Maryland Gazette, Annapolis, July 18th, 1745:
Last Friday evening July 12th, a most terrible accident happened in Charles City County; when a violent thunder gust arose, and lightning struck the house of Col. Benjamin Harrison, of Berkley, which kill'd him, and his two youngest daughters.
He lived some minutes, but tho' a vein was opened by Dr. Monger who happened to be on the spot, and was knock'd down by the lightning, but received little damage, it proved in vain, and he expired without speaking a word.
His two daughters died instantly.
The most melancholy affair was given a general concern, and particularly to all who were acquainted with the deceased. Col. Harrison had been many years a worthy representative of his county in assembly and first in the commission of the peace, and his daughters very promising young ladies.