A significant earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck New Jersey, surprising the local population and creating widespread alarm. Buildings trembled, items fell from shelves, and the natural disaster was felt in surrounding areas, including parts of New York and Pennsylvania. Reports indicate that residents experienced intense fear as the quake shook the earth beneath them, with some believing it to be a sign from God or a harbinger of doom. The exact epicenter was not determined promptly, but the event created chaos as people rushed into the streets, concerned for their safety and the integrity of their homes.

The scientific community at the time had limited knowledge regarding earthquakes, leading to speculation and various interpretations of the event's causes. Earthquakes in the northeastern United States were rare compared to regions like California, and thus the 1783 earthquake stood out significantly in the minds of residents. It became part of local lore, with stories of the quake passing down through generations. In the wake of the tremor, some buildings reported structural damage, although there were no recorded fatalities directly attributed to it.

As a natural disaster in a region seldom disturbed by seismic activity, this earthquake prompted discussions about the geological stability of the area. It was also a period of increasing awareness in America about the need for scientific inquiry into natural phenomena, laying the groundwork for future studies in geology and seismology. This incident was one of many events that contributed to the evolution of how people understood and responded to natural disasters.