From transcriptions of the West Briton newspaper, 8 Nov 1839, by Julia Mosman found at
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad :
ST. COLUMB MINOR We are sorry to have to state that the very heavy fall of rain on Sunday evening last has done considerable damage in this and the adjoining parishes. A stack of hay was washed away by the force of the current, and about ten bushels of potatoes, which were dug and placed in a heap on a meadow near the stream, shared the same fate. The flood also broke into the garden of a poor widow named VENSON, and carried away six hives of bees, and every thing else the garden contained. But this is not all. Two of the arches of Trevemper Bridge, which for many years has braved the storm were destroyed; and it is estimated that it will take upwards of 50 to repair them again. The bridge is now rendered impassable, and must remain so for a long time, if not all through the winter.