Historical Events Jan 7 Fire after heavy storm destroys two thirds of De Rijp Netherlands, 1 person dies Jan 26 Portuguese troops conquer last Dutch base on Recife Famous Birthdays Jan 10 Joshua Barnes, English scholar, born in London, United Kingdom (d. 1712) Jan 20 Michiel de Swaen, South Netherland physician/poet Jan 22 Richard Blackmore, English physician and writer (d. 1729) Famous Deaths Jan 10 Nicholas Culpeper, English botanist, herbalist, physician, and astrologer (b. 1616) Jan 17 Paul Potter, Dutch painter, buried 1653 History by Year 1655