“Another earthquake”

Authors

Date

2-21-1812

Newspaper

Farmer’s Repository

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 3 and 4

Newspaper Location

Charlestown, West Virginia

Serial Number

1237

Abstract

Felt report f or the February 7, 1812 earthquake at Richmond, Virginia. Time of the earthquake was 3:55 am (local time) Duration was between one and two minutes and swung suspended objects, beds etc. back and forth. Noted chimney damage at Judge Roanes house. Noted that the quake was severe. Judge Roane’s house was located on Shokoe hill and was next door to Supreme Court John Marshalls house. Good brief account with the most easterly account of chimney damage.

Transcript

RICHMOND, February 8. Another Earthquake was felt in this City, yesterday morning (the 7th) about 5 minutes before 4 o'clock. The undulation was more powerful than any we have ever felt. Several persons were awaked from their sleep-the bed-steads rocked like cradles-pendulous bodies vibrated; and every thing that was susceptible of a moderate degree of motion, was heard or felt to tremble under the convulsions of our "parent earth." We felt the shock between 1 and 2 minutes.-Some persons distinctly discerned 2 shocks; others 3 and 4.-The duration seemed to vary to different persons. There appeared a rumbling noise, like the motion of wagons over a pavement, to the North East. A part of the chimney in the house, tenanted by Judge Roane, was tumbled upon the roof. The vibration appeared to us to be North and South. More food for Mr. Randolph's imagination! Query--Is the sound of an Earthquake, or flight of birds to the North East, a bad or an auspicious omen? We wish Mr. R. would consult the books of the Sibils. Enquirer.

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