December 20, 17533
The Pennsylvania Gazette
KINGSTON, in Jamaica, October 27.
On Monday last, about 5 a Clock in the Afternoon, a Thunder cloud burst over the House of Mr. Joseph Gutterres in Orange street, which tore the Shingles of that, and the House of Dr. Chovet, being both under one Roof, at which time the Lightning entered both Houses. Mrs. Gutteres was then sitting in a very low Chair in the Back hall, and the Lightning went over her Head, where it battered the Wall, without offending her; in the first Floor it dispersed itself in every Part of the Rooms, splintering the Frames of many Pictures that were glazed, without damaging the Glasses over them. A dressing Looking glass particularly, mounted on two Pillars, and a Nest of Drawers underneath, had all the Frames and other Wood work shaken to Pieces, without ever hurting the Glass, saving a little of the Quick silver in one of the Corners, which it had melted; it likewise passed behind a Chest of Drawers, where it had melted; it likewise passed behind a Chest of Drawers, where it entered the Crevices, and only cracking the back part it visited every Drawer. When this happened Dr. Chevot and his Wife were both sleeping in Bed in their lower Back room, but being suddenly awaked, found themselves surrounded with forked Lightning daring on all Sides of the Room, entring through the Partition wall, and at the Window, but through the great Mercy of Providence, neither he, nor his Wife were hurt, though the great Quantity of sulphurous Vapour had almost suffocated them. The Doctor's Sword and Cane, which stood by his Bed side were both struck with the Lightning, and so powerful was its Force, that it melted a little of the Gold from the Head of the Cane, and likewise some Part of the Blade of the Sword near the Point, which seemed to have been done without affecting the Scabbard; in the upper Back room and Garrett, it likewise committed great Havock, by breaking the Windows, and Frames of the Shutters, it melted likewise several Iron and Steel Instruments that were there, but particularly shivered a Fishing rod into so many small Splinters, that it appeared like a Bundle of Straw.
His Majesty's Ship Hind in Kingston Harbour, had her Main top mast shivered to Pieces the same Day.
May 20, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
WILLIAMSBURG, May 7.
We have the Pleasure to acquaint the Publick, that a great Number of the principal Gentlemen of this Colony have voluntarily associated themselves under the Command of the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esq; at their own Expence, to march to the Frontiers of this Colony, for relieving their distressed Fellow Subjects, chastising the Insolence, and revenging the Cruelties of the French, and their barbarous Allies; and for these Purposes have agreed to meet at Fredericksburg, the 20th of this Instant, with such a Number of Men as each of them has undertaken to employ and maintain in this Service, dressed in short plain blue Frocks, with cross Pockets, short white Nankeen, or brown Holland Waistcoats, and Breeches of the same, and plain Hats; armed each with a Firelock, a Brace of Pistols, and a cutting Sword, and furnished with one Pound of Powder, and four Pounds of Ball; each Associator who goes paying immediately to the commanding Officer Three Pounds, and the same Sum for every man he carries with him; and those who do not go, Ten Pounds for every man they send.
This Association began on Saturday last, and a great Number of young Gentlemen in and about Williamsburg have already engaged themselves in this Service; and as it is not doubted the same public Spirit will prevail thro' the whole Country, it is expected the Appearance of the Associators at Fredericksburg will be very numerous.
Every Gentleman in this Colony has now an Opportunity of manifesting his Zeal for the Good of the Country, by entering into, or contributing, according to his Abilities, towards this Laudable Undertaking. And whoever but seriously reflects on the unhappy Situation of our Countrymen on the Frontiers, will need no other Inducement to exert himself to the utmost on this Occasion.....