Program for the benefit performance for Mr Alexander Placide
The fire started soon after the curtain fell after the first act. A chandelier, which was mistakenly still lit, had become entangled in the cords used to lift it to the rafters. As a result it swung wildly to and fro and caught some scenery props on fire. Flames spread extremely rapidly and were initially hidden from the audience because the stage curtain was down. Seventy-two people were killed that night, including Virginia's governor, William Smith, and 17-year-old Mary Page.
"The Burning of the Theatre in Richmond, Virginia on the Night of 26th December 1811, By which awful Calamity upwards of Seventy Five of its most valuable Citizens suddenly lost their lives, and many other, were much injured."
Lithograph produced in Philadelphia by B Tanner in 1918; image courtesy the The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, Library of Virginia
Mary Page was the daughter of Carter and Mary "Polly" (Cary) Page of Willis' Fork, Cumberland County, Virginia. Carter Page left the College of William and Mary in May 1776 to join the Continental Army. He rose to the rank of major and was the aide-de-camp to General Lafayette during the campaign against Cornwallis. Polly Page was a lineal descendant of Lord Hunsdon. Mary Page, who died that night, was also the grand niece of Frances (Bland) Randolph Tucker, the first wife of my sister-in-law's third cousin six times removed.Lithograph produced in Philadelphia by B Tanner in 1918; image courtesy the The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, Library of Virginia
The day after the fire the Common Council commissioned a Committee of Investigation which later blamed the inferior design and construction of the theater for the great loss of life. Monumental Church, designed by Robert Mills, was later erected on the site of the theater. The names of victims are inscribed within the church.
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NOTE: This post is dedicated to work colleague, Brian Haney, who provided nearly instantaneous grammar assistance via Facebook.
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