Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 75,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Henley, Samuel (fl. 1788-1795) to Henry 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 #: GLC02437.04093 Author/Creator: Henley, Samuel (fl. 1788-1795) Place Written: Charlestown, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 January 1789 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 36.4 x 22.8 cm.

Summary of Content: Written in Charlestown, possibly in Massachusetts. Writes to inform Knox that he purchased of Zachariah & Bethiah Fowle a house, barn and land in 1756. He bought them from Thomas Flucker, Knox's father-in-law, to whom the property had been mortgaged. Some time later, he happened to encounter Mr. Flucker and was told that everything regarding the mortgage was arranged to Henley's satisfaction. At the time of the purchase, he and Mr. Flucker were very close friends, and, being unused to buying property, Henley did not read the contract as closely as he should have. Twenty-five years later, Henley's ownership of the property was called into dispute by a Mr. Simson, who also claims to have a mortgage on the property which he arranged with Mr. Flucker. Wonders if Knox has Mr. Flucker's books and can look into the records on the subject. Also, Henley sold the property to Susanna Wollis, and, having heard about this issue, Susanna is beset with anxiety over the ownership of the lands. She has now engaged lawyers and plans to sue Henley. Asks Knox to investigate the manner and help out a "poor unfortunate, and distressed man."

People: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Henley, Samuel, fl. 1788-1795

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: Revolutionary War GeneralLandlord and TenantEstateChildren and FamilyMortgageContractBoundary or Property DisputeFinanceWomen of the Founding EraWomen's HistoryLaw

Sub Era: Creating a New Government

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.