3 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses matters of business William is tending to in Boston, including a debt and a petition. Writes, "The Enemy have not yet evacuated Philadelphia but we are in hourly expectation of that event. The whole army is under marching orders as soon as they leave the City." Expects the British to assemble their force at New York City. Reports that Lucy "and the baby" are both well, referring to his wife, and possibly to their two-year-old daughter, also named Lucy. Relates that he has seen "Harry," possibly Colonel Henry Jackson.

GLC02437.00708

May 7, 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by William to his brother Major General Henry Knox. Says he will not ship anything with the capital he has accumulated until the peace is complete. Says his business accounts were messy, but are now settled. Says he wrote to Lucy that he had no news of the Fluckers. Says the recent changes in the British Ministry probably been "influenced by the honest representations of Lord Cornwallis relative to the impracticability of reducing America, which rendered that Gentleman not so welcome an informant to the late Ministry as his Brother Passenger…

GLC02437.01412

18 September 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Worries that her letters might fall into enemy hands. Reports that she and their daughter, Lucy, are in good health. Beseeches Henry to send for her. Notes that she has forwarded "six or seven letters" to Henry.

GLC02437.00651

13 March 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions the loss of a vessel and the General Arnold, a ship. Discusses his distaste for "making anything out of the public," or making a profit from public service. Notes that he will consider unspecified proposals previously mentioned by William. Mentions his wife and daughter, both named Lucy.

GLC02437.00752

12 November 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Advises his brother William for supposed improper behavior on his arrival in Boston. Writes that Lucy is unhappy with the news about her family and mentions the dangerous conditions of the roads. Refers to an incident where mail was stolen and then later published in New York.

GLC02437.00857

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.…

GLC02437.00383

14 December 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Expresses relief and joy regarding William's recent recovery from an episode of mental illness. Relates that he and his family plan to move from Dorchester to rent John Singleton Copley's house in Boston. Discusses family news, mentioning his children Lucy, Harry, Marcus, and Julia. Encloses a letter to a friend of his mother-in-law in London (letter not included).

GLC02437.03076

February 7, 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Has just returned from Philadelphia. Reports that the Winslows have arrived at Pluckemin. Borrowed five hundred dollars from Mr. French, commissary, who is traveling to Boston. Instructs William to arrange for the repayment of French (William handled business matters of Henry's). Sends love from his wife, Lucy, and remarks that her things have not yet arrived.

GLC02437.00749

June 27, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William Knox references Henry's letter from April 6. Says he has sent 13 letters to him, the last from Dublin on June 13 or 20. Says his last letter informed Henry of his "motives for coming here namely to negociate some funds by which I might be kept from sinking in Dublin." He is sorry that Thomas Randall "cannot find it convenient to wait agreable to my proposition to him, from a perfect knowledge that the amount will bear hard upon you..." Offers to refund him when he is successful. Says Gouverneur Morris is here but has not made a great sale of land. Reports that William…

GLC02437.05035

24 October 1788

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses her desire for his return, articulating how much she misses him. Expects him to be accompanied by their daughter (possible Lucy): "... my heart beats with the fond idea of shortly embracing the dearest objects of my love the best of husbands and the most amiable of daughters-" Notes that Mr. [Robert] Morris is in town. Comments on other acquaintances, including the Ogdens.

GLC02437.04012

February 13, 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Urges Knox to write him as soon as he can, or make Lucy Knox "overcome her natural timidity" and write him. He has heard of the General (Charles) Scott expedition in the Miami Country and of the casualties Scott suffered. Discusses in great detail the Turk-Russian war along with other foreign affairs. The Russians are not far from Constantinople; the Empress (Catherine the Great) seeks to drive the Turks completely out of Europe and listens to no offers of negotiations. Prince Potemkin said that the Empress would consider stopping the war on several conditions; ceding Moldavia and Wallachia…

GLC02437.04853

8 January 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Explains that his letters may be short, but he still loves his brother. Feels God has favourably turned "the tide of our affair." Knows that war is hard, and has prepared himself for losses either "public or personal." Hopes to hear from William more often, though admits the mail is difficult. Thinks that Lucy should sell the horses if she winters in Boston. Dated 1776, but written 1777.

GLC02437.00515

3 April 1793

Harwood, Hannah, F.U., fl. 1774-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wrote to her sister [Lucy] by the last packet and is now writing to reinforce what she said "relative to the legacy of my Uncle." Says "I have great reason to believe the Mortgage is taken of & consequently you are satisfied - if so I conjure you to inform me without delay as it is of the utmost consequence to me to know it." Says she has nothing to add other than she recently removed to town.

GLC02437.05864

1825

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Manuscript document

Title: to Henry Jackson Knox [incomplete]

Appears to be fragments of two different letters, written by different people. The first letter, written by an unknown author, to an unknown recipient appears to be 2 pages, with the second part of the letter on the third page. Discusses the abilities and accomplishment of an unnamed man. The second letter is written by Lucy Knox to, presumably, her son, Henry Jackson Knox, regarding family friends. The last part, on the fourth page, appears to be a poem.

GLC02437.09993

20 May 1779

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Encloses letters from Baron Johann De Kalb "to some of the most eminent characters in Europe all of them introducing you to the persons they are address'd to and mentioning you connection with me- it will therefor be incumbent on you to deliver them with your own hands" (letters are not included). Intends to obtain more letters of introduction for William from Baron von Steuben. In the margin, notes that Lucy is recovering from a recent illness.

GLC02437.00762

5 July 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Informs his brother that he wrote a previous letter discussing the Battle of Monmouth (refer to GLC02437.00714). Writes, "I had particular reasons for not writing you a circumstantial [account] as General Lee who commanded the advanced parties has been accus'd of disobedience of orders in not attacking the Enemy and for retreating from before them- he is now on his trial upon the charges." Encloses a duplicate account of what he previously wrote on the battle and asks William not to publish it, noting that George Washington's letter to Congress will carry the "most true and just account."…

GLC02437.00715

27 August 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Praises the American victory in the recent the Battle of Bennington. Notes that General [Benjamin] Lincoln's aide-de-camp sent an account of the British killed, wounded, and missing at Bennington, which amounted to 1,000. Reports that Henry's wife Lucy has agreed to sell her phaeton (a carriage). Relates a quarrel he had with Colonel Crafts as to rank. In two instances, Crafts refused to accept Jackson (from the Continental Artillery) as a higher rank. Jackson asks who actually holds higher rank, Continental Artillery or Continental Infantry.

GLC02437.00641

28 August 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reprimands Henry for not writing sooner. Notes that she sent a letter to Henry with Captain Randall. Asks Henry to intervene on behalf of Captain Bliss regarding an unspecified matter. Writes, "It is very strange that you mention nothing to me of a strange letter I sent you from the pretended Dutchess addressed to his excellency- I do not like to be treated so..." Notes that "your man Jacksons wife" is displeased by hearing nothing from him. Reports that she and their "little girl," Lucy, are doing well.

GLC02437.00642

3 August 1791

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References his letters of 27 June and 19 July that he sent to Henry. Has not received any letters from Henry since the one marked 6 April. States he has not met with any success in selling Henry's lands, not even a single serious offer. Says his feelers in Paris have not met with any more success, noting "The Scioto business has left unfavorable impressions at Paris relative to purchases of land in America." Wants to go to Ireland next week, but needs to secure a loan to settle his debts there first. Claims his prospects are bleak. Reports "I cannot tell what will be my fate," unless…

GLC02437.05099

25 June 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Reports that the British left Philadelphia. He and Lucy went into the city, but had to leave because it "stunk so abominably." Notes that the American and British armies are twenty miles apart, at Princeton and Allentown respectively. Comments on the great number of deserters in the British army. Writes, "if General Actions had no other consequences than merely the kill'd and wounded, we should attack them in 24 hours, but the fate of posterity and not the illusive [sic] [brilliancy] of military Glory govern's our [Fabian] Commander, the Man under God to whom America owes…

GLC02437.00712

4 August 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses previous correspondence between the two, noting he always acknowledges letters received from William. Mentions a military operation planned against Newport to take place in conjunction with the arrival of a French fleet led by the Comte D'Estaing. Relates that his wife and daughter, both named Lucy, are with him in White Plains. Notes that Admiral Lord Richard Howe, in Sandy Hook, New Jersey "lays... with his small fleet ardently wishing for such a reinforcement as may enable him to look Monsr. Le Com[text loss]te in the face- but I hope he will be disappointed…

GLC02437.00717

23 May 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Indicates that he received William's letter from his wife Lucy, who just arrived in New York with their newborn child. Anticipates New York as "principal seat of war" and worries about his family being in harms way. Mentions that George Washington has gone to meet with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to discuss the current campaign. Welcomes the news that General Horatio Gates has been promoted to major general and been placed in charge of the defense of Boston. Mentions a heavy loss inflicted by a schooner from the West Indies two days earlier. Promises to…

GLC02437.00311

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…

GLC02437.00578

28 September 1778

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Written at Fredericksburgh. Comments, "You appear a little testy that I did not inform you the Enemy were going to Boston. Indeed I never believed it except a combination of unfortunate circumstances should impress an Idea of the kind on their minds... I think you may very freely make purchases and rely upon it that the Enemy will not come to Boston this Year- not even the tempting object of the french fleet will be a sufficient inducement. I believe from present appearances that the Enemy are about to evacuate the Continent." Also mentions the escape of General John Sullivan's forces in…

GLC02437.00727

4 October 1781

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses news of the siege of Yorktown, mentioning the activities of the Marquis de La Fayette and naval engagements between French Admiral Compte de Grasse and British Admiral Thomas Graves. Reports that Congress has received indications of the capture of Lord Cornwallis, but faulty intelligence from the past has made them skeptical. Discusses his upcoming business trip to Europe and seeks his brother's approval. Explains his sale of stock to finance the trip and plans to travel by French frigate. Explains his plans in case ships with cargo he owns arrive in Boston after his departure…

GLC02437.01207