[ Note added 2012 by Michael Purcell - 200 years ago today 12 year-old John Purcell swore the Information posted below. A scan of this document was posted recently by Michael Brennan, my thanks to Karen Conderon in Canada for her help in transcribing the document. The 1788 General Directory for Carlow lists : Edward Decey, soap boiler and chandler, Castle Street, Carlow. Obviously Decey owns a few cattle as well because in this "Information" John Purcell, a 12 year-old boy, states his occupation as "Cow Boy to Mr Edward Decey" John Nowlan is employed as an apprentice to Mr Decey, he has stolen some grease from Decey. Nowlan enlists the aid of John Purcell to sell the "Grease or Fat" offering him " five pence and a glass of Spirits" if he manages to sell it. Purcell sells the Grease, Nowlan gives Purcell the five pence and a Glass of Spirits !. Here is the "Information" with some adjustments for the modern reader. ] Pat Purcell Papers. 1812. County of Carlow to Wit. The Information of John Purcell of the Town of Carlow, Cow Boy to Mr Edward Decey of said Town, who appears to be about Twelve Years of Age or there abouts and who Testifys a most Astute Observation as to his Conception of the Nature of an Oath and the Dreadfull Consequences attendant on Perjury,= Saith that on Tuesday the 26th Inst. as Informant [ John Purcell ] best recollects John Nowlan now a Prisoner in Carlow Gaol, apprentice to Mr Edward Decey, Chandler, in said Town called to Purcell in the Publick Street of Carlow and asked Purcell could He keep a Secrett, Purcell Reply’d he did not know until he would hear it.= Whereupon said John Nowlan did say to Purcell that he had a Little Bitt of Grease to sell and if Purcell would sell it he would give him five Pence and a Glass and to say the grease was at the Mess House. John Nowlan got the grease, and particularly desired Purcell to Deny His Name, and Desired Purcell also to get him nine Pence Per Pound for said Grease if He could. Purcell further saith He did dispose of said Grease or Fat as directed by said John Nowlan to a Person of the name of Kenny? ([ or Keary ? ] an Inhabitant of Carlow and received as Purcell Recollects Eight or Nine Shillings or thereabouts which Purcell Returned to said John Nowlan and he gave Purcell five Pence and a Glass of Spirits for his Trouble. Purcell further saith he heard and Believes said Grease or Fat was the property of Mr Decey and not the Property of John Nowlan or any other Person. Sworn before me this 28th day of May 1812 ~ [ ? ] (signed) J. W. Bennett John, hisXmark, Purcell, Truly read, JWB. To Prosecute at Next Assizes.