Craven County NcArchives News.....1808 Fire in Newbern,  One Casualty September 15, 1808
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Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com March 7, 2008, 11:00 pm

Edenton Gazette, Thurs. Sept. 15, 1808 September 15, 1808
   FIRE -- On Monday evening, the 5th inst., the inhabitants of Newbern were 
alarmed with the dreadful cry of Fire! It appeared to have begun at a house on 
Craven street, which being in the midst of a cluster of wooden buildings, soon 
communicated to and destroyed them; and notwithstanding the greatest 
exertions  made by the citizens generally, in their attentions to the engines, 
etc., the flames were not got under till after the explosions by gun-powder of 
the adjoining buildings. The brick dwelling house of MR. ISAAC TAYLOR, was 
preserved with the greatest difficulty and to its security, may be ascribed 
the preservation of the whole square. During the fire a regular line was 
preserved from the engines to the old country wharf for the purpose of 
furnishing regular quantities of water. The Citizens generally were stationed 
at their posts; some, however, were observed quite indifferent to the 
distresses of others, and manifesting no disposition to join in any effort for 
the security of the town, or the preservation of property within their reach. 
The following houses with nearly all the property contained in them were 
destroyed:
   One belonging to MR. THOMAS MARSHAL, occupied as a store by MRS. ELIZABETH 
COLE. One owned by CAPT. RICHARD FISHER, occupied as a dwelling house. One 
owned by B. C. GILLESPIE, occupied by MRS. BALL, as a shop. Two owned by F. X. 
MARTIN, one back and one front, occupied as dwelling houses by HARDWICK and 
NOBLES. One owned by MR. JOSHUA SCOTT, occupied as a dwelling-house and 
hatter's shop. One owned by MR. PIGOTT, occupied as a dwelling house.
   MAJOR GEORGE ELLIS, a very worthy character, died next morning, of a wound 
received in blowing up one of the houses, deemed necessary to arrest the 
progress of the devouring flames. 

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