“Communication”
Date
12-16-1811
Newspaper
The Times
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 1
Newspaper Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Serial Number
93
Abstract
Extract from Dr. Ramsays Chronological Table that details the dates of earthquakes in the United States prior to the New Madrid earthquakes.
Transcript
COMMUNICATION. Mr. Cox-The publication of the subjoined Extract, from the 21st and 22d pages of Dr. Ramsay's Chronologa at Table, 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 States, to the north of South Carolina. Only two have been previously felt in Charleston, one in 175? 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. "1737.-A great Earthquake in New-England. It is extended from Kenncheck to the river Delaware. There have been five great Earthquakes in New-England, viz. in 1638, 1658, 1663, 1727, 1755, and minor ones in1658, 1665, 1669, 1670, 1705, 1720, 1732, 1744, 1753, 1757, 1760, 1769, 1771, 1788. These were all described as coming from about N. W. and going off S. E. They several times reached as far as Maryland, but seldom or never as far as Carolina, or even Virginia. To the N. E. may have been generally bounded by Nova Scotia. No uncommon disorder or mortality followed any of these earthquakes, but in many places they threw down some 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 when changed. Dry spots became 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."
Recommended Citation
"“Communication”" (1811). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 91.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/91
