Belfast thrived in the 18th century as a merchant town, importing goods from Great Britain and exporting linen products in increasing volume. Linen at the time was made by small producers in rural areas. Belfast also suffered from the great frost followed by drought that hit Ireland in 1740. That winter, Belfast was reported to be covered in snow as the result of a powerful blizzard. On 23 December 1771, grieved by high rents and evictions, the exclusively Protestant Hearts of Steel gang gathered in a meeting house in Templepatrick. The group of mostly farmers armed themselves with pitchforks, fire lock rifles and pistols and made for nearby Belfast. Twelve-hundred men entered through Belfast's north gate and surrounded the barracks where a farmer was being held for not paying his rent. Dr. Alexander Haberday, who was in the crowd, made his way to barrack's gates in an effort to peacefully negotiate the release of the prisoner. Suddenly, the gates flew open and a detachment of soldiers fired into the crowd, killing 5 (including Haberday) and wounding 9 others. This action resulted in violence across Belfast which moved to Cunningham's House and Hercules Lane (modern day Royal Ave). The Sovereign (mayor) of Belfast believed the whole town to be burning and released the prisoner fearing further destruction. The revolt spilled over in mid-Ulster with the Hearts of Oak combining forces with the Hearts of Steel. Eventually, the Irish Parliament had to pass a special act and send troops throughout Ulster to put down the unrest.