An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

In the same year, on the 21, of June, being Saturday in the afternoon; another ⟨p. 83⟩Thunder-storm arose; during which Storm Josiah Walton (the youngest Son of Mr. William Walton late Minister of Marble-head) was in a Ketch coming in from Sea, and being before the Harbours mouth, the Wind suddenly shifted to the Northward; a violent Gust of Wind coming down on the Vessel, the Seamen concluded to hand their Sails, Josiah Walton got upon the Main-yard to expedite the matter, and foot down the Sail; when there happened a terrible flash of Lightning, which breaking forth out of the Cloud, struck down three Men who were on the Deck, without doing them any hurt; but Josiah Walton being (as was said) on the Main-yard, the Lightning shattered his Thighbone all in pieces, and did split and shiver the Main-mast of the Vessel, and scorched the Rigging. Josiah Walton falling down upon the Deck, his Leg was broken short off. His Brother being on the Deck, did (with others) take •him up, and found him alive, but sorely scorched and wounded. They brought him on shore to his Mothers House. At first he was very sensible of his case; and took leave of his Friends, giving himself to a serious preparation for another World. His Relations used all means possible for his recovery; though he himself told them he was a ⟨p. 84⟩dead man, and the use of means would bu•• put him to more misery. His Bones were so shattered, that it was not possible for the Art of Man to reduce them; Also, the violent heat of the weather occasioned a Gangrene. In this misery he continued until the next Wednesday morning; and then departed this life; he was an hopeful young-man.

In the same year, on the 21, of June, being Saturday in the afternoon; another ⟨p. 83⟩Thunder-storm arose; during which Storm Josiah Walton (the youngest Son of Mr. William Walton late Minister of Marble-head) was in a Ketch coming in from Sea, and being before the Harbours mouth, the Wind suddenly shifted to the Northward; a violent Gust of Wind coming down on the Vessel, the Seamen concluded to hand their Sails, Josiah Walton got upon the Main-yard to expedite the matter, and foot down the Sail; when there hapned a terrible flash of Lightning, which breaking forth out of the Cloud, struck down three Men who were on the Deck, without doing them any hurt; but Josiah Walton being (as was said) on the Main-yard, the Lightning shattered his Thighbone all in pieces, and did split and shiver the Main-mast of the Vessel, and scorcht the Rigging. Josiah Walton falling down upon the Deck, his Leg was broken short off. His Brother being on the Deck, did (with others) take him up, and found him alive, but sorely scorched and wounded. They brought him on shore to his Mothers House. At first he was very sensible of his case; and took leave of his Friends, giving himself to a serious preparation for another World. His Relations used all means possible for his recovery; though he himself told them he was a