Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00544 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Springfield, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 March 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.6 x 16.7 cm. Order a Copy

Expresses his love for her and his sadness at being forced to part again. Mentions his travel plans as well. After months apart the couple was finally able to see each other when Washington sent Knox to Boston to recruit men and examine artillery production. But Knox could only stay a few days before he had to rush on to the next stop on his trip.

[draft]
Springfield March 6 1777
My dearest Love

The pangs which a disinterested Love feels at seperation are not to be described - I knew not untill now [struck: my] (shall I call it weakness) [struck: the pain] how dear you were to me and how necessary to my happiness / no I do not and I will not call it weakness it is not altho' every thing appears dull without you it is a Love which it shall ever be my pleasure & duty to increase - How do you do my Lucy - how bear the bitter pangs of parting with your Harry who Laments this War as it occasions him to be from You - We arrived here about two oClock today and shall sett off tomorrow - the first day we got to [illegible] about 24 miles from Boston the next day at [illegible] 67 [2] and arrived here 97 [strikeout] Things here are [inserted: in] much greater forwardness than I thought them so that my detention will be but short - Give my Love to every body and beleive me to be your
Unalterable
HKnox

Mrs Knox

[address leaf]
Mrs Knox
Boston
favor'd by Mr Hosskins

[docket]
Mrs Knox
Springfield
March 6th 1777.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources