An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

at Motingham in Kent, after a ⟨p. 326⟩very violent Tempest of Thunder and Rain, the Ground suddenly began to sink, and three great Elms growing upon it, were carried so deep into the Earth, that no part of them could any more be seen. The Hole left is in compass eighty yards, and a Line of fifty Fathom plumed into it finds no bottom. Also December 18. 1596. a mile and half from Westram Southward (which is not many miles from Moti•gam) two Closes lying together, separated, with an Hedge of Hollow Ashes; there was found a part thereof twelve Perches long, to be sunk six foot and and an half deep; the next morning fifteen foot more; the third morning eighty foot more at the least, and so daily that great Trench of Ground containing in length about eighty Perches, and in breadth twenty eight, began with the Trees and Hedges on it, to lose it self from the rest of the Ground lying round about it, and withal to move and shoot forward day and night for eleven days. The Ground of two Water-pits, the one six foot deep of Water, the other twelve at the least, and about four Perches over in breadth, having sundry Tufts of Alders and Ashes growing in the Bottoms, with a great Rock of Stone under them, were not only removed out of their places, and carried towards the ⟨p. 327⟩South, at least four Perches a pieces, but withal mounted aloft, and become Hills, with their Sedge, Flags, and black Mud upon the tops of them, higher than the face of the Water which they had forsaken) by three foot, and in the place from which they are removed; other ground which lay higher is descended, receiving the Water which lies upon it. Moreover, in one peace of the plain Field, there is a great hole made by linking of the Earth to the depth of thirty foot at the least, being in breadth in some places two Perches over, and in length five or six Perches. Also there an Hedge thirty Perches long, carried Southward with his Trees, seven Perches at the least; and sundry other sinkings there be in divers places, one of sixty Foot, another of forty seven, and another of thirty four foot, by means of which confusion is is come to pass, that where the highest Hills were, there be the deepest Dales, and the lowest Dales are become the highest Ground. The whole measure of breaking, was at the least nine Acres. One Instance more I find to the like purpose in Mr. Childrey his Britannia Baconica, pag.