The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-01

JOHN IRISH;
az. .Rs,ei.,iss.ry i.esa.s,. tn R.tisns
toeaty.

ISAAC CLARK, IN IinmOuih, IA the lime
OF the Revolution.
! have, as yet, seen no response 10
that call. At this late day. no one has
any bu, tradiiionary knowledge Of that
transaction; and as do no, know of
any person, now living, who ha. had
better chance OF obtaining information
respecting h.ihan myself, | have thoushi
proper 10 send you the following sketch.
John Irish and his brother William
lived on adjoining farms in the north
part Of Tinmouth. Each lot WAS 2i0
rods long. east and west, and 81 rods
wide, north aud south. They com-
menced improving their respective farms
at the same time. Each built a log
house at equal distances from the north
and south line. Johns was within six
rods Of his east line and. William,
about ten or twelve rods. They had
cleared their land upon their east line
almost The whole width Of their lots /;
and west Of their houses, some 80 rods
The line fence between them was made
OF fallen trees and brush. The road
ran nearly parallel to this fence, until il
came to their open fields, thence south
east, around the south side Of Williams ;
house, leaving Johns house about sixty
rods TO the north.
John had erected bars east of his
house, opening into the woods, and from
thence had path southeast TO the main
road
Thus were the two brothers situated,
on the lst of July, l777, when Ticon-
deroga was surrendered TO the British
army. When the news of that event
reached Tinmoulh, great part of the
inhabitants moved off TO the south, into
Arlington, SALISBURY, and Bennington,
and to any place where they could find
safety.
Most of those who stayed on their
farms sought protection under Gen Bur-
goyne. He gave them guarantee,
that, in case they did not oppose his ar
my, their families and property should
be protected. The two brothers Irish,
availed themselves of this protection.
Some time after this, think in the
latter part Of July, the Council of Safe
ty, then sitting, l think, at Arlington,
sent scouting party into Tinmouth and
the adjoining towns, TO see what was go
ing on among the Protectioners," and
to reconnoiire Tory camp in East
Clarendon, on the farm now owned by
Caleb Hall.
This party consisted Of Capt. Ebene.
ger Allen, Lieut.. Isaac Clark, and John
Train and Phineas Clough, private sol
diers. Allen, Train. and Clough be-
longed in Tinmouth, and Clark, | think,
lived then in what is now called Middle
town. All Of them were personally ac.
quainied with the brothers Irish.
When this party arrived at the west
part of Tinmouth, they were informed,
that il was suspected. that the two bro
theirs were about joining the Tories. and
that the shortest route from where they
then were to the Tory camp, was the
road that passed the house Of William
Irish.
! They took that road. And when they
came near Irisb's cleared land, Allen
directed Clough to give his gun to Train
and, then 60 to William Irish, and en-.
auire the shortest road to the Tory
camp, and to say TO Irish that he had
concluded to join the Tories.
When CIough arrived at the house
he found there the two brothers, VIII
lam and John. lie spoke with them a'
directed. They stepped out Of the door
and told Clough be must consider HIM
self as their prisoner,-they would sec
about his going to the Tory camp
William said 10 john" take Clough
home with you, want to make some
preparation, and then will 60 and hell
you take care Of him."
John had an Indian tomahawk IN hi'
hand, and told Clough to walk along
with him. They walked near each 9th
er,-Irish with his tomahawk upliiied.-
towards Johns house. When Aller
saw this. be said to CLARK and Train
We must get as near as we can Il
Johns house, without being discovered.
He and Train went norh, around th'
cleared land and Clark went on hi
hands and knees. along the side Of 'h'
brush fence, to the woods on he east
The three soon meet at the bars beiori
mentioned.
Allen then saidto Clark and rrsia, -
Whoever may appear he'efor what
ever may be done, you must not hre a
any person uulil ! do. Wheu ! hfe
you may" lie stationed hinsself ab7u
two rod. north Of the path,--clark sbol
the same distance south Of Il. and Irs'l
about fifteen OF twenty rods further ea'I
All we're bid behind trees
They haa not been there long, beior
Ciosgh stepped from the door, looa''
round, and ran Cor the woods. lie ha
90, over the bars when Irish came oa
after him. partly ressed'--w'lh a ga
in one hand, and = Powder-horn "a ib
osber. lie Ieaped over she bars aa
called on, 10 Clough 20 stop or be wool
sl.ao, him. lie vas raising Bis qua. a.