20 February 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Updates Knox on the joint committee that is deciding on the taxes on the Waldo Patent. The session was postponed until the next meeting of the legislature where current owners of the land will need to give just cause on why the heirs must pay all the taxes. Goes into detail about what they should do to prepare for the next session with the legislature. Mentions he found a farmer for Knox.

GLC02437.06049

2 April 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he sent out notifications to his properties and mentions hiring a gardener. Asks Knox to provide the gardener with instructions. Also speaks of the possibility of war and the impact it will have. Mentions the people's unfavorable opinion of China.

GLC02437.06073

6 April 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he will send the grapevines with the gardener along with some seeds and tools. Mentions how the prospect of war is keeping Knox from traveling. Refers to a promise Knox supposedly made to another gentleman. Discusses properties (possibly near Knox's land holdings in Maine) Knox is trying to purchase, the price of land, and various property boundaries. Believes Knox should consider purchasing land from the government if his plan fails.

GLC02437.06074

26 April 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the trees arrived from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York, New York and they, along with the gardener, are on a vessel heading towards St. George's [House] in Maine. Inquires about an invoice and if he should pay it. Mentions some of the trees and grapevines may not survive. Also, gives a listing of the different kinds of fruit and vegetables seeds that are being planted in Knox's garden.

GLC02437.06086

25 May 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received a letter from Captain [Thomas] Vose and the gardener. Reports the gardener says the soil at Knox's house [Montpelier] will need to be ploughed before they can begin work. Mentions Knox lost two cherry trees but the other trees and plants that survived are being kept at a nursery. Discusses purchasing land (possible referring to the Waldo patent lands) and possible squatters.

GLC02437.06105

10 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a petition filed against Knox involving some property. Mentions a conversation he had with Waterman Thomas of Waldoboro, Maine who supports the petition. Reports Thomas says, "The people who have paid the full amount of their engagement to your agent can get no Deeds & they have no security - for if you should die…" Comments he will call on Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) for assistance.

GLC02437.06116

13 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses committee members who will hear the land petition cases in Waldoboro, Maine. Reports he told the committee that Knox was unaware of the people's suits (possibly deeds) being lost and Knox is a friend and benefactor of the people on the patent (possibly part of the Waldo patent). Also notes the settlers have issues with some of Knox's agents.

GLC02437.06118

17 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox there has been a hearing before the committee regarding taxes. Discusses which lands are part of the patent (possibly referring to the Waldo patent lands) and any taxes related to the land. Speaks of a tax being unconstitutional and the possibility of creating a new one. Describes the hearing as being long and with many debates. Also asks whether they should give Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) a fee for his opinion.

GLC02437.06123

22 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses completing a map of the eastern country for the government. Notes the map takes in a corner of the patent. Mentions possibly having to extend boundary lines (possibly on the Waldo patent) to make up for deficiencies. Informs Knox the committee for the taxes decided to deduct money from heirs. Reports the act may be repealed as being unconstitutional and Knox most likely will not have to pay. Reports Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) will be accompanying him to the committee to hear the patent petition (possibly part of the Waldo patent lands). Provides and update…

GLC02437.06125

29 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Waldo patent lands and the petitions that went before the committee. Notes he spoke with Judge Sullivan (possbily James or John Sullivan) who recommends he put in a petition on Knox's behalf to counteract the people's petition. Mentions if the court decides to hear all the settlers' cases it could take up to 12 months. Also notes Judge Sullivan said one of the petitions strikes at the whole patent. Informs Knox the committee extended the petition case to the next session. A copy, written by Joseph Peirce, of the House of Representatives decision to send the committee to…

GLC02437.06128

14 October 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial and legal matter involving the Waldo [patent] lands.

GLC02437.06224

20 October 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he did not receive the receipt on Palmer's note. Discusses a financial matter regarding when payments are to be made. Recommends a young man for a position in the Navy. Letter is marked as private.

GLC02437.06227

3 November 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land deals and mortgages. Mentions a piece of land being offered to Knox for $2,250. Notes he believes the price is high and recommends Knox offers $1000. Says he has been ill and confined to the house but it is election day and he intends to vote. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06234

5 November 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he paid William Griffin for 30 sheep and grass seeds. Notes he also furnished Griffin with materials to finish Knox's house on Brigadiers Island, present day Sears Island, Maine. Discusses the election and comments it was magnificent. Provides a tally of all the votes in possibly the Congressional election. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06237

9 November 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land and the possibility of it recovering. Notes a gentleman who is familiar with the "circumstances of them (land)" and believes it may be recovering. Encloses ( not included) the gentleman's letter and states he needs an answer from Knox.

GLC02437.06240

20 November 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Mrs. [Lucy?] Flucker's creditors have agreed to accept Knox's offer. Discusses land negotiations. Notes the lowest he was able to get for a particular piece of property was $1700. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06245

24 November 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses legal difficulties involving land deals. Mentions having difficulties finding the original mortgages and/or deeds. Notes the courts are not wanting to accept copies. Appears to have negotiated some land for Knox in the sum of $1500. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06254

17 December 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that due to a string of difficulties he was not able to close the deal with the Brinleys until today. Notes he paid the Brinleys and now has the deed. Also mentions he is sending Knox a pair of does, a buck, some rabbits, and some oats. Mentions he heard deer can be found in North Carolina and Georgia.

GLC02437.06276

22 December 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received the case of marble and has shipped it off along with some rabbits. Discusses the sum of money owed to Mr. [possibly John] Smith. Also mentions some undisclosed business being completed with the Brinleys and the continuance of a bond. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06280

25 December 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses land deals involving the Winslows, Fluckers, and Knox. Appears that land was jointly owned by the Winslows and Fluckers and Knox may be entitled to a claim from when the land was sold. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06282

28 December 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox it may be too late in the season to procure the quantity of poultry Knox had wanted. Notes he will procure the deer in June and advises Knox to have his park fixed before their arrival. Describes the quantity and type of land the deer will prefer. Continues to discuss the prepartions of Knox's property for the various animals. Also mentions the legal rights to a piece of property. Notes Judge [James] Sullivan's "History of Maine" (The History of the District of Maine) will be out in a fortnight. Marked as private on the address leaf.

GLC02437.06286

January 26, 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses an undisclosed business matter and land deals located in the Eastern lands. Appears the Committee wants Knox to make an offer on some land.

GLC02437.06327

February 2, 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses financial business and expresses his wish that Knox be in Boston as he had planned, stressing the importance of his presence due to financial interests. Mentions a plan to buy poultry.

GLC02437.06337

16 February 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a legislative session relating to the Waldo patent lands. Mentions that the Petition of Waldoboro of 1785 involving the German settlers was brought up again.

GLC02437.06355

February 23, 1795

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the rulings of the committee regarding land transactions.

GLC02437.06360