A Full Description of the Great Tornado in Chester County, Pa.

A historical account written in the late 19th century, specifically in 1877. The book provides a detailed examination of a significant tornado that struck Chester County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1877, resulting in unprecedented destruction and loss of property. Darlington, who was the Principal of Ercildoun Seminary, aimed to shed light on the tornado's movements, effects, and underlying scientific principles, as well as the aftermath suffered by the local community. In the book, Darlington meticulously recounts the path of the tornado as it traversed approximately 22 miles through Chester County, describing its characteristics, variations in intensity, and the destruction it caused to farms, buildings, and forests along the way. He incorporates eyewitness accounts and observational data to illustrate the tornado's behavior, such as its rotating funnel shape, the unique sounds it made, and the patterns of destruction it left in its wake, including fallen trees and damaged crops. The narrative includes accounts from local residents detailing their experiences and losses, culminating in a poignant depiction of the community's resilience against nature's fury, as well as a summary of the total financial losses incurred in the aftermath. Overall, the book serves as both a scientific inquiry and a poignant record of human endurance in the face of natural disasters.