29 September 1781

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes the "very kind reception from the good Lady of this place" [Martha Washington]. Gives news about their daughter Lucy, who is staying in Philadelphia. Colonel Clement Biddle and his wife will see her each Sunday. Pertinent correspondence will be forwarded to Knox. Requests that Knox write Biddle to thank him. Expresses her desire for a home and rhetorically asks "will the time ever come when we shall have a house of our own and our children about us[?] if not, life is undesirable." Reports difficulties with their son Harry. Mentions a rumored battle fought by General Nathanael…

GLC02437.01199

16 October 1781

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that Martha Washington and Nellie Calvert Custis received letters from their husbands letting them know how they are and what is happening in the war. Chastises Henry for not writing. She misses their daughter Lucy, who was living in Philadelphia, but has heard that she is well. Urges him to write back. Knox was then engaged in the siege of Yorktown. The letter is not complete.

GLC02437.01230

23 October 1781

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has heard from Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth that Lord Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown had occurred, or would shortly. She has received his letter of 16 October 1781 and is awaiting the next, which Knox wrote on 19 October 1781 (see GLC02437.01231 and GLC02437.01244, respectively). Indicates that this letter will be delivered by Lund Washington, who will provide some news about Knox's young son. She has not heard from their daughter Lucy in Philadelphia. Wants to know when she will see him and indicates that another letter from her will be delivered by Martha Washington. In a post script…

GLC02437.01257

18 August 1791

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says his letter of Monday morning did not come to hand until Tuesday evening. Laments that they must remain where they are a few days. Mentions that their son George Washington Knox was "violently ill" on Sunday night. Sent for Dr. Belvile "who wished not to prescribe unless he could see the effect of what he administered, this is the cause of my stay." Did not mention it in her letter of yesterday because she did not want to cause Henry anxiety. It seems that George Washington Knox has worms and that it will take them another week to travel. Offers him options on how they could all…

GLC02437.05126

12 August 1781

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Lucy the wife of Brigadier General Knox, to her husband. Reports that four posts have come and gone without a letter from him. Says General Benjamin Lincoln also came from his quarters without any remembrances from him. Claims "this is what I am so unused to, that I scarce know how to behave under it., if it has meant to mortify it has answered the purpose admirably." Sent a letter last Thursday by Colonel Lewis and needs his answer to know how to proceed. Hears nothing of the army's movements and says she is "sick with anxiety, oh horrid war, how has thou blasted the fairest…

GLC02437.01129

8 October 1781

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Chastises her husband for not writing. Asks Henry when she will see him and why he has not written. The Continental Army was then involved in the siege of Yorktown.

GLC02437.01214

10 April 1782

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has received letter from Knox, which to her "unspeakable mortification" relates that he will be away from her for several days longer. Apologizes for not writing frequently, but explains that she constantly expected his return. Also mentions that other events and causes have prevented her from writing but says she will explain further in person. Writes, "I have received a long letter from our brother Wm [William Knox] and one from Mr. Williams both of which I should have forwarded could I have imagined you would have staid so long, William was well and in good spirits." Relates that their…

GLC02437.01383

4 May 1785

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's wife expresses her "infinite regret" at his suggestion that they find a house in the country. Notes that Congress should be able to find him a decent place near New York City, where he will be stationed as Secretary at War. Mentions a recent sale, at which Mr. [John?] Hancock bought a dressing table for the "high price of forty one dollars." Discusses family and friends.

GLC02437.03137

19 May 1785

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's wife, Lucy, reports that Captain Callahan was unable to hire artisans from England: "the sentiments of the english are so oppos'd to that class of persons coming out that he feared to make the attempt." Has received no recent news of William Knox, Henry's brother who suffered from mental illness. Mentions an unspecified match, possibly referring to William Knox's courtship of Henry Laurens's daughter (William had lapsed into insanity, and the courtship ended on dramatic, negative terms; refer to GLC02437.03082). Fears that William's "malady is too deep for cure." Expresses joy at…

GLC02437.03148

20 September 1790

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Lucy Knox arrived in New York and now has the chance to write her daughter Lucy who is staying in Boston with the Brecks. The mother Lucy writes about fashion and advises her daughter Lucy how to behave. She reminds her daughter to attend to her studies and make them a priority.

GLC02437.04731

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

1 November 1793

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Addressed to "My Best and dearest friend." Reports that the day she left Henry, she arrived in New York to a great reception. Says her enjoyment is clouded by her fear Henry will be exposed to the yellow fever. Expresses displeasure at the thought of their continued separation. Reports that "an express arrived here yesterday for Dr. Stevens to attend Colo. Hamilton supposed in the yellow fever." Tells him to remember his promise not to return to Philadelphia. Asks about Augusta (possibly Augusta Dearborn, daughter of Henry Dearborn). "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05956

circa 1786

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Autograph note

Title: to Jonathan Clarke

Macaulay presents her compliments to Mr. Clarke, thanks him for the polite note, and wishes him a good voyage and the best health. Asks Clarke to give her compliments to Mr. Adams. Envelope is addressed to Mr. Clarke, No. 55 St. Paul's Church Yard. Possibly referring to Governor Samuel Adams. Note is undated but could possibly have been written at the time of Macauley's trip to America. She was a great friend to the American cause and traveled in America, stayed at Mount Vernon, and corresponded with George Washington. See the Macaulay papers, GLC01784.01-1800.04.

GLC01450.032.02

1777

Bromfield, Eliza, 1763-?

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Composition and sentiment book]

Mostly contains poetry. Eliza was the daughter of Henry Bromfield from his second marraige to Hannah Clarke.

GLC01450.030.02

December 20, 1776

DeBlois, Elizabeth, 1761-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Winslow Esq. and wife

DeBlois writes to her sister and brother in New York. She comments on her good health and hopes that she sees her family again soon. A postscript mentions rebels leaving Cumberland (Nova Scotia). Paper contains a loyalist watermark.

GLC01412.60

October 28, 1775

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellen Lothrop

Letter written by Warren, the well known Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary writer, to her friend Lothrop. Says she will leave politics for others to discuss and that she only has warm feelings for the circle of friends in Fairfield (where Lothrop is). Fears she will spend a very lonely winter, but would not want her husband back if would hurt the American cause. Year inferred from contents. Mrs. Warren is confident she will avoid bloodshed in her area and expects Providential intervention "to save the injured distressed Americans." Says the bearer of this letter will relate the news that…

GLC01189.01

8 November 1767-1785

Sylvester, Deborah, fl. 1760-1785

Header Record

Title: Collection of items belonging to Deborah Sylvester [Decimalized .01-.02.08]

GLC01144

24 August 1775

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Refers to the present dangerous affairs due to British barbarity. Alludes to "the Bravery of the peasants of Lexington." Describes the investment of a colonial army led by Washington and the beginnings of a representative government in Massachusetts.

GLC01800.02

1771

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dickinson

A response in draft form to Dickinson's previous letter, concerning her hopes that America confine its "lust for ornaments to the limits of their own ingenuity."

GLC01790.02

1763-1791

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Header Record

Title: Correspondence of Catharine Macaulay [Decimalized .01- .63]

Collection of correspondence of Catharine Macaulay Graham with various people from England, Scotland, France, and America, including a folder of transcripts of letters not included in this collection. Materials in this collection consist of retained drafts, letters received, drafts written on other letters, and some occasional pieces. According to a later note in GLC 1795, these letters were returned by her second husband William Graham to daughter Catharine Sophia Macaulay Gregorie. Some letters are in French. A full inventory is available, and transcripts of some letters are also…

GLC01794

1783-1900

Gregorie, Catharine S.M., 1765-1821

Header Record

Title: [Catharine Macaulay family correspondence][Decimalized .001- .109]

Collection of letters belonging to Catharine Macaulay dated approximately 1783-1900. Consists of 109 letters and documents related to the Macaulay, Graham, Gregorie, and Brickdale families, Majority of letters are sent from Catharine S. Gregoire to her mother Catharine Macaulay. Later correspondence is later sent to William Graham from Catharine S. Gregoire following the death of Macaulay and Catharine S. Gregoire's husband, Charles Gregoire. Letters also includes recipients of Charles Richards, Jane Frazer, Anne Frazer and Isabella Frazer from their cousin Catharine Gregoire Brickdale.

GLC01795

December 29, 1774

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Warren describes the resolve of the people to resist "the strides of Wanton power" and fears the results, "an innocent Land Drenched [in] Blood." Believes that surely this destruction and anger can't continue much longer, particularly the blockade of Boston. Encourages future correspondence and support.

GLC01800.01

28 September 1787

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay

Written by Warren three days after the publication of the Constitution. She writes "[a]lmost every one whom I have yet seen reads with attention, holds the page with solemnity, & silently wraps up his opinion within his own breast...." (Not dated 1784.) She mentions mixed reactions to signing of the Constitution.

GLC01800.03

20 September 1789

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Catharine Macaulay Graham

Written after news of the beginning of the French Revolution reached America. Assesses the new government's prospects. Remarks, "we are too poor for Monarchy, too wise for Despotism, and too dissipated selfish & extravagant for Republicanism." Discusses the struggles of the infant republic.

GLC01800.04

April 1790

Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Compares French and American revolutions, describes American government, America's future, and her expectation that wealth from commerce will inevitably hurt democracy and rob the people.

GLC01800.05