When was it published?

September 7, 1739 in The Virginia Gazette

Domestic News September 7, 1739

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

Earthquake, New Bury, River Towns, Sudden Jolt, Loud Roar

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

An earthquake was felt and heard in New-Bury and other towns on the River about 20 minutes after 2 a.m. on August 3, described as a sudden upward jolt followed by a loud roar lasting a minute, mistaken for thunder by some. Minor items fell from shelves, and two men in a boat thought they hit a rock.

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Full Text

New-Bury, August 3. About 20 Minutes after Two this Morning, an Earthquake was felt, and heard in this and the other Towns on the River; in a Degree that was surprizing and awful. The Shock was felt at the Moment the Noise was heard, rather like a sudden Jolt upwards, than successive Tremors; after which there was a loud Roar which lasted for a full Minute; and was taken by many who were awak'd by it, for a Clap of Thunder. Some small Things were broken down from the Shelves on which they were plac'd; and two Men coming up the River in a Boat were so sensible of it, that one of them imagin'd that they had struck a Rock and were sinking: till the other inform'd him of the real Cause.

What sub-type of article is it?

Disaster Weather

What keywords are associated?

Earthquake New Bury River Towns Sudden Jolt Loud Roar

Where did it happen?

New Bury

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

New Bury

Event Date

August 3

Outcome

some small things broken from shelves; two men in a boat mistook the shock for hitting a rock but were unharmed.

Event Details

About 20 minutes after two this morning, an earthquake was felt and heard in New-Bury and other towns on the River, surprising and awful in degree. The shock was a sudden jolt upwards rather than successive tremors, accompanied by a loud roar lasting a full minute, taken by many for thunder. Some small things were broken from shelves, and two men in a boat coming up the river sensed it, one imagining they struck a rock and were sinking until informed otherwise.