Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.07704 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Thomaston, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 13 November 1801 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 31 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his "beloved" wife, Lucy Knox. Discusses the progress of their front and back settlers likely located in Maine. Mentions his joy over the amount of settlers they have and his pleasure with the development of Waldoborough. Also expresses his satisfaction with the price of land. Cautions Lucy about keeping their expectations to themselves and watching their expenses and debt. Complains about the letter Lucy wrote, writing it was unsatisfactory and she did not mention anything about their son, Henry Jackson Knox. The letter is dated the 13th of 1801. November was added at a later date. Written from Montpelier [Thomaston, Maine]. Based on the content of the letter it was likely written either in November or more likely in December. A portion of the letter is damaged on the third page causing minor text loss.
[draft]
Montpelier 13 1801
My beloved Lucy
I received your note dated on the 4th day afterwards and the [house/horses] - in good order - By the post before the one of yesterday I received yours from Portsmouth and also the one written by my blessed daughter dated on the 4th - at Boston - most of those I acknowledged by the last post
Several Vessels have escaped me today, but this shall go [struck: before] on board of Hall - Our back settlers and our Delinquent front settlers in general have been to settle - Indeed until today crowded - last Tuesday and Wednesday we had generally from 50 to 70, and for one or two nights somewhere about 50 were lodged in both houses pretty well crowded to be sure - They have been well fed and all have expressed high gratification I have the satisfaction to believe all Waldoborough will come in - The principal [2] ones have done so already - This is [strikeout] most happy event - as it provides hopes of entire education, and as it confirms my judgment of the measures I have [illegible] this you will call vanity I own it and rejoice therein - But when the lowest acre will command obligations for 5 dollars with the good will of the people, and when hope points to no distance period at ten and higher, the heart that has been [strikeout] compelled to endure anguish for deficiency has a well founded claim to dance a little - But this between ourselves - there are many reasons to keep our fair expections to ourselves in a great degree - We must not for all these fine hopes, run into expenses and debt or we anticipate our resources by receiving [strikeout] one or at most 21 in the pound -
Your letter about paying Mr [Sheafe] was not satisfactory - you do not say you paid but that he was satisfied - as to Henry you do not after your [3] arrival in Boston say a word about him where he is or what is his pursuit.
I can send nothing more until you order - the women shall they go until you direct they are impatient - As it relates to you and dear girls, I am all impatience to be at Boston - but upon no other account whatever. The remaining [textloss] will occupy one until the [textloss] next month - if the [textloss] articles and the women we[textloss] I should by land - But at an[textloss] I shall return by land - by horse to Wiscasset and by stage to rest of the way - I had to find my poor Sally Gray to Wiscasset for [illegible] & that careless Rascal Paul has ruined her - This was a fort night past - She is still at Portland and will not be able probably to be brought home until Winter - God bless you, and yours. I write alone also by the post. Your ever affectionate friend & husband
H Knox
[address leaf] Mrs Knox
To the care of Mr Pierce
& Mr Horton
Boston
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