“A Card”
Date
12-20-1811
Newspaper
Alexandria Herald
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 3
Newspaper Location
Alexandria, Virginia
Serial Number
1145
Abstract
Felt report on the December 16, 1811 earthquake from Richmond, Virginia. Time of the earthquake was 3:00 am (local time) followed by one at 6:00 am and 9:00 am (local time) . Bells were rung in one of the houses on one of the hills of the city. People thought that burglars had broken into houses due to the noise.
Transcript
RICHMOND, December 17. A CARD. A little after eight this morning, I thought I perceived signs of an earth-quake in every object about me.-Still, I mistrusted the testimony of sensations so often illusive. Upon mentioning this to others, I hear that not only at the above time, but in the course of last night, similar symptoms of a general concussion, have manifested themselves. If you think it worth while, enquire into this phenomenon, which, perhaps, you have yourself remarked. Yours very respectfully. December 16 L.H.G. We understand that this phenomenon was witnessed by many people in the City-that about three o'clock in the morning there were three successive shocks; another about 6; and again about 8. Several persons were under a persuasion that thieves had broken into their houses; and in one of the most elevated houses of the city, the bells, both above and below, were set a-ringing.
Recommended Citation
"“A Card”" (1811). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 1098.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/1098
