When was it published?

August 31, 1739 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News August 31, 1739

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

Wedding Accident, Beam Collapse, Matterdale, Cumberland Injuries, Structural Failure

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

At a wedding in Matterdale, Cumberland, on May 10, a beam broke in an upper room during dancing, causing the floor to collapse and injuring many guests, including two seriously hurt young married women.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

Newcastle, May 19. We hear from Penrith in Cumberland, that on the 10th Instant, at a Wedding at Matterdale, as the Company were making merry and dancing in an upper Room, a Beam of the House broke suddenly, and the Company, with two large Chests and a Sack of Oat-Meal, all fell together; by which sad Accident many People were dangerously hurt. Several Women were frighted into Fits, and the Recovery of two Sitters (young married Women) is much doubted: The Elder had her Collar-Bone broke, and her Breast sorely crush'd; and the Younger had several short Ribs broke off from the Spine, and was greatly bruis'd. Some People sav'd themselves by getting into a large Stone Chimney.

What sub-type of article is it?

Disaster

What keywords are associated?

Wedding Accident Beam Collapse Matterdale Cumberland Injuries Structural Failure

Where did it happen?

Matterdale, Cumberland

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Matterdale, Cumberland

Event Date

10th Instant

Outcome

many people dangerously hurt; several women frightened into fits; two young married women seriously injured (elder: collar-bone broken, breast crushed; younger: short ribs broken from spine, greatly bruised); some saved by climbing into chimney.

Event Details

During a wedding celebration in an upper room at Matterdale, while guests were dancing, a beam suddenly broke, causing the company along with two large chests and a sack of oat-meal to fall together.