“At 4 o'clock in the morning...”
Date
2-26-1812
Newspaper
The Courier
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 3
Newspaper Location
Norwich Connecticut
Serial Number
892
Abstract
Felt report for the February 7, 1812 earthquake at Richmond, Virginia. Time of the earthquake was 4:00 am (local time) . It was described as more violent than the December 16, 1811 and January 23, 1812 earthquakes. Motion of the earth was described as undulating Pictures and beds were described as swaying and rocking. Only damage noted was to one chimney. the effects of the earthquake were felt on the high parts of town not in low lying areas. Another earthquake was felt at 11:00 p. m. (local time) that was described as being equally violent.
Transcript
VIRGINIA. RICHMOND, FEB. 8. At 4 o'clock in the morning of the 7th inst. this city was again shocked with an Earthquake, which was much more violent than the two which so lately agitated this continent. A gentleman informed us, that he and his family were awakened by the undulating motion of the earth, swinging or rocking of the beds: and that on lighting a candle, the pictures suspended by one hook, were seen to oscillate violently for about fifteen minutes. He hoisted a window, and observed the tops of some Lombardy poplars in the yard to be much agitated, although the air was still. The top of one chimney was thrown down. We have heard of no other accident. At 11 o'clock at night of the same day, another shock equally violent was felt. The furniture in the houses, window shutters, &c. were so shaken as to occasion considerable noise. We are informed that a side board in the house of Mr. Peyton Randolph, was put in such motion as to throw off a waiter which happened to be on it. Another gentleman stated to us that he was awakened by a shock not long before day this morning, which continued for a minute. These different shocks which have been felt so sensibly by those living in the higher parts of the city, have scarcely affected those who live in low situations and low built houses.
Recommended Citation
"“At 4 o'clock in the morning...”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 873.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/873
