“From the Wilkesbarre Gleaner.”

Authors

Creator

Christopher Hurlbut

Date

2-12-1812

Newspaper

Virginia Herald

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 4

Newspaper Location

Fredricksburg, Virginia

Serial Number

1100

Abstract

Felt report for the December 16, 1811 earthquake at Angelica, New York.( On Highway 17 approximately 60 miles west of Elmira, New York. Noted by several families, caused swaying of kettles, doors windows beds house bells and a seche on a small stream. Good detailed account.

Transcript

From the Wilkesbarre Gleaner. ARKFORT, (N. Y.) January 8, 1812. Messrs. Miner and Butler, A very singular phenomenon took place near Angelica, in the county of Alleghany, on Monday morning, the 16th of December, which I will state as related to me by one of the eye witnesses-Early in the morning about sunrise, as sitting at breakfast, he had a strange feeling, and supposed at first that he was going into a fit, and removed his chair back from the table. He then had a sensation as though the house was swinging, and observed that clothes hanging on lines in the room were swinging, as also a large kettle hanging over the fire. He observed that his wife and family appeared to be greatly alarmed, and still supposing that it was in consequence of his apparently falling into a fit, but on enquiry found that all felt the same sensation. This continued, as he supposed for at least 15 minutes. There was no noise or trembling, nor any wind, but only an appearance of swinging or rocking, as he supposed, equal to the house rocking one way or the other. One of his neighbours felt the same, and on the opposite side of the river at the farm-house and dwelling house of Philip Church, the same motions and sensations were felt. Mrs. Church was in bed, and when she first felt the motion, had a strange sensation as if suffocating; she jumped out of bed, supposing that the house was on fire. The motion was so considerable as to set all the bells in the several rooms ringing, and an inside door was observed to swing open and shut. The same motions were felt up the river about eight miles above, at a house near a small brook; the people ran out of the house and observed the water to have the same motion. Accounts state, that the same motions have been felt at [unreadable] other places, 40 miles distant. I could relate many other similar motions felt and perceived at the same time, but leave it for the present. How to account for it, I know not. If you think it worthy of notice, you may make it public; and if the same or similar motions have been felt at other places, doubtless it will be communicated. I should like to hear it accounted for on rational principles. CHRISTOPHER HURLBUT.

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