DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO. Ill 



flying timbers, fell a little distance from where the house stood — the 

 other two were found in different directions, among the small quantity 

 of ruins that remained on the ground. Their confinement is a very 

 great addition to their other sufferings. Many others have suffered 

 severely, and some have lost, perhaps, a greater amount of property, 

 but no others have suffered the loss of every thing that is necessary 

 for upholding life, and at the same time deprived of their own exer- 

 tions to save the scatter'd remnants, or provide a shelter for the ap- 

 proaching inclement season. When we look for the Buildings «S: 

 conveniences of fifty years industry and prudence, and find nothing, 

 and when we enquire for the subjects of this calamity and are con- 

 ducted to their beds where they are confined to pain & anxious so- 

 licitude, the stoutest heart withdraws in tears, to wash away an 

 accumulated load of sympathetic sorrows. 



The people in this place are doing what they can, to repair the loss 

 of all the sufferers. The town has appropriated $700, for their imme- 

 diate necessities ; but the loss is so extensive, that it seems impossible 

 for the people here, to grant the relief which their situations require, 

 and repair the damages which the sufferers have sustained. We count 

 five Dwelling houses and thirteen Barns, together with a great number 

 of other buildings, which were demolished, and their contents broken 

 to pieces and scattered over a vast extent of territory : to this calam- 

 ity we may add, a very great amount of Property destroyed, in wood, 

 timber, orchards, fences and domestic animals. If any of the calam- 

 ities to which the human family are subject, ever demanded the charity 

 of the Public, I think this is one of the number; and I am requested 

 by the Central Committee in this town, viz. Justus Russell Esq. Joshua 

 Atwood & Josiah Procter, thro this medium, to solicit of the inhab- 

 itants of the town of Groton such assistance as they may feel disposed 

 to grant to the sufferers in this place. You, sir, will have the good- 

 ness to communicate to the Selectmen, or other proper persons, the 

 desire of the aforesaid Committee. Your compliance will confer a 

 signal favour upon your friend & Very Humble Servant, 



Wm Cobb 



The letter is addressed on the outside to 



Caleb Butler Esq r 

 Groton Ms. 



and franked in the right-hand upper corner thus: — 



Free — Wm. Cobb P. M. 

 Warwick Ms* — 1 



