The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Tuesday last two large Dwelling Houses were consumed by Fire at Dedham, belonging to Dr. Sprague of this Town: One of them was formerly the Mansion-House of Mr. Peter Luce, deceased, and which had been lately thoroughly repaired; the other was an elegant new Building contiguous thereto, almost completed. The Fire, it is said, was occasioned by one of the Carpenters burning some Shavings in a Chimney in the Room where he was at Work; but going out, the Fire communicated, it is supposed, to some other Shavings which were on the Floor, and before he returned the House was in Flames: It happened between 10 and 11 o'Clock in the Forenoon: and the Men belonging to the Family that lived in the House, being from home, no Help could be obtained, whereby both Buildings and all therein, were entirely destroyed.