Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00643 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 August 1777 Pagination: 2 p. ; 32 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Notes that Captain Randall is not leaving as soon as she expected, thus she can add more lines to her letter, a continuation of GLC02437.00642. Writes, "I forgot to tell you how much I am mortified at having received an epistle from you wrote upon the second of this month wherein you take no notice of it being your Lucys birth day- such apparent trifles are not overlooked by persons who tenderly Love- but it was the hurry of business it was not it could not be want of affection." Gives an account of the celebration in Boston following "advantage gained at the Northward," possibly the Battle of Bennington. Writes, "...every man you saw from the fine gentlemen- to the porter- were as happy as liquor could make them..." Worries as to Henry's health as he experiences heat and fatigue. Complains of the price of goods in Boston, and worries winter will be dire. Notes that if she is able to spend the winter with Henry, "it will hundreds in [his] pocket," due to the high prices she will pay if she remains in Boston. Mentions receiving a letter from Henry's brother William, who is with Henry.
[draft]
August 28th
Capt Randal not going so soon as I expected, I have the pleasure to ad another line or two to my letter - I forgot to tell you how much I am mortified at having received an epistle from you wrote upon the second of this month wherein you take no notice of it being your Lucys birthday - such apparent trifles are not over looked by persons who tenderly Love - but it was the hurry of business it was not it could not be want of affection -
Colo Jackson tells me that he writes all the [strikeout] news therfore you will excuse me upon that head, he has doubtless informed you of our great rejoiceing for the late advantage gained at the Northward - the bells were rung guns fired - the people shoughted in the streets, there were fireworks of various kinds and to compleat the scene every man you saw from the fine gentleman to the porter - were as happy as liquor could make them - I will leave you to make your own coments for my part I thought it highly ridiculous -
from the first commencement of this horrid War I never felt as distressed with regard to you, as I do now - the extreme heat of the climate the dread of your going farther southard - the fatigue you must undergo - make me truly unhappy - and what is still worse - I can look forward to nothing to relieve me - did I know that you were determined to see me at any certain period - even tho it were not so soon as I wish yet I should have the pleasure of counting the hours till it arrived, but now I have nothing to look up to and if this winter must be spent like the last - my Soul what will become of me -
you have no idea what the sufferings of the people will be in this town - this winter - wood there is none - salt little or none - and common butchers meat at eaighteen pence pr pound - butter is half a dollar little candles are six pence a piece - and all other things in the same proportion - in short [2] I am ashamed to tell you what I have spent since Billy left me lest you should charge me with what I do not deserve - wood is now ten dollars a load - in the heat of summer - if I am with you this winter it will be hundreds in your pocket - my horse if here, will cost a little estate and I cannot be without -
Billy has wrote the Colo a letter as formal as mine - tell him when he can write less as he behaves I shall be happy to correspond with him - but I would give a farthing for a hundred such letters as his last - he never once mentioned my harry thro the whole of it - and what care I for any other subject -
but this is imposeing upon good
nature - good bye take care of yourself and remember
your
Lucy Knox -
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