Pat Purcell Papers. 1800. By Robert Rochfort, Esquire, one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for Carlow. The Examination of James Neal of Ballinabrannagh, Parish of Cloydagh, in the County of Carlow, by trade a Cooper, who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists and examined saith that on Wednesday the 23rd July 1800 between the hours of ten and eleven O'Clock at night two men came to his house. They were Dennis McDaniel and Sylvester Delaney both resident in Graige, Queen's County. Dennis McDaniel came up to the house of James Neal and immediately demanded admittance upon which James Neal asked him what he wanted at that hour of the night , his answer was "open the door you rascal until I search your house for rebels" , upon which James Neal was obliged to open the door and instantly received a punch on the breast from the muzzle of a pistol in said McDaniels hand. McDaniel immediately swore he must have money or his life, upon which saying his wife bounced out of bed and ran to a trunk and opened it and shewed McDaniel some receipts, McDaniel immediately threw them about the floor saying to Mrs Neal "you whore this is not what - I want I must get money" . McDanial immediately ran into the bedroom and took hold of James Neals breeches and out of the Pocket book in the breeches took the amount of 7 Guineas, -- one of which was a 5 Guinea note and the others two 1 Guinea notes -- upon which McDaniel went to the fire and lit some chips and while they were lighting he said he must look at his watch as he said he must go that night elsewhere. McDaniel made James Neal and his wife and his son swear that they would never give out or inform that they were robbed of either a Shilling, paper or money -- in consequence of what McDaniel had done in the house Mrs Neal was immediately taken violently ill and died in 14 days after and further James Neal sayth not ------( signed) James Neal. Sworn before me this day at the house of James Neal the 2nd day of August 1800. (signed) Robert Rochfort. James Neal further swears that during the time McDaniel was robbing the house the said Slyvester Delaney was guarding James Neals son in an out-house and prevented him from coming to assist James Neal and that Slyvester Delaney had a Gun in his hand. James Neal bound in the sum of £10 to prosecute at the next General Assizes to be held in Carlow.