Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.10452 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3-8 June 1777 Pagination: 4 p. : address : docket ; 30 x 29.3 cm. Order a Copy
Laments Henry's absence, noting he has been gone for three months exactly. Relates that their daughter, Lucy, is well and beautiful despite "five pitts of the small pox in her face." Comments on Henry's loss, possibly of clothes, noting that she will attempt to procure more cambric (a cotton fabric) for him. Mentions the sale of Knox's horses. Relates that she wanted to sell them separately, but Knox's brother William did not wish to do so. Remarks, "...you had better make me your future agent- I'll assure you I am quite a woman of business." Begins writing again 4 June. Plans to send Knox madeira, "good old spirit," and sugar. Requests that Knox ask General Benedict Arnold what she should do with some things Arnold left with her. Mentions a scarf among the items. Notes that Catharine Greene (General Nathanael Greene's wife) would also like one of the items. Begins writing again 5 June. Criticizes Henry for his cold correspondence. Defends herself, arguing that it is William's responsibility, not hers, to inform Knox of his well-being.
[Draft]
Boston June 3rd 1777 -
My dearest dear friend,
This day, three months, I parted with the dear partener of my Soul - happy was it for me that I did not then know how many moons would revolve, ere I was again blessed with the sight of him. he bid me hope our absence would be short but alass after three months, the prospect instead of brightening grows darker daily - the absence of lovers I ever thought one of the greatest evils of life. but when attended - with constant anxiety for the safety of the person beloved: tis almost insupportable. I wish I could look in upon my Harry at this time and see him at dinner among his friends - now interrupted by business and now by a wish for his companion, his friend, his Lucy - do you not often wish for me my love - say that you do - I beseech you - and tell me honestly and sincerely when you expect to see me - our dear little girl goes alone - you would be delighted to see the little tottler - she is proud - and pleased as can be - She has five pitts of the small pox in her face - which make her still prettier (if possible) - than before she had them. My arm remains troublesome yet owing to my own imprudence in attempting to heal it too soon but Lucys is quite well -
Mr Russell yesterday brought me a letter from you of the [inserted: twenty] fourth of May refering to one I shall receive [struck: this eve] tomorrow by the post - I am heartily sorry for your loss which I fear will be irreparable but if there is cambrick to be had in Salem Newbury or Portsmouth you shall have it. I think you were to blame to trust a person of his appearance with your [2] Cloaths - I thought they were to have been Johns care did he take your [exps] with him and tell me honestly how many paper dollars you are the worse for him - My Harry writes to me as if I lived in a land of plenty - Six pounds of best green tea is what I have endeavored to the utmost of my power to procure - I wrote you last week that I expected some - but it belongs to Bill Turner and he refuses paper money for it - however you shall have a couple of pounds by the first opportunity tho it were my last gunie that purchased it - the horses fetched but seventy five pound owing to your not entrusting me with the sale of them - I wished to have had them sold seperate [sic] but master Wm was of a different opinion nor could he be persuaded. You had better make me your future agent - I'll asure you I am quite a woman of business but good bye for the present - I am going to drink Tea with Mrs Russell - in hopes to hear some particulars of you - will continue my letter tomorrow -
LK -
June 4th
I drank tea last evening at Mr Russells and had the pleasure to hear that my Harry is well in good spirits but not a word of sending for me - do you remember your going to Newbury my love, how unhappy you were to leave me for two long days - we daily expect your waggon in town - which will take you some choice madeira, some good old spirit, some loaf sugar - and some other little matters. Billy intends to send his baggage by the same opportunity - he is still low in flesh and spirits - lives intirely upon milk - and is in my opinion [struck: is] very unfit for a campaign [3] Pray if you see general Arnold - make my Compt: to him and ask him what he would have me do with those things that [inserted: he] left with me to be presented to Miss D. tell him Mr Blodget says he will part with them - which if he will do - Mrs [inserted: Genl] Greene will be glad to have one of them - I beg to have a scarf which is in the trunk - if he will part with them desire him to send the invoice either to Mr Blodget - who is his agent - or to me - but [inserted: at] any rate I must not relinquish the scarf - as I cannot [struck: buy] [inserted: get] any thing to make me one - farewell my love may
angels gaurd and keep you and soon
restore you to your afflicted Wife
L Knox
June 5th
[struck: Since] I last evening received three letters from you by the
post for the first of them I will not say I thank you - as (tho pretty long) it contained not one tender expression but was a continued scold from beginning to end - in the first place you resent - my little raillery of your horses - and take revenge upon poor old romeo. you then attack me about your Brother - and unkindly say it would have been but decent [in] me to have wrote you whether he was dead or alive - to this I answer that when I wrote the letter you refer too your Brother [strikeout] [inserted: and he should also write] to you - nor did I know till some hours after it was gone that he did not [strikeout] - but was he never [inserted: to] write [inserted: you] I do not think I am answerable for him you often talk much of your affection for him as if I had objected to it - So my harry be asured I lo[text loss] the loss of much near connections to wish to deprive one so dear to me of the enjoyment of [4] hope that your affection for him is not quite so great as what you feel for me - who I must think have a right to the greatest love - in him you will soon be happy - as he is determined to sett out in [inserted: one] or two weeks but for me I see no end to my friendless unprotected state again adieu my all in life
your LK
[Written in right margin of page two: Mr Russell says you complain I do not date my letters, I did not think my Harry would have made me look so little -]
[address]
Brigadier General Knox
Morris Town.
Post
[docket]
Mrs Knox 3 to 5 June
1777
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