An Abstract of several examinations taken upon oath in the counties of Monmouth and Hereford, and delivered in to the Honourable House of Commons reported by Sir John Trevor, chair-man to the committee for drawing reasons to be given to the lords at a conference to prevent the growth and increase of popery ; together with the account given to the House of Commons the 12th of April, 1678, by John Arnold and John Scudamore, Esqs., of the encouragement given to popery in the counties of Monmouth and Hereford.

Lunae 29 Aprilis 1678.

Sir John Trevor reports from the Committee ap∣pointed to prepare, and draw up Reasons to be of∣fered at a Conference with the Lords, concerning the Danger the Nation is in, by the Growth of Pope∣ry, and for providing Remedies to prevent the same, and to Summon Mr. Arnold, and Mr. Scudamore, and to take their Answers to the Papers delivered to M. Speaker. That the Committee met several times, and that they had perused several Papers, and Re∣cords, and had taken the Answers of Mr. Arnold, and Mr. Scudamore, and the Informations of several others, and had several Informations exhibited to them taken upon Oath before Justices of the Peace. And that the Committee ordered him to make a Report consisting of several Particulars dis∣posed under three Heads, which Report he read in his place, and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table.

The First Head.

The Names of Popish Priests, by whom kept, the Chappels and other Places where Mass is said, and resorted to in the County of Monmouth.

John Arnold of Lanvihangel in the County of Mon∣mouth Esq late Justice of Peace there, by his Exami∣nation, saith, That he hath known Mr. David Lew∣is for seaven or eight Years, who hath been for all that time and before reputed a Jesuit and Provin∣cial of the Jesuits in the County of Monmouth, That for several Years past he lived at Lanternam House then in Jointure to the Lady Morgan, which by her Death, about two or three Years since, came to Sir Edward Morgan, where the said David Lewis publick∣said Mass as has been credibly informed by persons that were present thereat, he likewise saith that he

hath seen the Chappel, Altar and Ornaments in the said House for the Celebration of Mass, that the said David Lewis lives now near Lantarnam aforesaid, and doth also, as he hath been informed, say Mass at a Pepish Chappel near Mr. Gunters House, in Aberga∣venny Town.

Charles Morgan, Gentleman, by his Examination upon Oath saith, that David Lewis a Popish reputed Priest doth often frequent the House of one Mr. Thomas Gunter of Abergavenny.

William James, by his Examination upon Oath saith, that he hath known David Lewis to be a Bopish Priest this Sixteen Years and believes him to be the Superiour of all the Jesuits in North and South-Wales; he and his Wife have received the Sacrament of him, hath seen him administer to above an Hundred Per∣sons, hath seen him Christen several Children, and Marry several Persons at a Chappel in Lantarnam-House, and at the Houses of Andrew and Edward Williams, that great number resort to Lantarnam to hear Mass, depo∣seth further that he hath given several Angels to the said David Lewis, to pray for the Soul of his Father-in-law after he was dead, & that his Father-in-law told him and his Wife, that he was fain to give Fifty Pounds to the said David Lewis, to be disposed to pious Uses, and that if he did not give it, he should neither have the Sacrament, nor Absolution, and that he further saith, that he knows William Cornelius, who hath officiated as Clerk at Mass to the said David Lewis this Fifteen or Sixteen Years, and that the said William Cornelius was both a Constable and Churchwarden for the Parish of Langat∣tock.

Dorothy, the Wife of William James deposeth that she hath known David Lewis to be a Popish Priest these twenty Years, hath seen him say Mass at Lantarnam and elsewhere, she and her Husband having received

the Sacrament from him, and hath seen him administer it to several persons, and Marry and Christen several times: She knowes that one William Cornellius hath officiated as Clerk to the said David Lewis for fixteen years past and above.

Mr. Arnold faith, that he hath known Captain Silyard four or five years; that he hath been Informed by the Mi∣nister of Lanarth and others, that he is a Romish Priest and doth openly say Mass in that Parish, to which great num∣bers do resort, that most of the Parish are Papists.

Tho. Watkins Vicar of Lanarth upon his Oath Deposeth, That one Silyard, a reputed Popish Priest, resides in the said Parish.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath deposeth, that the said Mr. Silyard a reputed popish Priest, lives with Mrs. Jones of Lanarth Widdow.

Mr. Arnold saies, That Mr. Harris alias Price, is reputed to be a popish Priest.

Tho. Watkins of Lanarth, upon his Oath deposeth, that Walter Harris, alias Price is a reputed popish Priest, re∣sideth in Clytha a Hamlet in Lanarth, in the House of Mrs. Christian Milbourn, that there are above Eighty reputed Popish Recufants besides Children and Servants in that Parish, that he hath been Informed, that the said Price saith Mass, Marries and Christens in the said Parish, and hath en∣deavoured to pervert several of the Parish to the Popish Religion,

Mr. Samuel Watkins, Vicar of Lantillio, Gressenny and Penrose, in the County of Monmouth, upon his Oath sayes, that Mr. Walter Harris, alias Price, and another Mr. Harris say Mass at William Pullens House, and likewise do often Christen.

Mr. Aaron Lewis of Landegva in the County of Mon∣mouth, upon his Oath saith, That several persons have in∣form'd him that Walter Harris alias Price, is a popish Priest, and had Christened several of their Children, and that the said Price said Mass publickly, and that he lives in the House of Mrs. Katherine and Mrs. Christian Milbourn.

Alice the Wife of the said Aaron Lewis upon her Oath saith, that she knows the said Mr. Walter Price to be a po∣pish priest, hath seen him and heard him say Mass forty times, hath received the Sacrament from him, hath seen him administer it to a hundred more, hath seen him often Marry and Christen, hath perverted several Protestants from the Church of England, to the Church of Rome, as James Phichard and Katherine his Wife, Charles Walkins, and Margaret his Wife, and the Wife of William Arthur, and several others.

She further saith, that she hath seen above a hundred at mass, and that the crowd was so great, that the Loft was forced to be propt least it should fall down under the weight; that she hath confest her sins to the said Price and that he gave her Absolution.

William Lewis of Ragland, upon his Oath saith, in the County of Monmouth, that he hath seen Mr. Price, who doth or lately did live at the the House of Mr. Milborn, say Mass, and preach in Welch; that the said Price did earnest∣ly endeavour to turn him from the Church of England to the Church of Rome; telling him he should never see the Face of God, unless he would be of their way.

Mr. Roger Seys upon his Oath saith, that the said Walter Harris, alias Price, is a popish Priest; and that he was pre∣sent when it was proved before a Justice of the Peace, that the said Price had said Mass.

William James upon his Oath sayeth, that he knoweth Walter Harris alias Price a popish Priest, and hath seen him at Mass, and heard him say Mass, and that he's en∣tertained at Mrs. Milborns House in Clithia.

Mr. Arnold sayeth, that he hath been very credibly in∣formed, that one Doctor Pugh says Mass publickly in the House of Mr. Thomas Bodnam of Blackbrook, both when Mr. Bodnam is at home, and when he is absent; that he hath been informed, that Walter James Esq suffers one John Loyd a reputed Priest to say Mass at his House at Treivor.

That he hath seen a Chappel at Lanvair in the House of Turbervile Morgan Esq and an Altar and Ornaments in it, and he hath been informed that Thomas Loyd, a popish Priest saith publick Mass, Marries, Christens, and Buries in the said Chappel.

Mr. Samuel Watkins of Lantilio Gressenny and Penrose, up∣on his Oath sayeth that Mr. Loyd, a reputed popish Priest says Mass at the House of Turbervile Morgan Esq in his Pa∣rish, that there are three other Houses in his Parish, where reputed opish Priests are entertained, and say publick Mass, and that there are in the Parishes of Lantilio, Gressen∣ny and Penrose Sixscore Popish Recusants.

Mr. Arnold sayes, that he hath been informed by the Ministers and several Witnesses, that Mr. Scudamore of Pen∣rose's Widdow, suffers publick Mass to be said in her House, and that numbers resort thither.

Mr. Samuel Watkins, Vicar of Penrose upon his Oath saith, That one Mr. Lloyd, a reputed popish Priest is enter∣tained at the House of one Mrs. Winefrid Sceudamore, and that he hath seen him there: and a great number of Popish Recusants resorting thither upon Sundays and Holy-days, to hear Mass, as he conceiveth, and he verily believes all her Children are Christened by popish priests.

M. Arnold sayes that he hath seen a publick Chappel near the House of Mr. Tho. Gunter a Popist convict, in Ab∣ergavenny, adorned with the marks of the Jesuites on the outside and is informed that Mass is said there by Cap∣tain Evans a reputed Jesuite, and by the aforesaid David Lewis, that very great numbers resort to the said Chappel, and very often at Church time and he hath credibly heard that a hundred hath gone out of the said Chappel, when not forty have gone out of the great Church, that the said Chappell is scituate in a publick Street of the said Town, and doth front the Street.

Mr. Greenhaugh Vicar of Abergavenny and Lantilio Per∣tholy in the County of Monmonth, upon his Oath sayth, That on Sunday and Holy-days he hath seen great numbers of Roman Catholiks resort to the house of Mr. Thomas Gunt∣er at Abergavenny, and that the said Gunter entertaines one Captain Evans, whom he supposeth to be a Popish Priest; That there is the publick mark of the Jesuites on the out∣side of the Building, which is directly towards the parish Church, and he is informed there is a Chappel, and that they have in that House all the Formalities and ornaments belonging to a Chappel, with Mass on Sundays and Holy∣dayes; he deposeth, that there have been Marriages and Christenings in both the said parishes by popish Priests; and further, that the said Thomas Gunter told him, that in Olivers time of severity, he kept a Priest, and would keep

one now; that many times Corps come to be interred with the Formalities of white Crosses upon them, and endeavouring to hinder the said Superstition, he hath oft∣ten been abused; that he hath informed John Arnold Esq and other Justices of the Peace of publick Mass there and other Enormities of rhe Papists.

William James aforesaid upon his Oath deposeth, that he knows Phillip Evans, commonly called Captain Evans a popish Priest entertained by Thomas Gunter at his House in Aliergavenny.

Mr. Arnold sayeth, that the Persons who go under the Names hereafter mentioned do often change their names and are called by other Names, and are reputed itincrant Priests in the Counties of Hereford and Monmonth, and do usually offieiate in ten Miles eompass (viz) Mr Draw∣cot, Mr. Elliot, Captain Pugh, Doctor Pugh, Mr. Rider, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Loyd, Mr. Williams, Mr. Parry, Mr. Jones, mr. Harriks who is said to be Superintendent of the Comb, mr. John Hall, mr. Thomas Powel, mr. Harries alias Price, and mr. Thomas Andrews.

Thomas Watkins Vicar of Lanarth upon his Oath deposeth that Thomas Andrews a reputed Poish Priest says Mass ve∣ry often at William Davids House of Bettus as he hath been informed.

Mr. Samuel Watkins Vicar of Lantilio Gressenny upon his Oath depofeth that mr. Andrews a reputed popish Priest, is entertained at mr. Anthony Powels at Killough, where he hath seen him, and that he sayeth publick Mass there, and that mr. Hall, a reputed popish Priest is entertained at mr. James Pricards House of Blaen Liman, where mass is publickly said; and hath been Informed, that another reputed popish Priest called mr. Laurance Watkings fre∣quents the House of, mr. Walter Powel.

Mr. Roger Seys upon his Oath deposeth, that he heard it proved before several Justices of the peace of the Coun∣ty of Monmouth, that Mr. Laurence Watkins was a popish Priest, and did officiate at the House of Mr. Charles Scuda∣more deceased, and further deposeth, that Thomas Powel, a reputed popish Priest liveth at the House of the Lady Jones of Treowen which is distant abont a quarter of a mile from the parish Church of Dingestow; to which Church as he is informed, there do not resort above sixteen or rweuty persons or thereabouts, when there do resort to the house of the said Lady Jones, threescore or thereabouts, all which do pass and repass through the Church Yard of Dingestow asoresaid at the Time of Divine Service.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath deposeth that Mr. Williams a reputed popish priest frequenteth a House called Lantrothy.

Mr. Arnold says that he hath seen a hundred papists meet on the top of an high Hill, called St. Michaels Mount, where is frequent meetings eight or ten times in the year, as he is informed, Mass is said, and sometimes Sermons are preached there.

John Scudamore of Kentchurch in the County of Here∣ford Esq faith that he saw very great numbers of people at their Devotion on the top of a high hill in Monmouth shire called St. Michaels Mount, where there is a ruinous Chappel and a Stone with crosses on it, which he took to be an Altar, and he hath seen people with Beads in their Hands kneeling towards the said Stone both within and without the Chappel, and he hath been informed that Mass is often faid there, and some papists have affirmed in his presence that they have heard as good Sermons preached as ever they heard in their〈1 page missing〉〈1 page missing〉

Mr. Arnold saith, that he knows that Combe House in Hereford-shire, and several Lands belonging unto it, of a considerable value, is commonly reputed to be a Covent of Jesuites, and he hath heard some of the, Papists themselves call it, the Colledge of the Combe and he hath been informed, that there are com∣monly five or six Jesuites rosrding there, and there is a publick Chappel, and Mass constantly said there∣in.

Mr. Scudamore sayes, that at a House called the Combe in the County of Hereford Several Priest are maintained and kept there and that it is common∣ly reported that it is a House or Colledge for that purpose.

William James of Langatock in the County of Monmouth upon his Oath deposeth, that he hath heard seve∣rall of the papish Priests say, that if they could not live in those parts they would repair to the Combe in Hereford-shire, and believes the said Combe to be a Covent, and that the Lands thereunto belonging be∣long to the Priests; and that they do keep or lately did keep Husbandry there.

Mr. Charles Morgain upon his Oath deposeth, that Combe House in the County of Hereford near the dwelling House of Henry Milborn Esq a Justice of the Peace is reputed to be a popish Covent, where several popish reputed Priests Did latly inhabit (viz) Mr. James, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Dracyot and Mr. Harris.

Three worthy members of this House living in or near Hereford-shire informed the Committee that Combe-House aforsaid, and the Lands thereunto be∣longing is commonly reputed to belong to the po∣pish priests.

The second Head.

The names of Justices of Peace and others that are Papists or suspected Popists and their proceedings in favour of popish Priests and popish Recusants.

Mr. Arnol says, That he know's Sir Edward Morgan of Lantarnam in the County of Monmoth Barronet, that he hath seen in his house att Lantarnam a popish Chappell with Altar and Ornamenttherein for the celebration of Mass wherein Mass is said, as he hath been informed, by such as have bin present thereat, that he heard the said Sir Edward Morgan affirm himself to be a Roman Catholicke, that he is yet con∣tinued in Commission of the Peace and is reputed to be a Deputy Lieutenant.

Mr. Arnold sayes, That about ten yeares since he knew William Jones of Lanarth Esquir, that he was a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of Monmothshire, hath bin infromed by worthy Members this House, that before and at the time of his Death he was a Papish; he hath heard some Papists bragg that he dyed a Papist and that his Son is now bred in a Colledge of Jesuites in France, or else where in forraigne parts; he says, that he hath been in∣formed by the Ministers and others that most of that Parish are Papists (he says) that though sever∣all Warrants have issued from the Justice to have accounts of defaults for not comming to Church, no returnes cold be had for these two or three yeares last past, the Church wardens and Constables being Papists.

Mr. Thomas Watkins, Vicar of the Parish of Lanarth upon his Oath says there are above fourscore reputed Popish recusants within his parish, besides Children and Servants; three reputed Popish Priests resideing and Officiateing there (viz.)

One Sylliard, who was lately Tutor to Mr. Jones's two Sons, who are now beyond Sea, as he verily believes: One Walter Harris residing at one Mrs. Milborn's House in Clithia a Hamlelt of Lanarth, and An∣drews at Bettus.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath, deposeth that Mr. Sylliard, a reputed Popish Priest, lives with Mrs. Jones of Lanarth, Widdow to Mr. William Jones of Lanarth, who was a Justice of Peace.

Mr. John Greenhaugh, Vicar of Abergavenny and Lantilio Portho∣ly in the County of Monmouth, upon his Oath deposeth, that there is or hath of late been one Mr. Evans a reputed popish Priest en∣tertained at the House of Charles Proger Esq in the said Parish of Lantilio, who is a Justice of Peace, and that he hath seen great num∣bers of Men and Women resort thither to Mass as he conceives.

Mr. Arnold says, that he hath been informed, that Mass was ve∣ry lately and publickly said at Lantrothy, a House belonging to Row∣land Prichard Esq now a Justice of Peace of Monmouthshire; where one Thomas Elliot, a Popish Priest (formerly committed to Hereford Goale) as such, doth officiate; that he informed the said Mr. Prichard of it, and that it was dangerous to him, and Scandalous to Religion to suffer it; the said Mr. Prichard answered, that he had Ten Pounds Rent extraordinary for it; and that would do him more good than the Scandal could hurt him; that Mr. Prichard is Nephew to Mr. Henry Milborn.

Mr. Charles Morgan upon his Oath sayeth, that he hath credibly heard that Rowland Prichard Esq hath ten Pounds, per Annum more for his House at Lantrothy, for suffering one Mr. Williams, a repu∣ted Popish Priest to be there sometimes.

Mr. Arnold sayes, that he knows Henry Milborn Esq to be a Justice of Peace in four Counties, whereof Monmouthshire is one, and that he the said Mr. Milborn over since he came into the Com∣mission of the Peace for Monmouthshire, hath kept Papists for his Clerks, who received and kept all Presentments, one of them called Bower, who was Indicted for treasonable words at Hereford Assizes, of which the Herefordshire Members can give a more perfect Ac∣count.

The other named Peter Roberts a Papist convict; the said Mr. Arnold sayes, and Henry Probert Esq upon his Oath deposeth, that they both as Justices of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, on the 17^th Day of April 1677, did often tender the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to the said Peter Roberts, which the said Peter with contempt did refuse to take; that they both did require the said Mr. Milborn being then present to joyn with them in tendering the said Oaths, and in committing the said Roberts, which he refu∣sed, whereupon the said Mr. Arnold, and Mr. Probert did by War∣rant and Mittimus commit the said Roberts to one Hugh Powel one of the chief Constables of the hundred of Shenfrith to convey him

to his Majesties Goale; whereupon the said Henry Milborn did lay violent Hands on the chief Constable and pusht him away while the said Roberts made his Escape.

The said Mr. Arnold further says, that he hath often heard the said Mr. Milborn at Privy Sessions both discourage Constables from presenting Popish Recusants, and also declare, that it was contrary to Law to present them at a Privy Sessions, and that the Law of Primo Elizabethae was not intended against Papists, he also knows that the said Mr. Milborn at the End of last Easter or Mid Summer Sessions, did procure an Order, that neither the said Henry Probert nor himself should Act as Justices in the said hundred of Skenfrith, though no Justice lived in the said hundred, and they live both near to it, and that the said Mr. Milburn obtained another Order of the Quarter Sessions to vacate that they had done at a Privy Sessions, where they had convicted above two hundred Papists, the Copys of which Or∣der were denied him by the Clerk of the Peace and his Clerks, and he verily believes that the reason of making both their Orders, was because the said Mr. Probert and himself did their Duty faithfully, and put the Laws in Execution against the Papists.

Mr. Arnold sayes, that he knows, and Mr. Charles Morgan by his Oath deposeth, that most of the said Henry Milborn's Family and Houshold are Papists.

And Mr. Arnold says, that he was present when one Mr. Roger Seys did demand of Mr. Milborn a Warrant to apprehend one Walter Prite, whom the said Seyes offered to prove to be a Popish Priest, kept in the House of Mrs. Katherine and Mrs. Christian Milborn Sisters to the said Mr. Milborn, which the said Mr. Milborn not only refused to grant, but threatned the said Mr. Seys for demanding the same; and lastly sayeth, that he hath been credibly informed, that Mr. Milborn is a Trustee for many of the Papists in Hereford and Mon∣mouthshiers.

Henry Probert Esq upon his Oath sayes, that Mr. Arnold with himself and others kept a Privy Sessions at Lantilio Gressenny in the County of Monmouth, where the Constables presenteda great num∣ber of Popish Recusants, but all the next Quarter Sessions, there was an Order made, vacating all that was done at the said Privy Sessi∣ons, though very little or nothing was done there but about the Presentment of Papists; and further saith that he doth in his Con∣science believe that the said Mr. Milborn was the main Agent and Instrument of making and obtaining the said Order.

John Scudamore Justice of the Peace of Herefordshire sayes, that having desired one Mr. Henery Milborn Justice of the Peace of that County to joyn with him in issuing out Warrants to levy twelve pence a Sunday on Popish Recusants, he alwayes refused so to do, affirming that the Statute of Prime Elizabethae was never intended against the Papists, that he hath been credibly informed, that the

greatest part of the Family and Houshold of the said Mr. Miborn, and the greatest Part of the Parish wherein he lives, are Papists, that he hath known two of Mr. Milborns Clerks who received and kept all Returns and Presentments, and were both declared Papists; the Name of one being Joh. Bower, who was tryed at Hereford for treason∣able words, the Name of the other was Peter Roberts who is or was lately his Clerk.

Mr. Roger Seys, and Mr. Lewis Price, upon their Oaths, severally, depose that they were present when John Arnold and Henry Probert Esq did commit Peter Roberts, Clerk to Mr. Milborn, for refusing to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and that the said Mr. Milborn rescued the said Peter Roberts out of the Hands of the Chief Constable, who thereupon made his Escape.

The said Mr. Seys further deposeth, that he being Church-warden, did on the Seventeenth of April 1677, demand a Warrant from Mr. Milborn against Walter Harris, alias Price, a Popish Priest, who lives with Mrs. Christian and Mrs. Katherine Milborn, Sisters to the said Milborn, which Warrant Mr. Milborn refused to grant, but threatned him with Opprobious Words, telling him he was a busy troublesom man, and that he would be upon his Skirts.

Lambert Miles, upon his Oath deposeth, that about the Years 1675, or 1676, being petty Constable of Lantilio Gressenny; he went to Mr. Milborn a Justice of the Peace, with his Presentment to be approved and subscribed by the said Mr. Milborn, wherein several Popish Re∣onsants were presented for not coming to Church, that the said Mr. Milborn struck out, or caused to be struck out several of their Names, and the Oath, and that it was a true Presentment, was omitted, he the said Miles refusing to take it, unless the Names of the said Popish Recufants (struck out as aforesaid by Mr. Milborn, or his Order) were asserted therein, that thereupon the said Miles never presented those struck out any more, nor swore to any Presentment after, though he continued petty Constable two Years.

Mr. Arnold sayeth, that he hath had it proved by Oath before him that Mr. Isaac Williams who is a Coroner for part of the County of Monmouth, hath his Children Christened by a Popish Priest, and that his Wife is a violent Papist, and have credibly heard, that Mass is ve∣ry often said in his House, and that very frequent Meetings of Ro∣mish Priests, and others of that Religion are held there.

Mr. Roger Seys upon his Oath deposeth, that he being Church-War∣den, Isaac Williams, one of the Coroners of the County of Monmouth did check him for putting the Statute in Execution against Popish Recusants for not coming to Church, and told him it was pirty to prosecute them, for they were honest People, and in way of Discourse did hold many Alguments with him in vindication of the Romish Religion.

Mr. John Greenhaugh, Vicar of Abergavenny, upon his Oath say∣eth,

that Mary the Wife of Mr. Lewis Jones, was the only Person in that Town, severely prosecuted for a Roman Catholick, though there were many convict Papists of greater Ability in the said Town, and that it was done after her Consormity and Reconciliation to the Church of England, and that her Husband told him, that he had pay∣ed to the Under-Sheriff nine pounds ten Shillings, notwithstanding the Certificate under his Hand and Seal of her Conformity.

Mr. Scudamore sayes, that about five Years since, he apprehend∣ed one Mr. Elliot, a Popish Priest, habited in his Scope and other Vests, in the Acts of Celebration of Mass in a Chappel of Herefordshire, where∣in he observed an Altar, Lights, Papers and several Images, he asked the said Elliot how he durst say Mass so publickly, there being at Mass above thirty Persons, being there was a Proclamation to the contrary? Mr. Elliot answered that he knew of no Proclamation, but demanded by what Authority he took him, telling him he should have no thanks for apprehending him; Mr. Scudamore saith, that he thereupon committed Elliot to the County Goale, and the next Assizes caused a Bill to be presented against him, which was found, but before his Tryal he was taken out of the Goal, and as the Ʋnder-Sheriff informed him, he was moved to the Tower of London. It appears to the Committee by the Original Records and Papers produced, that the said John Scudamore did by his Mittimus dated the 17th. of September 1675, commit the said Elliot as a Po∣pish Priest to the County Goal of Hereford, until he should be thence delivered by due Course of Law, that by Warrant Coun∣ter-signed by Mr. Secretary Trevor, dated the 24th of January fol∣lowing, directed to Marshal Brigs Esq high Sheriff of the Coun∣ty of Hereford, the said Elliot was brought up to London in order to his Delivery over to the Lieutenant of the Tower. That by Warrant, countersigned by Mr. Secretary Trevor dated the 15th. of February following, directed to the Lieutenant of the Tower, the said Elliot was committed unto the Tower until further Order, and accor∣dingly, the said Mr. Elliot was delivered by the High-Sheriff of He∣refordshire into the Lieutenant of the Tower's Custody.

That by Warrant countersigned by Mr. Secretary Trevor, dated the 4th. of March following, the Lieutenant of the Tower was com∣manded to enlarge and set at Liberty the said William Elliot, first taking security from him to transport himself out of the Realm, into some Parts beyond Seas within ten Dayes next after his Enlargement, and not to return into any of his Majesties Dominions, without leave first obtained.

That according the said Lieutenant took a Bond in his Majesties Name from the said Elliot with two sureties in the Sum of five hun∣dred Pounds, and thereupon set the said Elliot at Liberty; that at the next Assizes and General Goal delivered for the County of He∣reford

the 24th. of March following, the said William Elliot was indicted for being a Seminary Priest, which Indictment was found by the Grand Jury, and to which Indictment Edward Marriot, Joh. Gole, and Arthur Lister were Wituesses, who by their Informations taken upon Oath, and produced to the Committee by the Clerk of Assize, do severally depose the apprehending the said Elliot in the Act of Celebration of Mass, as Mr. Scudamore hath set forth in his Examination aforesaid.

The said Mr. Elliot by his Examination and Confession produc't to the Committee by the Clerk of the Assize, and taken before Sir Edward Harly, John Scudamore and William Gregory Esqs; Justices of the Peace, for the County of Hereford says, that he was appre∣hended when he was at his private devotion, but confesseth that there was then with him in the same Room at Devotion, about six or seven and Twenty Persons; that he was habited with a Surplice, and Vest∣ment over it, and being examined, whither he was a Priest in Orders from the Church of Rome, he refused to answer thereunto, but said let it be proved against me, I will not Accuse my self.