A total eclipse of the sun was visible in New Kent on June 24 1778 in the midst of the Revolutionary war. We have this brief description from Williamsburg of observations made by the Reverend James Madison, President of William and Mary and cousin of the more famous Madison.
To Thomas Jefferson from Rev. James Madison, 26 July 1778
From Rev. James Madison
WMC. 1 July 26th 78
Dear Sir
I was very glad to see your Observations, tho they differ considerably from those we made here. The same Misfortune of a cloudy Morning prevented us from seeing the Beginning, but we had a very good View of the End which Mr. Page made at 11h 3′ 25″ and myself at 11h 3′ 27″ tho’ I think the Altitude of the Sun was such as must render the Observations uncertain to a few Seconds. The End of total Darkness was at 45′ 30″. This was pretty nearly determined, for the Return of Light was almost instantaneous. There was really something awful in the Appearance which all Nature assumed. You could not determine your most intimate Acquaintance at 20 yds. distance. Lightening Buggs were seen as at Night.*
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| Path of the 1778 eclipse from www.solar-eclipse.info |
From the site Founders Online
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