THE FLOOD OF 1 843. I3 



soon after, but nothing at their mills to justify the height of 

 the water which occurred. 



As observed by Joel Evans, at his residence in Spring- 

 field, and about a mile north from the Messrs. Lewis' but on 

 much higher ground, the heaviest rain fell between five and 

 six o'clock. The direction of the wind during the day, until 

 the heavy fall of rain commenced, being generally from the 

 S. E., though at some periods throughout the day it was var- 

 iable, shifting from E. S. E., to S. S. E. The atmosphere at 

 a considerable height above the earth's surface, appeared to 

 be in a very unsettled and agitated state, from 12 o'clock, M. 

 to 5 o'clock P. M., which was indicated by contrary and 

 opposite currents of wind prevailing, carrying with them 

 light clouds, which he observed several times in the after- 

 noon ; he being induced to go out to make observations on 

 the state of the weather, from its very unusual and threat- 

 ning appearance. During the fall of the very heavy rain, 

 and as nearly as he can recollect, about half past five o'clock, 

 the wind suddenly commenced blowing with great force from 

 the east, which soon increased to a violent gale, prostrating 

 fences, and some trees in its course. Its velocity was such 

 that with the immense quantity of water falling (which it 

 carried with it in one continuous sheet, as it were), rendered 

 it impossible to see a distance of more than fifty yards. After 

 blowing in this way for fifteen or twenty minutes, the wind 

 almost as suddenly veered to S. W. (nearly the opposite 

 point of the compass,) and for a short time (perhaps not 

 more than from five to ten minutes) blew with equal violence, 

 leveling in that direction on his farm, a number of pannels of 

 fence, and one or two apple trees. The wind subsided about 

 six o'clock, or verj- soon after, and was succeeded by a calm. 



As observed by Professor John F. Frazer, of Philadelphia, 

 who happened to be at the farm of Samuel West, in the 

 upper end of Chester township, the heavy rain commenced 

 late in the afternoon, about half past five or six o'clock, and 

 continued perhaps half an hour or more. During the rain 



