31 May 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses obtaining money to pay the troops and buy supplies. Writes, "I inclose a paper of this day by which you will observe a Return of the Senate & House as Chosen by the People." Discusses the candidates, writing, "a Respectable committee of both Houses waited on the Honble. John Hancock Esqr. & informed him he was chosen Govr of this Commonwealth." Hancock will visit the general court the following day, if his gout does not prevent him from doing so. Notes that the Lieutenant Governor is not chosen by the people.

GLC02437.03559

17 November 1793

Izard, Ralph, 1742-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he arrived in New York on 15 November and received Knox's letter of 8 November. Is glad that health has been restored to Philadelphia after the yellow fever outbreak. Says that since Washington has settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania for the present, it is probable that Congress will meet there for a few days. Asks to be kept updated on the president's intentions. Is happy that Knox informed him that his housekeeper Mrs. Cortright is well. Reports that two of Mrs. Izard's letters to her were returned unopened and they feared she was dead. Encloses a letter to her and asks Knox to…

GLC02437.05978

22 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ralph Izard

References Izard's letter of 17 November. Says it is the general opinion that Congress can meet in Philadelphia at the next appointed time. Says President Washington is staying in Germantown, although he comes to town often. Reports that Germantown is destitute of proper accommodations and says Izard and Smith will prefer their own house in the city. Mentions that if Congress decides to meet in Germantown, he can easily ride there from Philadelphia. Notes Izard's house is free from danger. Sends a note from Mrs. Cortright, Izard's housekeeper. Letterpress copy.

GLC02437.05980

5 September 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Duer

Says he wrote to Duer earlier about the provisional articles for the French colony on the land they have purchased in Maine. Believes that Madame de la Val and Mr. de la Roche were supposed to have seen the property yesterday, but believes they were kept by the recent bad weather. Had written to Henry Jackson earlier and asked him to assist them in any way. Says if they are expecting to establish their colony this winter they need to move without delay. Asked Jackson to procure another million acres, even if it costs 15 cents per acre. Does not think any time should be wasted getting the…

GLC02437.05145

18 September 1793

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the situation at Yorktown. Says a wagon load of clothing arrived for troops stationed there. The wagon driver and his assistant died of yellow fever and the townspeople decided to burn the clothing. Mentions meeting a party of troops marching toward Lancaster and believes they will protect other clothing shipments "and take all reasonable means of satisfying the people as to the prevention of further communication of the disorders; So far as those in advanced are exposed, no remedy can arrive in time for the evil." Says he just returned from Knox's "deserted mansion" and saw…

GLC02437.05926

5 October 1793

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he just came from Knox's house in Philadelphia and that everything is well. Says the servants are prudent for locking the gate to prevent anyone "from coming unawares." Says "I think you may be perfectly easy as to danger, the malady is a contagious one, not communicable at a distance." Claims the city is still in distress though. Believes it will only get better with a snowstorm or frost. Says medical aid is only effective "where the disease is not confirmed, and where the natural powers of the body are able to support it." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature…

GLC02437.05939

11-14 October 1793

Autograph document

Title: [An account of the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia]

Top half of this document is dated 11 October from Philadelphia. The bottom half is dated 14 October from New York. The Philadelphia report gives a grim account of the yellow fever outbreak. The New York report says 137 were officially buried in Philadelphia last Friday, not including independent burials. A short list of individuals who died on 11 October (including Major [David] Franks) is provided at the very bottom of this document.

GLC02437.05942

25 March 1783

Cochran, John, 1730-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lillie

Discusses a shipment of sulfur sent by General Henry Knox.

GLC02437.02031

November 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Dr. Cochran's certificate in the case of Dr. Hortons widow]

Marked "copy." Draft in Knox's hand. Certifies that, as Surgeon General of the Army in 1777, Cochran had the right of appointing assistant surgeons when necessary, and that he did appoint Dr. Jonathan Horton as assistant to Dr. Stafford in the state of New Jersey. Specifies what pay Horton was offered. Certifies that Horton died, while in service, of "a contagion and a fever." Explains why he believes Horton's widow should be eligible for financial support by the United States. See GLC02437.03329 for a related document.

GLC02437.03358

1 November 1789

Crocker, Joseph, 1749-1797

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates details of George Washington's visit to Boston in October 1789, and praises the Triumphal Arch that was erected to honor the occasion: "The Reception of the President in this Town, was beyond discription [sic] superb: you will see Accounts of it in our Papers but they are vastly short of the real pomp & parade. The Assemblee at Concert Hall, I am enformed by several Gentlemen, was superb beyond description. The Triumphal Arch adjoining the State House is yet standing, & does [g]reat Honor to the Inventors." Mentions an illness sweeping town, noting that it is called the "…

GLC02437.04401

3 May 1788

Cutler, Manasseh, 1742-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks whether Invalid Regiments and heirs of those killed in battle or who died from sickness are entitled to army lands according to an Ordinance of Congress. Writes, "The Spirit of emigration to the western country is dayly increasing in the N. England States- we shall certainly have more than one thousand families at the Muskingum in the course of the present year, unless the natives should be so uncivil as to interrupt those already on the ground... Will all the Tribes who have relinquished their claim to ye lands we have purchased be summoned to attend ye treaty at Muskingum?" Assures…

GLC02437.03864

14 July 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Winslow

Writes that he received Winslow's letter but was unable to reply due to absence. Explains that his youngest child has been gravely ill. Discusses the General Court's debates on a petition, apparently regarding their Waldo patent lands, as well as other business concerns.

GLC02437.04282

19 July 1789

Winslow, Isaac, 1736-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's most recent letter, and hopes that Knox's youngest son's health will improve. Mentions that the General Court has not discussed the petitions from the Waldo patent lands, and describes a meeting he recently held with some of the petitioners. Feels that he and Knox have a strong likelihood of receiving a favorable decision when the Court does discuss the petitions. Discusses several other business matters.

GLC02437.04294

17 November 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References two letters from Henry. Reports that Henry's son, Henry Jackson Knox, arrived safely last evening. He is travelling to Hingham tomorrow or the next day. Says he will write Berkeley Sidney Knox, a man in Jamaica claiming to be a distant relative of Knox and seeking a job (see GLC02437.05938). Notes he "cannot undertake to say any thing more than has already been said upon this subject." Is happy to hear that a group of physicians announced the official abatement of the yellow fever in Philadelphia. Believes the disorder may still be latent and recommends that Henry keep his…

GLC02437.05977

21 October 1788

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports War Office business. Discusses Lieutenant Pratt's recruits and his orders to march to Fort Pitt. Refers to matters in the Northwest Territory, clothing inspection and packing, and a [Congressional] committee's inspection of the War Department. Of the inspection and resulting report, writes, "I do not think it looks unfavorably to you- but which with defference [sic] to their great wisdom might I think as well have been left undone, as it acquaints the world with secrets, which should have been less extensively known." Reports that Robert Morris is in town, and the "Old Congress"…

GLC02437.04010

12 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Mentions being "attacked with the cursed fever" last week, but is now better. Wishes he could be with her and the family. Informs that Mrs. Smith is doing better after being very ill with a "disorder in her bowels." Writes that "Our President [George Washington], Mrs. Washington and family departed yesterday..." Writes of events in England and France exclaiming, "What unpleasant work on the frontiers of France! - England will go into confusion - do you not think Tom Paine has excited great commotion in mens minds to be honored with a royal Proclamation against his writings."

GLC02437.05535

9 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Agrees to the idea to allow his son (Henry Jackson Knox) to remain at Hingham for school. Believes not only will Henry's education improve but so will his morals. States he will leave the decision of Henry's schooling in Lucy's hands. Mentions their neighbor Mrs. Smith, who has been ill, finally passed away. Her husband is greatly affected by her death. Updates her on news of their friends and notes the "Presidents Nephew George Washington" has "given over with his old disorder a consumption."

GLC02437.05604

2 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

Signed and initialed by Knox. Tells Lucy their baby girl and the rest of the family is in good health just outside Philadelphia. Reports "The disorder seems to have vanished by Magic and the great Storm of rain which took place the day before yesterday and lasted 24 hours will complete the death of this infernal monster." Says he will not be going into town until December though. Expects to see Lucy by 15 November. Notes President Washington and Thomas Jefferson arrived in Germantown yesterday in perfect health. Mentions "Hamilton is…

GLC02437.05958

5 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

References Lucy's letter of 1 November. Says he will not go into the city until she returns, but believes everything is now fine. Reports he has sent her three letters before this one. Mentions that Alexander Hamilton is entirely recovered from his illness and was in Germantown yesterday. Says "He sent for Stevens, and Belville from Trenton because he was apprehensive that if he took any of the city Physcicians [sic] he should be systematically sacrificed either by the Tonics, or evacuents - But his disorder arose from cold, and did not in the least partake of the…

GLC02437.05960

12 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

References two of Lucy's letters. Expresses how much he misses her. Says he will meet her on the road "before you turn off from frankford road." Says the city appears to be safe and "It is filling with inhabitants." Reports that "A Vessell however has arrived and more are expected of the unfortune [sic] people of St. Domingo, expelled there by the English, or Aristocrats, who is apprehended are infected with some contagious disorder." Notes measures will be taken to prevent any danger. Mentions that President Washington went to Reading to see a canal that is being built. Washington was…

GLC02437.05971

7 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

References receiving two of Lucy's letters. Has enclosed a letter for Henry Jackson Knox (not included). Does not have a complaint about her leaving on Wednesday, just wants her to be happy and comfortable. Does not believe it prudent to go into Philadelphia until 25 November. Says there has been rain the past two days and unseasonable warm weather today. Notes "Some people who have lately gone into the city have fallen sacrifices either to their own imprudence or to the malignancy of the disorder." Has directed their house to be well aired. Mentions he received a letter from Mrs.…

GLC02437.05962

10 November 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

References Lucy's letter of 6 November. Believes Henry Jackson Knox will leave New York for Boston tomorrow. After he leaves, believes Lucy will return to Philadelphia. Wants her to be happy in New York because "life is so generally overshadowed with some gloom, that there is a sort of religion in enjoying the blessings of the moment." Says going into the city before 1 December is not prudent, although the yellow fever is "nearly at an end and I belive no instances of any fresh infection for 6 or 7 days past." Written from Falls of…

GLC02437.05970

22 March 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that due to miscommunication with General Sir Henry Clinton, he is being detained in New Jersey. Had set out from Philadelphia toward Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a meeting of commissioners, but Clinton sent word to Philadelphia which arrived after he left. Clinton's letter postponed the meeting to 20 April, and when Knox finally received word, he wrote to Clinton to ask that due to "the exceeding inconveniences inflicted," he move the appointment up. Relates that they will now meet in Elizabeth on 28 April, but says this will detain them a week at least. Writes that he…

GLC02437.01372

12 October 1788

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to her husband, who is in Boston. Misses their daughter (likely Lucy). Relates news of the Ogden family. Notes that Mrs. Green (possibly Catharine Littlefield Greene) hopes Knox will visit her on his return to New York. Remarks, "Our little ones have not the measles yet, altho it is all around us."

GLC02437.03995

5 October 1793

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions their son Henry Jackson Knox is probably already in Boston. Says all are well, except Lucy who was left in Newark with the Ogden's. Says Mr. Breck has hired three rooms in Newark because he has no hope of getting to Philadelphia in the coming months. Reports that she does not believe Congress will sit in Philadelphia, in reference to the yellow fever outbreak. Mentions the deaths of people they know, including the mother and sister of Benjamin Rush and [Major David] Franks. Rush also said that Mr. Blodget and Mr. Clymer were ill. Heard that on average 130 people have died in the…

GLC02437.05953