16 May 1789

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Watertown, possibly in Massachusetts. Vose, Knox's agent in some of the Waldo patent lands, describes waiting longer than he expected for a communication from Knox. He then experienced frustration and had to handle the irritation of many citizens of the Waldo patent lands that he manages. Mentions leaving the area and waiting for word from Knox before returning. Discusses an agreement made with the Winslows, and describes extreme difficulty in contacting them and making arrangements. Indicates that he is very "unhappily circumstanced" and short of money.

GLC02437.04205

6 June 1789

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions that he recently arrived in the Waldo patent lands, and has found the people there mostly healthy, though grain is scarce and some people are quite destitute. Reports that Captain [George] Ulmer told him he had written to Knox regarding the discontentedness of the populace, but Vose has not found evidence of that yet. Declares that Isaac Winslow, Jr. and his cousin agreed to lease part of their farm on the patent, and that he would visit his brother in Portland soon to get his consent as well. Discusses his inability to collect enough money from the populace to purchase tools and…

GLC02437.04233

26 June 1789

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Provides Knox with an update on the lands he is managing for him on the Waldo patent. Has fenced in a farm because the "Cattle & Sheep are very troublesome." Discusses livestock, particularly the profitability of cattle. Comments on the construction of buildings and roads. Asks Knox whether mechanics and other "usefull persons" should be given housing lots in return for settling the area.

GLC02437.04258

10 November 1789

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he expects to set sail today, but is unfortunately feeling so ill "that I can scersly [scarcely] write, or do any thing else - having an extreme bad cold - " Sends news of mutual acquaintances that are also travelling. Notes that Henry Jackson promised to send Knox a more detailed report from Vose regarding "the pattent," or the Waldo Patent, Knox's lands in present-day Maine. Stamped "Boston."

GLC02437.04412

30 March 1790

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the market for what appears to be stave timber. Writes that "the high price which they offered, & the small quantity that they were able to engage shews [sic] that staves are not so easily got in this country as perhaps you may have imagined through too favorurable accounts which probably you have receivd." Attempted to create a business transaction involving the staves, but none of his contacts agreed to the deal, because they all thought the stave business unprofitable. Discusses the scarcity of timber in the area and the effects the harsh winter has had on the wood.…

GLC02437.04565

13 October 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Vose

Secretary of War Knox informs Captain Vose that he is in Boston to make arrangements "for giving the people upon the patent their deeds according to our agreement." Informs Vose, who helped manage business on Knox's Maine lands, that he will visit the patent the following year.

GLC02437.04752

8 November 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Vose

An extensive summary of details concerning the Waldo Patent. Includes financial information, instructions on selling the land to settlers, and instructions on the administration of the land.

GLC02437.04774

20 June 1792

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that his last letter was delivered by Mr. Monvel, who is still staying with Vose. Local opinions of Monvel vary: "... some suppose that he's about to make a large purchase of land for a french settlement - others think him not in his right mind." Hopes that Knox will visit during the summer. Reports that the settlers on Knox's lands in Maine are anxious to receive their deeds and have not made any payments for about one year. Notes that lime burners in the area "expect that a large quantity of lime will be wanted from here for the building of the Federal City." Asks for Knox…

GLC02437.05512

25 April 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Vose

Says the duties of his office and a recent illness have kept him from writing. Says it is his "firm determination" to be with him in June or July. Says as the house cannot be built for occupation this season, "I would prefer that the digging of the cellars should be defered [sic] until my arrival," as he would like to pick the spot himself. Wants the stone and brick delivered to "the place you should judge near the spot." Will speedily send a plan to Henry Jackson and will tell him to collect workmen. Says there will not be any difficulty as he recently purchased the patent from the…

GLC02437.05877

10 February 1796

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he received Knox's letters but was kept from answering them by important business matters. Describes attempts by several groups to harm Knox's prospects in his land speculation project in Maine. Mentions one group led by Mr. [Samuel] Ely. Writes that he is "much alarm[ed]." Refers also to Captain [George] Ulmer, one of Knox's other agents in Maine, and describes how he is helping stop these conspirators (see GLC02437.06622 for related information).

GLC02437.06623

February 13, 1796

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to update Knox on the status of his landholdings in Maine. Provides reports of a possible insurrection, including the possibility of burning Knox's house down. Details the various rumors he has heard. Is a bit worried for the welfare of his wife and children.

GLC02437.06627

5 March 1796

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Warren, possibly in Maine. Writes that he visited a mutual friend, Captain G., that morning for information, but did not receive learn anything useful. Discusses government intervention to convince the people in Knox's territories in Maine that Knox is rightful and legal owner of the territories. Comments on ways to capture and punish Mr. [Samuel] Ely, leader of the insurgents against Knox. Mentions some business concerns.

GLC02437.06651

6 March 1796

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports several stories about townspeople who live on Knox's land in Maine, and discusses whether the townspeople believe Knox to be the rightful owner of the lands on which they live. Also touches on financial matters.

GLC02437.06654

21 March 1796

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports about an unsuccessful attempt made to apprehend the insurgent [Samuel] Ely. Describes when the warrants against him were sent out, and relates how one of Ely's associates might have told Ely there were warrants out against him. Discusses other matters of local importance, such as the amount of corn available to feed animals on Knox's estate and Mr. [Ebenezer] Dunton's plans for building Knox's barn.

GLC02437.06669

23 May 1796

Vose, Thomas, 1753-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses a copy of a petition (not present) which was drafted and signed by several local people in the Thomaston area (content of the petition is not specified).

GLC02437.06748

February 23, 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Unknown

Knox addresses his letter to "Gentlemen" and explains that working to improve Penobscot Bay and rivers has left him with considerable debt reaching $8,000 "due to Mr. Thorndike and six thousand dollars to another Gentleman his associate." Knox has arranged a plan of payment that includes Henry Jackson and Benjamin Lincoln endorsing Knox's notes. Knox goes on to describe his lands and how rapidly the population is increasing in the area.

GLC02437.07237

22 July 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Unknown

Mentions a written report has been completed by the gentlemen Knox hired as an effort to deal with settlers located on the northern part of the Waldo patent. Reports the gentlemen spoke to numerous settlers and explained Knox's deed and interlines on the settlement. States, "The idea of a gov[ernment] belonging to the commonwealth was strongly impressed on all." Goes on to further discuss other points made to the settlers by the gentlemen. Notes it appears the majority of the settlers would not oppose the surveying but that there still is a group who are in opposition. Also discredits the…

GLC02437.07573

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

6 July 1776-27 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Memorandum of cash paid]

Cash paid for board as well as tailoring and cloth.

GLC02437.08388

circa 1802-1806

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Memorandum relative to notes]

Lists notes not applied for, not received, and notes relinquished and bonds given up for what appears to be residents on Knox's Maine lands. The total amount adds up to $61,401, of which $52221 was principal and $9,181 was interest. According to the docket the document appears to have been sent to Joseph Hale.

GLC02437.08453

14 May 1782

Ritchie, Helena, fl. 1782

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Payment for rent of rooms and furniture]

Knox paid £134 "for the rent on certain rooms and furniture, from the 28th Novr last to the present day." Signed by Helena Ritchie.

GLC02437.08552

May 1782

Ritchie, Helena, fl. 1782

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Room and board with Helena Ritchie]

Henry Knox's bill room and board, including use of furniture and cleaning. Total came to £ 5.17 or $135.54. Helena Ritchie signed the document stating payment was received in full. Docket in Samuel Shaw's hand.

GLC02437.08560

18 October 1788

Pottel, Daniel, fl. 1788-1798

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Ducktrap settlers' petition to Knox]

Signed by Pottel and fifteen others. Settlers on Knox's Ducktrap lands (in present-day Maine) apply to him for relief "as children to a Parent." Recently signed a contract requiring them to pay for the land. Complain they did not have time to consider the details of the contract. Attest that they previously paid for the land, and should not have to pay again. Express worry that they have little or no provision to support their families through the winter. Threaten to seek the protection of the General Court if Knox refuses to give them relief.

GLC02437.04002

February 12, 1789

Leroy, Thomas, fl. 1789

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for tax on John Stevens's house, paid by Henry Knox]

Denotes the taxes paid by Henry Knox on John Stevens's house on Broad Way for the year 1788.

GLC02437.04107

12 August 1790

Welles, Arnold, 1761-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Boston merchant Welles writes Secretary of War Knox concerning unpaid rent he failed to pay before leaving Boston. According to Welles, Knox was supposed to have taken care of the rent "of the late Mrs. Jones's Place at Dorchester." Explains terms he worked out with General [Henry] Jackson, who apparently negotiated on Knox's behalf. As executor of the estate, finds it "not a little mortifying" to seem remiss in settling the rent.

GLC02437.04687