May 23, 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Flucker Knox

Includes two letters, one addressed to Mrs. Lucy Knox, and one to her daughter, Miss Lucy Knox. In the first letter, to Mrs. Knox, he comments that he has tried to find out information about her family but was unable to; if he is able to visit England, he will try again there. Declares that he sent along a variety of gifts for herself and Miss Lucy, including hats and sweet meats. Comments that General Lafayette might also travel on the ship which is taking the present letter and the gifts. Mentions that Lafayette is "elevated above I may venture to say all the young noblemen in the kingdom"…

GLC02437.01427

February 4, 1789

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Notes the receipt of a return related to military stores. Indicates that Secretary of War Henry Knox did not answer himself because he is "confined to his bed." Henry Knox has rheumatism (see GLC03432.019). Written from the War Office.

GLC03432.017

15 May 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that he has not recently written to Henry, his brother, due to a "violent inflamation of my blood, which threw itself into my arms & hands in such a manner as to deprive me of the use of them for some days..." Discusses raising a sum of money pertaining to Colonel Jackson (possibly Henry Jackson).

GLC02437.00592

28 August 1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document signed

Title: [Copy of three bills of sale]

William Knox signs on his own behalf and on behalf of his brother Henry Knox. Copy of three bills of exchange drawn by William Knox, and owed to Henry Knox from London associates. On page two Henry Knox endorses (William Knox signs on behalf of Henry) the bills to be paid to Messrs [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall.

GLC02437.04704

January 15, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Original version of GLC02437.04828. It contains an additional page where William tells Knox that he has heard from General Maunsell that Knox gave a grand one hundred person ball before leaving New York for Philadelphia and of several society marriages. Also notes he heard about French refugees "from the Islands" taking up residence in New York, the Dutch "being large purchasers" causing the "funds" to rise, and that "there had been a great influx of money from S. America and the Islands for Wheat."

GLC02437.04829

6 July 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Maunsell

Reports that nothing new has taken place in France since he left. Wishes him a pleasant and speedy trip and hopes he gets to see his friends and family in New York and Philadelphia. Asks him to send his regards. Wants Maunsell to report to him on "every thing public and domestic." Notes his address as 28 Great Titchfield Street, London. Address leaf says Manusell was on board the "Sandwich Packet."

GLC02437.05053

20 September 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Response to 4 September 1781 letter (GLC02437.01165). Discusses their financial situation, "which undoubtedly are in such a train as to require the strictest attention to Oeconomy." William has sold some goods to prepare for his business trip to Europe. Comments that "It would have been particularly agreeable if you could have received part of what the public are indebted to you." Mentions that the allocation of the cash from the loan John Laurens obtained from France has not been negotiated yet. Discusses the arrival of a shipment of tea, the arrival of the Amsterdam, and one of Knox's…

GLC02437.01185

circa 1776-1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs his brother about his trip and discusses rivers.

GLC02437.09969

1 April 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reassures his brother of his affection for him. Has received a trunk for Henry from Jonathan Ingersol, and will write him. Informs Knox that he will try to obtain silk stockings for him and that George Washington's coat has been charged to his account by Mr. Austin. Has written to Squire Phillips and given the letter to Gideon Hubbard to deliver. Has not yet written Mr. Garey. Mr. P. Palmer and Reverend Isaac Mansfield paid their accounts. Paid Doctor Dix ten dollars he feels he did not owe him, but did so to protect Henry from slander. If Mr. Harrod calls, shall refer him to Knox's…

GLC02437.00563

7 April 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Henry that "the attachment on the house is completed." Discusses other details regarding the house, but is somewhat unclear. Seems to be saying that Mr. Hitchburn still owes Knox 2,000 pounds for the house, which it appears that he has purchased. Mr. Hitchburn is also discussed, along with the house, in GLC02437.00565. Asks Henry if Mr Rea should paint any saddle clothes for him, states he has not yet procured a silk handkerchief, and cannot find Mr. Garey's promissory note. Notes that the brig Cabot was captured by the British ship HMS Millford. In March the Cabot was engaged…

GLC02437.00567

10 April 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hopes Henry will write more often. Captain William Dana cannot buy the two horses, but will take care of them until they are sold. William thinks they will earn one hundred pounds. Asks what would be the best way to travel to camp to join Henry. The first postscript mentions compliments from Mr. Cole, and the second apologizes for using a bad pen.

GLC02437.00570

24 April 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expects Henry will disapprove the most recent actions of the unit he is serving in. Says he did not wish to participate himself, but did so when his colonel said that not to would forever sully his name. Is living "in the stile of soldiers, lodging on the floor...eating out of Wooden Bowls, Gallanting with the Ladies." His unit is remaining with General Spencer, keeping sentry over his person. Finds sentry duty good for "Humour or...variety." Despite these obstacles is still committed to joining the army and has left many recently purchased goods behind. Hopes Lucy and her daughter are…

GLC02437.00578

1783-1815

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document signed

Title: [Request to deliever one quart of wine]

William Knox asks that the bearer be given a quart of wine both on 24 April of an unknown year and another on Easter Monday of an unknown year. Signed twice by William.

GLC02437.08381

April 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph document signed

Title: [William Knox's payment to a contractor]

Document appears to be in William Knox's hand. This is a bill that William owed to his contractor Thomas Clement. Bill includes boards, nails, locks, staples, and various amounts for labor. The total is for £8.11.9. Bill states that £7.8.9 was for "your Brothers House." Bottom is signed by Clement stating he was paid in full.

GLC02437.08405

1790

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

Informs the recipient of his arrival and the status of his voyage thus far. Place writ noted as "Near Sandy Hook."

GLC02437.08219

circa 1776-1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account]

Lists an account William Knox has with Benjamin Callender concerning cloth and sewing materials, most for tailoring.

GLC02437.08269

8 November 1784

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Tracy

Thanks Tracy, the financier from Newburyport, Massachusetts, for his "attention & politeness" during William's recent episode of mental illness. Relates his plans for sailing to America. Instructs Tracy to contact Edward Byrne if he travels to Dublin, Ireland.

GLC02437.03069

18 June 1787

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Addressee inferred from content. Informs Henry about the health of his children, particularly a daughter who had been ill but is now healthy (see GLC02437.03585), as are Henry's other children. Imagines that Henry's stay at the [Constitutional] convention may be shorter than expected, due to the "Strong parties which exist in Philadelphia, and [which have] pervaded all circles in which you may be." Confirms that he well send subsequent letters to Knox at his lodgings at Samuel Ogden's home.

GLC02437.03586

27 June 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs his brother, Brigadier General Henry Knox, he has received a sum of money [for Henry] from Colonel Henry Jackson. Discusses currency and depreciation. Reports that Colonel Sears will likely not be able to join Knox in attempting to regain New York from the British . Reports on recent problems with digestion, headaches, and "weakness of Nerves." Sends his regards to his sister -in-law.

GLC02437.00985

18 July 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to an ensuing campaign and the potential for "disposing of the British fleet." Remarks on the prevalence of British ships in the Boston harbor and adjacent waters. Reports that the House of Lee and Jones lost a ship to the British, consequently losing a total of £15,000. Reports that the merchants of Boston persuaded the Governor (John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts) to ask the French Admiral (the Comte de Barras) for protection, but he said that American privateers had been engaging his men and tempting them to desert, thus he could not assist the merchants with a fleet. The…

GLC02437.01060

25 July 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he recently forwarded Lucy Knox a letter from her brother, Thomas. Reports on ships that have arrived in Boston carrying news from Antigua, England, and Martinique. Comments on currency: "The New Money has experienced the fate of the Old in this Quarter, having entirely stop'd circulation, which causes nearly a total stagnation of all Business, at present I do nothing, people will not part with Specie but for the necessaries of Life of wch I have none... " Complains that he has not heard from Henry, his brother, in a long time.

GLC02437.01082

1766/03 ca.

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Manuscript document

Title: Considerations continued no. 2

Discussion of the plausibility of a "drawback," or export tariff on goods before they left England so that the final price in the colonies would be slightly higher but a tax would not be added on in the colonies, in an effort to lessen opposition to the tax.

GLC07654.21

February 18, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends, along with his letter, papers addressed to Thomas Jefferson "requesting me to procure your interest for their favorable reception and attention." Hopes "after a mutual sending out of Ministers, such Commercial regulations will take place as to prevent similar inconveniences, and also other obstacles to a free and liberal intercourse between the two Countries." Expects that Knox will exert his influence on Thomas Jefferson should this matter come up in Congress.

GLC02437.04859

February 19, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports he recently met with Mr. Williamson and Mr. Wadsworth about lands in the "Gennessee Country" of upstate New York. Says farms of 300-500 acres are going for $1.50 per acre. Makes reference to lands that would eventually become Cooperstown and its environs, "those in this state in the neighbourhood of Lake Otsego, have greatly enhanced in value also." Believes the situation in Europe will lead investors to put their money into American lands. Heard several families from the English West Indies have recently bought land. Wants to know if Henry has made arrangements with General…

GLC02437.05824