Name/Title
Steamer "Lexington"Entry/Object ID
2018.273.002Scope and Content
A collection of four documents relating to the Steamer "Lexington" and its sinking in January of 1840. The first document is a first hand account by a crew member, David Crowley who survived the fire by burrowing into a bale of cotton thrown overboard and floating to Long Island. His letter is addressed to Captain John States of Stonington. The second item is a copy of a poem written by the Reverend Charles W. Denison, "The Lexington", as it appeared in the New York Evening Tattler. A paper bound copy of Reverend Dr. Stone's sermon occasioned by the Burning of the Steamer Lexington as preached in Saint Paul's Church, Boston. The last page of this pamphlet gives a brief explanation of what occured with a partial list of those lost and their cities of origin. Three people from Stonington were killed: Charles H. Phelps, Mr. Van Cott and Mrs. Mary Russell. The last item in this folder is a pamphlet published by a friend of one of the deceased, entitled "A Warning Voice from a Watery Grave; or a solemn proof of the uncertainty of life, and importance of an early preparation for death!" This was published in memory of Miss Sophia W. Wheeler, who perished in the fire.Collection
Manuscript