felt into her violent fitts, and begged of the People to take her, the Said Jane Miller,
Bryce Elan, Constable, Deposeth that after the said Jane Miller was delivered to him and brought from the said House, he privately, and unknown to the Said Mary, brought her into the Room where she was again, and before the Said Mary saw her, she fell very ill in violent fltts, arid prayed them to take the Devil out of the Room,
The EXAMINATION OF H. WILSON (ISLAND MAGEE), TAKEN Ioth MARCH, 1710,
Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, saith that on the 6th Instant he was in the house of Ja, Haltridge, in the Said Island Gent, and Saw Mary Dunbar in a very ill condition, being, as is supposed, tormented with witches, and one Jannet Latimore, who being often Said by the person grieved to he one of her Tormentors, tough’ she never had seen her in her life, but when she appeared, as she Said, to her in her affliction, came near the House, became very uneasy and faintish, and much disordered, and became worse and worse, notwithstanding the Said Mary Dunbar, nor none of her keepers or attendants knew of the Said Latimor’s coming or being there, and being desired by Some there in the House to go in and see the Said Mary, which she did, amongst several others, and when she appeared to her, the Said Mary fell into Desperate violent fitts, and when ‘she got the Liberty of her Tongue (which was often taken from berg, Said that woman Latimore was one of her Tormentors, and that she knew her face full well, tho’ she had never Seen her before, but in her tormented fits appeared to her, And further saith that one Jannet Mean, wife to one Andrew Ferguson, near Ballycarry, in the Said County, was brought by a Warrant, but privately and unknown to Said Mary Dunhar, and among very many more came to see her, and at her first appearance She, the said Mary, became as before, in her most desperate fits, and both the Said Mean and Latimore being taken apart from the said Haltridge’s house to another house, to be Examd; that after Examination the Said Mean’s Husband would not be Satisfied that the sick person would anyway alter at the appearance of his wife. It was agreed that shee Should appear to the -Sick person again, and that as Soon as she entered the Room Doore where the Said Mary lay, she became distracted, though’ Sober ere her entrance; and further saith that ye said Mary is most tormented when, prayed with or for, Save when they personally
appear to her, and she Saith that since the Confinement of Jannet L,iston and her Daughter Cat:
- McCamont and Jannet Carson, none appeared to her but the Said Jannet Mean and Jannet Latimore, and appears most to her when prayed for as aforesaid, the Said Mary being, when out of her fits, very’ sensible. -
The EXAMINATION OF CHARLES LENNAN, GENT,, TAKEN yE 10TH OF MARCH, 1710,
Who, being Duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that the 5th and otb Instant he was in the House of James Haltridge, of Island Magee, Gent., where lies in a most Desperate Condition Mary Dunbar. of or about the age of ry or iS years, being, as Concluded by all that See her, tormented with Witches and Witchcraft, and his Examination agreeth word for word with the toth in Examination, and further Saitb that when Mr. Sinclare, the Minister, was praying with the said Mary Dunbar, that the Said Mary Said Jennet Latimore and Jannet Mean told her that they would hinder her of hearing his prayers; but both Said to her if she would do as they would have her to do, she would soon be well. The Ext. further Saith that when the Said Mary was taken or helped out of the Roome she lay in that she fell as dead on the Threshold, and at her Desire the Threshold and floor about was dug up, And in so doing there was a strong Smell as (as was
Concluded) of Brimstone, and when done the Said Mary ‘vent out of y1 Said Room without any trouble, and in Some hours after, when Mr. Sinclare prayed with her, thee fell into violent fitts, and said she Saw the Said Mean and Latimore, who Said to her that thee should not get so well out of the Door again, whereupon it was agreed that she should try; accordingly she did, and fell into more violent fitts than before, both at her going out and Returning to the Said Room.
THE EXAMINATION OF Was. FaNvoN, OF ISLAND MAGEE, 3rd OF MARCH, 1710,
Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that for sometime past the House of James Haltridge, of Island Magee aforesaid, bath been haunted with Evil Spirits (as he is credibly Informed), and that Mary Dunbar, being now in the Said house, is in great Disorder, and very much tormented both day and night by Witches; And by the description the said Mary Dunbar gave this Ext. and others of the Witches, they did verily believe that Jannet Liston and Eliz.
Cellar were persons Guilty of the Same, upon which, on Friday Last, they Sent for the Said persons, and when the said Jannet Liston and Eliz. Cellar came into the Room where ye Said Mary Dunbar was. She the Said Mary fell into a violent fit of Pains, and Said that as Soon as she Saw them she was Stung to ye bean, and declared that the Said Jannet and Elizabeth were Devils, and continually with Several other women about her bed troubling her, and further Saith that there were a great many more of other women present when the Said Mary Challenged the
Said Jannet and Elizabeth, whom she never Saw in her Lifetime before her trouble aforesaid.
Jona WELLSON, of IsLAND MAGEE AFORESAID,
agreeth with the above, word for word, . -
JAMES BLYTH, OF BANK, IN THE County OF ANTRIM,
Who, being duly Sworn and Examd,. agreeth Verbatim with the aforesaid Exam”-. and further Saith that the Said Mary Dunbar Said she heard her Tormentors name one Katty among them,
upon which one Katherine McCamont was sent for; and as Soon as She came into the Said
Mary’s Roome, the Said Mary Dunbar fell into such violent fitt of pains that three pe*sons were not able to hold her, and that the Said Mary Dunbar Declared that the Said Katherine was one of
her tormentors, and further Saith that as soon as the Said Katherine entered the House, tho’ unseen to the Said Mary, her pains Seized on her with a great Sweat.
James Hill Deposeth that the first Instant, he being in the House of Wm. Cellar of IslandMagee, one Mary Twznain (sick came into the Said House and called out Jannet Liston to speak to her, and that after the Said Jannet came in again she felt a trembling, and told this Deponent that the Said Mary had been desiring her to go to Mr. Haltridge to see Mazy Dunbar, but declared she would not goe for all Island Magee. except Mr. Sinclare would come for’ her (and Said)—If the plague of God was on her, the Said May Dunbar, y Plague of God be on them altogether; the Devil be with them, if he was among them. If God had taken her health from her, God give her health, If the Devil had taken it from her, the Devil give her it. And then said—0, misbelieving ones, eating and drinking Damnation to themselves, Crucifying Christ afresh, and taking all out of the hands of the Devil. Capt es/unit rDie Mar/if, z7za
William Hatley deposeth that after the aforesaid Mary Dunbar was recovered out of one of her fitts, and in her Right Senses, she declared that Jane Carson was one of the tormentors.
THE EXAMINATION of HUGH Donaldson Of ISLANDMAGEE, IN THE SAID COUNTY,
- TAKEN THE 5TH March, 1710,
Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that the 28th of February, he being ‘us the house of James Haltridge: of Island Magee aforesaid, he Saw Mrs. Mary Dunbar afflicted in an unusual / manner, falling into ftts as if she had been dead, and did not know what any about her said, in one of which fits he heard her say So and So after she was recovered, and-very Sensible was asked what it was She Said in the Said fitt, thee answered, there was a woman came to the bed side; and asked her, Molly Dunbar, how do you do, and the Said Mary, giving the marks of one Jannet Liston, whom thee never had seen in her life, as she said when out of her fits, upon which the Said Liston was seat for, and at her approach the Said Mary affirmed that was the woman, and fell into extreme torment during the Said Liston’s being in the Room, so that Scarce two or three men were able to hold her. She likewise, in her other fits, said she heard her Tormentors name one another, and that they called one of them Jannet Carson, another Katty, another Jannet Mean, and another Me Alexander, all who threatened to kill her if she told their flames, upon which the Said Janet Carson was Sent for about the first Instant, and as soon as thee appeared, the Said Mary fell into a great agony during her stay; as also during the abode of one Eliz: Cellar, whom she had given a Description of, and declared to be one of her Tormentors, and that the aforesaid Mary Dunbar declared she never Saw any of the aforesaid women before her affliction aforesaid, and further Saith that about thirty other women were Severally brought into the room where she was, and that she never was disturbed in the Least during their Continuance, and Said they were none of her afflicters, still averring that the aforesaid women were her tormentors.
COUNTY ANTRIM.
The EXAMINATION OF JAMES HALTRIDGE, OF ISLAND Macar, GENT., 24thl Mar., 1710,
Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that his house, situate in Island Magee aforesaid, which for this considerable time past has been haunted with Evil Spirits and Witches, and in which house one Mrs. Mary Dunbar (who is now removed from, them to bank in the said County) was afflicted and tormented by witches, as she Said,, whom she discovered by giving Exact marks and account of the most of their names, tho’ she never had Seen of then in her life before (as she declares) but when by them tormented; since the Confinement of Margt. Mitchell, whom the Said Mary affirm to be the only one that did afflict her since the Confinement of Jannet Liston, Flit, Cellar, Kate McCamont, Janet Carson, Jannet Mean, Jannet Latimore, and Jane Miller, who were all sent to and still do Remain in Gaol], upon her discovering them as aforesaid to be her tormentors, bath never been troubled or molested in the Least, and that the Said Mary Dunbar told this Examt that Since the Confinement of the Said Margaret Mitchell, who she assured him that she was very Certain was her only tormentor after the Confinement of the aforesaid persons, she the said Mary has not been, tormented or afflicted, and that none of then, has appeared to her, but she has been very easy ever Since, Save Some things she thought was in her Stomach, which she would be glad to Vomit, and further Saitb not.