Notes |
- In "The History and Map of Danby, Vermont - P. 825 - Tinmouth. John Irish and his tragic fate merit some attention from the historian. He and his brother William Irish lived on the north part of the town, on adjoining farms, and built their houses but a little distance apart and near the road which ran parallel to the line fence between their farms. When the news of the surrender of Ticonderoga reached Tinmouth on the 1st day of July, 1777, a great part of the inhabitants started southward into Arlington, Shaftsbury and Bennington. Those who did remain on their farms sought protection, as a rule from Burgoyne. Among those were the two brothers Irish. A little later the council of safety sent a scouting party consisting of Captain Ebenezer Allen, Lieutenant Isaac Clark, and John Train Phineas Clough, private soldiers, into Tinmouth to learn what was going on amongst the "Protectioners" and to reconnoiter a Tory camp in East Clarendon.
These men were personal acquaintances of the Irish brothers. When the party arrived in the west part of Tinmouth they were informed that it was suspected that the two brothers were about joining the Tories and that the shortest route to the Clarendon camp would pass their dwellings. They accordingly took that road. As they approached Irtish's clearing, Allen directed Clough to give his gun the Train, go on and ask William Irish the nearest road to the Tory camp, at the same time telling him that he (Clough) had decided to go and join the Tories. When Clough arrived at the house he found both brothers there and made the statement according to his orders. Clough was told that he must consider himself a prisoner; that they would see about his joining the Tories. William then directed John Irish to take Clough home with him, and he would soon follow and help take care of him. John had an Indian tomahawk in his hand and told Clough to walk along with him; they walked on toward John's house, he with the uplifted tomahawk in his hand.
When Allen saw this from his place of concealment, he said to Train; "We must get as near as we can to John's house without being discovered." He and Train started by one path and Clark crawled along behind the brush fence, the three meeting near the house undiscovered.
Here Allen gave directions that under no circumstances was either of them to fire until he did. He then stationed himself about two rods North of the path; Clark about the same distance South of it an Train fifteen to twenty rods farther East, all being hidden behind trees. They had not waited long before Clough stepped from the door and after looking around, started for the woods.
He had got partly over the fence when John Irish came out, partly dressed, and with a gun in one hand and a powder horn in the other.
He (John Irish) called out to Clough to stop or he would shoot him. While in the act of raising his gun, apparently to carry out the threat, Allen shot him through his left hand, knocking his gun from him. Irish then turned around so as to face Clark, who shot him through the heart. The party after killing Irish, went on to Clarendon, and after reconnoitering the Tory camp, returned to Arlington.
Died:
- Killed by Lt. Isaac Clark.
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