Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00409 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) Place Written: New Haven, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 August 1776 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 30.8 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy
In response to her husbands recent illness, pleads with him to attend to his health. Worries about Henry's exposure to enemies. Thanks him for his expressions of love and comments on their baby's health. Requests updates on British activities. Sends Henry saltpeter from the mills in New Haven, Connecticut. She will consider going to Boston for smallpox inoculation but fears the arrival of foreign troops will limit her movements.
[draft]
This is indeed hard, my Harry is Sick: and I cannot see him. lett me beg and intreat of you, as you value my peace, to take care of your precious health - do not expose yourself in this manner if you do you will soon make an end of your life & mine, for I trust our affection is to deep riveted to admit the life of one after the other is gone. god grant us to live to meet again, I am told these dreaded troops are at length arrived. pray for your little girl. My Harry she is half distraced - I have more fortitude that I thought I had, but there are times - when every other consideration gives way to [inserted: the] Soul racking idea of my friend - my husband my all, exposed to a dangerous enemy - I have wrote you but once for some days for want of opportunity for believe me, I have no pleasure equal to writing to you - except that of receiving letters from you. I thank you for your kind expressions of love, they are very pleasing to me - tho I do not need them to convince me of its truth - your baby is as well as the very hott weather and my surfeit will permit - I have not [2] received the tamarinds which I suppose is owing to capt Sears not coming as he intend'd
write me I pray all the particulars of the movements of our enemies I like to know all that you are at liberty to communicate and you I know are ever fond to oblige me. I went the other day to see the powder mills in this town - a sample of the powder I send you made of American salt petre - I have received no letter from Mr Jackson - and but two from Billey. I will think of the matter of Small pox - when I know whether I am permited to take it if I go - but I believe the arrival of the foreign troops will prevent my going so far - when I thought of going first I indulged a foolish hope - that they wou'd never come - how apt we are to believe what we wish -
I write this between day light and dark the latter of which now prevails may every blessing attend you, may gaurdian angels from above protect you from the horrors [3] of war, and the danger of sickness, and may we soon meet and be happy - are the constant [struck: prayer] prayers of her who is with unfeign'd affection -
intirely yours
Lucy Knox
N Haven August the 4th 1776 Sunday evening
Dont say I dont date my letters -
[address leaf]
Collo Knox
favrd by John Broome Esqr N York
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