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Domestic News
August 19, 1773
The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
In Bristol near Pownalborough, Alexander Nickles led a group of armed men on June 7 to demolish a house of worship after a five-hour siege, destroying it by cutting and leaving it in ruins; the leader had been ordained an elder by Mr. Murray.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Extract of a letter from Bristol (near Pownalborough) at the Eastward.
"I take this opportunity to inform the public of the surprizing behaviour of some of the head-men of the town of Bristol That on the 7th June last there appeared a small army of men, with arms, and other instruments of defence, to cut down the house that was erected for the worship of God which was headed by that warlike champion Alexander Nickles, and after about five hours siege, they laid the house in a ruinous heap It was done by cutting and destroying in the most awful manner; the report of the fall was heard three miles — O surprizing the conduct of this gentleman! that he that is sworn to do justice to all men, should destroy the poor inhabitants labour in such clandestine manner. One thing more is surprizing, that he was ordained an elder by that renowned gentleman Mr. Murray, to be a father and a head to the people."
"I take this opportunity to inform the public of the surprizing behaviour of some of the head-men of the town of Bristol That on the 7th June last there appeared a small army of men, with arms, and other instruments of defence, to cut down the house that was erected for the worship of God which was headed by that warlike champion Alexander Nickles, and after about five hours siege, they laid the house in a ruinous heap It was done by cutting and destroying in the most awful manner; the report of the fall was heard three miles — O surprizing the conduct of this gentleman! that he that is sworn to do justice to all men, should destroy the poor inhabitants labour in such clandestine manner. One thing more is surprizing, that he was ordained an elder by that renowned gentleman Mr. Murray, to be a father and a head to the people."
What sub-type of article is it?
Riot Or Protest
Crime
Religious Event
What keywords are associated?
Bristol Destruction
Church Demolition
Alexander Nickles
Armed Mob
House Of Worship
What entities or persons were involved?
Alexander Nickles
Mr. Murray
Where did it happen?
Bristol (Near Pownalborough)
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Bristol (Near Pownalborough)
Event Date
7th June Last
Key Persons
Alexander Nickles
Mr. Murray
Outcome
house laid in a ruinous heap by cutting and destroying; report of the fall heard three miles
Event Details
small army of men with arms and instruments of defence appeared to cut down the house erected for the worship of God, headed by Alexander Nickles, after about five hours siege