“Extract of a letter from Tandy Allen to his father of this county, dated Port Gibson, January 6, 1812”

Creator

Allen, Tandy

Date

1-30-1812

Newspaper

Georgetown Telegraph

Newspaper Location

Georgetown, Kentucky

Serial Number

5

Abstract

Felt report on the December 16, 1811 earthquake. Letter from Tandy Allen to his father. he was located between New Madrid and Little Prairie on the Mississippi river during the December 16, 1811 earthquake. Noted there was massive damage with towns deserted houses shattered and land disappearing before his eyes. Note he made a detailed account that he will bring home. This account has not yet been found.

Transcript

Extract of a letter from TANDY ALLEN to his Father of this Country, dated Port Gibson, January 6th, 1812. I HAVE seen and felt the full force of the EARTHQUAKE, which no doubt you must have felt in Kentucky. We were situated between Madrid and the little Prairie, where the greatest scene of destruction was. The towns were both deserted, houses shattered to pieces, lands disappeared before my eyes; together with all the attendant horrors of a violent Earthquake: I have taken a minute detail of it, which can be read when I return home; suffice it to say it was the most awful and tremendous scene that could be imagined. I was, (as the old saying is) more scared than hurt.

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