Preparing fireworks

At Hartford, in Connecticut, a most melancholy accident happened to 22 young gentlemen, who were busied at the school-house in preparing fireworks for the rejoicings that were intended on the news having been received of the repeal of the stamp-act. Three barrels of powder being provided for this purpose, and lodged in the lower room of the school-house, out of which the gentlemen had taken a small quantity for their present use; but while they were employed in the upper room, informing what they had taken, a negro boy below, seeing some powder scattered on the floor, raked it together, and set it on fire.

This instantly communicated to the rest, by which the whole edifice was shattered in a most ruinous manner; part was blown up in the air, and the rest reduced to ruins. The gentlemen were some blown up, some buried in the ruins, and some fell upon the ground, two or three only escaped with little or no hurt, the rest were miserably mangled, their bones fractured, or, which was less terrible, killed outright. A like accident happened at Seabrook, on the same occasion.