An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Matthew Bridge who was an Eye-witness of what happened, Declares that he observed a thick Cloud coming along his Fathers Field before his house, as to appearance very black; in the inside of the Cloud as it passed over him, there seemed to be a light Pillar as he judged about eight or ten Foot diameter, which seemed to him like a Screw ⟨p. 315⟩or solid Body. Its motion was continually circular, which turned about the rest of the Cloud. It passed along upon the Ground, tearing all before it, Bushes by the roots, yea the Earth it self, removing old Trees as they lay along on the Earth, and Stones of a great magnitude, some of which could not be found again: great Trees were twisted and torn down, and carried a distance from the place where they were; Branches of Trees, containing about a Load of Wood, were blown from their Bodies, and carried forty yards or more. The Cloud it self was filled with Stones, Bushes, Boughs, and other things that it had taken up from the Earth, so that the top and sides of the Cloud seemed like a green Wood. After it went from him, it went a mile and half before it scattered, bearing down the Trees before it above a Mile in breadth; passing through a thick Swamp of Spruce, Pine, and other young Trees (which was about half a mile through) it laid all flat to the ground, yet the Trees being young, are since risen up: it was observable as it passed through a new planted Orchard, it not only pulled up some of the young Trees by the roots, but broke off some of them in the bodies, about two or three foot high, as if they had been ⟨p. 316⟩shot off not hurting the Stocks. Moreover, there was such a great noise made by the Storm, that other considerable noises at the same time, as falling of very great Trees very near one, could not be heard. The above said Matth. Bridge, and a Boy with him endeavoured to run to the House, but were prevented by the Storm, so that they were necessitated to lie flat upon the Ground behind some Bushes, and this thick Cloud and Pillar passed so near them as almost to touch their feet, and with its force bent the Bushes down over them, and yet their lives were preserved. John Robbins a Servant Man was suddenly slain by this Storm, his Body being much bruised, and many Bones broken by the violence thereof. Thus concerning that.

Matthew Bridge who was an Eye-witness of what hapned, Declares that he observed a thick Cloud coming along his Fathers Field before his house, as to appearance very black; in the inside of the Cloud as it passed over him, there seemed to be a light Pillar as he judged about eight or ten Foot diameter, which seemed to him like a Screw