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The Massachusetts Spy
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
A fire on November 21, 1770s, destroyed Capt. Oliver Barron's inn in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, consuming the house, furniture, liquor, and provisions. No lives lost, but his mother, Mrs. Wilder, and young son were nearly killed by smoke and flames. Estimated loss over 300 pounds sterling; cause likely chimney defect.
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Chelmsford, November 21.
Last Sunday night a fire broke out, which consumed the dwelling house of Capt. Oliver Barron of this town, as also almost all his household furniture, and almost all the apparel of the family, with a considerable quantity of brandy, rum, and other spirituous liquors, he being an innholder, and a great quantity of butter, cheese, cyder, &c.
There was no lives lost, although the lives of the whole family were in great danger, particularly the mother of Capt. Barron, the relict of the late Oliver Wilder, Esq; of Lancaster, and his little son, in bed in a chamber, were almost scorched and suffocated by the flames and smoke, and were with great difficulty preserved.
Mrs. Wilder's life seemed to be despaired of for several hours after she was rescued from the flames, but it is now hoped she will recover---It was a large building--the fire was very rapid in its progress, extreme fierce while it lasted; so that the meeting house, the minister's house, and divers other dwelling-houses, and other buildings were in great danger, but it was a calm season, and through the divine Goodness no other buildings were burnt.
The loss which Capt. Barron and his mother have sustained, is, by a moderate computation more than 300l. sterling.---The occasion of the fire, it is thought, was a defect in the chimney.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Chelmsford
Event Date
Last Sunday Night
Key Persons
Outcome
no lives lost; mrs. wilder's life despaired of for hours but hoped to recover; loss more than 300l. sterling; other buildings saved due to calm weather.
Event Details
Fire broke out last Sunday night in Capt. Oliver Barron's dwelling house in Chelmsford, consuming the house, most furniture, family apparel, liquor stocks, butter, cheese, cyder, etc. Family in great danger, especially mother and child nearly scorched and suffocated. Fire rapid and fierce, threatening nearby buildings including meeting house and minister's house, but contained without further damage. Cause thought to be chimney defect.