The Virginia Gazette

Chester, February 4. On Saturday last, about Eight in the Evening, five Irishmen, (three of whom call themselves Richard Stanley, Edward Maccanally, and Patrick Boyde) went to Mr. John Porter's Farm House, called the Raike, two Miles South of this City, and unlatching the Door, Stanley advanced briskly to Mr. Porter, who was at Supper with his eldest Daughter; and having the swiple Part of a Flail in his left Hand, and a Pistol in his right, pointed the Pistol towards Mr. Porter, and threatened to blow his Brains out, if he did not deliver his Money; then Maccanally, Boyde, and two others, armed with Pistols, Cutlasses, and Clubs, bound Mr. Porter with Cords, and upon his younger Daughter Margaret's sinking under a Table, Stanley cried, Damn her, shoot her. Then they pinioned the eldest Daughter, Eleanor, and obliged her to go up Stairs with them; but the younger Daughter got through a Window, ran to the Stable, and getting astride upon one of the Horses, galloped away, in a very dark Night, to Pulford, a little Town about two Miles off, where she knew her eldest Brother then was, to whom she related what had happen'd; upon which he, and one Craven, immediately set out for his Father's House. In the mean Time the Rogues came down Stairs again to Mr. Porter, who remained bound below, and Stanley said to Maccanally, Stand fast, and blow his Brains out, or, by G---- I'll blow out yours; they then took out of his Pocket about 14 l. in Gold and Silver, Mr. Porter declaring he had not received that Day at Chester the Sum which he expected, and which they insisted upon: They then drew him towards the Fire, and shew'd an Intention to lay him on it; when Mrs. Eleanor Porter falling upon her Knees, and begging of them to spare her Father's Life, Stanley damn'd her, and said they would burn him first and her afterwards. Just then, young Mr. Porter with Craven arrived, and though quite unarm'd, rush'd into the House, collar'd one of the Irishmen, knock'd up his Heels, and wretted his Cutlas from him. Craven having Seized one of the Clubs, was not idle on his Part, and Mrs. Eleanor Porter went to cut the Ropes that bound her Father, which one of the Rogues perceiving, levelled a Pistol at her, and as he pulled the Trigger one of his Comrades was jostled between Mrs. Porter and the Fellow who was firing the Pistol, and in that Position received the Shot in his Breast, when giving a loud Shriek, he fell down dead: At the same Time two other Pistols were discharged, whereby a poor Servant Boy, and a Welch Girl were sadly wounded. Mr. Porter, the Son, had by this Time quite master'd the Captain of the Gang, and Mrs. Eleanor having unloosed her Father, he so heartily joined his Son and Craven, that the three Rogues finding that by the Death of one of their Accomplices and the disabling of another, they were reduced to equal Numbers, flew to the Window, and darting themselves through both Glass and Frame, made the best of their Way. Mr. Porter, jun, then bound his Prisoner, and he and Craven hastened to Chester, and upon Dee-Bridge overtook two of the Irishmen, with whom they had another Struggle, but at length seized them: One of them had a Silver Can, which he tossed into the River; the third hasted forward and got off. The two who were then apprehended were properly secured, and the next Morning their Comrade, who had been left at the Raike, was brought to them, and they were all carried before two Justices of the Peace, and after Examination were committed to the Castle. About eighty Pounds in Gold and Silver, and Some Spoons are recovered; about Fifteen Pounds is yet missing.