The Virginia Gazette

At Bradford, two Houses being situated close to each other, the Lightning entered them both together, and was supposed to separate itself into two Parts; one of which descended down the Outside of the Chimney, in an upper Apartment, ploughed down Part of the Plaister, split the Poll and Cornice of a Bed, in which a Man, his Wife, and Child, were laid, who were so terribly affrighted by it that the Woman jumped out of Bed, ran down Stairs in her Shirt only, and in that Condition not only alarmed and affrighted the whole Neighbourhood. It entered like a blazing Torch, in a triangular Form, into the other House, where two Persons were set, and another standing by the Fire; but in a Moment all was pitchy Darkness around them, occasioned, it is supposed, by its bringing so large a Quantity of Soot down the Chimney with it, as not only covered the Fire, but the greatest Part of the Room also. It broke the Stone on which the Mullion of the Window rests, and several Panes of Glass; after which it made its Way out through the upper Apartments, without doing any farther Damage.