“Communication”

Date

1-28-1812

Newspaper

Lexington American Statesman

Page and Column

Page 1, Column 3

Newspaper Location

Lexington, Kentucky

Serial Number

214

Abstract

Extract from a publication named Dr. Ramsay’s Chronological Table which in turn were taken from the work Historical and Biographical Charts of the United States. Details historic earthquakes in the United States prior to 1812.

Transcript

COMMUNICATION.-The publication of the subjoined extract from the 21st. and 22d pages of Dr. Ramsay's Chronological fable, connected with his historical and Biographical Charts of the United States may tend to moderate the apprehensions of the people, on account of the EARTHQUAKE felt last evening, and this morning. It contains all that is known of the Earthquakes that have taken place in the United Sates, to the north of South Carolina. Only two have been previously felt in Charleston, one in 1734 and the other in 1799, but neither produced any serious consequences. From circumstances, it is more probable that the Earthquakes of this city, are consequences of causes located to the west, or north-west, than that they originate in its vicinity. "EXTRACT.-1797. A great Earthquake in New England. This extended from Kennebeck to the river Delaware. There have been five great Earthquakes in New England, viz. In 1638, 1658, 1663, 1727, 1755. and minor ones in 1653, 1668, 1669, 1670, [unreadable], 1720, 1732, 1744, 1755, 1757, 1760, 1769, 1771, 1783. These were all described as coming from about N. W and going off about S. E. They several times reached as far as Maryland, but seldom or never as far as Carolina or even Virginia. To the North-East they have been generally bounded by Nova-Scotia. No uncommon disorder or mortality followed any of these earthquakes, but in many places they threw down stone fences, roofs, chimnies, and parts of houses.-Springs and wells of water were sunk far down into the earth. Some were dried up. The quality of their water often changed. Dry spots become quagmires, and moist places nearly dry. The earth was suddenly raised, and in subsiding was thrown into a vibratory motion. Many clocks were stopped. The vane on the public market house in Boston was thrown down, and many other marks of force or violence were exhibited in different places and at different times." Charleston Pap.

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