Chapter IV (2)

And as a Publication was made to desire all Persons who were willing to contribute to the forwarding this Work, and to transmit the Memory of so signal a Judgment to Posterity, that they would be pleas'd to send up such authentick Accounts of the Mischiefs, Damages, and Disasters in their respective Counties that the World might rely on; it cannot, without a great breach of Charity, be suppos'd that Men mov'd by such Principles, without any private Interest or Advantage, would forge any thing to impose upon the World, and abuse Mankind in Ages to come.

Interest, Parties, Strife, Faction, and particular Malice, with all the scurvy Circumstances attending such things, may prompt Men to strain a Tale beyond its real Extent; but, that Men shou'd invent a Story to amuse Posterity, in a case where they have no manner of Motive, where the only Design is to preserve the Remembrance of Divine Vengeance, and put our Children in mind of God's Judgments upon their sinful Fathers, this would be telling a Lye for God's sake, and doing Evil for the sake of it self, which is a step beyond the Devil.

Besides, as most of our Relators have not only given us their Names, and sign'd the Accounts they have sent, but have also given us Leave to hand their Names down to Posterity with the Record of the Relation they give, we would hope no Man will be so uncharitable to believe that Men would be forward to set their Names to a voluntary Untruth, and have themselves recorded to Posterity for having, without Motion, Hope, Reward, or any other reason, impos'd a Falsity upon the World, and dishonour'd our Relation with the useless Banter of an Untruth.

We cannot therefore but think, that as the Author believes himself sufficiently back'd by the Authority of the Vouchers he presents, so after what has been here premis'd, no Man will have any room to suspect us of Forgery.

The ensuing Relation therefore, as to Damages in the Country, shall consist chiefly of Letters from the respective Places where such things have happen'd; only that as all our Letters are not concise enough to be printed as they are, where it is otherwise the Letter is digested into a Relation only; in which the Reader is assur'd we have always kept close to the matter of fact.

And first, I shall present such Accounts as are entire, and related by Men of Letters, principally by the Clergy; which shall be given you in their own Words.

The first is from _Stowmarket_ in _Suffolk_, where, by the Violence of the Storm, the finest Spire in that County, and but new built, _viz._ within thirty Years, was overthrown, and fell upon the Church. The Letter is sign'd by the reverend Minister of the Place, and vouched by two of the principal Inhabitants, as follows.

_SIR_,

Having seen an Advertisement of a Design to perpetuate the
Remembrance of the late dreadful Storm, by publishing a Collection
of all the remarkable Accidents occasion'd by it, and supposing the
Damage done to our Church to be none of the least, we were willing
to contribute something to your Design, by sending you an Account
thereof as follows.

We had formerly a Spire of Timber covered with Lead, of the height
of 77 Foot; which being in danger of falling, was taken down: and in
the Year 1674, with the Addition of 10 Loads of new Timber, 21
thousand and 8 hundred weight of Lead, a new one was erected, 100
Foot high from the Steeple, with a Gallery at the height of 40 Foot
all open, wherein hung a Clock-Bell of between 2 and 3 hundred
Weight. The Spire stood but 8 Yards above the Roof of the Church;
and yet by the extreme Violence of the Storm, a little before 6 in
the Morning the Spire was thrown down; and carrying with it all the
Battlements on the East side, it fell upon the Church at the
distance of 28 Foot; for so much is the distance between the Steeple
and the first Breach, which is on the North-side of the middle Roof,
of the length of 17 Foot, where it brake down 9 Spars clean, each 23
Foot long, and severally supported with very strong Braces. The
Spire inclining to the North, fell cross the middle Wall, and broke
off at the Gallery, the lower part falling in at the aforesaid
Breach, and the upper upon the North Isle, which is 24 Foot wide,
with a flat Roof lately built, all new and very strong: It carried
all before it from side to side, making a Breach 37 Foot long,
breaking in sunder two large Beams that went a-cross, which were 12
Inches broad and 15 deep, besides several other smaller. Besides
these two Breaches, there is a great deal of Damage done by the Fall
of great Stones upon other parts of the Roof, as well as by the
Wind's riving up the Lead, and a third part of the Pews broken all
in pieces, every thing falling into the Church, except the
Weather-cock, which was found in the Church-yard, at a considerable
distance, in the great Path that goes cross by the East End of the
Church. It will cost above 400 _l._ to make all good as it was
before. There were 3 single Chimneys blown down, and a Stack of 4
more together, all about the same time; and some others so shaken,
that they were forc'd to be pull'd down; but, we thank God, no body
hurt, tho' one Bed was broken in pieces that was very oft lain in:
no body lay in it that Night. Most Houses suffered something in
their Tiling, and generally all round the Country, there is
incredible Damage done to Churches, Houses, and Barns.

_Samuel Farr_, Vicar.
_John Gaudy._
_William Garrard._

From _Oxfordshire_ we have an Account very authentick, and yet unaccountably strange: but the reverend Author of the Story being a Gentleman whose Credit we cannot dispute, in acknowledgment to his Civility, and for the Advantage of our true Design, we give his Letter also _verbatim_.

_SIR_,

Meeting with an Advertisement of yours in the _Gazette_ of _Monday_
last, I very much approved of the Design, thinking it might be a
great Motive towards making People, when they hear the Fate of
others, return Thanks to Almighty God for his Providence in
preserving them. I accordingly was resolved to send you all I knew.
The Place where I have for some time lived is _Besselsleigh_, in
_Barkshire_, about four Miles S.W. of _Oxon_. The Wind began with
us much about One of the Clock in the Morning, and did not do much
harm, only in untiling Houses, blowing down a Chimney or two,
without any Person hurt, and a few Trees: but what was the only
thing that was strange, and to be observed, was a very tall Elm,
which was found the next Morning standing, but perfectly twisted
round; the Root a little loosen'd, but not torn up. But what
happened the Afternoon preceding, is abundantly more surprizing, and
is indeed the Intent of this Letter.

On _Friday_ the 26th of _November_, in the Afternoon, about Four of
the Clock, a Country Fellow came running to me in a great Fright,
and very earnestly entreated me to go and see a Pillar, as he call'd
it, in the Air, in a Field hard by. I went with the Fellow; and when
I came, found it to be a Spout marching directly with the Wind: and
I can think of nothing I can compare it to better than the Trunk of
an Elephant, which it resembled, only much bigger. It was extended
to a great Length, and swept the Ground as it went, leaving a Mark
behind. It crossed a Field; and what was very strange (and which I
should scarce have been induced to believe had I not my self seen
it, besides several Country-men who were astonish'd at it) meeting
with an Oak that stood towards the middle of the Field snapped the
Body of it asunder. Afterwards crossing a Road, it sucked up the
Water that was in the Cart-ruts: then coming to an old Barn, it
tumbled it down, and the Thatch that was on the Top was carried
about by the Wind, which was then very high, in great confusion.
After this I followed it no farther, and therefore saw no more of
it. But a Parishoner of mine going from hence to _Hinksey_, in a
Field about a quarter of a Mile off of this Place, was on the sudden
knock'd down, and lay upon the Place till some People came by and
brought him home; and he is not yet quite recovered. Having
examined him, by all I can collect both from the Time, and Place,
and Manner of his being knock'd down, I must conclude it was done by
the Spout, which, if its Force had not been much abated, had
certainly kill'd him: and indeed I attribute his Illness more to the
Fright, than the sudden Force with which he was struck down.

I will not now enter into a Dissertation on the Cause of Spouts, but
by what I can understand they are caused by nothing but the
Circumgyration of the Clouds, made by two contrary Winds meeting in
a Point, and condensing the Cloud till it falls in the Shape we see
it; which by the twisting Motion sucks up Water, and doth much
Mischief to Ships at Sea, where they happen oftner than at Land.
Whichever of the two Winds prevails, as in the above-mentioned was
the S.W. at last dissolves and dissipates the Cloud, and then the
Spout disappears.

This is all I have to communicate to you, wishing you all imaginable
Success in your Collection. Whether you insert this Account, I leave
wholly to your own Discretion; but can assure you, that to most of
these things, tho' very surprizing, I was my self an Eye-witness. I
am,

SIR,
_Your humble Servant_,
_Dec._ 12. 1703. Joseph Ralton.

The judicious Reader will observe here, that this strange Spout, or Cloud, or what else it may be call'd, was seen the Evening before the great Storm: from whence is confirm'd what I have said before of the violent Agitation of the Air for some time before the Tempest.

A short, but very regular Account, from _Northampton_, the Reader may take in the following Letter; the Person being of undoubted Credit and Reputation in the Town, and the Particulars very well worth remark.

_SIR_,

Having seen in the _Gazette_ an Intimation, that there would be a
Memorial drawn up of the late terrible Wind, and the Effects of it,
and that the Composer desired Informations from credible Persons,
the better to enable him to do the same, I thought good to intimate
what happen'd in this Town, and its Neighbourhood. 1. The
Weather-cock of _All-Saints_ Church being placed on a mighty Spindle
of Iron, was bowed together, and made useless. Many Sheets of Lead
on that Church, as also on St. _Giles_'s and St. _Sepulchres_,
rowled up like a Scroll. Three Windmills belonging to the Town blown
down, to the Amazement of all Beholders; the mighty upright Post
below the Floor of the Mills being snapt in two like a Reed. Two
entire Stacks of Chimneys in a House uninhabited fell on two several
Roofs, and made a most amazing Ruin in the Chambers, Floors, and
even to the lower Windows and Wainscot, splitting and tearing it as
if a Blow by Gun-powder had happen'd. The Floods at this instant
about the South Bridge, from a violent S.W. Wind, rose to a great
and amazing height; the Wind coming over or a-thwart large open
Meadows, did exceeding damage in that part of the Town, by blowing
down some whole Houses, carrying whole Roofs at once into the
Streets, and very many lesser Buildings of Tanners, Fell-mongers,
Dyers, Glue-makers, _&c._ yet, through the Goodness of God, no
Person killed or maimed: the mighty Doors of the Sessions-house,
barr'd and lock'd, forced open, whereby the Wind entring, made a
miserable Havock of the large and lofty Windows: a Pinnacle on the
_Guild-hall_, with the Fane, was also blown down. To speak of Houses
shatter'd, Corn-ricks and Hovels blown from their Standings, would
be endless. In Sir _Thomas Samwell_'s Park a very great headed Elm
was blown over the Park-Wall into the Road, and yet never touched
the Wall, being carried some Yards. I have confined my self to this
Town. If the Composer finds any thing agreeable to his Design, he
may use it or dismiss it at his Discretion. Such Works of Providence
are worth recording. I am

_Your loving Friend,_
_Northampton_,
Dec. 12. 1703. Ben. Bullivant.

The following Account from _Berkly_ and other Places in _Gloucestershire_ and _Somersetshire_, &c. are the sad Effects of the prodigious Tide in the _Severn_. The Wind blowing directly into the Mouth of that Channel we call the _Severn_ Sea, forced the Waters up in such quantity, that 'tis allow'd the Flood was eight Foot higher than ever was known in the Memory of Man; and at one Place, near _Huntspill_, it drove several Vessels a long way upon the Land; from whence, no succeeding Tide rising to near that height, they can never be gotten off: as will appear in the two following Letters.

_SIR_,

This Parish is a very large one in the County of _Gloucester_, on
one Side whereof runneth the River _Severn_, which by Reason of the
Violence of the late Storm beat down and tore to pieces the Sea Wall
(which is made of great Stones, and Sticks which they call Rouses; a
Yard and half long, about the Bigness of ones Thigh rammed into the
Ground as firm as possible) in many Places, and levell'd it almost
with the Ground, forcing vast Quantities of Earth a great Distance
from the Shore, and Stones, many of which were above a Hundred
Weight: and hereby the _Severn_ was let in above a Mile over one
part of the Parish, and did great Damage to the Land; it carried
away one House which was by the Sea-side, and a Gentleman's Stable,
wherein was a Horse, into the next Ground; and then the Stable fell
to pieces, and so the Horse came out. There is one thing more
remarkable in this Parish, and 'tis this: Twenty Six Sheets of Lead,
hanging all together, were blown off from the middle Isle of our
Church, and were carried over the North Isle, which is a very large
one, without touching it; and into the Church-yard ten Yards distant
from the Church; and they were took up all joyned together as they
were on the Roof; the Plummer told me that the Sheets weighed each
Three Hundred and a half one with another. This is what is most
observable in our Parish; but I shall give you an Account of one
thing (which perhaps you may have from other Hands) that happen'd in
another, call'd _Kingscote_, a little Village about Three Miles from
_Tedbury_, and Seven from us; where _William Kingscote_ Esq; has
many Woods; among which was one Grove of very tall Trees, being each
near Eighty Foot high; the which he greatly valued for the Tallness
and Prospect of them, and therefore resolv'd never to cut them down:
But it so happen'd, that Six Hundred of them, within the Compass of
Five Acres were wholly blown down; (and suppos'd to be much at the
same time) each Tree tearing up the Ground with its Root; so that
the Roots of most of the Trees, with the Turf and Earth about them,
stood up at least Fifteen or Sixteen Foot high; the lying down of
which Trees is an amazing Sight to all Beholders. This Account was
given by the Gentleman himself, whom I know very well. I have no
more to add, but that I am, _Your humble Servant_, wishing you good
Success in your Undertaking,

_Henry Head_, Vicar of _Berkly_.

Jan. 24.

The Damage of the Sea-wall may amount to about five Hundred Pounds.

_SIR_,

I Received a printed Paper sometime since, wherein I was desired to
send you an Account of what happen'd in the late Storm: and I should
have answered it sooner, but was willing to make some Enquiry first
about this County; and by what I can hear or learn, the dismal
Accident of our late Bishop and Lady was most remarkable; who was
killed by the Fall of two Chimney Stacks, which fell on the Roof,
and drove it in upon my Lord's Bed, forced it quite through the next
Flower down into the Hall, and buried them both in the Rubbish; and
'tis suppos'd my Lord was getting up, for he was found some Distance
from my Lady, who was found in her Bed; but my Lord had his Morning
Gown on, so that 'tis suppos'd he was coming from the Bed just as it
fell. We had likewise two small Houses blown flat down just as the
People were gone out to a Neighbour's House; and several other
Chimney Stacks fell down, and some through the Roof, but no other
Accident as to Death in this Town or near it: abundance of Tiles are
blown off, and likewise Thatch in and about this Town, and several
Houses uncover'd, in the Country all about us, abundance of Apple
and Elm Trees are rooted up by the Ground; and also abundance of
Wheat and Hay-mows blown down: at _Huntspil_, about twelve Miles
from this Town, there was Four or Five small Vessels drove a-shoar
which remain there still, and 'tis suppos'd cannot be got off; and
in the same Parish, the Tide broke in Breast high; but all the
People escap'd only one Woman, who was drowned. These are all the
remarkable Things that happen'd near us, as I can hear of; and is
all, but my humble Service; and beg Leave to subscribe my self,

SIR,
_Your most humble Servant_,
_Wells_ in _Somersetshire_,
Feb. 9. 1703. Edith. Conyers.

_SIR_,

The Dreadful Storm did this Church but little Damage, but our Houses
were terribly shaken hereabouts, and the Tide drowned the greatest
part of the Sheep on our Common; as it likewise did, besides many
Cows, between this Place and _Bristol_; on the opposite Shore of
_Glamorganshire_, as (I suppose you may also know) it brake down
part of _Chepstow_ Bridge, o'er the _Wye_. In the midst of this
Church-yard grew a vast Tree, thought to be the most large and
flourishing Elm in the Land which was torn up by the Roots, some of
which are really bigger than ones Middle, and several than a Man's
Thigh; the Compass of them curiously interwoven with the Earth,
being from the Surface (or Turf) to the Basis, full an Ell in Depth,
and Eighteen Foot and half in the Diameter, and yet thrown up near
Perpendicular; the Trunk, together with the loaden Roots, is well
judg'd to be Thirteen Tun at least, and the Limbs to make Six Load
of Billets with Faggots; and, about Two Years since, our Minister
observ'd, that the circumambient Boughs dropt round above Two
Hundred Yards: He hath given it for a SINGERS SEAT in our said
Church, with this Inscription thereon; _Nov. 27. A.D._ 1703.
_Miserere_, &c.

_Slimbrige near Severn_
Dec. 28. 1703. _William Frith_ Church-Warden.

_SIR_,

By the late Dreadful Storm a considerable Breach was made in our
Town Wall, and Part of the Church Steeple blown down; besides most
of the Inhabitants suffered very much by untiling their Houses,
_&c._ and abundance of Trees unrooted: at the same time our River
overflowed, and drowned the low Grounds of both Sides the Town,
whereby several Hundreds of Sheep were lost, and some Cattle; and
one of our Market Boats lifted upon our Key. This is a true Account
of most of our Damages. I am,

_Your humble Servant_,
_Cardiff_,
Jan. 10. 1703. William Jones.

_Honour'd Sir_,

In Obedience to your Request I have here sent you a particular
Account of the damages sustain'd in our Parish by the late Violent
Storm; and because that of our Church is the most material which I
have to impart to you, I shall therefore begin with it. It is the
fineness of our Church which magnifies our present loss, for in the
whole it is a large and noble structure, compos'd within and without
of Ashler curiously wrought, and consisting of a stately Roof in the
middle, and two Isles runing a considerable length from one end of
it to the other, makes a very beautiful Figure. It is also adorn'd
with 28 admired and Celebrated Windows, which, for the variety and
fineness of the Painted Glass that was in them, do justly attract
the Eyes of all curious Travellers to inspect and behold them; nor
is it more famous for its Glass, than newly renown'd for the Beauty
of its Seats and Paving, both being chiefly the noble Gift of that
pious and worthy Gentleman _Andrew Barker_, Esq; the late Deceas'd
Lord of the Mannor. So that all things consider'd, it does equal, at
least, if not exceed, any Parochial Church in _England_. Now that
part of it which most of all felt the fury of the Winds, was, a
large middle West Window, in Dimension about 15 Foot wide, and 25
Foot high: it represents the general Judgment, and is so fine a
piece of Art, that 1500 _l._ has formerly been bidden for it, a
price, though very tempting, yet were the Parishoners so just and
honest as to refuse it. The upper part of this Window, just above
the place where our Saviour's Picture is drawn sitting on a Rainbow,
and the Earth his Foot-stool, is entirely ruin'd, and both sides are
so shatter'd and torn, especially the left, that upon a general
Computation, a fourth part, at least, is blown down and destroy'd.
The like Fate has another West Window on the left side of the
former, in Dimension about 10 Foot broad, and 15 Foot high,
sustain'd; the upper half of which is totally broke, excepting one
Stone Munnel. Now if this were but ordinary Glass, we might quickly
compute what our repairs would Cost, but we the more lament our
misfortune herein, because the Paint of these two, as of all the
other Windows in our Church, is stain'd thro' the Body of the Glass;
so that if that be true which is generally said, that this Art is
lost, then have we an irretrievable loss. There are other damages
about our Church, which, tho' not so great as the former, do yet as
much testify how strong and boisterous the Winds were, for they
unbedded 3 Sheets of Lead upon the uppermost Roof, and roll'd them
up like so much Paper. Over the Church-porch, a large Pinnacle and
two Battlements were blown down upon the leads of it, but resting
there, and their fall being short, these will be repair'd with
little Cost. This is all I have to say concerning our Church: Our
Houses come next to be considered, and here I may tell you, that
(thanks be to God) the effects of the Storm were not so great as
they have been in many other places; several Chimneys, and Tiles,
and Slats, were thrown down, but no body kill'd or wounded. Some of
the Poor, because their Houses were Thatch'd, were the greatest
sufferers; but to be particular herein, would be very frivolous, as
well as vexatious. One Instance of Note ought not to omitted; on
_Saturday_ the 26th, being the day after the Storm, about 2-a-Clock
in the Afternoon, without any previous warning, a sudden flash of
Lightning, with a short, but violent clap of Thunder, immediately
following it like the Discharge of Ordnance, fell upon a new and
strong built House in the middle of our Town, and at the same time
disjointed two Chimneys, melted some of the Lead of an upper Window,
and struck the Mistress of the House into a Swoon, but this, as
appear'd afterwards, prov'd the effect more of fear, than of any
real considerable hurt to be found about her. I have nothing more
to add, unless it be the fall of several Trees and Ricks of Hay
amongst us, but these being so common every where, and not very many
in number here, I shall Conclude this tedious Scrible, and Subscribe
my self,

_SIR_,
_Your most Obedient and Humble Servant_,
Fairford, Gloucest.
_January_ 1703/4. Edw. Shipton, _Vic._

_The following Letters, tho' in a homely stile, are written by very honest, plain and observing Persons, to whom entire Credit may be given._

_BREWTON._

_SIR_,

Some time since I received a Letter from you, to give you an Account
of the most particular Things that hapned in the late dreadful
Tempest of Wind, and in the first Place is the Copy of a Letter from
a Brother of mine, that was an Exciseman of _Axbridge_, in the West
of our County of _Somerset_; these are his Words,

What I know of the Winds in these Parts, are, that it broke down
many Trees, and that the House of one _Richard Henden_; of
_Charter-House_ on _Mendip_, call'd _Piney_, was almost blown down,
and in saving their House, they, and the Servants, and others, heard
grievous Cries and Scrieches in the Air. The Tower of _Compton
Bishop_ was much shatter'd, and the Leads that cover'd it were taken
clean away, and laid flat in the Church-Yard: The House of _John
Cray_ of that place, received much and strange Damages, which
together with his part in the Sea-wall, amounted to 500 _l._ Near
the Salt-works in the Parish of _Burnham_, was driven five trading
Vessels, as Colliers and Corn-dealers, betwixt _Wales_ and
_Bridgwater_, at least 100 Yards on Pasture Ground. In the North
Marsh, on the sides of _Bristol_ River, near _Ken_ at _Walton
Woodspring_, the Waters broke with such Violence, that it came six
Miles into the Country drowning much Cattel, carrying away several
Hay-ricks and Stacks of Corn: And at a Farm at _Churchill_ near
_Wrington_, it blew down 150 Elms that grew most in Rows, and were
laid as Uniform as Soldiers lodge their Arms.

At _Cheddar_ near _Axbridge_, was much harm done in Apple-trees,
Houses, and such like; but what's worth remark, tho' not the very
Night of the Tempest, a Company of wicked People being at a Wedding
of one _Thomas Marshall_, _John_, the Father of the said _Thomas_,
being as most of the Company was very Drunk, after much filthy
Discourse while he was eating, a strange Cat pulling something from
his Trenchard, he Cursing her, stoopt to take it up, and died
immediately.

At _Brewton_ what was most Remarkable, was this, that one _John
Dicer_ of that Town, lay the Night as the Tempest was, in the Barn
of one _John Seller_, the Violence of the Wind broke down the Roof
of the Barn, but fortunately for him there was a Ladder which staid
up a Rafter, which would have fell upon the said _John Dicer_; but
he narrowly escaping being killed, did slide himself thro' the
broken Roof, and so got over the Wall without any great hurt. What
hurt was done more about that Town is not so considerable as in
other Places; Such as blowing off the Thatch from a great many back
Houses of the Town; for the Town is most tiled with a sort of heavy
Tile, that the Wind had no power to move; there was some hurt done
to the Church, which was not above 40_s._ besides the Windows, where
was a considerable damage, the Lady _Fitzharding_'s House standing
by the Church, the Battlement with part of the Wall of the House was
blown down, which 'tis said, above 20 Men with all their strength
could not have thrown down; besides, a great many Trees in the Park
torn up by the Roots, and laid in very good Order one after another;
it was taken notice that the Wind did not come in a full Body at
once, but it came in several Gusts, as my self have taken Notice as
I rid the Country, that in half a Miles riding I could not see a
Tree down, nor much hurt to Houses, then again I might for some
space see the Trees down, and all the Houses shattred: and I have
taken Notice that it run so all up the Country in such a Line as the
Wind sat; about One of the Clock it turn'd to the North West, but at
the beginning was at South West; I my self was up until One and then
I went to Bed, but the highest of the Wind was after that, so that
my Bed did shake with me.

* * * * *

What was about _Wincanton_, was, that one Mrs. _Gapper_ had 36
Elm-trees growing together in a Row, 35 of them was blown down; and
one _Edgehill_ of the same Town, and his Family being a Bed did
arise, hearing the House begin to Crak, and got out of the Doors
with his whole Family, and as soon as they were out the Roof of the
House fell in, and the Violence of the Wind took of the Children's
Head-cloaths, that they never saw them afterwards.

* * * * *

At _Evercreech_, three Miles from _Brewton_, there were a poor Woman
beg'd for Lodging in the Barn of one _Edmond Peny_ that same Night
that the Storm was, she was wet the Day before in Travelling, so she
hung up her Cloaths in the Barn, and lay in the Straw; but when the
Storm came it blew down the Roof of the Barn where she lay, and she
narrowly escaped with her Life, being much bruised, and got out
almost naked through the Roof where it was broken most, and went to
the dwelling House of the said _Edmond Peny_, and they did arise,
and did help her to something to cover her, till they could get out
her Cloaths; that place of _Evercreech_ received a great deal of
hurt in their Houses, which is too large to put here.

* * * * *

At _Batcomb_ Easterly of _Evercreech_, they had a great deal of
Damage done as I said before, it lay exactly with the Wind from
_Evercreech_, and both places received a great deal of Damage; there
was one Widow _Walter_ lived in a House by it self, the Wind carried
away the Roof, and the Woman's pair of Bodice, that was never heard
of again, and the whole Family escaped narrowly with their Lives;
all the Battlements of the Church on that side of the Tower next to
the Wind was blown in, and a great deal of Damage done to the
Church.

At _Shipton Mallet_ was great Damages done, as I was told by the
Post that comes to _Brewton_, that the Tiles of the Meeting House
was blown off, and being a sort of light Tiles they flew against the
Neighbouring Windows, and broke them to pieces: And at _Chalton_
near _Shepton Mallet_ at one _Abbot_'s, the Roof was carried from
the Walls of the House and the House mightily shaken, and seemingly
the Foundation removed, and in the Morning they found a Foundation
Stone of the House upon the top of the Wall, where was a shew in the
Ground of its being driven out. At _Dinder_ within two Miles of
_Shepton_, there was one _John Allen_, and his Son, being out of
Doors in the midst of the Tempest, they saw a great Body of Fire
flying on the side of a Hill, call'd _Dinder-hill_, about half a
Mile from them, with a Shew of black in the midst of it, and another
Body of Fire following it, something smaller than the former.

There has been a strange thing at _Butly_, eight Miles from
_Brewton_, which was thought to be Witchcraft, where a great many
unusual Things happened to one _Pope_, and his Family, especially to
a Boy, that was his Son, that having lain several Hours Dead, when
he came to himself, he told his Father, and several of his
Neighbours, Strange Stories of his being carried away by some of his
Neighbours that have been counted wicked Persons; the Things have
been so strangely related that Thousands of People have gone to see
and hear it; it lasted about a Year or more: But since the Storm I
have inquired of the Neighbours how it was, and they tell me, that
since the late Tempest of Wind the House and People have been quiet;
for its generally said, that there was some Conjuration in quieting
of that House. If you have a desire to hear any farther Account of
it, I will make it my Business to inquire farther of it, for there
were such. Things happened in that time which is seldom heard of,

_Your humble Servant_
Hu. Ash.

_Our Town of_ Butly _lyes in such a place, that no Post-House is in
a great many Miles of it, or you should hear oftner._

_SIR_,

I received yours, desiring an Account of the Damage done by the late
great Wind about us. At _Wilsnorton_, three Miles from _Wittney_,
the Lead of the Church was rouled, and great Damage done to the
Church, many great Elms were tore up by the Roots: At _Helford_, two
Miles from us, a Rookery of Elms, was most of it tore up by the
Roots: At _Cockeup_, two Miles from us, was a Barn blown down, and
several Elms blown down a Cross the High-way, so that there was no
passage; a great Oak of about nine or ten Loads was blown down,
having a Raven sitting in it, his Wing-feathers got between two
Bows, and held him fast; but the Raven received no hurt: At
_Duckelton_, a little thatch't House was taken off the
Ground-pening, and removed a distance from the place, the covering
not damaged. Hay-recks abundance are torn to pieces: At _Wittney_,
six Stacks of Chimneys blown down, one House had a sheet of Lead
taken from one side and blown over to the other, and many Houses
were quite torn to pieces; several Hundred Trees blown down, some
broke in the middle, and some torn up by the Roots. Blessed be God,
I hear neither Man, Woman nor Child that received any harm about us.

_Your Servant_,
_Wittney, Oxfordsh._ Richard Abenell.

_ILMISTER, Somerset_

_Brief but exact Remarks on the late Dreadful Storms of Wind, as it affected the Town, and the Parts adjacent._

_Imprimus._ At _Ashil_-Parish 3 Miles West from this Town, the
Stable belonging to the Hare and Hounds Inn was blown down, in which
were three Horses, one kill'd, another very much bruised.

2. At _Jurdans_, a Gentleman's Seat in the same Parish, there was a
Brick Stable, whose Roof, one Back, and one End Wall, were all
thrown down, and four foot in depth of the Fore Wall; in this Stable
were 4 Horses, which by reason of the Hay-loft that bore up the
Roof, were all preserv'd.

3. At _Sevington_ Parish, three Miles East from this Town, _John_
Hutkens had the Roof of a new built House heaved clean off the
Walls. _Note_, the House was not glazed, and the Roof was thatch'd.

4. In _White Larkington_ Park, a Mile East from this Town, besides
four or five hundred tall Trees broken and blown down, (admirable to
behold, what great Roots was turned up) there were three very large
Beaches, two of them that were near five Foot thick in the Stem were
broken off, one of them near the Root, the other was broken off
twelve Foot above, and from that place down home to the Root was
shattered and flown; the other that was not broken, cannot have less
than forty Waggon Loads in it; a very fine Walk of Trees before the
House all blown down, and broke down the Roof of a Pidgeon House,
the Rookery carried away in Lanes, the Lodg-House damaged in the
Roof, and one End by the fall of Trees. In the Garden belonging to
the House, was a very fine Walk of tall Firrs, twenty of which were
broken down.

5. The damage in the Thatch of Houses, (which is the usual Covering
in these Parts) is so great and general, that the price of Reed
arose from twenty Shillings to fifty or three Pounds a Hundred;
insomuch that to shelter themselves from the open Air, many poor
People were glad to use Bean, Helm and Furse, to thatch their Houses
with, Things never known to be put to such Use before.

6. At _Kingston_, a Mile distance from this Town, the Church was
very much shattered in its Roof, and Walls too, and all our Country
Churches much shattered, so that Churches and Gentlemen's Houses
which were tiled, were so shatter'd in their Roofs, that at present,
they are generally patch'd with Reed, not in Compliance with the
Mode, but the Necessity of the Times.

7. At _Broadway_, two Miles West of this Town, _Hugh Betty_, his
Wife, and four Children being in his House, it was by the violence
of the Storm blown down, one of his Children killed, his Wife
wounded, but recovered, the rest escaped with their Lives. A large
Alms-house had most of the Tile blown off, and other Houses much
shattered; a very large Brick Barn blown down, Walls and Roof to the
Ground.

8. Many large Stacks of Wheat were broken, some of the Sheaves
carried two or three Hundred Yards from the Place, many Stacks of
Hay turned over, some Stacks of Corn heaved off the Stadle, and set
down on the Ground, and not broken.

9. _Dowlish Walk_, two Miles South East, the Church was very much
shattered, several Load of Stones fell down, not as yet repair'd,
therefore can't express the damage. A very large Barn broken down
that stood near the Church, much damage was done to Orchards, not
only in this Place, but in all places round, some very fine Orchards
quite destroyed: some to their great Cost had the Trees set up right
again, but a Storm of Wind came after, which threw down many of the
Trees again; as to Timber Trees, almost all our high Trees were
broken down in that violent Storm.

10. In this Town _Henry Dunster_, his Wife and 2 Children, was in
their House when it was blown down, but they all escaped with their
Lives, only one of them had a small Bruise with a piece of Timber,
as she was going out of the Chamber when the Roof broke in.

The Church, in this Place, scap'd very well, as to its Roof, being
cover'd with Lead only on the Chancel; the Lead was at the top of
the Roof heaved up, and roll'd together, more than ten Men could
turn back again, without cutting the Sheets of Lead, which was done
to put it in its place again: But in general the Houses much broken
and shatter'd, besides the fall of some.

This is a short, but true Account. I have heard of several other
things which I have not mentioned, because I could not be positive
in the truth of them, unless I had seen it. This is what I have been
to see the truth of. You may enlarge on these short Heads, and
methodize 'em as you see good.

At _Henton St. George_, at the Lord _Pawlet_'s, a new Brick Wall was
broken down by the Wind for above 100 foot, the Wall being built not
above 2 years since, as also above 60 Trees near 100 foot high.

At _Barrington_, about 2 miles North of this Town, there was blown
down above eight-score Trees, being of an extraordinary height, at
the Lady _Strouds._

_As we shall not crow'd our Relation with many Letters from the same places, so it cannot be amiss to let the World have, at least, one Authentick Account from most of those Places where any Capital Damages have been sustain'd and to summ up the rest in a general Head at the end of this Chapter._

_From_ Wiltshire _we have the following Account from the Reverend the Minister of Upper_ Donhead _near_ Shaftsbury; _to which the Reader is referr'd as follows._

_SIR_,

As the Undertaking you are engag'd in, to preserve the Remembrance
of the late dreadful Tempest, is very commendable in it self, and
may in several respects be serviceable not only to the present Age,
but also to Posterity; so it merits a suitable Encouragement, and,
'tis hop'd, it will meet with such, from all that have either a true
sense of Religion, or have had any sensible share of the care of
Providence over them, or of the goodness of God unto them in the
Land of the Living, upon that occasion. There are doubtless vast
numbers of People in all Parts (where the Tempest raged) that have
the greatest reason (as the Author of this Paper for one hath) to
bless God for their wonderful preservation, and to tell it to the
Generation following. But to detain you no longer with Preliminaries,
I shall give you a faithful Account of what occurr'd in my
Neighbourhood (according to the Conditions mention'd in the
Advertisement in the _Gazette_) worthy, at least, of my notice, if
not of the Undertakers; and I can assure you, that the several
Particulars were either such as I can vouch-for on my own certain
Knowledge and Observation, or else such as I am satisfy'd of the
truth of by the Testimony of others, whose Integrity I have no
reason to suspect. I will say no more than this in general,
concerning the Storm, that, at its height, it seem'd, for some
hours, to be a perfect Hurrican, the Wind raging from every Quarter,
especially from all the Points of the Compass, from _N.E._ to the
_N.W._ as the dismal Effects of it in these Parts do evidently
demonstrate, in the demolishing of Buildings (or impairing 'em at
best) and in the throwing up vast numbers of Trees by the Roots, or
snapping them off in their Bodies, or larger Limbs. But as to some
remarkable Particulars, you may take these following, _viz._

1. The Parish-Church receiv'd little damage, tho' it stands high,
the chief was in some of the Windows on the N. side, and in the fall
of the Top-stone of one of the Pinnacles, which fell on a House
adjoining to the Tower with little hurt to the Roof, from which
glancing it rested on the Leads of the South-Isle of the Church. At
the fall of it an aged Woman living in the said House on which the
Stone fell, heard horrible Scrieches (as she constantly averrs) in
the Air, but none before nor afterwards.

2. Two stone Chimney-tops were thrown down, and 2 broad Stones of
each of them lay at even poize on the respective ridges of both the
Houses, and tho' the Wind sat full against one of them to have
thrown it off, (and then it had fallen over a Door, in and out at
which several People were passing during the Storm) and tho' the
other fell against the Wind, yet neither of the said Stones stirr'd.

3. A Stone of near 400 Weight, having lain about 7 Years under a
Bank, defended from the Wind as it then sat, tho' it lay so long as
to be fix'd in the ground, and was as much out of the Wind, as could
be, being fenced by the Bank, and a low Stone-wall upon the Bank,
none of which was demolish'd, tho' 2 small Holms standing in the
Bank between the Wall, and the Stone, at the foot of the Bank were
blown up by the roots; I say, this Stone, tho' thus fenced from the
Storm, was carried from the place where it lay, into an hollow-way
beneath, at least seven Yards from the place, where it was known to
have lain for 7 Years before.

4. A Widdow-woman living in one part of an House by her self, kept
her Bed till the House over her was uncover'd, and she expected the
fall of the Timber and Walls; but getting below Stairs in the dark,
and opening the Door to fly for shelter, the Wind was so strong in
the Door, that she could neither get out at it, tho' she attempted
to go out on her knees and hands, nor could she shut the Door again
with all her strength, but was forced to sit alone for several hours
('till the Storm slacken'd), fearing every Gust would have buried
her in the Ruins; and yet it pleas'd God to preserve her, for the
House (tho' a feeble one) stood over the Storm.

5. Another, who made Malt in his Barn, had been turning his Malt
sometime before the Storm was at its height, and another of the
Family being desirous to go again into the said Barn sometime after,
was disswaded from it, and immediately thereupon the said Barn was
thrown down by the Storm.

6. But a much narrower Escape had one, for whose safety the
Collector of these Passages has the greatest reason to bless and
praise the great Preserver of Men, who was twice in his Bed that
dismal Night (tho' he had warning sufficient to deter him the first
time by the falling of some of the Seiling on his Back and
Shoulders, as he was preparing to go to Bed) and was altogether
insensible of the great danger he was in, 'till the next morning
after the Day-light appear'd, when he found the Tiles, on the side
of the House opposite to the main Stress of the Weather, blown up in
two places, one of which was over his Beds-head (about 9 foot above
it) in which 2 or 3 Laths being broken, let down a Square of 8 or 10
Stone Tiles upon one single Lath, where they hung dropping inward a
little, and bended the Lath like a Bow, but fell not: What the
consequence of their Fall had been, was obvious to as many as saw
it, and none has more reason to magnify God's great Goodness, in
this rescue of his Providence, than the Relater.

7. A young Man of the same Parish, who was sent abroad to look after
some black Cattle and Sheep that fed in an Inclosure, in, or near to
which there were some Stacks of Corn blown down, reports, That tho'
he had much difficulty to find the Inclosure in the dark, and to get
thither by reason of the Tempest then raging in the height of its
fury; yet being there, he saw a mighty Body of Fire on an high ridge
of Hills, about 3 parts of a Mile from the said Inclosure, which
gave so clear a Light into the Valley below, as that by it the said
young Man could distinctly descry all the Sheep and Cattle in the
said Pasture, so as to perceive there was not one wanting.

8. At _Ashegrove_, in the same Parish (where many tall Trees were
standing on the steep side of an Hill) there were two Trees of
considerable bigness blown up against the side of the Hill, which
seems somewhat strange, to such as have seen how many are blown, at
the same place, a quite contrary way, _i.e._ down the Hill; and to
fall downwards was to fall with the Wind, as upward, was to fall
against it.

9. One in this Neighbourhood had a Poplar in his Back-side of near
16 Yards high blown down, which standing near a small Current of
Water, the Roots brought up near a Tun of Earth with them, and
there the Tree lay for some days after the Storm; but when the Top
or Head of the Tree was saw'd off from the Body (tho' the Boughs
were nothing to the weight of the But End, yet) the Tree mounted,
and fell back into it's place, and stood as upright without its Head,
as ever it had done with it. And the same happen'd at the Lady
_Banks_ her House near _Shaftsbury_, where a Wall-nut-Tree was
thrown down in a place that declin'd somewhat, and after the greater
Limbs had been cut off in the day time, went back in the Night
following, of it self, and now stands in the same place and posture
it stood in before it was blown down. I saw it standing the 14th of
this Instant, and could hardly perceive any Token of its having been
Down, so very exactly it fell back into its place. This is somewhat
the more remarkable, because the Ground (as I said) was declining,
and consequently the Tree raised against the Hill. To this I shall
only add, at present, that

10. This Relator lately riding thro' a neighbouring Parish, saw two
Trees near two Houses thrown besides the said Houses, and very near
each House, which yet did little or no harm, when if they had fallen
with the Wind, they must needs have fallen directly upon the said
Houses. And

11. That this Relator had two very tall Elms thrown up by the Roots,
which fell in among five young Walnut Trees, without injuring a Twig
or Bud of either of them, as rais'd the admiration of such as saw
it.

12. In the same place, the Top of another Elm yet standing, was
carry'd of from the Body of the Tree, a good part of 20 Yards.

* * * * *

_SIR_; I shall trouble you no further at present, you may perhaps
think this enough, and too much; but however that may be, you, or
your ingenious Undertakers are left at liberty to publish so much,
or so little of this Narrative, as shall be thought fit for the
Service of the Publick. I must confess the particular Deliverances
were what chiefly induced me to set Pen to Paper, tho' the other
Matters are Considerable, but whatever regard you shew to the
latter, in Justice you should publish the former to the World, as
the Glory of God is therein concern'd more immediately, to promote
which, is the only aim of this Paper. And the more effectually to
induce you to do me Right, (for contributing a slender Mite towards
your very laudable Undertaking) I make no manner of Scruple to
subscribe my self,

_Upper Donhead,_ _Sir, Yours,_ &c.
_Decemb._ 18_th_ 1703. Rice Adams.
_Rector of_ Upper Donhead Wilts near _Shaftsbury_.

_From_ Littleton _in_ Worcestershire, _and_ Middleton _in_ Oxfordshire, _the following Letters may be a Specimen of what those whole Counties felt, and of which we have several other particular Accounts._

_SIR_,

Publick notice being given of a designed Collection of the most
Prodigious, as well as lamentable Effects of the last dreadful
Tempest of Wind. There are many Persons hereabouts, and I suppose in
many other places, wish all speedy furtherance and good Success to
that so useful and pious Undertaking, for it may very well be
thought to have a good Influence both upon the present Age, and
succeeding Generation, to beget in them a holy admiration and fear
of that tremendous Power and Majesty, which as one Prophet tells us,
_Causeth the Vapours to ascend from the Ends of the Earth, and
bringeth the Wind out of his Treasures, and as the Priest Saith,
hath so done his marvellous Works, that they ought to be had in
remembrance_. As to these Villages of _Littleton_ in
_Worcestershire_, I can only give this Information, that this
violent Hurricane visited us also in its passage to the great Terror
of the Inhabitants, who although by the gracious Providence of God
all escaped with their Lives and Limbs, and the main Fabrick of
their Houses stood; tho' with much shaking, and some damage in the
Roofs of many of them: Yet when the Morning Light appeared after
that dismal Night, they were surpris'd with fresh apprehensions of
the Dangers escaped, when they discover'd the sad Havock that was
made among the Trees of their Orchards and Closes, very many Fruit
Trees, and many mighty Elms being torn up, and one Elm above the
rest, of very great Bulk and ancient Growth I observed, which might
have defied the Strength of all the Men and Teams in the Parish,
(tho' assaulted in every Branch with Roaps and Chains) was found
torn up by the Roots, all sound, and of vast Strength and Thickness,
and with its fall (as was thought) by the help of the same impetuous
Gusts, broke off in the middle of the Timber another great Elm its
Fellow, and next Neighbour. And that which may exercise the Thoughts
of the Curious, some little Houses and Out-houses that seemed to
stand in the same Current, and without any visible Burrough or
Shelter, escaped in their Roofs, without any, or very little Damage:
What Accidents of Note hapned in our Neighbouring Parishes, I
suppose you may receive from other Hands. This, (I thank God) is all
that I have to transmit unto you from this place, but that I am a
Well-wisher to your Work in Hand, _And your Humble Servant_,

_Littleton, Decem._ 20. _Ralph Norris_.

_Middleton-Stony_ in _Oxfordshire_, Nov. 26. 1703