New York: Jan 3, 1771 (More rumors of war being inevitable)

London:  a report from Constantinople regarding the campaign appointments of the Grand Signior, the first Turkish emperor to lead an army since the time of Solyman the Magnificent.   The imperial train is meant to match his title, for he considers himself the master of the world.   It includes a harem of women whose tents it is “death to enter,” each with yellow silk covering and ostrich feathers on their tops.   The army is expected to turn their backs when the harem women arrive in camp, so as not to see them.  A gold crescent goes before them.    The morale of his army is said to be dismal.

Philadelphia:  50 people are said confined to jail for debt, most them strangers of the town.

Newbern, NC: R. Henderson, an associate justice of the province reported that his barns, stables, and out-houses were burnt down by some “evil minded persons.”   Many shod horse tracks found the next morning, thus causing suspicion that the action was committed by the “Regulators.”

New York:  an account of a rowdy, window-breaking New Year’s eve celebration.

New York:  the bizarre death of Hanna Bradshaw who for her “large size, robust appearance and bold behavior was commonly known by the name of “Man of War Nance.”   She was “neat in her person” but had a “bad character with respect to Chastity and Sobriety.”   On the evening of the 31st of December, she asked a young woman who worked for her to call upon her the next morning.   The young woman found her the next morning burnt to a crisp, the fire having not communicated itself to the rest of the building.   No detail of the burning is spared.

Boston:  reports from the West India islands include expectations of War.   The French at Martineco were so apprehensive of it that they were hurrying their produce to St. Eustatia and all French ships capable of bearing guns were being outfitted for privateering, so as to seize New England’s ships when the hostilities begin.

Boston:  George Delap, who made his living selling biscuit and ginger bread in Boston and neighboring towns, fell off his horse and cracked his scull.  He died four or five hours after the injury.   Cornelius Seers, sixteen, of Middletown, Connecticut, “seating on the Ice” fell into a glade and was drowned.

Norwich:  Col. Jabez Huntington’s barn consumed by arson fire, consuming 6 oxen, 2 horses, 1 cow, 20 tons of English hay, 200 bushels of wheat.

London:  scathing rebuke of Lord Bute for seeking peace at all costs.

Portsmouth:  the assembly passes a law confining the hogs of Portsmouth and another for preventing Tumults and Disorders on Christmas Days.

Portsmouth:  Governor Wentworth announces that 269 logs or trunks of White Pine, “fit for masting the royal navy” were seized in Goffe’s Town, each being 24″ in diameter 12″ from the ground.    They were cut “contrary to statute.”

Newbury, NH: William Lambert, “from Yorkshire in England” opens an Inn, with new furniture and excellent Liquors, along with much stabling for horses, and every accomodation for travelers.