Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824 to Henry Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00364 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824 Place Written: Stamford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: July 1776 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 21.9 cm, Width: 18 cm Order a Copy

Distressed, Lucy discusses the circumstances under which she left New York and argues she was undeserving of Henry's censure. She stayed in New York longer than expected in order to have "a more affectionate parting." When she desired to go to Fairfield, Connecticut, she received a message from Mr. Burr (possibly Aaron Burr), indicating that he could not obtain a house or furniture for her there, as Henry had requested. Is dissatisfied that Henry writes "frequently in your letters to remind me of my incapacity of judging for myself." Also writes that Henry ignored, or never read, her request to obtain a physician because their baby has colic and to obtain volatile drops and have them delivered by Mrs. Jonathan Pollard. Expresses jealousy of Nathanael Greene's wife, who spent ten days with Greene. Has heard Henry keeps an open house. Discusses financial matters and Knox's papers. Reports that she will remain in Stamford until Mrs. Pollard returns. Gives some instructions on sending clothes and forwarding letters. Asks that the items be given to Mrs. Pollard, along with a trunk with correspondence from the "days when no evil was sufficient to part us with an aching heart and eyes drowned with tears." Urges Henry to write more in a note at the end.

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Greene, Catharine Littlefield, 1755-1814

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources