5 June 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Knox's agent Peirce to Secretary of War Knox. References Knox's letter of 30 May. Says the Sheriff of Lincoln County came to see him about taxes due on Knox's lands in Maine. Peirce was able to prove that there "was a Resolve of Court to stay the Sale of Absentees Estates for Taxes till the further order of Court." Received word from Samuel Winslow that it would be best to retain Judge Sullivan. He accordingly gave Sullivan 15 dollars and asked him to be particularity mindful of the problems at the Cooper Patent. Mentions a court case involving a Miss Bradbury, Mr. Parson, Mr.…

GLC02437.04975

23 June 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Encloses deeds for Knox to execute (not included). Also encloses deeds of conveyance to be executed to Knox (not included). Says it is necessary to have the deeds for property in Lincoln and Hancock counties (in Maine) recorded in those places. Is unable to determine if the lands of the Lincolnshire Company "in which the half share is" lay in both counties. As it is in the patent as a whole he included the deeds. Tells Knox about some quibbling in the wording about the quantity of lands. Says the deed from Henry Jackson is not included. Says "The purchase…

GLC02437.05020

12 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Applied at the probate office "for an order of distribution but was told there must be ... an Accot. exhibited of all expenditures about or on Accot. of the Estate and charge of the Agency." As Knox needs to pay out creditors from this estate, Peirce suggests he make such an account and send it to him. Describes various claims and notes that have been paid or need to be paid. Says Knox forgot to tell him how much to pay the auctioneers.

GLC02437.05063

17 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has not received a letter from Knox since 2 July. Received a letter from Samuel Winslow dated 12 July. Winslow's letter noted, "I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that our Cause has succeeded: the Adverse party intend reviewing at the Sup. Court next year - Mr. Bradbury opin'd & Sullivan closed the plea - The Action upon Coxes petition was continued for want of time - Mr Parsons is secd against us - Judge Sullivan thinks there is no danger - It will be adviseable to secure Parsons & Sullivan to defend the Action at Review next year." Reports that the cause first mentioned is…

GLC02437.05069

19 July 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Says he received Knox's letter of 10 July from the post office "after it was too late to answer it." Lists copies of the papers that Mr. Wetmore had in his possession. Says he received £78.19.0 for his "Charlestown place." Tells him he is "beyond a doubt quite right to conciliate Mr. Thomas & all other even by a sacrifice of some property - especially when there is an object of such magnitude." Mentions he has written Captain [Thomas] Vose several times for the depositions. Heard they may be in the probate office, but he has not received them yet.…

GLC02437.05076

4 August 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The original was sent to New York. Says that Henry Jackson informed him that Knox was in New York. Informs him that the deed from Knox to Oliver Smith is recorded. Notes they will both be sent eastward once he finds a responsible person to take them. States "Colo. H. however is of the opinion it would be best to keep the Deed from S to you several months, without recording and then have a new one executed in lieu of it.." Wants his opinion on that. Says his accounts are complicated "so that the appointments will be made ready to deliver me with the order for distribution on Monday next…

GLC02437.05102

11 November 1791

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that his last letter was shipped on board a schooner, upon which he also shipped a variety of merchandise. Regrets that he hasn't had a line from Knox in some time. Includes information related to the business and real estate world, such as the news that Mr. [James] Bowdoin "declined receiving the dividend due to his Fathers Estate" (may be speaking about Governor Bowdoin's son, as the Governor died in 1790). Provides information on Knox's Waldo patent lands in Maine, and the legal struggles relating thereto.

GLC02437.05256

25 February 1792

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has not received a reply from Knox. Reports that a Mr. Holt provided new information about the Flucker estate and the Waldo patent lands in Maine, specifically who owns the deeds to certain tracts of land. Provides advice from Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn on how they should proceed with the General Court.

GLC02437.05325

20 July 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letter of 29 June. Waited to respond until after the sitting of the Committee of the Sale of Eastern Lands. Met with John White of Charlestown, Massachusetts who is indebted to the Flucker Estate through a bond and a mortgage. White said he was still waiting for the British government to compensate him for the burning of his property in Charlestown in 1775. Goes into details about the debt and its interest. Discusses Isaac Winslow and the Taylor purchase. Mentions he spoke to Mr. Jarvis of the Committee, who said Knox should now be in possession of all the land between…

GLC02437.05905

11 December 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. Reports that the ten proprietors met on 5 December. Even though he was not authorized to stand in Knox's place, he did so at the urging of Henry Jackson. Told them, because of a recent "advertis[emen]t on business," that Knox would be in Boston in May. The proprietors were upset saying that Knox has delayed since 1784. Notes they appear to want "to put the bond in suit." Says the Court of Common Pleas will sit in January. Mentions that Isaac Winslow has just gotten over an illness and will write about the issue. Asks about details of delivering a copy…

GLC02437.05992

26 December 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private" on address leaf. References Knox's letter of 18 December. Has had luck finding the heirs and assigns in the Muscongus Lands. Has written to many of them, but has not heard back. Goes into some detail on the situation. Describes a meeting he had on 5 December with the 10 proprietors. They expressed respect for Knox, but moved forward with the suit. Says they have made Harrison G. Otis their attorney. Has written to employ Mr. Parson and Mr. Dane as attorneys for Knox. Postscript says Judge Sullivan can get the case continued to April if goes to the Court of Common Pleas…

GLC02437.06006

29 December 1793

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is making progress in preparing for the suit with the proprietors, but is having trouble tracking down all the heirs. Believes some of them have already sold out. Says Senator William Bradford of Rhode Island owns one share. Says "if you know him he has been a good friend of yours at the meeting of the propt. heretofore by using his influence to postpone - there are other heirs of his family scatter'd in & about R.I. - would it not be a good oppy for you to speak to him on the Subject[?]" Goes into great detail on the problems with the patent and with taxes. Received Knox's letter of…

GLC02437.06009

30 January 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private." Says the action of the ten proprietors is continued to the April Court of Common Pleas session. They have not noticed the error in the writ he mentioned earlier. The issue of Gorham's bond will be referred to the judges of the Superior Court. This involves interest earned during the war. Believes his petition on the taxes will be taken up today.

GLC02437.06036

10 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a petition filed against Knox involving some property. Mentions a conversation he had with Waterman Thomas of Waldoboro, Maine who supports the petition. Reports Thomas says, "The people who have paid the full amount of their engagement to your agent can get no Deeds & they have no security - for if you should die…" Comments he will call on Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) for assistance.

GLC02437.06116

13 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses committee members who will hear the land petition cases in Waldoboro, Maine. Reports he told the committee that Knox was unaware of the people's suits (possibly deeds) being lost and Knox is a friend and benefactor of the people on the patent (possibly part of the Waldo patent). Also notes the settlers have issues with some of Knox's agents.

GLC02437.06118

17 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox there has been a hearing before the committee regarding taxes. Discusses which lands are part of the patent (possibly referring to the Waldo patent lands) and any taxes related to the land. Speaks of a tax being unconstitutional and the possibility of creating a new one. Describes the hearing as being long and with many debates. Also asks whether they should give Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) a fee for his opinion.

GLC02437.06123

22 June 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses completing a map of the eastern country for the government. Notes the map takes in a corner of the patent. Mentions possibly having to extend boundary lines (possibly on the Waldo patent) to make up for deficiencies. Informs Knox the committee for the taxes decided to deduct money from heirs. Reports the act may be repealed as being unconstitutional and Knox most likely will not have to pay. Reports Judge Sullivan (possibly James or John Sullivan) will be accompanying him to the committee to hear the patent petition (possibly part of the Waldo patent lands). Provides and update…

GLC02437.06125

29 August 1794

Peabody, Joseph, fl. 1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses gratitude to Knox for his assistance in his cause. Notes he sent a letter to the judge explaining his wishes and his case, but has never heard from the gentleman. Asks Knox for advice in how he should proceed. Discusses the results of his medical examination.

GLC02437.06187

14 October 1794

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial and legal matter involving the Waldo [patent] lands.

GLC02437.06224

1 November 1782

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signed by J. Sumner, Capt.; author may be Captain Job Sumner of the 3rd Massachusetts. Written from "Camp." Writes, "There is one Bound a soldier in the 3 Massachusetts, now confined in the provost, under your direction by Complaint of Mr. Nait an Inhabitant, "for injuring his property" - he has been long confined & if you think it will not injure Service, I should be glad he might be sent to his Regiment, when he may receive trial agreably to the nature of his crime before a general or regimental Court Martial, I shall take care to advertise Mr. Nait of his removal, should you assent."

GLC02437.01692

28 February 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Sullivan

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses an upcoming convention (the Constitutional Convention) in Philadelphia. "The late approbation of Congress of a Convention to be held at Philadelphia in May next will it is presumed remove all objections as to its legality. - If men of truly great minds should compose the Majority of the convention something of importance may be effected. But if a number of trifling Characters get together we shall only be deluded instead of being benefited." Noted in the docket as a copy.

GLC02437.03473

2 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Swan

Mentions some legal papers that he is trying to get an attorney assigned to. Discusses horse breeding and the recipient's recent trip through Connecticut.

GLC02437.03479

30 October 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Returns Swan's account against John Campbell, "who has been liberated from Goal by an oath of Insolvency & gone to Europe." (Swan had a dispute with Campbell; see GLC02437.03437). Says he does not know what the charges of Colonel [Alexander?] Hamilton are on this business, but will let Swan know when he finds out. Supports the new Constitution, and believes it will be adopted ultimately. Adds, "Should Massachusetts & the other Eastern states embrace it eagerly much evil would be avoided." Date from docket.

GLC02437.03690

15 October 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Informs Swan of recent Congressional proceedings. Describes the Senate and House of Representatives convening from April to September, and passed revenue and judiciary laws. Adds that Congress plans to reconvene at the end of January.

GLC02437.04389

23 July 1793

Sullivan, James, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for "recommending the agreeable family of Mr. [Ralph] Izard to our civilities." Wants Knox to deliver an enclosed letter to a Mr. [DeStorts]. Asks the letter to be returned if he has left Philadelphia. Has been absent from Boston for some time, but reports that Mrs. Sullivan saw Sarah Lyon Flucker at the commencement. Says "I combatted for you at Lincoln County and had one Ely who had appeared agt your interest recognized with sureties for his good behavior." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05908