28 March 1776

Cooke, Nicholas, 1717-1782

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to George Washington

On behalf of the General Assembly of Rhode Island, Governor Cooke requests artillery pieces for the defense of the colony, as well as the return of artillery lent to the Continental Army in Cambridge for the seige of Boston. The British evacuated Boston on 17 March 1776. "On public service" written on address leaf.

GLC02437.00260

5 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Warren

Relays information from George Washington that the Massachusetts Provincial Congress had promised Washington 300 teams (of pack animals) to carry artillery and stores to New York, but only 40 have been delivered. Asks Warren to use his influence with the committee to have the rest of the teams delivered expeditiously. Warren had previously served as president of the provincial assembly.

GLC02437.00268

20 April 1776

Harrison, Robert H., 1745-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits a letter originally to George Washington from a committee of the Continental Congress (not included) and asks Knox to go to New London, Connecticut to comply with its orders to work on its fortification and harbor. Requests a report after attending to the matter. Knox was then moving southward toward New York, planning coastal defenses against the British navy for Rhode Island and Connecticut in the process. Harrison was then a secretary to George Washington.

GLC02437.00274

24 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that he curses "the man who first brought on this war only because it separates me from my Love." Mentions that he has received instructions from George Washington to inspect and fortify the local harbor in order to make it safe for Continental troops and the American navy (see GLC02437.00274). Comments on his meeting with Admiral Esek Hopkins and his son, John B. Hopkins, who was recently injured in a naval engagement with the British ship Glasgow. Gives a favorable impression of both, comparing Esek to the Dutch Admiral Van Tromp and proclaiming that John will become a "formidable…

GLC02437.00276

16 March 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes that the men are supplied with small arms and requests carbines for the officers. Stevens had recently been appointed a captain in Knox's regiment of artillery. The British evacuated Boston the day after this letter was written.

GLC02437.00259

27 March 1776

Tracy, Nathaniel, 1751-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Arranges to have the bearer of the letter retrieve artillery from Framingham, Massachusetts. Tracy was a merchant who turned privateer during the Revolution.

GLC02437.00261

28 March 1776

Putnam, Israel, 1718-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Instructs Knox to withhold four pounds from the pay of a matross in his regiment named Henry Irvington. The money had previously been advanced to Irvington. Putnam was one of the original major generals appointed by the Continental Congress.

GLC02437.00262

29 March 1776

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipts for money disbursements from Henry Knox to Major John Crane and Captain Thomas Pierce]

Two receipt entries signed by Crane and Thomas Pierce for pay distributions, but in neither Pierce's or Crane's hand. Crane and Pierce were under Knox's command. This document is the "loose receipt" referenced on page 18 of GLC02437.00258.

GLC02437.00263

circa March 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds affectionately to a letter from Lucy asking what has become of him. Answers that he has not written because of how busy he has been (during the siege of Boston). Comments that the British are packing up and leaving Boston, and Knox expects to be in the town in 2-3 days, at which time he will also be able to visit her. He is uncertain where the British are going and in what state they will have left Boston, but states that "to New York my Dear Lucy [we] must prepare to follow them. As we are Citizens of the World any place will be our home & equally cheap." Copy.

GLC02437.00264

3 April 1776

Frothingham, Benjamin, 1734-1809

Autograph document signed

Title: [Money lending receipts]

Two military receipt entries also signed by James Furnival for money borrowed from Henry Knox by Captain of Artillery Benjamin Frothingham and Lieutenant James Furnivall.

GLC02437.00265

2 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for Quarter Master David Bradley's pay from January to April 1776]

Certifies payment but does not mention the amount.

GLC02437.00266

4 April 1776

Randall, Thomas, ?-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Confirms receipt of an order to remove artillery from Dorchester Heights to the Roxbury Meeting House. Seeks advice to resolve a conflict with Captain John Popkins company over guard duty. Notes that the men need extra time to retrieve their belongings from Cambridge before their march. The Continental Army's position at Dorchester Heights had been integral to the success of the siege of Boston. Randall was a Lieutenant in Knox's regiment of artillery.

GLC02437.00267

5 April 1776

Burbeck, Henry, 1754-1848

Autograph document signed

Title: [A complete account of money received of Colonel Henry Knox and money paid to the men]

Payment ledger with docket noting that this was Colonel Burbeck's account.

GLC02437.00269

7 April 1776

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Stevens writes Knox to update him on activities during his march to Crown Point, New York. Reports difficulties in transporting ordnance and stores because of broken carts, the scarcity of food for the pack animals, and "Cattle very low in flesh." Indicates that "the Country people are very Spirited in Giving their Assistance." The road has been reported to be difficult and by some accounts impassable, but Stevens affirms his determination to fulfill his orders. Stevens was on his way to reinforce the siege of Quebec, which ultimately failed. Crown Point was fortified during the summer…

GLC02437.00270

12 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Orders an officer to proceed to Norwich, Connecticut with powder and ammunition. Notes that the officer has a warrant to impress teams of animals if necessary. A note on the verso records numerical quantities of unnamed items being transferred from Cambridge, Massachusetts to various New England towns. Knox was then moving southward toward New York, planning coastal defenses against the British navy for Rhode Island and Connecticut in the process.

GLC02437.00271

12 April 1776

Drury, Jotham, 1741-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [An abstract of money paid by Captain Jotham Drury in Colonel Henry Knox's Regiment of Artillery for the month of January 1776]

Lists amounts owed to fifty-five enlisted men in Knox's regiment and underneath Colonel William Burbeck's command.

GLC02437.00272

18 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains that he has remained in Newport, Rhode Island, where a recent British naval attack had been fended off, to fulfill orders to help protect the town from additional attacks. He will depart for Norwich later in the day, where he hopes to stay with Lucy's cousin Fayerweather on a stop before arriving there. Closes affectionately, affirming his love for his wife and their new daughter Lucy. Knox was then moving southward toward New York, planning coastal defenses against the British navy for Rhode Island and Connecticut in the process.

GLC02437.00273

21 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments on a fatiguing two day, sixty-four mile journey from Newport, Rhode Island, to Norwich, Connecticut. Indicates that he will stay in Norwich until all the stores are embarked for New York. Mentions that he will make a trip to New London, Connecticut to "see the watery hero" Esek Hopkins, who Knox hopes "will one day command an american Navy up the river Thames." Asks Lucy to have his brother William Knox send a letter to a button maker about buttons for military uniforms. Longs to see his wife. Knox was then moving southward toward New York, planning coastal defenses against the…

GLC02437.00275

circa April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Thomas Pierce

Brief account from Colonel Knox to Captain Pierce for money paid for blankets from February to April of 1776. Also notes cash received by Colonel William Burbeck and Major John Crane.

GLC02437.00277

26 April 1776

Badlam, Stephen, 1751-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horatio Gates

Reports information received from Lieutenant Colonel Peter Gansevoort and other officers returning from the siege of Quebec about the ordnance and stores available in American encampments near Quebec. There is none to speak of, with the exception of stores recently sent there from Cambridge, Massachusetts and New York City (see GLC02437.00270). Likewise, General Philip Schuyler's secretary has informed him that the artillery sent to Quebec from Schuyler's department has not been returned. Request that Gates send as much artillery and stores that can be spared in New York City to Albany, so…

GLC02437.00278

26 April 1776 and 9 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Invoice of pay for officers in Henry Knox's artillery regiment during the Revolutionary War]

The 26 April side lists partial pay for the months of February and March for six named captains in Knox's artillery regiment. The 9 May side is very brief and relates to artillery cost.

GLC02437.00279

29 March 1776 and 26 April 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: An accou.tt of money paid to several named Captains In the Regiment of Artillery for the use of their Respective Companies

Lists money distributed to captains under Major John Crane in Knox's artillery regiment. Docket is in Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00280

February 15, 1776 - April 27, 1776

Morton, Dimond, 1743-1792

Autograph document signed

Title: A Compleat Account of Money Re'd. of Cor'l. Henry Knox and Monney Paid Away To Officer and Men

Lists money received on four dates by Colonel Knox, Colonel William Burbeck, and Major John Crane, and consequently distributed to officers and soldiers in Knox's artillery regiment. Morton was a captain in Knox's artillery regiment. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.00281

6 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes meeting generals George Washington and Charles Lee, who begged him to return to Roxbury and expressed great pleasure in the fortifications Knox had supervised the construction of. Tells a story about how General Lee tried to get a letter to General John Burgoyne during the battle of Bunker Hill (17 June 1775), to ask him to use his "influence and endeavor to Heal this unnatural break." Criticizes and offers corrections to a widely published account of Bunker Hill by British General Thomas Gage that claimed only 170 redcoats were killed. The Revolutionary War began at the battle…

GLC02437.00196

7 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197