3 December 1802

Rumford, Sarah Thompson, Countess, 1774-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes to Lucy Knox, the daughter of Henry and Lucy Knox. Discusses her life at her new home and mentions trying to stay for a while before heading to Boston, Massachusetts. Expresses how much she misses Knox and how she hopes to see her in Boston. Discusses her family and old acquaintances of theirs. GLC02437.07774 discusses a Countess Rumford who was formerly known as Sally Rumford. This could be the same person as S. Rumford. A small portion of the letter is missing at the bottom of page one causing…

GLC02437.07773

23 May 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that he is happy to inform Lucy that he has recovered from his illness. Will be shipping to Boston several items she and Mrs. [Sarah Lyons] Flucker and the children requested. Address leaf bears the scarce franking signature of Knox.

GLC02437.05476

circa 13 November 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes to his "beloved" wife, Lucy Knox. Discusses the progress of their front and back settlers likely located in Maine. Mentions his joy over the amount of settlers they have and his pleasure with the development of Waldoborough. Also expresses his satisfaction with the price of land. Cautions Lucy about keeping their expectations to themselves and watching their expenses and debt. Complains about the letter Lucy wrote, writing it was unsatisfactory and she did not mention anything about their son, Henry Jackson…

GLC02437.07704

8 January 1793

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Apologizes for not replying to Lucy's earlier letters. Updates Lucy about Henry Knox, Lucy's and Henry's son, and his upcoming travel plans. Notes Henry is "disposed to indulge his taste now in a pretty expensive style - and reconciles it with the idea that the same will do for College." Says she tries to persuade him "out of the vanity of the Moment," but he continues to write to Lucy regarding the subject and fight with her about his clothing. Is unsure of what to do with her boys this summer; the four…

GLC02437.05776

19 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Announces that "a glorious moment for America" has arrived, Lord Cornwallis has surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown. Discusses how General Washington refused Cornwallis' request that Britons and Germans be sent back to their countries prior to his surrender, instead giving the British Army the same terms that the Americans received upon their surrender at Charleston in 1780. Washington has ordered Knox to headquarters immediately. Clement Biddle has written Knox to tell him his daughter Lucy is well. Tells his wife he will send her his…

GLC02437.01244

4 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses his introduction to Mr. Livingston and Mr. King and their activities in the area. Comments on a rude letter from his brother, Henry Knox (see GLC02437.00398) and how he should respond. Notes that he will talk to the doctor about Lucy coming to Boston for a smallpox inoculation. Wants to set up a regular correspondence. Gives news about a privateer and confirms earlier news about Lucy's family (see GLC02437.00396). Notes that he will send money and Henry Jackson will soon write. Give compliments from various acquaintances.

GLC02437.00410

20 April 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Says that he always writes "by the post" and wishes she would do the same "as it is now conducted with some regularity." Hopes that her inoculation works, and that both she and their daughter not "have too many or too few" pocks. Wishes Lucy could choose where the pocks go on her face, and hopes the inoculation will not harm either Lucy or the baby's health. Assures her the army is growing. Says that William Knox is now headed for Philadelphia. Believes Lucy's brother is in Augustine. Hears news that Silas Deane is…

GLC02437.00576

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

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…

GLC02437.00385

17 December 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see his wife and plans to in three weeks. Discusses activities relating to the transport of artillery captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga earlier that year to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reports that both his and William Knox's health has been good. Quips about his rotund figure. Discusses the "Bravery of America" and a growing awareness of it among the British prisoners he has seen: "Enemies who would not before this allow the Americans a Spark of Military virtue." Blesses America and Lucy. Links God watching over Americans to God…

GLC02437.00223

2 October 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Expresses concern over Lucy's health as he has heard that she has been unwell. Makes plans to meet up with her and the children in New York City and writes that "I shall be desirous of staying there two days and you will require that time to rest yourself and your little flock." Notes he will leave it to Lucy's discretion of whether she brings their son, Henry Jackson Knox, along, but insists she brings their daughter Julia with her. Asks that she has Henry Jackson accompany her and the children on their journey for safety reasons.

GLC02437.05636

14 June 1788

Moore, Thomas Lambert, 1758-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Updates Lucy on the progress of her son, Henry. Writes, "Master Henry's advances in the Latin are such as I hope will please you sufficiently... His mind appears strong, and his judgment solid- his ideas are lively and his memory sufficiently retentive." Sends regards to the Knox family, and notes that the clothes she sent Henry have been safely delivered.

GLC02437.03893

23 December 1792

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes that she is doing much better, since she was suffering from an illness. Her son was ill as well. Mentions that Henry, presumably Henry Jackson Knox, spent some time with her and is now out with his cousins, though he will be back in time for tea. Gives her love to Lucy and all her family.

GLC02437.05753

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…

GLC02437.00264

2 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Mentions having a difficult journey to New York. Discusses the strong military defenses in the city and New York's strategic importance to the war effort. Instructs her to prepare for her journey from Boston to New York, advising her to travel in "coates coach with four horses," "sell Romeo," make sure William Knox comes along as her guard, bring linens, and be economical. Comments on availability of houses but expresses uncertainty about where to obtain furniture. Docket is in Lucy Knox's hand.

GLC02437.00283

31 October 1799

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Mrs. Beaumez writes her niece Lucy Knox. She says her last letter were "dismal" because here "health and spirits were bad." Now they are well. She speaks of missing her children back in America, of what she hears from them, and of the little gifts she has sent to her family there. Mrs. Beaumez says she will soon be traveling to the country 100 miles from Calcutta.

GLC02437.07322

30 June 1794

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Explains her long silence is the result of the indisposition of her children. Describes an accident where Thomas [Flucker?] (possibly her son or husband) fell into boiling water. Mentions the doctor says he is out of danger but she is still anxious. Speaks of finances and asks Lucy's opinion on a particular gentleman. Sends her best regards to Henry Knox and the rest of the family.

GLC02437.06129

8 October 1789

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses the hurricane season and other extreme weather conditions in Antigua, such as a lengthy drought which caused cattle to die from want of drink. Speaks briefly about the natural features of the island that she does like. Explains her hope to visit America to see Lucy and her family, as well as her own apparently ailing father. Provides extensive news about other family members. Wishes Henry Knox and the children well.

GLC02437.04381

25 August 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at "Derby, 7 Miles below Philadelphia" (possibly Darby, Pennsylvania). Reports that his troops had begun to march to the North River (the Hudson), but received a dispatch that British General William Howe was in the Chesapeake Bay. Believes Philadelphia to be Howe's target, and predicts he will approach Philadelphia via the Delaware River, not the Chesapeake Bay. Reports that American troops marched through Philadelphia 24 August: "their excellent appearance... astonished the Tories, who are very downcast in the Respectability of the army." Reports that he and General Nathanael…

GLC02437.00640

31 October 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Received Lucy's letter via Martha Washington and is glad to hear his daughter is in good spirits. Hopes to see her in ten days. He has to prepare to transport ordnance in the aftermath of the siege of Yorktown. Mentions that the French army will winter at Yorktown. All the Continental troops south of Pennsylvania, including Knox's, will join General Nathanael Greene. Encloses his brother William Knox's last letter (see GLC02437.01270). Reports that the British ships intended to relieve Lord Cornwallis have just arrived at the Capes too…

GLC02437.01277

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…

GLC02437.00275

13 July 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Knox writes, "the shortness of your two last letters were not very agreable [sic] to me..." Discusses the Battle of Ticonderoga (2-6 July 1777): "We have received... news of the evacuation of Ticonderoga pregnant in my opinion with the most disagreable [sic] consequences of any thing during the War..." Mentions Generals John Burgoyne (British), Arthur St. Clair (American), and Philip Schuyler (American). Refers to a wagon of supplies Lucy sent to him. Wishes his brother William would not join the Army, but would instead remain in Boston, serving as a "…

GLC02437.00622

8 May 1802

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Knox discusses family matters while at his estate, Montpelier. Expected Lucy to travel to Montpelier, but she decided not to come because of their daughter Lucy's "indisposition." Describes preparing a "pair of partridges- a fine salmon- and an abundant dish of sweet breads" for her anticipated arrival. Declares, "Our mutual affection is the most valued object of my existence- My children the next." Discusses the upcoming legislative assembly, a recent town meeting, financial matters, etc. Relates that he gave their son Henry "60…

GLC02437.10344

27 December 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at Camp Great Valley [Valley Forge]. Relates that he has not set out for Boston, Lucy's location, due to urgent public business. Writes, "I should most certainly see you this winter if within the compass of human possibility but it will most assuredly be much better for my own satisfaction that I should have the honor of doing public business ... " Notes that George Washington hopes to wait for the arrival of an unspecified committee, and Knox hopes to be able to leave after the committee meets. Has not seen his brother William for "some days,"…

GLC02437.00675

9 September 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Agrees to the idea to allow his son (Henry Jackson Knox) to remain at Hingham for school. Believes not only will Henry's education improve but so will his morals. States he will leave the decision of Henry's schooling in Lucy's hands. Mentions their neighbor Mrs. Smith, who has been ill, finally passed away. Her husband is greatly affected by her death. Updates her on news of their friends and notes the "Presidents Nephew George Washington" has "given over with his old disorder a consumption."

GLC02437.05604