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Research Article

The dreadful catastrophe that happened at Asterton’: a hurricane or an avalanche in Shropshire?

primary sources

British Library, London

  • Somis, I., 1764, 1765. An historical narrative of a most extraordinary event which happened at the village of Bergemoletto in Italy: where three women were saved out of the ruins of a stable, in which they had been buried thirty-seven days by a heavy fall of snow. With Curious Remarks. By Ignazio Somis, Professor of Physic in the University of Turin, and Physician to his Sardinian Majesty. Translated from the Italian (London). General Reference Collection DRT Digital Store 725.a.4. Available via Eighteenth Century Collections Online.
  • Somis, I., 1758. Ragionamento sopra il fatto avento in Bergemoletto, in cui tre donne, sepolte fra le rovine della Stalla per la caduta d’una gran mole di neve, sono state trovate vive dopo trentasette giorni (Torino). General Reference Collection 789.k.25.
  • Somis, I., 1768. A True and Particular Account of the most Surprising Preservation and Happy Deliverance of Three Women who were Buried thirty-seven days, in the Ruins of a Stable … at the Village of Bergemoletto in Italy. With Curious Remarks (translated from Italian) (London). General Reference Collection 8630. aaa.21. General Reference Collection 965.c.12.
  • Thompson, W., 1863. The Avalanche at Lewes (Lewes). General Reference Collection 10347.aa.31.(5.).
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  • OS, 2006. Sheet 217, The Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge Church Stretton and Craven Arms. 1:25,000. OS Explorer Series map (Southampton).
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  • SA, P296/U/1/38 Account of the hurricane in 1772.
  • SA, P296/A/1/2 Baptism and Burial Register for Wentnor Parish, 1757–1812.
  • SA, QR 83/28 Coroner’s inquisition.

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