The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PORTSMOUTH
We hear that on the Morning of Lord's Day, the 13th Instant, about four o'Clock, a large new Barn, of Colonel Jonathan Moulton's then standing at Hampton-Falls, on the same Place where he had one Burnt, September 1766, and a smaller one of the late Gentleman's standing close to the other, both to all Appearance Willfully set on Fire; as it was a wet Season, and no rational Account given how it could happen by any Accident.--In the large Barn, (which was 100 Feet in length, and of a proportionable breadth, well finished) there were consumed Nineteen Head of neat Cattle, and some Swine, the Flames having prevailed so far, before the Fire was discovered that so much as their Hides after they were dead--in there was no possibility of saving the Cattle, nor the other Barn some young Cattle and Sheep were saved-- The Loss is great to the Public, as many milch Cows with Calf were destroyed, besides other useful Stock. How much the Loss is to the Owner we are not able at present to say--It is most amazing and alarming, as it threatens the Destruction of the Place where it exists; for in such Cases no Mans Person nor Property is safe: and every one would choose to fly from such a Place as fast as from one infected with the most malignant Contagion.--15 load of Hay was also burnt.