Earthquake in Comiecticut, ^c. 335 



Art. IX. — Earthquake in Connecticut, 6fG. 



On Sunday, August 9, 1840, a shock of an earthquake was 

 distinctly perceived in many parts of Connecticut, and at Hart- 

 ford was so severe as to cause considerable alarm, especially in 

 the churches in which many people were assembled, and out of 

 one of them they rushed with precipitation. 



'' In New Haven it was not perceived at all by the people as- 

 sembled in the churches, and the trembling was slightly felt by 

 one or'two persons in their own dwellings. In one house two 

 persons lying down were aroused by the shaking of the bed and 

 the rattling of the window blinds; the house is of brick. At 

 North Milford, six miles west of New Haven, it was not perceiv- 

 ed. At Milford, still further west, and at Bridgeport, it was felt 

 and heard distinctly. Hence we hear of it to the north and 

 northeast, as very distinct in a part at least of Derby, in Water- 

 bury, Middlebury and Woodbury, nine to twenty five miles from 

 New Haven ; and still more distinctly, it is reported, in Washing- 

 ton, yet in Watertown it was not noticed at all. Further north, 

 we trace it through Farmington and Simsbury, ten and fifteen 

 miles from Hartford. The report is, that it was not observed in 

 Hart land and other towns in the north of Litchfield county. It 

 was very perceptible in some parts of Massachusetts — not at all 

 in Westfield. In Worcester county it was severe. In Boston 

 there was nothing of it. It extended into Tolland county, in 

 this State. Between Hartford and New Haven, it was severely 

 felt in Meriden, not at all in Wallingford, nor we believe at Ber- 

 lin. At Middletown there was a slight shock. From most of 

 these places we have our information direct, yet it is probable 

 that in some cases in which our informant had not noticed it or 

 heard of it, it may have been perceived by others in the neigh- 

 borhood. 



" The noise was thought by some to proceed from east to west, 

 and by others from northeast to southwest. 



" We learn also that the shock was noticed distinctly at Clin- 

 ton, about twenty five miles east of New Haven, also at Wood- 

 bridge and Wolcott. The noise is compared by different persons 

 to the roll of thunder, the rumbling of a carriage, and the roar of 

 a chimney on fire."* 



* Hartford and New Haven Congregational Observer. 



