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to Lucy Knox

Apologizes for not writing and discusses the delivery of a parcel and a Lisbon merchant.

GLC02437.06550

to Lucy Knox

Reports that the British have landed at Head of Elk, Maryland (present day Elkton), twenty miles from Knox's location. Writes, "...we shall remain here a few days and if they will not come to us we shall go to them... it is suppos'd the enemy intend...

GLC02437.00646

to Lucy Knox

Urges her to cheer up and look to the future: "Providence,...is [missing text] excellent rock to rest upon." Discusses overcoming recent ill health. Reiterates that he thinks she should spend the winter in Boston. Explains that the British army...

GLC02437.00481

to Lucy Knox

Discusses corresponding with his wife. Discusses domestic issues like food, clothing, and money, and a sick servant. Asks Lucy to assist Mrs. Jonathan Pollard, who is in need of money. Comments on firing on the Phoenix and other British vessels...

GLC02437.00421

to Lucy Knox

Tells his wife he is still in Boston, but is planning his departure and should be home by Saturday, 24 December. Asks her to send four horses, with bridles and saddles, to Mrs. Tuckham's house in Wiscasset, so he can have them when he arrives there...

GLC02437.07837

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...

GLC02437.00679

to Lucy Knox

Loves her and thinks of her constantly. Thinks America will soon rise and Britain fall. Sees the recent arrival of arms as a positive sign from above. Feels the war has lost all virtue. If not for her he think he would not have the will to live....

GLC02437.00560

to Lucy Knox

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

GLC02437.08067

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...

GLC02437.00369

to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels...

GLC02437.00199

to Lucy Knox

Has had letters written this week, but has had no opportunity to send them to Boston. Has gotten all his bedding, except the bottom layer. Reports they had a "Civic feast" in Boston. Wonders if there was one in Philadelphia. Place written assumed...

GLC02437.05800

to Lucy Knox

Loves her and is glad she and their daughter are doing well after their inoculation. Longs to see her, but for her own safety and happiness denies her request to join him at Morristown.
Believes the British "by no means as formidable as they were...

GLC02437.00580

to Lucy Knox

Sears, writing also on behalf of Israel Thorndike and William Prescott, writes to Lucy about financial and land dealings they had with her husband, the recently deceased General [Henry] Knox.

GLC02437.08061

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...

GLC02437.00387

to Lucy Knox

Asks if she has received his previous letter (GLC02437.00511). Details the fighting from 2 January onward. Discusses the American retreat from Trenton, for which the artillery provided cover, Washington's decision to next attack Princeton where...

GLC02437.00514

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...

GLC02437.00543

to Lucy Knox

Updates Lucy on the progress of her son, Henry. Writes, "Master Henry's advances in the Latin are such as I hope will please you sufficiently... His mind appears strong, and his judgment solid- his ideas are lively and his memory sufficiently...

GLC02437.03893

to Lucy Knox

Written at Camp Middlebrook. Knox writes, "Pity it is that lovers so exceedingly attached to each other as we are should be separated by the horrors of War." Discusses Lord Sterling's movement at Amboy (Perth Amboy, New Jersey) and Westfield, New...

GLC02437.00618

to Lucy Knox

Discusses leaving for St. George's today. Expects a lot of trouble but hopes to persevere over the difficulties. Speaks of a visit he had with their son (possibly Henry Jackson Knox). Discusses his son's recent behavior and the grief he is...

GLC02437.06176

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...

GLC02437.00662

to Lucy Knox

Writes, "In short my Lucy no man on earth seperated [sic] from All that he holds Dear on earth has ever suffer'd more than I have suffer'd in being absent from you whom I hold dearer than every other object..." Defends his love for her, because "in...

GLC02437.00670

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...

GLC02437.00237

to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness and relief to hear that the family is doing well and is healthy. Mentions that he is happy to hear that his son, Henry Jackson Knox, is still at Hingham and that he should remain there for the winter. States that he "must go...

GLC02437.05593

to Lucy Knox

Informs Lucy that a mutual acquaintance has died. Congratulates Lucy on her new baby boy, saying "Most heartily do I congratulate you on the birth of your son - I wish it was possible for me to do that personally - but I find it is not so I must...

GLC02437.03745

to Lucy Knox

Written from Sandwich, Barnstable County, likely in Massachusetts. In response to an earlier letter from Lucy, discusses a mortgage he holds on part of her estate in Thomaston, Maine. Mentions a variety of other financial matters.

GLC02437.08068

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...

GLC02437.00485

to Lucy Knox

Apologizes for not writing sooner, but declares that he knew his sister had written to her about their voyage, and he did not have anything to add. Mentions his and his wife, Eliza's, pleasure to be back at home. Discusses the oncoming spring...

GLC02437.07924

to Lucy Knox

Discusses business endeavors. Considers the imminent conclusion of the war in Europe and the "immense success of [Napoleon] Bonaparte," and how these factors may affect land prices and other areas key to his finances. Also mentions his hopes that...

GLC02437.08016

to Lucy Knox

Does not yet know the exact day he will set out to return to Thomaston. Must wait for the arrival of Colonel [likely Israel] Thorndike to negotiate a deal. Will send his son [Henry Jackson Knox] home with money to pay the workmen.

GLC02437.07982

to Lucy Knox

Writes first to report on Knox's daughter (in law) Eliza's travels to and from Boston, and correspondence related to her (Eliza married Lucy's son Henry Jackson Knox). Next, discusses President [John] Adams's recent preoccupation with the idea of an...

GLC02437.08066

to Lucy Knox

Mentions being "attacked with the cursed fever" last week, but is now better. Wishes he could be with her and the family. Informs that Mrs. Smith is doing better after being very ill with a "disorder in her bowels." Writes that "Our President...

GLC02437.05535

to Lucy Knox

Apologizes for not being able to visit her due to his job obligations but states that he will as soon as he can. Mentions that "something has occured relatively to the southern Indians which would seem to open new sources of difficulty." Discusses...

GLC02437.05557

to Lucy Knox

Discusses his health and family matters. Talks about gaining weight, stating "I have increased since your departure, owing perhaps to two causes ... more food and less exercise." Mentions that the President (George Washington) has invited him to...

GLC02437.05602

to Lucy Knox

Written from Elizabethtown, present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey. Had expected to leave for Philadelphia today but the commissioners for the enemy have not agreed on their propositions yet. Is unsure whether they will and hopes to find out today...

GLC02437.01384

to Lucy Knox

Expresses his happiness on hearing that his wife is doing well and writes that "I shall give you all possible proofs of my affection." Makes plans to see her soon and sends her his brother's love.

GLC02437.05623

to Lucy Knox

Writes that he has just arrived from New York and apologizes for not writing as he did not know when the post picked up mail. Discusses making arrangements. Noted as written in Elizabethtown, which is now Elizabeth, New Jersey.

GLC02437.06573

to Lucy Knox

Responds to his wife's letter dated 29 September 1781 (GLC02437.01200). Discusses investing Yorktown and General Cornwallis' evacuation of his outer works the day before writing this letter. Discusses the Continental Army's prospects to "impress our...

GLC02437.01203

to Lucy Knox

Describes in detail the beginning of the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) on 27 August 1776. Looks forward to the future when they can be together again.

GLC02437.00429

to Lucy Knox

Discusses the retreat from Long Island, after the Battle of Long Island, and plans to defend Manhattan.

GLC02437.00435

to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197

to Lucy Knox

Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the "regulars" making a "fine prize" of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of...

GLC02437.00200

to Lucy Knox

A brief note to tell his wife that he has arrived near Fort Ticonderoga and is in good health. Comments that the battery is waiting for him, in reference to his orders from George Washington to inspect artillery seized from the British earlier that...

GLC02437.00214

to Lucy Knox

Arrived last evening after a long trip. The roads past Hartford were so bad that "the Slay" and much of the baggage had to be abandoned. Has heard a report that at Spanktown, modern day Rahway, "our people" killed and wounded five hundred of the...

GLC02437.00549

to Lucy Knox

Regrets that he must send her to Boston, but hopes to see her and Peter soon, if his duties allow. Notes British movements on Long Island. Comments on the tactical ineptitude displayed by both sides: "The manoeuvres of the enemy are so complicated...

GLC02437.00487

to Lucy Knox

Informs her of the loss of Fort Washington and 1,500 men. "This is the most severe stroke we have received during the war as to the number of men." Writes that he is very upset over the terrible defeat, but has not lost hope.

GLC02437.00489

to Lucy Knox

Assures her that their separation will not be as long as she fears, that they will soon be together again, and that he loves her deeply. Explains why he must stay at war and away from her, saying: "My obedience in this point interrupts our happiness...

GLC02437.00490

to Lucy Knox

States that the army has been forced to flee, and the Americans are currently "making a stand on the side of the Delaware toward Philadelphia." Hopes to soon face the enemy again. Expresses his love for her, and continues to advise her to travel to...

GLC02437.00494

to Lucy Knox

Responds to his wife's letter chastising him for not writing (see GLC02437.01230). Reports that he is well and comments on the siege of Yorktown. Mentions that they stormed the British works with little loss the night before. Hopes to end the...

GLC02437.01231

to Lucy Knox

States that his other recent letter, probably GLC02437.00514, is not full of sentiment because its contents is of public importance and she might wish to show the letter to others. Says that, while there love is public, the full expressions of it...

GLC02437.00516

to Lucy Knox

Expresses his love for her. Thinks Crane will soon have success in recruiting men. Feels "America trifles too much with the high matters in which she is engag'd - an infinity of happiness or misery depends upon the success or non-success of the...

GLC02437.00573