Newbern N. Carolina, Decr the 6th 1769.
Reverend Sir,
My last to you was forwarded by Mr Blinn a Gentleman that went home in July last with Letters recommendatory from Governor Tryon to the Bishop of London for orders since which time very little could be done in our way in the Eastern parts of this Province, for on the 7th of Septr at night we had the most violent Gale of wind and the highest tide that has ever been known since this country has been inhabited. The tide rose in a few hours at my house 12 feet higher than I ever before knew it, and the wind blew so violent nothing could stand before it: Every Vessel, Boat or Craft were drove up in the woods and all the large Oaks, Pines &ca, broke either off or torn up by the roots, Our Indian Corn (which was not quite ripe, and which is the common Bread of the country) was mostly destroyed and in many places together with the Cattle, Sheep, Hogs &ca washed quite away. But no place has suffered so much as this Town of Newbern, one entire Street, Houses, Store Houses, wharves &c., to the amount of near £20,000 pounds were destroyed and swept off together with several of the Inhabitants in a few hours time. The roads were impassable for several weeks by reason of the trees fallen and the Bridges carried away and so great is the scarcity of small Boats at the Ferries &c that the people cannot travel nor attend the places of public Worship as usual. The damages have been great in many other provinces. But no parts that we have heard of have suffered any thing equal to the country on Pamlico and Neuse Rivers being in Mr Reed's parish and mine.
I had the misfortune to have one of my Legs much hurt the night of the storm in endeavouring to save some of my Houses. By neglect
and by the rheumatic humour in that Leg, I am once more here under the Doctors hands, but hope it will be of no long continuance as I have been obliged to have had my Foot laid open which has relieved me in some measure, and put me in a good way of recovery. My private losses in the Hurricane in Houses and Stores in this Town, and at my plantation is upwards of £600.—this currency, and I question whether these lower Inhabitants will ever get over it these seven years.