When was it published?

January 18, 1760 in The New Hampshire Gazette

Domestic News January 18, 1760

The New Hampshire Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

Arson Attempt, Theft, Water Street, Smith Chairmaker, Tailor Shop, Confession

Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

On a Monday night in Water-Street, an arson attempt was discovered in a tailor's shop, with clothes set on fire over coals. The shop was plundered. Neighboring chair-maker Smith was found to have stolen goods, confessed to the crime, and was jailed for trial, intending to flee to Halifax after destroying the shops.

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OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

Last Monday Night by a Person happening to pass near a Row of new Shops lately built in Water-Street, between 11 and 12 o'Clock, perceived an uncommon Smell, and going nearer, observed a Smoke from one of them improved by a Taylor; upon bursting open the Door, found a Chest with some Cloaths in it on Fire, upon a Pot of Coals, which had been put there by some wicked designing Person; but upon alarming the Neighbours, the Fire was soon extinguished; and the Shop was found to be plunder'd of divers Goods: Upon opening the Door of one of the next Shops, improved by one Smith a Chair-Maker, they found a Piece of Cloth upon the Floor, and that he had carried off his most valuable Utensils; upon which he was seiz'd at his Lodgings, and the stolen Goods found under his Bed: Upon being examin'd, we hear he has confessed himself to be the Author of this wicked Affair, which, if it had not been thus seasonably discover'd, might have occasioned a deplorable Desolation in that Part of the Town: He is now confined in Goal, in order for Trial. He intended to remove to Halifax: and having emptied his own Shop, and robbed his Neighbour's, doubtless, by contriving to set them on Fire in such Manner as to destroy the whole, he tho't he should escape with Impunity.

What sub-type of article is it?

Crime Fire

What keywords are associated?

Arson Attempt Theft Water Street Smith Chairmaker Tailor Shop Confession

What entities or persons were involved?

Smith Taylor

Where did it happen?

Water Street

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Water Street

Event Date

Last Monday Night

Key Persons

Smith Taylor

Outcome

fire extinguished promptly; no desolation occurred. smith seized, confessed, and confined in goal for trial.

Event Details

A passerby noticed smoke from a tailor's shop in Water-Street between 11 and 12 o'clock. Bursting in, found clothes in a chest on fire over coals, set by a wicked person. Neighbors extinguished the fire; shop plundered. Adjacent shop of chair-maker Smith had cloth on floor; he had taken utensils, which were found under his bed at lodgings. He confessed to the arson and theft, intending to move to Halifax and destroy the shops to escape.