Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00755 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 April 1779 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 31.4 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Asks William, his brother, to pay Mr. French a sum owed by Knox. Discusses the procurement of cloth for coats. Reports that his wife bore a daughter, whom they named Julia, the previous Sunday. Expresses happiness, though they had wished for a son. Comments on the reading and writing skills of his other daughter, Lucy. Recently purchased a post chaise, noting, "a Phaeton was inconvenient and the other cheap ... "
[draft]
N. Jersey 3d April 1779
My dear Brother
I received your favor of the 17th ultimo. The circumstances of my family are such that it would be very inconvenient for me to pay here the note of Mr Trench therefore I beg you the favor of you to pay it at Boston.
I am sorry Otis & Hensley would not let you have the piece of linnen you mention. I want it much & as I do Dimothy for wais[t]coats & Breeches besides cloth for coats - if you can procure any from the stores I before mentioned to you I beg you to do it & send them on to me -
The Mr Newman [2] you mentioned has pass'd on to Philadelphia by another route. it is said he will call when he comes back - I shall endeavor to make his stay with us agreeable -
Last Sunday your sister was brought to bed of a beautiful daughter - Tho' we wish'd her a son - yet we did not rejoice - It is a divine child - we shall call it Julia with the addition of Winston, Waldo or Campbell, we have not yet determined which - both mother & babe are well, most charmingly so indeed. - Apropos I believe you must have received a letter from your neice Lucy [by the] last post - The Characters it is true are rather cabalistical, yet there are very expressive of her Love, and permit me to add that hear love is no small boon. - She reads pretty well, took herself & is very fond of it - from the specimen sent you which excepting the words in my hand were able of her [3] own production spontaneously produced - I think she will very soon write a tolerable legible hand.
We have some time past bought a convenient post Chaise - a Phaeton was inconvenient and the other cheap so we bought it with an intention of making the Phaeton more than pay for it - I have gotten the Phaeton, up so that it is as good as new its Harness - at Philadelphia it would sell for about 500 or 600 lawful - were I to send it there but if the Miss Winslows go to Boston I may be oblig'd to send it - pray how much would it fetch there answering the above description it is now painted and in perfect repair
I am Dr Wm
Yours
HKnox
Lucy received Mrs Sears & Mrs Smiths Letters and begs me to send her Love to them [.] she will soon write[.]
[adddress leaf]
Mr William Knox
Merchant
Boston
[docket]
From Brigr. Genl Knox
3. April 1779
To his Bro.
Wm
Lucys Letter.
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