Radios Open The World to Instant Communication - Even in Cedar Hill

J. Mark Lowe 

It is Sunday morning December 22nd 2024. Today like many mornings tuned my SWR computer radio to 3980 kHz at 7 AM to hear the Tennessee ARRL amateur radio net. My memories of listening to ‘ham’ radio go back many, many years but today I was thinking about the years starting in 1960 when my parents lived in Cedar Hill TN and there was a small radio receiver attached to an antenna that sat on the counter in my mom's kitchen. It was a regular routine in the morning to turn on that radio and listen for the Tennessee radio net to begin. As the moderator would go through the counties of Tennessee in alphabetical order, my parents would listen diligently until they said Putnam County and they heard the call sign K4FHA checking in. The moderator would say “Good Morning Joe.” as he would move on to the next person who was checking in from that county. That was my reassurance to my parents that my oldest brother, Joe, who was off at college at Tennessee Tech (in Cookeville, TN) was doing well and that all was good in the world that morning for Joe. My brother, Joe, had been interested in radios and electronics as a young boy. He passed his Amateur Radio Operators license at 12 years old, and had studied with Bill Smith,(K4RCO) a amateur radio operator from Greenbrier I’m sure that my Dad encouraged and assisted my brother with his interests since Dad was a Naval Radioman during WW2, and trained his sons to learn and know Morse Code. There was always a CW or Morse Code key around for practice and learning. Joe always had an antenna strung up for good receipt of the signals, and once he became an operator – tried to have an appropriate antenna for transmitting as well. 

Even when posing for pictures, Joe was listening to some radio with his headphones. 

We often discuss the house in Cedar Hill, where we lived in those days. It was a house owned by Dr. Robert H. Elder, which was adjacent to the Feed Mill property. We moved to the house on Highway 41 in 1960 shortly after Joe graduated from Jo Byrns High School. It was the red brick house where the small black receiver was located in the kitchen on the counter. There was a very large receiver located in garage, where Joe participated in CW (morse code) conversation and actual conversations with other amateur around the World. He exchanged QSL cards which documented their conversation, and indicated the location of their “stations or ham shack” which was the city and state, along with the type of radio, type and time of communications. I still remember a sign he had posted above the radio to warn the hands of eager, young folks who might want to adjust those dials. “Keep Your Pea-Picking Hands Off – That Means You!” After the morning net, my parents would finish up their coffee and breakfast, and head out for the day. As we all grew older, Joe would graduate from Tennessee Tech, and move to other cities across the South. 

Wherever he lived, there would be a radio station where my family could hear him check into the net from that location. My Dad decided to get his amateur radio license so he could talk to Joe and other hams, so he setup his station as WB4QZY. Later, Joe moved to Texas, and changed his sign to W5SAN, which he retains still today. Several other Lowe’s got licenses over the years, but Wayne, Brett, and Joe maintain their calls today. When my Dad’s had a few health problems, he had some troubles hearing Joe on the radio. It might have been sunspots or general interference, but he would come into the living room and tell my Mom he just couldn’t make good contact, so he might just give Joe a call to see if he heard him. We all have enjoyed the communications shared throughout the years, and appreciate the service that amateur radio operators provide when hazardous weather conditions knock out traditional communications. It is something that gets into your blood. 

While in college, Joe worked as a disc jockey for WPTN radio in Cookeville.  Our uncle, Hank Brosche, worked for a radio station in Bowling Green. He took Joe into the station and showed him how things worked and encouraged his interest.

A gentleman who worked with Uncle Hank earlier was the Station Manager for the station in Cookeville - so Joe got a job.  He was a popular DJ for the college crowd, and enjoyed his musical connection.   Radios, Electronics, and DJ. 

 Because an intelligent, young boy decided to learn more about radios and electronics, our family was blessed with an early form of text - a way to let his family know he was okay – today.  Today, Joe lives in Coffee County, and Wayne lives in Robertson County.  They both check-in to the net regularly. 

 Tennessee ARRL - https://tnarrl.org/ 

ARRL – Amateur Radio Relay League - https://www.arrl.org/home

Singing At Christmas Through the Years

Adams, Tennessee - Year 2007 - We are singing for the Christmas Parade and Events on the Grounds that Year.   L to R: Wayne, Connie, Denny, Marilyn, Beverly, Mark, and Cathy

 J. Mark Lowe

From the time I was a small boy, I remember singing with my family.  It was common for my neighbors, E. W. 'Dutch' and Geneva Armstrong to come over in the evening and we would gather to sing.  It was normal for us to sing acapella - since we all attended the Cedar Hill Church of Christ - where we sang acapella all the time. Dutch had a beautiful deep bass voice and enjoyed singing anytime.   His brother, Doug, was one of the song leaders at the church, and he could lead us through some wonderful songs and hymns we all enjoyed.   His daughter, Marilyn, was always a part of our family.   She was an only child, and since their was 5 of us and only one girl (Bev) we added a soprano to our group.  It has confused many of the folks Marilyn has worked with over the years, when she refers to her little brothers.  (Duh - I thought you were an only child?)  

Our Dad, J. W. , occasionally led the singing at church, but always was ready to get our family singing started.  Mom enjoyed participating, but tended to be one of the quieter voices.  At times, other folks would join us in our family singings.  There were times that we stayed after services had ended at the church building so we had room for all to sing along. Music has always been a part of our lives. My parents would sing the songs of their youth.   My Mom enjoyed telling me that she loved to hear the group Ink Spots sing - "I don't want to set the World on Fire...., I just want to start a flame in your heart!" which was a hit in 1941.

I feel very connected to my family when we are singing.  Since my parents are gone, and one of my brothers is gone - the chances to sing together come less often.   

Take some time over the next few weeks to sing a song with your kids, grandkids, neighbors, friends or anyone else that will sing with you. It seems like only yesterday that I was singing in the Annual School Christmas Program at Cedar Hill Elementary School  We were in the auditorium upstairs. On that year in 1963, I remember that we sang “Away, in the Manger” and another song with an older group. The sixth-grade students, taught by Mrs. Marion Martin, played two Christmas selections on their flutes. This was very impressive to all of us in the first grade. My older brother, Denny, would have been in the seventh grade that year. I’m sure he sang with his class, but I don’t remember their performance that year, because I was so nervous. Our class sat in chair in front of the stage, while the older classes came onto the stage for their performances.

On the night of the performance, there was a large Christmas tree on the stage  and the auditorium was filled. I remember several of the older students playing Christmas songs on the piano during the evening.  I know I was focused on our songs.  My parents; my sister, Beverly; my brother, Wayne, and of course, my brother, Denny were there for our Christmas extravaganza. Our big brother, Joe, was home from college and came to our big show.  It seemed to me that everyone I knew from Cedar Hill was in the auditorium. It was a wonderful evening, and I can remember that we were all smiling and laughing from the fun and fellowship. 

Try to attend some musical events during this season - remember that the memories created on that moment will last a lifetime.  Share your stories, and let someone know what your favorite songs or hymns are - and share a line of two. 

Somewhere there is a video of the crew pictured above singing at the Magnolia Chapel in Sadlersville for a Christmas Event.  I looked for the video, but since it is the shortest day of the year - I didn't have time to find it.   Perhaps, it will show up at another time.    

Confessions of the Son of a Pack Rat

 J. Mark Lowe

A Friend recently visited me, and left feeling she needed to help me organize my chaos.  I told her - It's really not chaos, but stories left to me by my ancestors - waiting to be shared.  At this time of year, with all the hustle and bustle, we often think about how we are going to tighten up for the new year.  I made a decision to put my Christmas Tree on the front porch instead of in the living room.

“You’re just like your Grandmother,” my Mom used to exclaim over the piles that were created in my bedroom, when I was a teenager. She often told me of cleaning Mama Lowe’s house, her mother-in-law. Papers piled on every piece of furniture were just moved in order to dust. I knew my father collected papers. We inherited my grandmother’s trunk, which ended up being my great-grandmother’s stuff. Just like a treasure chest sought by pirates, this leather and wooden portmanteau was filled with clippings, photos, letters, old ledgers and dust. 

Uncle Obie 
Samuel Obediah ‘Obie’ Martin
was a missionary to India
from 1916 through the 1930s.
He was an uncle to J.W. Lowe 
a great uncle to writer.

My Dad enjoyed going through these old and new pictures and telling us the wonderful tales and stories about these individuals. There was Uncle Obie, the missionary to India; Aunt Esta, the assistant to Congressman William Natcher; football pictures from Jo Byrns High school (the undefeated team of 1959-1960); and a box of hair, flowers and obituaries. Unfortunately, when I realized the individuals in those photographs weren’t identified, my Dad’s memory was not as vivid. The stories he shared continue to be told in the family. There need only be a mention of the railroad, and the colorful stories surrounding his adventures at Granny Martin’s come to mind. I realized long before my Dad died, that all of his children had inherited different aspects of his pack-rat-itis.   My Mom often lamented that she did not remember names from the past as well as our Dad.  Knowing my love of history and stories of the family, I eagerly and proudly accepted the inherited role of pack rat from my father.

However, my Mom did seem to know from where and from whom every piece of furniture in our house originated. These pieces weren’t valuable antiques or rare family heirlooms. “That lamp was a gift from the ladies of the So-Sew club in Cedar Hill, those little ceramic shoes belonged to Aunt Ruth, that old table on the front porch came from Uncle Joe and Aunt Thelma’s Used Furniture Store in Bowling Green – It was our dining table when we first married.”  Perhaps my mother was a pack rat herself. It seemed that she valued the memories connected to these pieces and was quick to recite these stories. Note: That is the table where my Christmas Tree is displayed on my front porch this year. 

With my Mom’s passing, I began to clean out drawers that never seemed large enough to contain all of her clothing. She was a pack rat. My Mom kept every greeting card received by the family from the 1940s until her death. There are cards from my long deceased grandparents, and even my great-grandmothers. The rough handmade cards we children prepared for Mother’s and Father’s Day. Notes written from many of the neighbors and family members that I remember, but who are long deceased.  Those of you who knew my Mom know that she enjoyed traveling. Another drawer was filled with the postcards identifying the Lowe travels beginning in the 1950s.

A picture from Christmas 1962 - Dad is on the couch to the right. Our neighbor, Geneva Joiner Armstrong is setting on the left.  My big brother, Joe has his back to the camera, and brother, Denny, is over by the Christmas tree - which is aluminum.  I notice those two pictures over the couch which were fabric scenes of quail, which has been stitched around and stuffed. It was a stylish craft at the time. This is why I can't get everything done.   

Imagine being the youngest of five children.  My life experience began at the time of my birth.  My siblings have an entirely different view of our family because they bring different life experiences, and often remember family events before I was born. My parents  shared an even different perspective based on the timeframe of their lives. I often heard the stories of the depression by my parents. My Mom shared the story of being hired out as a housekeeper at age 13 to a family in the neighborhood. Her vivid memories of that time were connected to the lives of her children, when she proudly introduced her children to Franklin and Zelma Moss  on visits back to Kentucky. 

One of my vivid memories of the past is a classroom where we discussed the coming of the Year 2000.  At the time, I was 13 years old.  The teacher asked us to consider what we might be doing in the Year 2000.  I could not even imagine being over twenty years old.  I often thought of this dilemma and even wondered if I would be alive to see this day.  We view events of time from our personal perspective and often have trouble imagining how others view their lifetimes and the events they witness. It is almost Christmas in the year 2024 and I find it difficult to fathom the changes that have occurred in my lifetime. 

It is through the collection of pack rats, like my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents that leave the stories of the past for historians like you and me. The historical societies, museums and archive throughout this county are eager to help keep those stories alive. Your family history is America’s history. In addition to your family memories, you may find that your family has documents, artifacts and memorabilia that relate the stories of individuals. Become an educated pack rat. Ask questions of older relatives and friends, but be sure to share your family stories with younger members of the family. 

In our dining room, my Mother displayed a plate with a young girl sitting at a table of food.  On this plate was printed the prayer,  “God is good, God is great, Let us thank Him for our food, Amen.”  Because I grew up with this plate and learned my first prayer for thanks from this plate, I thought this plate was one of my childhood gifts.  A few years ago, I asked my Mother about this plate.  She explained that my eldest brother, Joe,  had given it to her as a Mother’s Day gift when he was in elementary school, several years before I was born.  In reality this plate had a much different history than the one I had created in my mind.

A 1964 visit to the Lost Sea near Sweetwater captured J.W. and Christine Lowe with their son, Mark in the cave. Frank and Lucille Chester Jones were behind them. This picture is a reminder of that visit, the people I knew, and the experiences we might soon forget. 

If you have stories that you think I should share, drop me an e-mail at marklowe@kytnresearch.com  If I don’t get back to you quickly, it is because I lost your note in my stacks. Becoming a pack rat was a natural tendency for me – both of my parents (J.W. and Chris) were pack rats.  I hope you are enjoying every moment of the holiday season. (knowing this is hard time for many- thinking of you, too.)  Remember to stop and smell the cornbread dressing, or orange cake, or fresh fudge.  I appreciate you sharing a moment with me.   Now  I need to move that stack out of the way.   

Tennessee's First Lady - Rachel Donelson Jackson

J. Mark Lowe

I know you are all familiar with Rachel Donelson Jackson.  Several years ago, I did a deeper dive into her family and Mrs. Jackson in particular.  Her death came near Christmas in 1828.  I was very impressed with her story, and share some notes from an article written by one of her great-nieces. She was definitely a sturdy adventurer and represented the first Tennesseans.

Rachel Donelson Jackson was born in 1767, while her father, the Colonel John Donelson, was a member of the Virginia Colonial Legislature. Rachel was the youngest of thirteen children. She was described as a black-eyed, black-haired brunette, a handsome lass, the best storyteller, the best dancer, the sprightliest companion, and the most dashing horsewoman in the Western country. 

Colonel John Donelson was appointed principal surveyor of Pittsylvania county, Virginia and Colonel of the militia just three years before his youngest daughter was born. Donelson sold his iron works in 1779, and planned to emigrate to the West. He built his boats, and in company with forty other families started on his journey to the Cumberland Settlement on the 22nd of  December. He kept a journal of this voyage, which began, “Journal kept of a voyage intended by God's permission in the good boat Adventure, from Fort Patrick Henry, on the Holston River, to the French Salt Springs [later called French Lick] on the Cumberland: kept by John Donelson.’

The group, including Rachel Donelson, arrived at their destination on the 24th of April in 1780. Due to the continual fighting with native Indian tribes, several of the Donelson family temporarily located in Kentucky for safety.  While living in Kentucky Rachel Donelson gave her heart and hand to Lewis Robarts. They were married on 1 March 1785, however the union proved most unhappy. The couple was quickly separated. Judge John Overton, a lifelong friend of the families, succeeded in uniting them after one separation, when Rachel’s mother-in-law embraced her most affectionately, being in deep distress over her son’s conduct. When the conduct continued, Rachel moved back to her mother's home. Robarts left his wife and went back to Kentucky.

Shortly thereafter, Rachel learned that Lewis Robarts intended to compel her to accompany him back to Kentucky, she determined to descend the river as far as Natchez with the advice of her friends.

News came through the grapevine that the Virginia Legislature had actually granted a divorce to Robarts's petition. Upon receipt of the news Andrew Jackson hastened to Natchez and offered his hand and heart. Jackson had been a boarder in the home of the Donelson family. Rachel declined the offer of engagement, but her suitor would not be denied. In time, they were married and returned to Tennessee. On arrival, it was learned that the divorce in Virginia had not actually been finished. Once they learned it had been completed, the marriage ceremony was again performed after their arrival in Nashville. 

Andrew Jackson was devoted to his wife. According to all to knew the couple, there marriage was a happy union—a very happy marriage—one of the happiest ever contracted. They loved one another dearly. They held each other in the highest respect. They testified the love and respect they entertained for one another by those polite attentions which lovers cannot but exchange before marriage.

Their love grew as their years increased and became warmer as their blood became colder. No one ever heard either address to the other a disrespectful, an irritating, or an unsympathizing word. He remained Mr. Jackson to her always—never General, still less Andrew—and he never called her Rachel, but Mrs. Jackson or wife. Whatever manner of man he might have been elsewhere, he was always gentle, kind, and patient at home. They were not blest with children. These big-hearted people, having none of their own, were enabled to bestow many kindnesses upon other people's children, for the Hermitage was the place for pleasure and comfort to the younger element of the community, all of her brothers owning the entire lands surrounding the Hermitage.

For four or five years before her death her health had been precarious, and on the 17th of December in 1828, she was taken with a sudden and violent attack of heart trouble. General Jackson was in the field and rushed to her side. The doctor arrived but with no relief for Mrs. Jackson, as she suffered for sixty hours, during which time her husband never left her bedside for ten minutes. Then she grew better and breathed with less difficulty. Rachel then protested to her husband that she was quite well, and he should go into another room and sleep. She did not want anything to interfere with his attendance of the banquet on the 23d of December, 1828. This banquet was planned by the citizens of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in honor of  Jackson's election as President of the United States.

Jackson would still not leave her side. She so earnestly entreated him to rest and prepare for the banquet of the following day that he finally consented to go into an adjoining room and rest. At 9 o'clock he bade her good night, went into the next room, and was preparing to take off his coat when his beloved wife uttered a low, long cry. Her head fell. He looked eagerly into her face, as if expecting to see signs of returning life. He sat all night long in the room by her side, with his face in his hands, grieving, and occasionally looking into her face and feeling the heart and pulse of the form so dear to him. He also sat in the room the entire next day, the picture of despair. 

The sad news reached Nashville early the next morning, where all arrangements for the grand banquet were made. The scene was suddenly changed. Congratulations were turned into expressions of condolence, tears were substituted for smiles, and sincere and general mourning pervaded the community. Announcements from the Board of Aldermen were made, with resolutions from the Mayor, that all business be suspended, and that the church bells be tolled from 1 to 2 o'clock, the hour of the funeral, as a mark of respect for the memory of Mrs. Jackson. On the day of the funeral every vehicle in Nashville was employed in conveying its inhabitants to the Hermitage, and the grounds about the mansion were crowded with people.

More Earthquake Reports From the Area 1811-1812

 J. Mark Lowe

I have received many comments about the 1811-1812 Earthquakes, so I will share some additional earthquake reports from  A Detailed Narrative of the Earthquakes which occurred on the 16th day of December, 1811 (Transactions of the Literary and Philosophical Society of NY, vol. 1, pp. 281-307).  Since the earthquakes continued into the new year of 1812 - we will pick up this story after the holidays.   

Isoseismal map for the earthquake
of December 16,1811, 08:15 UTC
(first of the 1811-1812 New Madrid series)
usgs.gov

The testimony of Colonel Samuel Hammong, in a letter of the 6th February, 1812, which I received from him, was to the following effect. He confined himself strictly to what he know from personal observation. The first shock he witnessed was on the 15/16th of December last. He was then at Herculaneum in Louisiana. A few seconds before the motion was felt, he and others heard a considerable roaring or rumbling noise, resembling a blaze of fire acted upon by wind. The motion of the frame of the house on which he stood was tremulous. It began instantly after to rock pretty violently. This continued, as he thought, about ten to twelve minutes. The vibrations of the chimney were, perhaps, about three or four inches each way, and were in the direction of southeast and northwest nearly. The noise which preceded the shock was from the northwest. Its commencement was about two o'clock in the morning. One hour after there was a second, which was light, and of very short duration. No houses or chimneys were thrown down by either of those. The motion was very much like the first, but of short duration. This injured several brick and stone chimneys. Its duration between one and a half and two and a half minutes. About sunrise the same morning there was a fourth shock. The vibrations of the chimneys at twenty-five feet from the ground, were at least four inches each way. The direction was the same as the first. The motion of the earth was very perceptible. Cradles rocked, and the church bells rang. Several chimneys were cracked to their bases, and some were broken off as low as the stem or funnel. In this last shock, the water in the river Mississippi was thrown into commotion, bubbling like boiling water; and, in a few minutes, the whole atmosphere was filled with smoke or fog, so that a boat could not be seen within twenty paces from the water's edge; and the houses were so shrouded as not to be seen fifty feet; this smoke continued all the forepart of that day.

In passing along upon his journey, he found the effects had been pretty uniform, and their occurrence and duration nearly the same, as far as Carthage, in the state of Tennessee. There were one or more shocks every twenty-four hours, from the first-mentioned one, until the night of January 1, 1812. Then, at about half after three in the morning, being at Carthage, he felt a severer shock. It threw bricks from a chimney which had been previously broken by the first shock; he found, on inquiry, that the motion was considerably greatest near the large water courses. The court-house at Carthage is a large brick edifice, and was cracked to its foundation, and considerably damaged. Several chimneys had been cast down, by the shock of the 16th of December. Everywhere it was stated to him by those who witnessed the motions, that they were from the south of west, to the opposite point, or vice versa. In the county of Christian, (Kentucky,) af fine and fresh spring was observe to run very muddy for several hours. On examining it, after the feculence had settled, he found it to be so strongly impregnated with sulphur; so much so that it was spoiled for domestic uses; indeed it had been converted to one of the strongest brimstone springs he ever met with.

But considerable as these operations were, they were surpassed by others which took place along the river Mississippi; indeed, the strata underlying the bed of this stream appear to have been the principal seat of the commotion or, at least, the place where it was most considerable. The phenomena were described in the most fearful and alarming strains by several writers. Much exaggeration was interwoven with some of the narratives. Some, indeed, were tinctured with fable and burlesque. Among the various recitals it became exceedingly difficult to find out the true, or even the most probable, account. Five or six witnesses, who seem to have been wholly unknown to each other, agree in so many particulars, that their united evidence may be considered to approach as near to the truth as we can expect to arrive.

First, the writer of a letter from the Chicasaw Bluffs, dated December 21st, to his correspondent in Cincinnati, stated many particulars from his personal observation. The first shock happened at thirty minutes after two, on the morning of the 16th, and was followed by many more within a few days. The boat was acted upon by the water in such a manner as to induce a belief that she had grounded; but upon sounding, he could find no bottom. The current, at the place where he was at the time of the occurrence, (eighty-seven miles below the mouth of the Ohio,) acquired three times its former velocity, and the river rose six feet upon its former level; the trunks of trees, bedded in the bottom, suddenly rose in great numbers to the surface; the banks tumbled down at an alarming rate; and the land was rent by cracks and fissures.

Secondly, a writer from New Madrid, in a communication to a friend in Lexington, dated 16th December, describes a tremendous noise as rousing the family from their sleep, rocking the house, throwing down the chimney, and terrifying them so, that they passed the remainder of the morning, from two o'clock, when the shock was felt, in the open air. During the time of the shock, the heavens were very clear and serene; there being not a breath of air stirring; but in five minutes it became very dark; and a vapour which seemed to impregnate the atmosphere, had a disagreeable smell, and produced a difficulty of breathing. This darkness continued until nearly the break of day. During its continuance there were six more shocks. About half after six it cleared up. However, the danger was increased by another shock, which racked the houses violently, and threw down the chimneys. The darkness returned, and it was accompanied by loud noises, and a bounding motion up and down. Many persons were so alarmed that they formed encampments in the fields. The shocks were repeated from time to time, until the 28th, and then amounted to sixty-seven.

More Stories From the Earthquakes of 1811-1812

 J Mark Lowe

The residents of this area were shaken by the events beginning early on the morning of the 15th of December, 1811. Their inability to watch an instant newscast of the action or even know what happened for days fueled much misinformation. The earthquakes of 1811-12 that destroyed New Madrid, Missouri and made Reelfoot Lake did considerable damage along the Mississippi river. These earthquakes shook the whole country. One of the worst occurred Dec. 15, 1811, at night, the shocks being felt about every 15 minutes. The navigable rivers were thrown into convulsions, and a number of boats were lost. Muddy logs from the bottom of the stream were thrown to the surface and became so thick that they impeded the passage of boats. Great sections of earth along the Mississippi river sunk, and islands were rent asunder and disappeared. Trees were twisted and lashed together. The earthquake was accompanied by a tremendous distant noise, resembling thunder. These disturbances occurred at intervals for some time and were very alarming to the people.  This account by an unknown resident of Springfield to his brother was found in a newspaper.

Landslide scarps in Chickasaw Bluffs, east of Reelfoot Lake,
created by the New Madrid earthquake
are still visible in 1904 (Fuller). 
(Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey)

City Gazette and Daily Advertiser, Washington DC, 11 January 1812.

(Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Springfield (Tennessee) to his brother in Washington City [DC] dated December 16, 1811.

“We have since yesterday morning about two o’clock experienced one of the  most sublime, grand and awful scenes perhaps on record: The  night of the 15th, being remarkably dark and cloudy, accompanied by a stillness of the air equal to the silence of the tombs; a little past two o’clock, Mrs. (--), and myself, being awake, there appeared to be a rustling of something similar to wind at a distance; we were however, soon undeceived by a rattling of things in the house, and then a sensible rocking of the same, to a very great degree --- I made up a light as soon as  possible and opened the door, more effectually to discover the cause; when to my utter amazement, there was a perfect calm, and nothing but an agitated rolling of the earth from southwest to northeast; this continued, I think from seven to ten minutes; after which the convulsions of nature, appeared to cease for about forty or fifty minutes, when a second shock, tho’ much lighter than the former, alarmed us if possible, more than the first – An interval then took place till about sunrise, when another shock equal I believe to the first gave us fresh alarm. I walked out into the yard, with difficulty could stand steady; saw the earth under my feet, oscillate, as plainly as I ever saw the pendulum of a clock, for some minutes; it then stopped, and was followed by three or four more in succession, for the space of thirty or forty minutes, since then we have had six light shocks – It is now one o’clock at night; we are in dread of other returns before morning. The consternation we are all in has prevented any speculative conjecture – I a now by myself, and will hazard to you my opinion – I think, from the short time I have had to reflect on the course of this phenomena of nature, that it must be owing to one of two causes, viz., either Orleans or New Mexico, or some large tract of land, surrounding the Gulf, has sunk,  a similar circumstance, in all human probability, having formed the Gulf, previous to any historical account of this continent – or the other, which I think more improbable, that the Comet, in its ellipsis, forming so near a parallel with the sun and earth and adding its attractive force to that of the Sun, has had this wonderful effect – This in my mind is mere hypothesis. One thing I know, we have felt the effects, in some degree, and I wish some able philosopher to ascertain the cause, if possible."

On the morning of Monday, the 16th of December, 1811, several shocks of earthquakes were felt at the city of Washington [DC]. The first of these happened at three o'clock; and in some houses was considerable enough to shake the doors and windows, and wake persons from their sleep. There were successive tremors. Tassels of curtains were seen to move; and pitchers of washing-stands were heard to rattle upon their basins. The sound was very distinguishable, and was believed by many to pass from southwest to northeast. The alarm was so great in some families that searches were made from room to room, to discover the robbers who were imagined to have broken into the houses.

A second shock, though lighter, was experienced about six o'clock, and a third about eight.

A gentleman standing in his chamber at his desk and writing, in the third story of a brick house, upon the Capitol Hill, suddenly perceived his body to be in motion, vibrating backward and forward, and producing dizziness. Not suspecting the moment that the uncomfortable sensation was caused by an earthquake, he examined his desk to know whether it stood firm. Finding that it did, he dropped his pen; and turning his eyes upward, discerned that the looking-glass, and other things hanging near him, were in a similar motion.

Another person was near a table placed beneath a mirror. Feeling a giddiness come upon him, he seized the table for support. The general agitation of the chamber and house ceased in about a minute; but the looking-glass, which was suspended in the usual manner, continued to swing for some seconds longer. 

The atmosphere seemed to forebode some unusual occurrence. One of my most correct and respectable friends, declared in conversation, and stated to me in writing, that he made an observation of the sky about ten o'clock that night. It was quite calm. There was not a breath of wind stirring. The air was perfectly clear and free from clouds. Nevertheless, it was uncommonly dark, and the stars which appeared in every part through the gloom, were lurid and dim, and afforded little light.

In Richmond [VA] the signs of an earthquake were witnessed by many persons. At three o'clock on the same morning, (the 16th of December,) there were said to be three successive shocks; another about six; and a third about eight. Several people were impressed with a belief that thieves had entered their dwellings; and in one of the most elevated mansions, the bells were set a ringing in both the upper and lower rooms. The noise and concussion were supposed by some to proceed from east to west.

At Raleigh [NC] several slight earthquakes were felt on the morning of the 16th December. The first happened between two and three o'clock, and was distinctly perceived by all who were awake at the time. Two others were reported to have occurred between that time and seven o'clock, but were not plainly observed, except by some members of the legislature, who were in the state-house, and were considerably alarmed at the shaking of the building.

At Columbia [SC] the inhabitants were alarmed by repeated shocks. The first took place at half after two in the morning of Monday, which was represented as shaking the houses as if rocked by the waves of the sea. It was followed, after the cessation of a minute, by three slighter ones. At eight o'clock two others took place, and at ten, some slight ones. The South Carolina college appeared to rock from its foundation, and a part of its plaster fell; which so alarmed the students, that they left the chambers without their clothes. It seemed as if all the buildings would be levelled. The dogs barked; fowls made a racket; and many persons ran about with lights, not knowing where to go, so great was their terror. During the first agitation, it was observed, that the air felt as if impregnated with a vapour, which lasted for some time.

At Charleston [SC] the sensation was of considerable strength. One account stated; that on the morning of the 16th, at a few minutes before three o'clock, a severe shock of an earthquake was felt. Its duration conjectured to ahve been between two and three minutes. For an hour previous, though the air was perfectly calm, and several stars visible, there was, at intervals of about five minutes, a rumbling noise like that of distant thunder; which increased in violence of sound just before the shock was felt. The vibrations of St. Philip's steeple caused the clock bell to ring about ten seconds. Two other shocks were felt afterwards, one a little before eight, and the other about a quarter of an hour after. Both these were slighter and shorter than the first. Many of the family clocks were stopped by the concussions. In many wells the water was considerably agitated. From another source it was related that Charleston was shaken by an earthquake severely, at the time before specified. This was preceded by a noise resembling the blowing of a smith's bellows. The agitation of the earth was such that the bells in the church steeples rang to a degree indicative of an alarm for fire. The houses were so much moved that many persons were induced to rise from their beds. The clocks generally stopped. Another slight shock was experienced about fifteen minutes after; and yet another at eight o'clock. This last one produced a considerable rattling among glass, china, and other furniture. A looking-glass hanging against a west wall was observed to vibrate two or three inches from north to south.

Sources: City Gazette and Daily Advertiser, 11 January 1812; Earthquakes in Missouri, 1913; History of Tennessee, Haywood.  A Detailed Narrative Of The Earthquakes, US Geological Services, 1814.

The Earthquakes That Shook This Area in 1811 & 1812 (New Madrid Fault)

 J. Mark Lowe

Two hundred and thirteen years ago, (1811) an earthquake along the New Madrid fault created fear and turmoil throughout the South. Church pews were filled and calls of the end of the world were commonplace. The President was James Madison. He organized a large geographic survey to understand the extent of the earthquake damage. He was forced to face other issues very quickly with the War of 1812. 

James Madison was President during these earthquakes. 

Let’s take a look at a collection of scientific observations from an 1814 report.

The testimony of Colonel Samuel Hammong (6 Feb 1812) was to the following effect. He confined himself strictly to what he knew from personal observation. The first shock he witnessed was on the 15/16th of December last (1811). A few seconds before the motion was felt, he and others heard a considerable roaring or rumbling noise, resembling a blaze of fire acted upon by wind. The motion of the frame of the house on which he stood was tremulous. It began instantly after to rock pretty violently. This continued, as he thought, about ten to twelve minutes. The vibrations of the chimney were, perhaps, about three or four inches each way, and were in the direction of southeast and northwest nearly. The noise which preceded the shock was from the northwest. Its commencement was about two o'clock in the morning. One hour after there was a second, which was light, and of very short duration. No houses or chimneys were thrown down by either of those. The motion was very much like the first, but of short duration. This injured several brick and stone chimneys. Its duration between one and a half and two and a half minutes. About sunrise the same morning there was a fourth shock. The vibrations of the chimneys at twenty-five feet from the ground, were at least four inches each way. The direction was the same as the first. The motion of the earth was very perceptible. Cradles rocked, and the church bells rang. Several chimneys were cracked to their bases, and some were broken off as low as the stem or funnel. In this last shock, the water in the river Mississippi was thrown into commotion, bubbling like boiling water; and, in a few minutes, the whole atmosphere was filled with smoke or fog, so that a boat could not be seen within twenty paces from the water's edge; and the houses were so shrouded as not to be seen fifty feet; this smoke continued all the forepart of that day.

In passing along upon his journey, he found the effects had been pretty uniform, and their occurrence and duration nearly the same, as far as Carthage, in the state of Tennessee. There were one or more shocks every twenty-four hours, from the first-mentioned one, until the night of January 1, 1812. Then, at about half after three in the morning, being at Carthage, he felt a more severe shock. It threw bricks from a chimney which had been previously broken by the first shock; he found, on inquiry, that the motion was considerably greatest near the large water courses. The courthouse at Carthage is a large brick edifice, and was cracked to its foundation, and considerably damaged. Several chimneys had been cast down, by the shock of the 16th of December. Everywhere it was stated to him by those who witnessed the motions, that they were from the south of west, to the opposite point, or vice versa. In the county of Christian, (Kentucky) a fine and fresh spring was observe to run very muddy for several hours. On examining it, after the mud had settled, he found it to be so strongly impregnated with sulphur; so much so that it was spoiled for domestic uses; indeed it had been converted to one of the strongest brimstone springs he ever saw.

 A writer from New Madrid (Missouri), in a communication to a friend in Lexington, dated 16th December, describes a tremendous noise as rousing the family from their sleep, rocking the house, throwing down the chimney, and terrifying them so, that they passed the remainder of the morning, from two o'clock, when the shock was felt, in the open air. During the time of the shock, the heavens were very clear and serene; there being not a breath of air stirring; but in five minutes it became very dark; and a vapor which seemed to impregnate the atmosphere, had a disagreeable smell, and produced a difficulty of breathing. This darkness continued until nearly the break of day. During its continuance there were six more shocks. About 6:30 it cleared up. However, the danger was increased by another shock, which racked the houses violently, and threw down the chimneys. The darkness returned, and it was accompanied by loud noises, and a bounding motion up and down. Many persons were so alarmed that they formed encampments in the fields. The shocks were repeated from time to time, until the 28th, and then amounted to sixty-seven.

 

I add another respectable communication, from Mr. Joseph Ficklin of Russellville, (Kentucky) who thus describes the earthquakes, in a letter dated 5 Feb 1812: The shocks continue. The accounts that you will see in the Nashville and Lexington papers may be confided in. I have conversed with several persons from New Madrid, all of whom confirm the above. The bottom of the Mississippi river, two under miles west of this place, was cracked in some places fifteen feet in width, and cast up warm water sufficient to inundate the settlement from one to two feet. In this situation, the poor inhabitants sought for the highest ground, where some remained for seventeen days, looking for the earth to swallow them up.

Source: A Detailed Narrative Of The Earthquakes, US Geological Services, 1814.