8 August 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes to his wife that since his last letter, which marked his arrival, he has been "diligently preparing for our jaunt." His travel party will consist of himself, his brother William Knox, the younger Mr. Isaac Winslow, and General Henry Jackson. They will set off Thursday (does not specify a destination). Remarks that all of their friends are being very kind, and at present he is at Mr. [Samuel] Breck's, while William is at Ingersoll's. Declares he will write again Thursday. Sends blessings to Lucy and the children.

GLC02437.03290

July 15, 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to a letter from Lucy in which she remonstrated Henry over their recent separation in which she left New York and went to Connecticut. Henry is "both grieved an angry" because Lucy blames Henry for her inconveniences even though it is in her "power instantly to remedy them." Moreover, if she does not like it there, it is within her power to go elsewhere. Warns her against anyone contradicting his advice. Urges her to use her "own good sense and see that there can be no essential difference as you have a carriage and Horses, between coming [to New York] from New Haven or…

GLC02437.00375

27 July 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Mentions he will be detained until tomorrow or the next day. Does not expect to get home until Saturday, but will do his best to get there by Friday. Says their boys are in high spirits and that Harry is gratified by his new long coat, "which is of an excellent blue cloth breeches of the same and tow half wais[t]coats." Marcus says he is impatient to be home. States he longs to see her and the little ones. Lucy is at Bush Hill outside of Philadelphia. Free frank signed by Henry Knox.

GLC02437.05086

3 August 1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written by Brigadier General Knox to his wife Lucy from camp near Dobbs Ferry. References receiving three letters from her, dated 23, 26, and 30 July 1781. Expresses his happiness upon reading them and says "The longer the War lasts the more sick am I of it and sigh for domestic felicity with my Lucy." Remembers that her birthday was yesterday and claims he "petitioned heaven to grant us the happiness of continuing our union." Wants to know how long she will remain at Colonel Duer's. Says if she can get to New Windsor, he might be able to…

GLC02437.01114

January 23, 1793

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Reports that Henry Jackson Knox has returned in perfect health. He was satisfied with his trip to Boston. As Lucy is anxious about his hearing, she reports that "I think it is far better than I have known it." Says his hair is long and thick, but she has prevailed upon him to have it cut. Reports that his bed is finished, but that she could not procure any bedding and she wrote to Henry Jackson for help. Says her boys have not yet returned to school since the holidays because of sore throats. Was particularly concerned because of the recent bad weather…

GLC02437.05792

5 January 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why his letter of 5 December 1775 was so short (see GLC02437.00215). Comments on the weather and the lack of snow, which impeded his plans to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mentions that his brother William Knox is now at Lake George preparing the sleds for…

GLC02437.00237

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

10 November 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses how important his correspondence with Lucy is and how much it hurts him to urge her to go farther away from him (first to New Haven then to Boston). Speculates on a possible British strategy to extend their conquest into New Jersey, which will force Knox to follow, and be further from his wife. Notes that the New York campaign might be considered a loss for the Americans. Analyzes the current situation in New York. Comments that General George Washington set out for New Jersey. Mentions that General Horatio Gates drove Sir Guy Carleton back to…

GLC02437.00485

6 May 1782

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written by William Knox to his sister-in-law Lucy Knox. Inquires of her health and jokingly calls her newborn son [Marcus Camillus] "the little Roman Stranger." Goes on to say that "I have a good will to be offended that you did not think William a good name enough for him." Says he wrote to friends in England for news of the Fluckers, but has received no answer. Says he should have already been back in America, but that changes in politics has made him postpone his trip. Says his French has improved and that he has made better connections as…

GLC02437.01410

20 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Year and day cited, but no month. Month inferred based on content. Recently visited posts in the Highlands (New York) with General Nathanael Greene. Notes that "Mr. Wm. continues yet quiet in his quarters, but we have still reason to think he intends to evacuate the Jersies, tho' our information is not very perfect as I believe he has pretty much the act of keeping his intentions secret." Has not received new information regarding British General John Burgoyne's intentions to travel toward Boston. Hopes for a successful campaign during the upcoming summer. Wonders why he has not…

GLC02437.00679

11 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Responds to Lucy's most recent letter (see GLC02437.00364), discussing her hasty departure from New York. Henry is upset by her distress. He reiterates that he did not want her in New York before something decisive occurred in the war. In response to her complaint that Nathanael Greene's wife returned to New York, he explains that General Greene did not want her there for the same reasons and had just sent her to Newark and she will later go to either Fairfield or Providence. Comments that if Mrs. Pollard comes to New York, she will distract her husband Jonathan Pollard…

GLC02437.00369

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…

GLC02437.00387

3 November 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Knox worries because Lucy has not recently written to him. Reports receipt of a letter from "Harry," (Colonel Henry Jackson, also in Boston). Expresses discontent regarding the high price of goods Jackson reported in Boston. Refers to the "glorious event to the northward," John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, New York. Writes, "We are waiting for some favorable opportunity to give [the British] another blow & if possible to dispossess them of the redoubted city of Philadelphia- The enemy have not yet been able to drive our Gallies away or storm or…

GLC02437.00662

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes affectionately, asking about Lucy's journey from Worcester. Discusses his own journey to New York City on his way to Fort Ticonderoga, where George Washington had ordered him to travel to in order to bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there in the Spring of 1775. He met his brother on the road, a meeting he describes and dubs "truly farcical." Comments on business opportunities. Reports the easy victory by which American forces captured Montreal on 13 November 1775. mentioning the British retreat, the construction of an American battery, and the…

GLC02437.00211

4 March 1777

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Manuscript letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Later copy. Has enclosed a letter for "the heavenly Miss DeBlois," a friend of Lucy's, which he wishes Lucy to pass on to her. Has also sent a trunk of gowns to Lucy's house via Mr. Colburn, intended for Miss DeBlois. Also asks Lucy to report to him about Miss DeBlois when she next sees her. A newspaper clipping, the obituary of one of Arnold's sons, is attached to the document. The copy was made around 1855.

GLC02437.00543

3 May 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Informs Lucy that Mr. Edes of Boston will soon be leaving Morristown. Looks forward to receiving more letters from Lucy. Text loss on both pages due to paper loss and repair.

GLC02437.00585

25 August 1776

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Discusses why he did not introduce two of Lucy's acquaintances, Mr. Livingston and Mr. King, to the ladies Lucy mentioned. Indicates that any enemy ship in the bay is seizing every ship that comes near.

GLC02437.00426

January 12, 1821

Gleason, John, fl. 1796-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes to ask Lucy to repay money she owes him for land.

GLC02437.08067

23 July 1780

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph note signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

A short note telling Lucy that she can come see him. Written at Camp Precaness

GLC02437.00829

26 July 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written near Morristown, New Jersey. Laments his absence from Lucy. Writes "...had it not been for this cursed war I should have been one of the happi[est] of the human race as it is I am bound by every principle of honor and moral attachment to stand by the Country while I can do it any service- the instant I am convinc'd that I cannot I will retire from public to private life..." Assures her that his absence is not due to lack of love. Addresses her concerns for future financial stability. Discusses business matters, mentioning his friend Harry (Henry Jackson). Urges her to agree to…

GLC02437.10453

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

18 July 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Tells Lucy that he misses her and really looks forward to her letters every time the mail comes.

GLC02437.05546

8 July 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Tells Lucy she was right not to return to New York because it is unsafe. Henry would be too worried if she were in danger. Discusses a Mrs. G[reene], who shocked her husband by coming to the city. Remarks that "the peace of this Town & of the safety of the ladies is upon the most precarious tenor imaginable." Explains that the British are close and could strike any time, giving the Continentals only ten minutes to prepare, and Lucy only ten minutes to escape if she were with Henry. It would be even more dangerous because Lucy has a new…

GLC02437.00363

29 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Thanks Lucy for her letter, and tells her that he also received a letter the same day from their daughter Lucy. Asks his wife to tell their daughter that he loves her "with all the strength she could desire and that my love is an abundant source of forgetfulness of a thousand little lapses." Provides a brief summary of how he is passing his days while away on business.

GLC02437.05591

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…

GLC02437.00396