Northamptonshire, June 4th. 1798.
Whereas on Monday the 28th. of May last a Terrible Fire broke out at Blisworth, which in a short Time totally consumed the farm houses and all the buildings in the occupation of Joseph Hedge and Francis Gibbs, with a considerable quantity of corn, together with wagons, carts, and implements of husbandry , and nearly all their household furniture; the dwelling house and offices in the occupation of John Westley, baker, with all his stock in trade and household furniture; and the farm in the occupation of Cornelius Gudgeon, and a considerable part of his furniture; likewise seven cottages, with the principal part of the furniture and wearing apparel belonging to the different occupiers; besides a quantity of other corn and hay. The whole exclusive of the buildings, having been estimated on oath, amounts to £1,3941.0.1d
Northampton Mercury June 9th. 1798
"About eleven o'clock on Monday morning a terrible fire broke out at Blisworth, near this town, occasioned by a girl incautiously throwing some hot ashes into a farm-yard, which falling upon some straw set fire to the same, and almost instantly communicated to the thatch of the surrounding buildings. The fire began at Mr. Hedge's farmer, whose house together with 11 others was in a short time consumed, besides a number of barns and other out-buildings, several stacks of corn and hay, a large quantity of grain, flour, &c.- three or four pigs and some poultry also perished in the flames, the rapidity of which was such, that many of the unfortunate inhabitants were able to save but a small part of their household furniture, &c. Upon the news arriving here, the Supplementary Militiamen immediately set off from hence with engines, to assist the sufferers, and were very instrumental in stopping the progress of the flames. The property destroyed amounts to a very considerable sum; and what renders the calamity the greater, not the smallest part of it was insured"
