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, Henry, 1750-1806 to Lucy Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10344 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: Thomaston, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 May 1802 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 36.3 cm, Width: 23.7 cm Order a Copy

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 thousand feet of boards... as a foundation whereon to build a fortune, and which has probably been sacrificed in a manner that he would not unfold- the business requires no comment and affords no hope- as to the payment of his debts with it- that admits of doubts-" Discusses their servant, Nabby Sterling, "who cooks better than tolerably well..."

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Knox, Henry Jackson, 1780-1832

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources