Part III. History of the County of Clare
Chapter 20. Depositions of Protestant Settlers, 1642

[Explanation of Depositions]

Although the English settlers in Clare were in number but a small handful in 1641, they maintained their ground stoutly against those who sought to expel them from their newly acquired homes. Their Depositions, made in the end of 1642, before Commissioners appointed to take evidence upon oath, are preserved in MS. in the Library of Trinity College; these contain various cases worthy of transcription, and we give here an abstract of the principal, ones amongst them. No doubt can be entertained that, in several particulars, they are charged with exaggeration, and perhaps with deliberate untruth; they are nevertheless, deserving of attention as the testimony of contemporary witnesses. ^[1]