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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
On February 21, a powder explosion at Capt. Thomas Homans' house in Boston's westerly part killed his 18-month-old son and severely injured Mrs. Homans and others, causing extensive damage to the building.
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On the 21st Instant, a very sorrowful Accident happened at the House of Capt. Thomas Homans, in the westerly Part of this Town, near Mr. Hooper's Meeting-House: A small Quantity of Powder, in a Leathern Bag, having been some time since put upon the Jam of a Chimney in a Chamber wherein they had not been used to make a Fire, and the Family being about moving into the Country, did not suppose they should ever have occasion for a Fire there: But a young Child being out of Order two or three Days before, they made a Fire in the same Chimney, and unhappily forgot the Powder, which taking Fire, the Effects of it were very surprising: A fine Child (a Son) of about Eighteen Months old, was so burnt and its Joints so shattered by it, as that it died within about a Quarter of an Hour; and Mrs. Homans, with two or three other Women in the Room, were very much burnt and wounded: The Explosion was so violent, (the Room being close) that it beat down the Floor of the Chamber, so that the Tenants of the Summer broke out of the Mortices; the Partitions of each Side the Chamber were beat down and the Doors very much shattered; the Ceiling above was also blown up, and several Things broke to Pieces in the Garret: and breaking off some of the Pointing, the Blast burst open the Door on the Top of the House and expanded itself in the Air. We hear Mrs. Homans is in great Danger of losing her Life; but the others are like to recover.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Westerly Part Of This Town, Near Mr. Hooper's Meeting House, Boston
Event Date
21st Instant
Key Persons
Outcome
a fine child (a son) of about eighteen months old died within about a quarter of an hour from burns and shattered joints; mrs. homans very much burnt and wounded, in great danger of losing her life; two or three other women very much burnt and wounded, like to recover; extensive house damage including floor, partitions, doors, ceiling, and garret items.
Event Details
A small Quantity of Powder in a Leathern Bag was forgotten on the Chimney Jam in a Chamber; a Fire was made there due to a sick Child, igniting the Powder and causing a violent Explosion in the close Room.