The Dark Day, May 19th 1780.
By John Nevins Andrews
THE following appeared this spring in the Providence (R. I.) Journal. It is interesting as the testimony of one of the few now living witnesses of the memorable dark day. J. N. ANDREWS. "Our venerable friend, Capt. Martin Page, sends us the following communication, written in a clear, fine, round hand, that would do credit to a man of half his years: I was twelve miles from Providence in the north-east part of Cumberland in the 8th year of my age driving a yoke of oxen, R. Sheldon holding the plough, splitting hills in a four-acre corn field. The lot was to be ploughed, harrowed furrowed and dressed before being planted with corn, which would make it late in May. Although late planted we had good corn. At sunrise it came on foggy, and grew more so. At 10 A. M. it was so thick and foggy, dark red, brass colored that we could not see far. We had to leave off ploughing and go home; found the cows in the yard, geese in their pens and turkeys and fowls on their roosts. It was very thick and dark before 12 o'clock, and after that it looked frightful. I am sorry to say that I don't remember how it ended. Perhaps some of the readers of your valuable paper would like to hear what the old man says about planting corn eighty-three years ago who is now in his ninety-first year. Make what use of this you please and accept of my sincere wish for your good health and happiness. MARTIN PAGE.