William Knox to Lucy Knox about Family and War News and Trials of Tories, 27 July 1776

William Knox to Lucy Knox about Family and War News and Trials of Tories, 27 July 1776
Author: William Knox
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Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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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 General Charles Lee at Charleston. Notes the establishment of the Court of Inquiry, for trying Tories. Informs Lucy that some of her family has gone to England.

William Knox to Lucy Knox with News of Her Family, Tories and Smallpox Vaccinations, 11 July 1776

William Knox to Lucy Knox with News of Her Family, Tories and Smallpox Vaccinations, 11 July 1776
Author: William Knox
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Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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Gives his sister-in-law news of her friends in Halifax. Also gives news of Lucy's mother and father, who were separated from each other at the time. Indicates that Lucy's mother is well, although she is in a smaller house than she desires. Reports that many Tories in Halifax have not gone to England because they are confident that General William Howe will suppress the Continental Army. Reports that some Scotsmen have gone to Quebec with their possessions. Discusses smallpox inoculation and local laws passed to prevent further outbreaks. Notes that two British ships have been captured by Captain Harry Johnson. Relays messages from several people. Hopes she will keep her spirits up in the difficult times.

Henry Knox to William Knox with News of Lucy, 4 July 1776

Henry Knox to William Knox with News of Lucy, 4 July 1776
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1776
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Notes that Lucy Knox and others have gone to Fairfield, Connecticut, away from potential fighting in New York. Indicates that he gave Colonel David Mason a draft for fifty dollars to be paid by William (see GLC02437.00358). Asks William to write fully & frequently. Alluding to the impending battle in New York comments that You may expect something great before long.

Henry Knox to William Knox about Lucy and His Patriotic Feelings, 11 July 1776

Henry Knox to William Knox about Lucy and His Patriotic Feelings, 11 July 1776
Author: Henry Knox
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Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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Thanks William for his recent letter. Discusses Lucy Knox's hasty evacuation from New York when British ships were spotted in the Hudson and the unhappiness it caused both Lucy and himself (also see GLC024327.00364). Lucy is distressed but Henry feels he is not at liberty to attend her as my country calls. Explains that his apprehension was disguised by scolding Lucy for not leaving sooner. Comments that Mrs. Nathanael Greene and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard went with Lucy, and describes Mrs. Pollard as an unfit companion because of her Melancholy dumpish disposition. If Lucy is unhappy in Fairfield, Connecticut, he will ask William to take her to Boston, since they are expecting active fighting in New York. The British attacked the following day.

William Knox to Henry Knox about Lucy Knox's Movements and a Reading of the Declaration of Independence, 18 July 1776

William Knox to Henry Knox about Lucy Knox's Movements and a Reading of the Declaration of Independence, 18 July 1776
Author: William Knox
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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Remarks on Henry's talent for burlesquing William's writing. Expresses sympathy for Lucy's situation, in which she has to stay in Connecticut away from Henry. Offers to leave the bookstore in someone's care and go to Fairfield to bring Lucy back to Boston. Mentions that the Declaration of Independence will be read in Boston on the day of this letter's writing. Remarks that he heard the British sailed up the Hudson, which they did on 12 July 1776, and conjectures it to be by way of experiment. Mentions that Captain Harry Johnson came in from Halifax. Also mentions that two persons were bound for a Mr. Phillips[.] I mention'd in my last for 400 each for his good political behavior for 1 year.

Lucy Flucker to Henry Knox about Her Family, Servants and Social Life, 18 July 1776

Lucy Flucker to Henry Knox about Her Family, Servants and Social Life, 18 July 1776
Author: Lucy Flucker Knox
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Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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Thanks Henry for taking the time to write her amidst the hurry of public business, referring to the revolutionary war activities in New York. Explains her travel plans, which will bring her to New Haven, Connecticut. Discusses their child's development, including mention of her beginning to talk, and prays that Henry will survive to take care of them. Discusses her reaction to a recent letter from William Knox that included news about her family and explains that she wants to send for her mother (see GLC002437.00368). Seeks a boy recently discharged from the army as a new servant since the negro is two heavy for the Horse. Has heard that Henry has been a little rough with Mrs. Airey and asks how she offended him. Explains that Airey has several of her bedding supplies and also owes her money. Defends herself against Henry's belief that she was coming to New York against his wishes. Mentions corresponding with several people. Discusses her satisfaction with her accommodations and addresses complaints Henry has heard. Inquires about Captain Sebastian Bauman. Mentions a couple of meetings, one with a forty-six year-old woman with infant twins. Comments that she needs to find pasture for two animals when she goes to New Haven.

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox Urging Her to Go to New Haven, 15 July 1776

Henry Knox to Lucy Knox Urging Her to Go to New Haven, 15 July 1776
Author: Henry Knox
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Release: 1776
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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 Fairfield than from Stamford. Mentions that Burr (possibly Aaron Burr) has told him Fairfield is crowded and lacks provisions. Claims New Haven has good accommodations good Company & good provisions and mentions some officers that plan to go there. Reiterates that New York would be a bad place for Lucy because it would cause Henry too much worry. Strongly urges her to go to New Haven. Restates that their separation makes him miserable. Reports little activity since the British sailed up the Hudson on 12 July 1776 except the disappointing news that the ships were not damaged by the artillery fire. Remarks that This Summer will be the most important that America ever saw. Describes an attempt by General William Howe to have a letter delivered seeking a truce, which was rejected because it was addressed to Mr. Washington instead of General Washington. In a reference to the Declaration of Independence, the messenger claimed the letter was of a civil matter, not a military one. Relays news from William Knox in Boston concerning smallpox and the activities of several members of Lucy's family.

Henry Knox to William Knox with Family News and Discusses the War and Politics, 20 July 1781

Henry Knox to William Knox with Family News and Discusses the War and Politics, 20 July 1781
Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1781
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Thanks William for money he recently sent. Reports that Lucy Knox and their children have gone up the Hudson River on a visit. Discusses his hopes for an end to the Revolutionary War, writing I sincerely pray God that the War may be ended this campaign that public and private felicity may be again restored. Discusses British movement in the South, noting, Our affairs to the Southward have an agreeable aspect and convince us although the Enemy may establish posts, they cannot conquer the Country. Criticizes what he calls vile water-gruel governments which have taken place in most of the States... Praises Massachusetts, stating The same tone, sentiment, & exertion, pervading all the States would indisputably render this the last Campaign. Reports that the British recently sent ships up the Hudson River to sabotage Continental communication but were unsuccessful. Promises to write as often as possible, though the post follows a circuitous route. Written at Philipsburgh, New York (present-day Sleepy Hollow).

William Knox to Henry Knox about War News, Or Lack Of, 15 September 1776

William Knox to Henry Knox about War News, Or Lack Of, 15 September 1776
Author: William Knox
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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Complains that Henry has not written to him recently and explains how he has received information from Lucy Knox and Mrs. Jonathan Pollard. Claims that they do not have many good sources for the news in Boston. Indicates that a British ship called the Mifford is seizing any vessel that comes near it in the bay. Mentions plans to mobilize troops from Connecticut. Notes that Benjamin Franklin, Edward Rutledge, and John Adams were being sent by Congress to meet with William Howe, a peace conference that later proved unsuccessful. Mentions reports of a battle on Lake Champlain. Business has improved in Boston. Notes that it is his twentieth birthday.

Henry Knox to William Knox about William's Actions and War News, 7 November 1776

Henry Knox to William Knox about William's Actions and War News, 7 November 1776
Author: Henry Knox
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1776
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Was worried to hear from Henry Jackson that William had gone aboard a ship going to confront the British ship the Mifford. Notes that after pursuing the Continental Army to White Plains, the British have turned back toward New York and Knox speculates that they intend to besiege Fort Washington and then pass to New Jersey and possibly Philadelphia. Believes Fort Washington could withstand a two or three month siege. Notes that the Hessians and the British plunder all before them. Instructs William to pick Lucy Knox up from New Haven, Connecticut, if she wants to winter in Boston. A note on the verso states It is absurd to suppose a man of Mr. Howe's character gone into winter Qtrs already.