1594. Edmund Bonnefoy, a writer on oriental law, died at Geneva in Switzerland, at the age of 38. He was appointed professor in the university of Valence, in France, where he narrowly escaped assassination at the massacre of St. Bartholomews. He bore an excellent character, independent of his talents and learning.
1637. Ferdinand II of Germany, an enterprising monarch, died.
1664. Moses Amyrault, an eminent French divine, died. He was a man of such remarkable benevolence, that he bestowed the whole of his salary upon the poor, without distinguishing between catholics and protestants.
1674. A resolution was adopted by the house of commons in England, that a standing army is a grievance; that the king should have no other guard than the militia.
1690. A party of about 300 French and Indians made an assault on Schenectady about 12 o'clock at night. The inhabitants were taken by surprise, and 60 men, women and children massacred, and the town destroyed. They took 27 prisoners, the remainder of the inhabitants fled to Albany, nearly naked through a deep snow, of whom 25 lost their limbs from the severity of the frost.
1716. Earthquake in Peru.
1724. Peter I, emperor of Russia, died.
1727. George Sewell died; an English dramatic poet, physician and miscellaneous writer.
1750. An earthquake in London.
1750. Aaron Hill, a celebrated dramatic and miscellaneous writer in the time of Garrick, died.