“Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Washington, (Ky.) to his friend in this place, dated Thursday, December 19, 1811”
Date
12-24-1811
Newspaper
Lexington American Statesman
Newspaper Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Serial Number
69
Abstract
Letter from Washington, Kentucky detailing the damage on the Sandy river from the December 16, 1811 earthquake. It notes 12 acres of land 4 miles above the mouth of the river had fallen in.
Transcript
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Washington, (Ky.) to his friend in this place, dated, Thursday, December 19, 1811. "Dear Sir, "On Monday morning, a very severe shock of an earthquake was experienced at this place and Maysville, but much more severely and oftner at the latter place, from whence two or three families have removed. Those successive shocks continued until yesterday evening. On Tuesday, a large quantity of black matter was seen floating down the river, which, upon examination, was found to resemble soot and charcoal finely powdered. It was then supposed that an eruption had taken place on Sunday; and on the same day, a person arrived at the point, and stated, he had been informed, as he passed the mouth of Big Sandy, that about 12 acres of the coal hill, 3 or 4 miles above the mouth had fallen in."
Recommended Citation
"“Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Washington, (Ky.) to his friend in this place, dated Thursday, December 19, 1811”" (1811). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 68.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/68
