2 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes, "In short my Lucy no man on earth seperated [sic] from All that he holds Dear on earth has ever suffer'd more than I have suffer'd in being absent from you whom I hold dearer than every other object..." Defends his love for her, because "in one moment of inadventure you have written which will long be the source of unhappiness to me." Expects to be able to set out for Congress when the army goes into winter quarters, and intends to be in Boston (Lucy's location) in one month. Notes that "The situation of our army on account of Cloathing is such as to render a Winters Campaign…

GLC02437.00670

3 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for her as a follow up to a letter from the previous day. Writes, " ... is there nothing in this world that would satisfy [Lucy] but deserting the camp in which I am engag'd and render my self eternally infamous ... by resigning at the time my Country may stand in need of my little assistance- God forbid." Feels sympathy for her loneliness, mentioning the absence of her family (as Loyalists, they had moved to England). Hopes to see her in about a month. Mentions that he has not written to "Harry," Henry Jackson, because he is expected to soon arrive at Whitemarsh.

GLC02437.00672

15 March 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

William Hickenbothem from his regiment will visit her while on a furlough. She should feel free to spend money on supplies that they need. He will write to those who have found fault with her. He will not reenlist: "one hundred thousand dollars would not hire me again…I will quit the company of men that is worse than dogs and brut[e]s and a life that is harder than death."

GLC02739.104

30 March 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He is sorry to hear that things at home are so difficult for her. He is pleased that she received his diary, as "for future use and practice…it is more precious than gold."

GLC02739.105

31 May 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Daily skirmishing and sharp-shooting; establishing battle lines; dangers of picket duty; mentions battles at Rocky Face and Resaca; asks her not to send the children to school unless he dies.

GLC02739.117

30 September 1864

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Traveling to Bridgeport; disrupted communication with Nashville due to Confederate cavalry; Lincoln/McClellan election; private apology to his wife; surrender of Vicksburg; Lee's retreat.

GLC02739.134

8 December 1864

King, David C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Informing Jones's wife of his capture during a battle at Franklin, Tennessee.

GLC02739.147

January 12, 1865

King, David C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

News of Jones's whereabouts.

GLC02739.148

5 April 1865

King, David C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

News from other prisoners captured at Franklin, but still no word from Jones.

GLC02739.150

20 February 1810

West, Benjamin, 1738-1820

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Certificate of emancipation for Priscilla a negro woman]

Certificate stating that Benjamin West, a free negro, has bought the freedom of Priscilla, who will be his wife. "Benjamin West a free negro having purchased a negrowoman named Priscilla...Do hereby liberate and emancipate the said negrowoman Priscilla...On condition the said negrowoman Priscilla is allowed to live with me as a wife during my life and not to be molested or disturbed by any person in authority under the act of assembly in that case made and provided." West signs with his mark. Also signed by Thomas Healy, George Healy, James Handate and Thomas Muse

GLC03434.04

31 July 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Lucy Knox, Henry's wife, left for Newbury Port (possibly Massachusetts), the previous Monday. Mentions an express from General [Israel] Putnam to General [William] Heath, in which Putnam attested the British sailed from the Hook (possibly Paulus Hook, New Jersey), but did not know where they were bound. General George Washington assumed they are bound for Philadelphia, but a letter from General [Alexander] McDougal to Colonel Sears in Boston states they may be sailing toward Boston. Notes that Sears's behavior, including his intention to flee Boston, has "fright'd all the old…

GLC02437.00631

23 August 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that she is recovering from a four day illness. Describes her daily life in detail as requested by Henry. Rises at eight a.m., has breakfast for an hour, then reads, writes, or works until her "solitary dinner" at 2 p.m. Misses Henry intensely, noting that even the company of their daughter, Lucy, reminds her of his absence. Describes her afternoon rides in her chaise, and her visits to several friends. Mentions the loss of her immediate family, who as Loyalists fled from Boston. Expresses her wish to be with Henry. Refers to the Hero, a ship, which will soon sail for France.…

GLC02437.00638

28 August 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that Captain Randall is not leaving as soon as she expected, thus she can add more lines to her letter, a continuation of GLC02437.00642. Writes, "I forgot to tell you how much I am mortified at having received an epistle from you wrote upon the second of this month wherein you take no notice of it being your Lucys birth day- such apparent trifles are not overlooked by persons who tenderly Love- but it was the hurry of business it was not it could not be want of affection." Gives an account of the celebration in Boston following "advantage gained at the Northward," possibly the Battle…

GLC02437.00643

03/31/1862

Kelly, Mary, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah

She has joined her husband at the hospital. He was wounded in the lower abdomen. The wound appears fatal and he seems resigned to die. She hopes to move him to a better hospital. She comments on her fate and "right hard trouble every spring." [The Kelly's lost a daughter two years ago in the spring and last spring their son died the night before James Kelly shipped out.] She also discusses other wounded. Date written "Monday 31."

GLC04197.25

24 April 1863

Epperly, Christian M., 1837-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Epperly

Believes the Yankees are heading toward Gordon's ville to cut the railroad to Lynchburg, Virgina. Informs her that two men in camp have gotten married. Expresses his desire to go home.

GLC02715.050

9 August 1863

Epperly, Mary M., fl. 1859-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Notes that she finds it hard to eat knowing that her husband has such poor a diet. Says that she will try to send him some food. Mentions that deserters from his old regiment fought with the home guards. [See GLC02715.070]

GLC02715.065

10 November 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses how important his correspondence with Lucy is and how much it hurts him to urge her to go farther away from him (first to New Haven then to Boston). Speculates on a possible British strategy to extend their conquest into New Jersey, which will force Knox to follow, and be further from his wife. Notes that the New York campaign might be considered a loss for the Americans. Analyzes the current situation in New York. Comments that General George Washington set out for New Jersey. Mentions that General Horatio Gates drove Sir Guy Carleton back to Canada, which Knox believes will…

GLC02437.00485

10 October 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Laments the loss of Bergen Point, New Jersey, as well as any other easy victory by the British because it lifts their spirits and emboldens them. It also discourages the Americans. Wants there to be no more works built that cannot be properly defended. Discusses several prizes taken by privateers and the supplies seized. Also relates news from London papers that were aboard one of the ships. Discusses a ship his is outfitting and inquires again about the guns he requested from Knox. Mentions the marriage of Ebenezer Oliver to Sucky (Susanna) Johonnet.

GLC02437.00474

6 November 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses her poor health, explains why she did not write for three posts, and laments their separation. Seeks verification of a rumor that General William Howe met the same fate as General John Burgoyne. Letter dated below signature as 6 November. Year inferred from content.

GLC02437.00480

22 November 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Assures her that their separation will not be as long as she fears, that they will soon be together again, and that he loves her deeply. Explains why he must stay at war and away from her, saying: "My obedience in this point interrupts our happiness for the present in order to secure it more effectually." Writes that the British have arrived near Fort Lee, and expects they will attack it soon. Reports that the Continental Congress has not taken care of his artillery unit. Hopes to see her in four weeks, assuming the British move to winter quarters. Expects that his brother will be with…

GLC02437.00490

28 December 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for Lucy, but says that the love of his country must keep them apart for now. Discusses the Battle of Trenton (26 December 1776) in depth. Starts by stating that Lucy must "have heard of our success on the morning of the 26th instant against the enemy." Describes how before the attack, they were forced to retire to the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware and that "preservation of Philadelphia was a matter exceedingly precarious - The Force of the enemy three or four times as large as ours." Notes that Hessian troops, German mercenaries, were defending Trenton. Describes…

GLC02437.00497

23 July 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A short note telling Lucy that she can come see him. Written at Camp Precaness

GLC02437.00829

20 September 1859

Epperly, T. B., fl. 1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christian M. Epperly

Writes that there is enough work for six or eight months. Discusses girls and asks Christian not to get married without letting him know first.

GLC02715.123

April 24, 1872

Speakman, Jesse C., fl. 1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C. M. Epperly

Informs his cousins that his wife has died of consumption. Asks them to help take care of his three children. Inquires if they have sold their farm yet.

GLC02715.126

January 8, 1861-1865

Epperly, Sarah, fl. 1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marion Epperly

Discusses a friend or family member [illegible] who she says ought to join her out west. Writes that there have been a number of weddings this season, but she has not yet been asked. Letter was written on 8 January, year and state not listed.

GLC02715.127