A voice from the grave, and a research notebook from preeminent Delaware County historian Hilda Lucas, came into my hands last week and sent me to several sources for the particular details of the last days of James Fitzpatrick, alias Sandy Flash.
Fitzpatrick, a local farm boy, eagerly joined Washington’s army during the Revolution. After being whipped for some minor infraction, he deserted, became a wanted man, and so embarked on a career as a highwayman. A poem captured the character of Captain Fitz:
“Some he did rob, then let them go free
Bold Captain McGowan he tied to a tree
Some he did whip, and some he did spare
He caught Captain McGowan and cut off his hair.”
The Pennsylvania Packet from 1778 told the rest of the tale:
July 13: “… Fitzpatrick … doth infest the highway from this city to Lancaster, committing robbery on the good subjects of this State … a reward of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS be paid to the person who shall secure the said Fitzpatrick …”
August 25: “A gentlemen of character informs us … he saw the noted robber James Fitzpatrick, … brought in pinioned and secured in the country gaol there … this terrible man was taken by one Mr. McAfee of Edgmont Township.”
August 29: McAfee told how he captured the prisoner. Fitzpatrick entered the McAfee home in Edgmont, moved McAfee, his parents and servant Rachel Walker to an upstairs bedroom. Fitz intended to steal McAfee boots and put his pistol and sword down to try them on. McAfee and the others seized the moment, tackled Fitzpatrick, wrestled the pistol from him, and were able to secure him till help came.
Sept. 15: Fitz convicted on his own confession of burglary and larceny at court in Chester and sentenced to “be hanged by the neck till he be dead.”
Sept. 26: Fitz was hung “at the usual place of execution”, the intersection of Providence and Edgmont roads in Chester.
Nov. 6: McAfee and Walker appeared before the Supreme Executive Council in Philadelphia to lay claim to the $1,000 reward. They each recounted what had occurred, and the Council did what King Solomon would have done, and awarded each $500.
The McAfee home, witness to these events, became known as Castle Rock Farm, and stood for another 200+ years until around 1995 when it was demolished to make way for the Edgmont Shopping Center.
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at nshistory.org.