26 – Last Night was the coldest we have had this winter – Wind North. Went to Town & at one O’Clock heard that Mr. Nicols house was on Fire, rode out immediately & found it nearly consum’d, the Furniture principally sav’d & deposited at Cap. Tennants, Mr. & Mrs. Nicols came to Clifton & staid all Night, they bear the loss with great fortitude – Beckey Peters came & staid all Night

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 26, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.