The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-08-04
JIM FITZpApRICK

Ike following interesting account
oi the character aud capture Of this
celebrated free bootcr. who was such
an annoyance To the wings during
the revolution. is copied from the
Philadelphia Democratic Press -
On Sunday the 9Qd August.
l778. about L. NJ. Fitzpatrick. or
Fitch, rs he was generally called
came In the house OF NJ. WIN. NJ
Zee, situated near Crum Greek.
ana not far from where the Stras-
burg road runs. about ten miles
from Chester. Mr.. aud Mrs. NJ.
Fec and their sou Rahert we're seat
ed ut the tea table. their daughter
Jane being absent on a visit IN a sick
ncighbor. Robert observed n man
approaching the house. being mount
ed. and armed with II rifle. y pair Of
pistols. and a sword. and supposed
him TO he II soldier from the Amcri-
can camp. lie dismonntcd. came 10
the door, and asked il hir. Wm Nj
Fec lived there he WAS answered
in the affirmative /; he then walked
in, aud addressed himsrlrto Robert,
saying, " and You are Capt. Robert
Mice - he replied :. / am Robert
Mice" - avn Capt. Fitzpat-
rick" said Fitch. =. Sir. sad Capt.
M'Fee. j" | you are Capt. i'it2pat-
rick, SIT down and take II cup of tea
with us ''Np," he answered. and
s"ore violently that he would nei-
ther eat nor drink +; nor leave the
house until they were MT worth
great +; and said that he vas going
about lcvying contributlons from the
Id rebels, aud that he must
pay him one hundred and fifty
pounds.
lie then proceeded to riilc his per
sou of whatever suited his fancy. II
monG which was Il paif ofShocs with
silver buckles on them He pulled
his own OF and put ON tie other patr,
leaving them down al the heel the
shoes appeared to be rather small
fol him he then laid his old shoes
outside Of the door. While Fitch
Was engaged plundcring the Capt,
he, unobscINcd by Fitch, threw the
key of his chest and some paper
money, behind the door, which his
mother pcrceiying, picked up the
key, and FASTENED up stairs, unlocked
the chest, and hid the money in the
garnet under some wheat. Fitch
very soon missed her, presenting his
pistol IN Capt. M'Fec's breast,
threatened him with instant death if
his mother did not return immediate.
~. Nj Fee called his mother. and
she retained immediately, likewise
hired woman named Sarah Wal
kcr, who was sitting mp stairs read
ing. Mrs. M'lcc retained the key
10 her son the first Opportunity
Fitch ordered them all up stairs, aud
rs they were proceeding from the
Kitchen 10 the stairs, he observed
Cap M'Fce's rife, which he took
aud snapped, and then threw it out
the door, saying, lay there TIL you
are wanted. AT the foot Of the
stairs, old Mr.. M'Fce tried to dis
suade Fitch from his purpose. bnt he
sworc yehcmenily, and placing the
point Of his sword against his breast,
threatened TO run him through il he
did not obey instantly. They all
ntup stairs. Fitch ordered Capt.
Mice to unlock his chest and get
out the money he demanded +; NJ
Fec replied, how can you expect 80
young man as me has go much mo-
ney Fitch persisted in his de-
mands. Capt. Mice, opened his
chest and requested fltch 10 search
it himself, which he did aud not End
ing any money, was much chaSained,
and s~ore that he was his prisoner :;
as he Lad no money, he must go a
campaign along with him, and or
dercd him to provide "A horse and
clothes. Capt. M'tee replied that
he had clothes on sufficient for the
season, but he did not know liuW
long his campaign might last
Fitch said it would be a long and &c
YerG ono.
Capt M'Fee now resolved that
he would not lcafc the house alive.
Fitch laid his arms OH the bed by
bis side, except q pistol he held in
his right hand !; nc then ordered
Capt. Mice, his father and mother,
To stand in row on his right hand
in tie order stated, and Sarah Wal
kcr Was staining a snort distance
from him in front. Fitch then rails
ell lis foot on the bcdstead, III order