1721. William Musgrave died; an eminent English physician and antiquary, and secretary of the Royal society.
1747. The colonial house and records at Boston destroyed by fire.
1757. British privateer Terrible, captain William Death, of 26 guns and 200 men, captured a large French ship, after an obstinate battle, in which he lost his brother and 16 men killed. A few days after he fell in with the privateer Vengeance, 36 guns and 360 men, who recaptured the prize, and having manned her, both ships bore down on the Terrible, whose main was shot away by the first broadside. After a desperate engagement, in which the French captain and his second were killed, with two-thirds of his company, the Terrible was boarded, when no more than 26 persons were found alive, 16 of whom had lost a leg or an arm, and the other 10 were badly wounded. The ship itself was so shattered that it could scarcely be kept above water. There was a strange combination of names in this affair; the Terrible was equipped at Execution dock; was commanded by Death, who had Devil for his lieutenant and Ghost for surgeon.
1777. Washington had 2,898 men unfit for duty, "owing to their being barefooted and otherwise naked." His whole force fit for duty amounted to 8,200.
1783. Samuel Cooper, one of the most celebrated divines and politicians of New England, died.
1783. General Washington delivered up his commission to congress at Annapolis.
1789. Charles Michael de l'Epee, a celebrated French teacher of the deaf and dumb, died. He devoted his time and money to the education of indigent mutes. Sacrificing his own comfort to promote theirs. Some of his pupils obtained academical prizes by poetical and literary works.
1804. Battle of Biezun; the French under Grouchy defeated 8,000 Prussians, and took 500 prisoners and 5 cannon.
1814. Battle at Villaret's plantation, near New Orleans, between 2000 Americans under general Jackson and about 4000 British under general Keene. American loss 213; British loss 305.
1816. Bible societies prohibited in Hungary.