An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

July 31. 1658. There happened a Storm of Thunder and Lightning with Rain, in the Town of Marshfield in Plymouth Colony in New-England: Mr. Nathanael Thomas, John Philips, and another belonging to that Town, being in the Field, as they perceived the Storm a coming, betook themselves to the next House for Shelter: John Philips sat down near the Chimney, his Face towards the inner Door. A black Cloud flying very low, […] of it there came a great Ball of Fire, with a terrible crack of Thunder; the Fire-ball fell down just before the said Philips, he seemed to give a start on his Seat, and so fell backward, being struck dead, not the least motion of life appearing in him afterwards. Captain Thomas who sat directly opposite to John Philips, about six foot distance from him, and a young Child that was then within three foot of him, through the Providence of God received no hurt, Yet many Bricks in the Chimney were beaten down, the principal Rafters split, the Battens next the Chimney in the Chamber were broken, one of the main Posts of the House into which the ⟨p. 75⟩Summer was framed rent into shivers, and a great part of it was carried several Rod from the House, the Door before Philips, where the fire came down, was broken.

July 31. 1658. There hapned a Storm of Thunder and Lightning with Rain, in the Town of Marshfield in Plimouth Colony in New-England: Mr. Nathaneel Thomas, John Philips, and another belonging to that Town, being in the Field, as they perceived the Storm a coming, betook themselves to the next House for Shelter: John Philips sat down near the Chimney, his Face towards the inner Door. A black Cloud flying very low, 〈…〉 of it there came a great Ball of Fire, with a terrible crack of Thunder; the Fire-ball fell down just before the said Philips, he seemed to give a start on his Seat, and so fell backward, being struck dead, not the least motion of life appearing in him afterwards. Captain Thomas who sat directly opposite to John Philips, about six foot distance from him, and a young Child that was then within three foot of him, through the Providence of God received no hurt, Yet many Bricks in the Chimney were beaten down, the principal Rafters split, the Battens next the Chimney in the Chamber were broken, one of the main Posts of the House into which the ⟨p. 75⟩Summer was framed rent into shivers, and a great part of it was carried several Rod from the House, the Door before Philips, where the fire came down, was broken.