BARNWELL, (Cambridgeshire) near Cambridge, where in the Normans time was an abbey, so called, says Camden, from the wells
of children or beams, because they used to meet here for sport, on St. John's eve; so that it came at last to be, what is
now called Midsummer Fair. This village was burnt down in the year 1731; but a more deplorable accident happened here 4
years before, viz. on the 8th of Sept. 1727, which many good families have sad cause to remember. A multitude of people
being assembled in a barn to see a puppet shew, it was set on fire by a villain who was denied admittance; and the
spectators crowding to the door, which was made fast, it was so long e're it was opened, and especially as it turned
inwards, that the people tumbled over one another in getting out; and during this, the roof fell in, by which numbers were
smothered; while the fire was burning many more: so that not above 5 or 6 escaped out of six-score men, women and
children; among whom were several young gentlewomen of fortune, and many of the dead were so disfigured and mangled, that
they could not be distinguished by their friends, who came next day to remove them for interment, and therefore they were
promiscuously put into a large hole dug for the purpose in the Ch. yard.