July 18, 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports no news from Boston and a feeling of security there. Explains that all news from New York comes from the bi-weekly post deliveries. They keep hoping to hear "something grand from you[r] quarter." General George Washington's call for troops from Boston to go to New York has made the people alarmed, but Jackson sees it in a positive light because it will compel the raising of more local troops to replace those leaving. Smallpox will prevent some troops from marching for New York. Mentions that Colonel John Glover's men will march to New York. Reports that the Declaration of…

GLC02437.00382

22 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that he found an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot, for Lucy (see Lucy's request for one in GLC02437.00383) and has purchased three years of his labor. Mentions that Captain Sebastian Bauman's family "have gone into the Jersies" and asks why she inquired about them. Comments on Lucy's loyalist family. Tells the story of a formal visit of adjutant general of General William Howe's army in which he attempted to deliver a letter addressed to George Washington Esqr. The envoy failed for the same reason as an earlier attempt to deliver a letter to negotiate a truce: because it refused…

GLC02437.00385

21 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Thanks her for writing and remarks that "Religion and virtue dictated every line" of her last letter. Discusses death from a religious perspective. Informs Lucy that this letter will be delivered by Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, and asks her to be as civil towards him as her circumstances will allow. Notes that Gerry will tell her about General Charles Lee's recent victory over the British at Fort Moultrie in Charleston (28 June 1776), South Carolina, and Knox provides some details about the battle. Briefly mentions the unsuccessful attempt of an…

GLC02437.00387

27 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments on Lucy's baby daughter's improving health. Discusses the possibility of purchasing two "[corsetts] with bells" for Lucy. Promises to send her tea. He has little hope for a truce, commenting that Lord William Howe will seek a settlement "at the point of a Bayonet." Reports news from England that foreign troops are on route to America. Speculates on the possibility of treaty obligations between Britain and Portugal forcing British troops to be shifted away from America to support Portugal. Reports hearing that General Henry Clinton was defeated by General Charles Lee at Charleston…

GLC02437.00396

29 July 1776

Webb, Samuel Blachley, 1753-1807

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Upon the direction of George Washington, provides a letter of introduction for a Mr. Belton, who was recommended by a member of the Continental Congress, to make "some experiments on the Enemies Ships." Requests that Knox assist Belton, give him three canons, and keep the operation a secret. At the time, Webb was one of Washington's aides.

GLC02437.00399

29 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Responds to a letter in which Knox described a meeting between George Washington and an adjutant general from the British army seeking to deliver a letter and negotiate a truce (the story was written to Lucy in GLC02437.00385). Claims that the information about the conference had not been known to anyone else in Boston. Seeks Knox's permission to have the account printed. Mentions that the Continental troops have left Boston triggering the creation of a new militia. Comments on preparatory activities of Colonel Craft's regiment. Discusses a privateer's seizure of a ship bound for New…

GLC02437.00400

29 July 1776

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on intelligence on British forces gathered from Benjamin Davis, one of about 150 prisoners taken from a ship captured by a privateer named Captain Skimmer and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts.

GLC02437.00402

20 July 1776 - 28 September 1776

Carpenter, Benajah, 1748-1776

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Supply list for officers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Multiple receipt entries also signed by Eliphilet Newell, John Gilles, and other officers serving under Henry Knox. Notes supplies received by officers in either New York or Mount Washington from Jonathan Pollard, the quartermaster of Knox's artillery regiment. Lists on the back enumerate cash received from officers for stockings and shoes.

GLC02437.00404

1861-1865

Envelope

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Envelope without letter. Post marked from Washington.

GLC04189.60

circa 31 March 1865

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Manuscript

Title: Charges and Specifications of Charges Preferred by Acting Rear Admiral S.P. Lee Commanding Mississippi Squadron Against George W. Shallenburger A 2nd Asst Engr of USS "Forest Rose"

Clerical copy of the charges against Shallenburger. He was charged with overstaying his leave of absence by about 10 days (as stated in his diary at GLC02263.02). Charges state he was given a 3 week leave from the USS "Forest Rose" on 1 March 1865. He did not return until 31 March. Endorsed as a true copy by the judge advocate.

GLC02263.03

15 July 1776

Bradlee, David, 1742-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that William Knox paid him for three months serve as quartermaster in Knox's regiment and request the balance owed be either payed to him or given to Isaiah Audebert. Audebert was a captain serving under Thomas Craft in Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00377

16 July 1776

Paine, Robert T., 1731-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the British approach necessitates a change in location for casting brass cannons and indicates that an air furnace will be set up in Pennsylvania. Congress will still offer to employ Mr. Byers for the job if it can be done at a reasonable cost. Inquires if brass cannons can be cast without sea coal and expresses concerns about the weight of the cannons to be cast. Reports that Congress has written Byers a letter and urges Knox to send it to him and have him reply expeditiously. Mentions that Knox has new visitors and asks him to "treat them in a very polite manner,"…

GLC02437.00379

18 July 1776

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Henry for taking the time to write her "amidst the hurry of public business," referring to the revolutionary war activities in New York. Explains her travel plans, which will bring her to New Haven, Connecticut. Discusses their child's development, including mention of her beginning to talk, and prays that Henry will survive to take care of them. Discusses her reaction to a recent letter from William Knox that included news about her family and explains that she wants to send for her mother (see GLC002437.00368). Seeks a boy recently discharged from the army as a new servant since…

GLC02437.00381

18 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Remarks on Henry's talent for burlesquing William's writing. Expresses sympathy for Lucy's situation, in which she has to stay in Connecticut away from Henry. Offers to leave the bookstore in someone's care and go to Fairfield to bring Lucy back to Boston. Mentions that the Declaration of Independence will be read in Boston on the day of this letter's writing. Remarks that he heard the British sailed up the Hudson, which they did on 12 July 1776, and conjectures "it to be by way of experiment." Mentions that Captain Harry Johnson came in from Halifax. Also mentions that two persons were…

GLC02437.00383

18 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that this letter will be delivered by Mrs. Jonathan Pollard, who will bring other supplies with her. Apologizes for taking a harsh tone with Lucy in letters written earlier in the month. Expresses his desire for frequent communication with her. Criticizes Mrs. Jonathan Pollard for worrying about things that are out of her control. Showing his religious beliefs, Knox thinks such an unhappy person has not "drank of the streams of virtue and piety." Knox believes that unforeseen misfortunes in life and war should be weathered with…

GLC02437.00384

22 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Asks his brother to write to Lucy Knox more often. Gives various directions for business affairs. Asks about the smallpox going around in Massachusetts. Discusses General Charles Lee's recent victory over the British at Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina, and the naval engagements near Sullivan's Island. Quotes at length from a letter written by General Lee.

GLC02437.00386

23 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Indicates that he is sending an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot, to her as she requested and he earlier mentioned (see GLC02437.00383 and GLC02437.00385). Heard that Lucy fell down some stairs and was worried. Remarks that the British have not acted and are possibly awaiting reinforcements. Mentions that the smallpox going around lacked virulence and he wished she had received it (in order to be inoculated). In response to Lucy's question, indicates that Mrs. Airey did not offend him, but did engage in duplicitious conduct, which he hates.

GLC02437.00389

24 July 1776

Dana, William, 1745-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Captain William Dana's account for May, 1776]

Account of officer pay and bounties. Dana was a captain in Henry Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00390

24 July 1776 - 2 October 1776

Perkins, William, 1742-1802

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Supply list for officers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Also signed by Fred Botticher, Florence Crowley, Samuel Sprague, Dimond Morton, Daniel Hodges, Daniel Preston, Jotham Horton, Samuel Shaw, and Jeremiah Freeman. Notes supplies received by officers from Jonathan Pollard, the quartermaster of Knox's artillery regiment.

GLC02437.00391

24 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a British ship that was captured near an American fort at Nantasket, Massachusetts. The vessel had come from Ireland to support General William Howe's army and had mistakenly thought the British were still in Boston. Tells a detailed story about how the Committee of Correspondence and Safety ordered every man between sixteen and sixty to gather with full military accoutrements and drafted thirty-two of them to join the invasion of Canada. Many men ran away but the draft was eventually made by offering larger bounties. The debacle caused some to call for the removal of John Brown…

GLC02437.00392

25 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he was disappointed to not receive a letter from Lucy by the most recent post and wonders if the difficulty of her journey to New Haven, Connecticut, prevented her writing. Reports via his brother, William Knox, that the people inoculated for smallpox in Boston are all recovering well. Discusses the possibility of Lucy being inoculated. Mentions that he sent Lucy an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot. Comments on meetings with acquaintances. Discusses the war and remarks that there has been little activity.…

GLC02437.00394

25 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for clothes for nine companies in Henry Knox's artillery regiment]

Signed in the text by Knox, who indicates that he paid John Marston 1,900 dollars, equal to 570 pounds lawful money, for the clothing. Lists the captains of the nine companies that received the clothing. Signed by John Marston.

GLC02437.00395

28 July 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the recent American victory in Charleston, South Carolina, and praises the patriotism and dedication of those in the southern campaign. Notes Captain Skimmer (possibly a privateer) seized a large ship and brought it to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and captured Benjamin Davis, a sandemanian preacher who was on board. Reports supplies on board. Davis and the other prisoners were brought to Boston, where the guards had to prevent the people from attacking him. Recounts what he recently wrote to Lucy Knox about her family and the establishment of a Court of Inquiry to try Tories (see…

GLC02437.00397

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Very brief letter mentions that there is no news and chastises William for not writing. He expects letters from William and Henry Jackson, the latter recommending officers. See GLC02437.00410 for the reaction of Knox's brother, William, to this letter.

GLC02437.00398

29 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Thanks her for her letter. Discusses Lucy's dislike of Mrs. Nathanael Greene. Longs to see his wife.

GLC02437.00401