Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00364 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) Place Written: Stamford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: July 1776 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 21.9 x 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.
[draft]
My only friend
I will go to N Haven - indeed I will; but first must beg your patience to read this, which I think will shew that I am not deserving of the severe censure that I have received - when I left N York - you may remember I left my Harry in a state of mind, that prevented me an opportunity of saying a word to him of the tender kind - of which I had many in my heart - this induced me to stay a little time as near as possible - in hopes by some smile of providence I might be favrd with a more affectionate parting - which woud have afforded me some consolation - upon reflection but when these hopes vanished - and the melancholy pleasure I promised myself was denied me - I determined to go immediately to Fairfield but was prevented by a message [2] from Mr Burr - letting me know he had recd a letter from you desiring him to procure me a place there which he coud not effect - except an [struck: empty] empty house without a garden which was absolutely necessary. Nor could he gett us an article of furniture - this I thought sufficient to end that place -
You are pleased frequently in your letters to remind me of my incapacity of judgeing for myself. I now assure you - that I have [inserted: a] deep sense of my own weakness and ignorance and a very high opinion of the abilities of him - in whose eyes mine are so contemptable - I am affraid you do not bestow the time - to read my scrawls - with any degree of attention - if you did - you would have noticed that request - which regard.d your Daughter - I now beg you to apply to some phisician for proper medecines - for a child subject to a violent cholic - also some volatile drops - which Mrs Bollard will bring me - she is going to see her husband Mrs Greene has had [3] ten days with hers - poor Lucy - but a [ ? ] to complaint they are an old story - and of course disregarded - I am told you keep open house - I hope you have things to your mind - but be asured however agreable they may be they are not provided by a person more solicitous to please than your unhappy girl - you should have told me you had recd your money by Mr Bedford - and have given me orders relating to your Box of papers - I shall remain here till Mrs Bollards return - pray tell me when, I am to see Mr Smith - and send me a servant - or I cannot move - Mrs Greene is discontented - and I have no fondness for such an obligation - when you send my cloaths be so kind to remember - the stockings - some lose letters which I left in my chamber I beg may be put into the trunk - and pray give to Mrs Bollard a red leather trunk locked - which contains that corespondance [4] which passed in those days when no evil was sufficient - to part us - with an aking heart and eyes drown'd with tears I bid you Farwell May the God of heaven bless you - oh do not neglect to pray to him for your dear self your poor innocent babe and your distress'd
Wife Lucy Knox
Stamford Monday evening 11 oclock
You did not write by the last post - pray do not [ ? ] me so again - tis hard to deny me - any thing - which will cost you so little trouble - I do not mean to persecute you in this manner indeed I will not write too often if you should favor me with the materials for so doings -
[docket]
Mrs Knox to her husband -
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