Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00421 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 August 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 31.4 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses corresponding with his wife. Discusses domestic issues like food, clothing, and money, and a sick servant. Asks Lucy to assist Mrs. Jonathan Pollard, who is in need of money. Comments on firing on the Phoenix and other British vessels sailing up the Hudson river and receiving return fire. He expects General William Howe to attack at any time. Discusses Sarah Mifflin, the wife of Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, as the only lady among the army. Tells Lucy to measure his affection but his letters' content, not their length. Notes that the newspapers are reporting 70,000 men in the area, but he "dont believe the half of it."
[draft]
New York Monday morng. augt 19 1776
My dear Wife
You frightned me exceedingly by not writing to me by the post - I wish you always to write thro that medium even tho' you shoud have written not half an hour before by a private hand - you call my letter a scurry thing indeed my Lucy it does not deserve that appellation from you for I well remember what there was of it was replete with the most heart felt tenderness for you - I also recd a letter besides the one [Knox abbreviation for: ? which/that] Mr Green directed to Henry Knox NYork - brought by I don't know who she was a droll [supersentition?] was it not? In it you tell me you have sent me a fine Cheese which I have received but the ducks and [inserted: 22?] Chickens you mention I know nothing about - Mr Pollard & I shard the first equally according to Mrs. Pollards directions to her husband did you send any but one parcel for these presents accept my thanks tho' I fancy I shall not dare kill them for your sake - Mr Pollard was [2] at a loss to get money to send to his wife and as he says she had lost 30 Dollars I did not know but you could supply her - [struck: I send you] 72 Dollars and wish you [inserted: not] to deprive yourself of that you shall need I am sorry for Bettys sickness on two accounts as it deprives you of a favorite Servant and obliges you to attend too much to her for my sake take care of your health
I send you the key of the Box there is some money folded in a paper there which you can make use of taking an account of it - the shirts you inquire after are made up - I have two breakfast Cloths and two Dinner Cloths - I will endeavor to make do for the present -
Yesterday morning about six or seven OClock the Phoenex & Rose men of war with two tenders Came from their Imprisonment up the River - we mutually saluted each other as they passd our Batteries but they were so impolite as not to stop & Break fast with us - on Friday night two fire Sloops went up the River and one of them Grapled the Phoenix and would have consumd her had they have done it on the [illegible] and sides The other fire Vessell grapled a tender & burnt her up entirely - We are in daily expectation of a visit from Lord Howe [3] and the British Gentry, - I don't know whether Mrs. Mifflin is with her husband or know if she is she is the only Lady at the army and every body must blame her and him
I find Pollard is determind to outdo me in writing long Letters - because he has more time - but you must not measure affections by Letters for mine is as great as it is possible for my nature to endure God preserve You & pray for your Husband I am my dear
Your most affectionate
Henry Knox
We have a [world] of men here the paper says 70 000 - I dont beleive half of it -
[address leaf]
Mrs. Knox
New Haven
[docket 1]
Aug. 76
Genl to Mrs K.
[docket 2]
Genl Knox August 1776
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