The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

An authentic ACCOUNT of the Terrible and Shocking Accident, which happened on Saturday, by the falling of 2 old Houses in Mint-Street, Southwark; whereby Fifteen People were killed under the Ruins, three of whom were Women big with Child, and one of whom was opened by the Surgeons at the Workhouse, and her Infant taken from her alive: and four young Children, besides many more that were wounded and bruised in a terrible Manner, and carried to St. Thomas's Hospital.

This most dismal Affair happened about half past 4 o'Clock in the Morning, on Saturday the 27th of August, 1774, when unfortunately every one who lived in the House were fast a-Sleep, (excepting one Man,) who had been out about a quarter of an Hour before a Bird-Catching.

The first House that fell made a Noise exactly like a heavy Gust of Wind, and was taken for such by the Inhabitants round about the Neighbourhood, but it gave so small a Notice, that none but those on the Ground Floor could possibly make their Escape.--- They contained Ten different poor Families, some having four or five Children, so that in the whole it is reckoned there were living in it about Thirty in Number of Men, Women, & Children altogether. Three of those that are killed, are Women big with-Child, one of them who was very near her Time, when she was afterwards opened by the Surgeons, and the Infant taken from her, but it is not thought the Infant can possibly live long. Another Woman with her Child about 7 Weeks old in her Arms, were both dug up dead about 9 o'Clock, the Husband standing by in the greatest Agonies, having been a little while before himself dug up terribly bruised, but desired he might be suffered to wait and see for his Wife and Child, and when they were brought out both Dead, such an affecting Sight ensued, as may better be conceived than described.

There was likewise heard the Cries of another Woman, which sounded most shocking in the Ears of a Number of People, when she was heard to say, "Lord have Mercy upon me! Deliver me out of this most dismal Place, that I may once have the Pleasure of seeing my tender Infants again, then I shall be very willing to quit this Life, as I am at this Instant, almost at Death's Door."

It is very Extraordinary, that they have been digging ever since the Affair happened, and have heard the Cries of this distressed Woman, but to no Purpose, as they yet keep Digging, and cannot come to this unfortunate Female; so by that it is purely thought that she has by some Means or other, got into one Part of the Shore, as her Voice sounds so very low, and the Shore running under the Houses. They continue Digging, and it is to be hoped her Prayers will prevail.

A Lad about Eighteen Years of Age, that was unhurt by the Fall of the House, was heard to call aloud for Water, but he was in such a Manner situated as no immediate Assistance could possibly be given him, and when they got to him he was almost suffocated; but by putting Hartshorn to his Nostrils, and using other necessary Means, he recovered.

As a Satisfaction to Mankind, I chuse to make Mention of the following strange Account, concerning the Death of another Woman and two small Children:

About three o'Clock in the Afternoon, (the same Day) a Woman, with two Children in her Arms, the one about three Months, and the other about five, were taken from under the Ruins, all dead; and what is more remarkable, she had one Child in one Arm, the other Child in the other, when taken out from the Rubbish. They were not both her own Children, the one belonged to a Person who had put it out to her as a Child to Nurse, and had not received the Child a Fortnight, before this melancholy Affair happened.--- In What Distress must the Mother be in for the Loss of her precious Babe, which cannot be re-called, and to the other unfortunate People's Relations: London, Aug. 28, 1774.