Great Storm, January 1737. They write from Upton upon Severn, that in the great Storm of Wind and Rain which happen'd on Monday Night last, divers Trees were blown down there; and that they had a great deal of Thunder and Lightning at the same Time.
From Thornbury, that one Ph. Beasy, near the New Passage, had the Misfortune to lose his Wife, five Children and two Maids by the Sea Banks being broke down and the Floods coming in: He was fav'd by breaking thro' the Thatch of the House, and sitting on the Ridge of it, in which Posture he continu'd till the next Morning, when a Boat went and fetch'd him away: He likewise lost all his Sheep and Cattle, as did most of his Neighbours.
From Chepstow, that the Water rose at the Bridge upwards of 70 Foot, and very much damag'd the same; that one Man lost above 130 Head of Cattle; and that the whole Damage there, and Places adjacent, is computed at no less than 7 or 8000£.
We hear that our Neighbours at Arlington, Awre, and several other Places along the River Severn have received incredible Loss, and their Sea Walls being broke down, their Lands overflowed and vast Numbers of their Cattle and Sheep drowned. Several Trows and Boats were sunk near Awre.
The Damage done at Bristol by the aforesaid Storm, and the Overflowing of the Tide, is computed at 100,000£.
[Derby Mercury, 26 January 1737]
Bristol, March 18. We have an Account from Thornbury, that last Saturday Night Farmer Webb of Tytherington in the County of Gloucester, was set upon by two Footpads about Half a Mile from his House, and robb'd of a Purse with 10£ in Money; The old Farmer lost his Money by imprudently pulling out his Purse in the Market, which two Fellows perceiving Way-laid him, and took the Opportunity of robbing him as he got off his Horse to take up his Hat, which was brush'd off his head by a Branch of a Tree on the Road. One William Morgan, alias Williams, was on Tuesday Night taken up upon Suspicion, on Account of his being a little too profuse of Money, without any visible Way of getting it; and the next Morning Confess'd the whole Fact, and impeach'd his Colleague, one Thomas Pearse, a Journeyman Farrier, who work'd at Thornbury, but is since gone off, tho' pursu'd by divers Persons. Morgan is committed to Gloucester Gaol; the Purse, three Guineas and some Silver were found upon Williams.
[Stamford Mercury, 23 March 1738]
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