The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Goshen, in Litchfield County, June 7.

Yesterday about Six o'Clock, Afternoon, a Storm of Rain, attended with uncommon severe Thunder and Lightning, arose taking its Direction from the North-west to the South-east; the Flashes were extreme sharp, and frequent, chiefly pointing towards the Earth; and repeatedly struck both Trees and Cattle in the Neighbourhood. With us, the most melancholy Accident to be conceived. A very valuable House, belonging to the Estate of Mr. Joseph Webb, late of Wethersfield, was struck with the Lightning; there were seven Persons in the House, two of whom, Martin Wilcox and James Royce, were killed instantly, a Woman, the Wife of John Carrington, appeared to be in the Same Condition, but her Husband, who was one of them in the House, being but little hurt, happily had the Presence of Mind to take her in his Arms, and carry her out to the Barn, where he revived, and though much burnt and severely shocked, is likely to recover. The other Persons in the House escaped with little Damage, excepting the severe Shock and Surprize. The House was instantly in Flames, and together with the Furniture of two Families, to whom it was leased and a considerable Part of another's who formerly hired, was consumed. The Bodies of the two Men were with great Difficulty taken out of the House, while in Flames, but so far burnt, as to be at once a Spectacle of the most exquisite Pity and Horror. Their Remains have this Day been decently interred in one Grave.