August 17, 1788

“Let us not Love in word and tongue but in Truth. A violent storm of wind from the southward. We did not suffer so much as some — many buildings blown to pieces— some persons we have heard were killed, others much hurt. Thanks to God we were so far preserved.”

Above, Elizabeth describes the torment of harsh weather as it was in 1788.

With the extreme heat and humid weather that occurred this summer of 2018, anyone from the Connecticut River Valley can relate. Back then, travel was by horse and carriage, or by foot. The area has seen a lot of harsh weather, such as the Great Flood of 1936. A downpour lasting 14 days straight that impacted nearly 14,000 people. Experiencing harsh weather in the 18th century is unimaginable in comparison to the current age.

Sources:

[1] http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/great-new-england-flood-1936/

[2] The Diary of Elizabeth (Porter) Phelps, edited by Thomas Eliot Andrews with an introduction by James Lincoln Huntington in The New England Historical Genealogical Register. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Jan. 1964

[3] Diary of Elizabeth Porter Phelps, in Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers, Box 14 on deposit at Amherst College Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College Library.