1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Discusses the importance of the campaign in New York and feels Washington's efforts in the state are worthwhile. But states that "prospects are dubious," because the enemy has reinforcements arriving. Mentions the arrival of the Comte De Grasse. Feels that New York should be the object but is worried that their forces are not adequate. Unsigned but creator inferred from handwriting. Date and recipient added later in pencil and red ink. See GLC02437.08161 for a related document. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.08176

30 March 1782

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy advising Knox to speak to his colleague about his association and manner of speaking with another person. Writes that "I have every reason short of positive proof to believe the person here meant, is a Traitor to this Country, that he is in the pay of the Enemy..." Noted as written at the York Hutts and as a copy, "Copied and composed with the original Feb 8th 1854."

GLC02437.09324

10 February 1776

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on a safe return from Fort Ticonderoga, where he was retrieving artillery pieces for the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Has had trouble obtaining books on military fortification and asks Knox, who had been a bookseller in Boston, if he could find some. Asks Knox to inform him of what maneuvers are being planned against the British, and promises it will "be most sacredly kept." Mentions that the saltpeter (a compound used in gunpowder) works are proceeding rapidly.

GLC02437.00249

7 June 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent promotion. Informs him that he has "been again prevailed upon to accept the disagreeable task of procuring this Towns Quota of Recruits for the Continental Army," a task which is "all times disagreeable but more particularly so when through long continued scenes of villainy and practices most pernicious to the Community, it seemed to become habitual to do wrong." The town council has given the former Muster Master, a Colonel [Ezra] Badlam, a testimony of approbation, and Colonel Badlam will be sent to deliver the present letter and the testimony letter.…

GLC02437.01443

7 November 1782

Waters, Josiah, fl. 1776-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "This will be delivered to you by Mr. J. Byles who if I mistake not served his time previous to the war with Mr. John Simpkins." After this time, he suffered "many adverse fortunes which has induced him to enter the service of the united States as a private soldier and being to march for camp has requested of me a line to you. Not being acquainted with him I made inquiry concerning his conduct, before I ventured to give him a Letter and finding that he has really been unfortunate though having committed some imprudences, I have told him that he must not expect the attention he…

GLC02437.01703

15 June 1782

Van Rensselaer, Philip, 1747-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "I am requested by Col. Reid Commanding Officer of this Department to inform you that great part of the Continental Troops in this Quarter are Distitute of Cartridge Boxes, would therefore desire you to order at least 200 to this place. Recruits are dayly expected as also a supply of Cartridge paper thread Twines & flints and some writting paper as I am intirely out and no money to purchase any." Van Rensselaer signs as public storekeeper.

GLC02437.01453

circa 1770-1806

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Transport by ship]

Discusses travelling and the transport of goods by ship.

GLC02437.08207

29 October 1782

Walker, Benjamin, 1753-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Head Quarters. Writes that the Commander in Chief [General George Washington] would like to inform Knox that "immediately on the arrival of the troops at their places of Cantonment much uneasiness arose as hearing their artificers" were not about to join them. They feel that "hutting" cannot commence until "they get their carpenters to direct the work." Therefore General Washington wishes that "neither they nor the Masons; may be detained one moment after the time agreed on" and that if any of them "as can possibly be spared may be sent even before that time."

GLC02437.01685

10 February 1781

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of original. Asks Knox to gather materials and help prepare scientific experiments for military purposes planned by Mr. De Granger. With Washington's name at the bottom, signed in another hand. On blue paper. Original Washington signed letter is GLC02437.09371.

GLC02437.09322

22 March 1782

United States. Continental Congress.

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Resolve of Congress respecting the promotion of Knox to major general]

Signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress. Congress resolved to promote Henry Knox from brigadier general to major general. States that the promotion was granted on the recommendation of George Washington's letter of 31 October 1781 for merit during the siege of Yorktown. The promotion was dated from 15 November 1781. Knox was the youngest major general in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01371

March 1777

Manuscript document

Title: [Army expenses]

General Henry Knox's army expenses. $66,937 was brought forward. Includes a $600 and $400 payment for recruiting. Also notes "To cash recd. of Govr. Trumbull of Connect[icu]t. agreeable to a Dra[f]t. on him by His Excellency General Washington for the recruiting - and ordnance service Feb. 26 1777 20,000." The total expense was $87,937.

GLC02437.08399

16 September 1777-16 October 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document

Title: Knox's army diary [incomplete]

Mostly deals with movements of the army around Philadelphia in September and October 1777, around the time of the Battle of Germantown. On September 19 says "Intelligence recd. of the enemys pushing for Philadelphia the army cross'd the Schylkill." On 20 September, makes reference to General Anthony Wayne being attacked at night and states that General William Smallwood joined Wayne. Makes reference to George Washington riding reconnaissance with a group of officers on 30 September. Makes reference to moving toward Germantown on 3 and 4 October and describes the battle there. Makes…

GLC02437.08417

circa September 1776

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph document signed

Title: [Officers' petition to Henry Knox regarding inadequate wages]

Signed by Sargent, William Treadwell, Benjamin Frothingham, Jotham Horton, David Allen, John Johnston, Thomas Seward, and Benajah Carpenter. All sign as Captain Lieutenant, and present a moving request for livable wages. "...We the subscribers, your Honour's Petitioners, finding our present Wages inadequate to our necessary Expenses, wou'd beg your Honour to report the Affair to his Excellency... we are not mercenary- we desire not to hoard up, but had we Millions would with Pleasure spend them in our Country's Cause...we've nothing to offer our Country but our lives, which we'll hazard or…

GLC02437.10008

19 October 1781

Hunter, James, fl. 1781

Autograph document

Title: [Bill to Henry Knox for military supplies needed for the siege of Yorktown].

Bill for iron and waggonage from the Rappahannock Forge in Falmouth, Virginia. Knox's instructions to Hunter to send iron and ordnance to the James River and Hunter's report on fulfilling that request appear in GLC02437.01194 and GLC02437.01217, respectively.

GLC02437.01246

1781

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: [Rations for Henry Knox and his family, 1777-1781]

In the handwriting of Samuel Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp. Lists the rations to which Henry Knox and his military "family" are entitled from 1777-1781, broken down yearly. Also mentions Colonel John Crane and General Nathanael Greene and their families.

GLC02437.01299

10 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document signed

Title: Gen. Knox in account with S. Shaw

Lists Henry Knox's accounts with Shaw, beginning 8 June 1781 and ending 12 December, 1781. Contains several memoranda and instructions for what Knox owes to Shaw and what the United States government owes Knox. Expenses range from: groceries and house wares to a payment to Frederick "for dressing the Generals hat," to "Jacob's wife (Peggy) for washing," to "Cato Freeman on account of his wages" (probably an African-American servant), travel and board expenses "From Camp to Philadelphia" [August], from "Philadelphia to Williamsburg in Virginia" [September], and from "York to Mount Vernon" […

GLC02437.01368

18 July 1782

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of two pieces of brass ordnance attached to Genl Hows Division, with the ammunition impliments be on hand, & the number of rounds expended at Tarry Town on the 16th & 17th instant

A chart describing the brass ordnance of General Robert Howe's division, including ammunition.

GLC02437.01493

December 31, 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph document

Title: to Henry Knox

Page of accounts for horse pasturage and rations.

GLC02437.01766

29 July 1774

Longman, Thomas, 1731-1797

Autograph document

Title: [Invoice of goods shipped to Henry Knox by Thomas Longman]

List of books Longman shipped to Knox. It was shipped in 5 packages. The shipment also included chapbooks, plays, and monthly reviews. The cost of trunks, cases, shipping, and insurance is included. The total came to £238.8.6 1/2. Gives a short list of books out of print or unavailable in England.

GLC02437.08369

6 December 1774

Chapman, Joseph, fl. 1774-1776

Autograph document signed

Title: [Bill for cloth and carpet]

Bill for items bought at Greenleaf's auction by Henry Knox: four yards of broad cloth for £13.4 and one Persian carpet for £23, for a total of £36.4. Note at bottom says Chapman acknowledges receipt of payment on behalf of William Greenleaf. Docket says "paid."

GLC02437.08373

16 December 1774

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipts for rent]

Two receipts, each signed by Knox in the text, stating that Knox paid his rent, which was £10 for the quarter. The first receipt is dated 16 December 1774 and the second 16 March 1775. Each is also signed by Joseph Ford.

GLC02437.08374

1774

Manuscript document

Title: [Recipe for medicine]

Recipe for medicine states bark and snake root should stand in a pint of brandy in a warm place. Should take a tablespoon a half hour before each meal. Also states that the opium and another illegible ingredient should be put in a jill of spirits. 40-50 drops of this medicine should be taken 3 times a day and the cold air should be avoided for a half hour after taking.

GLC02437.08375

11 March 1775

Lee & Perkins, fl. 1775

Manuscript document

Title: [Note for Henry Knox]

Lee and Perkins, merchants in Dartmouth, promise to pay Knox £13.16.11 on demand with interest. Docket on verso is signed by Knox and dated 11 October 1790. Knox was asking that they pay his agent, Joseph Peirce, on order.

GLC02437.08378

March 31, 1775-February 22,1805

Manuscript document

Title: [Thomas Longman's account with Henry Knox]

Longman's original bill to Knox on 31 March 1775 came to £2035.6.6 1/2. It appears that Knox paid it in several installments over 1792-1794. Payment of interest from January 1794 to July 1804 was £345.9.0. There is an additional note by James Lloyd, the lawyer for the Longman estate (Longman died in 1797), making reference to other payments in 1804-1806. Docket in Henry Knox's hand mentions making further payments.

GLC02437.08379

circa 1775-1783

Autograph document

Title: [List of clothing]

Seems to be a list of military clothing for Henry Knox. Includes shirts, coats, vests, blankets, socks, etc.

GLC02437.08387