Although he was named for his grandfather, Major Joel Matthews, who fought in the Revolutionary War and lived to be 91, this young man's life was way too short. He was only 15 when his father, Samuel Matthews, died. He worked around Hartland and Woodstock, Vermont, to help his mother out.
Sadly, from the Monday, August 17, 1807, edition of Spooner's Vermont Journal, comes the following:
"At Hartland, Mr Joel Matthews, age 20. The deceased, with Mr Charles E. Colston, was employed in fetching hay. A shower suddenly overtaking them, they were fleeing for shelter to a house at a short distance when a flash of lightning struck them to the ground. The latter arose in a few moments, walked to the house, and after sitting a short time, inquired for his companion. Search was immediately made and the body of the deceased found burnt and lacerated in a shocking manner, his clothes on fire, his hair much burnt, and his hat torn in pieces, at some distance from the body. No other effects of the shock were visible. His funeral was attended on Tuesday by a very numerous and solemn assembly, where a sermon was preached by Elder Timothy Grow from Matthew 24: 40, 42, 'Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for ye knoweth not what hour your Lord doth come."
I'm certain his mother was devastated, and his grandfather also. It was a tragic accident.
Sadly, from the Monday, August 17, 1807, edition of Spooner's Vermont Journal, comes the following:
"At Hartland, Mr Joel Matthews, age 20. The deceased, with Mr Charles E. Colston, was employed in fetching hay. A shower suddenly overtaking them, they were fleeing for shelter to a house at a short distance when a flash of lightning struck them to the ground. The latter arose in a few moments, walked to the house, and after sitting a short time, inquired for his companion. Search was immediately made and the body of the deceased found burnt and lacerated in a shocking manner, his clothes on fire, his hair much burnt, and his hat torn in pieces, at some distance from the body. No other effects of the shock were visible. His funeral was attended on Tuesday by a very numerous and solemn assembly, where a sermon was preached by Elder Timothy Grow from Matthew 24: 40, 42, 'Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for ye knoweth not what hour your Lord doth come."
I'm certain his mother was devastated, and his grandfather also. It was a tragic accident.
Although he was named for his grandfather, Major Joel Matthews, who fought in the Revolutionary War and lived to be 91, this young man's life was way too short. He was only 15 when his father, Samuel Matthews, died. He worked around Hartland and Woodstock, Vermont, to help his mother out.
Sadly, from the Monday, August 17, 1807, edition of Spooner's Vermont Journal, comes the following:
"At Hartland, Mr Joel Matthews, age 20. The deceased, with Mr Charles E. Colston, was employed in fetching hay. A shower suddenly overtaking them, they were fleeing for shelter to a house at a short distance when a flash of lightning struck them to the ground. The latter arose in a few moments, walked to the house, and after sitting a short time, inquired for his companion. Search was immediately made and the body of the deceased found burnt and lacerated in a shocking manner, his clothes on fire, his hair much burnt, and his hat torn in pieces, at some distance from the body. No other effects of the shock were visible. His funeral was attended on Tuesday by a very numerous and solemn assembly, where a sermon was preached by Elder Timothy Grow from Matthew 24: 40, 42, 'Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for ye knoweth not what hour your Lord doth come."
I'm certain his mother was devastated, and his grandfather also. It was a tragic accident.
Sadly, from the Monday, August 17, 1807, edition of Spooner's Vermont Journal, comes the following:
"At Hartland, Mr Joel Matthews, age 20. The deceased, with Mr Charles E. Colston, was employed in fetching hay. A shower suddenly overtaking them, they were fleeing for shelter to a house at a short distance when a flash of lightning struck them to the ground. The latter arose in a few moments, walked to the house, and after sitting a short time, inquired for his companion. Search was immediately made and the body of the deceased found burnt and lacerated in a shocking manner, his clothes on fire, his hair much burnt, and his hat torn in pieces, at some distance from the body. No other effects of the shock were visible. His funeral was attended on Tuesday by a very numerous and solemn assembly, where a sermon was preached by Elder Timothy Grow from Matthew 24: 40, 42, 'Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for ye knoweth not what hour your Lord doth come."
I'm certain his mother was devastated, and his grandfather also. It was a tragic accident.
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