Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05604 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 September 1792 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 32.2 x 20.6 cm. Order a Copy
Agrees to the idea to allow his son (Henry Jackson Knox) to remain at Hingham for school. Believes not only will Henry's education improve but so will his morals. States he will leave the decision of Henry's schooling in Lucy's hands. Mentions their neighbor Mrs. Smith, who has been ill, finally passed away. Her husband is greatly affected by her death. Updates her on news of their friends and notes the "Presidents Nephew George Washington" has "given over with his old disorder a consumption."
[draft]
Philadelphia 9th Septr 1792
I have received my dearest love your letter of the 2d instant - I have from your own information conceive Hingham a more proper situation for our dear son than any other, as well on account of his education as his morals. Without learning he will grope through the world, and with bad morals such as are [imbibed] in large cities he will be miserable. I love him as I do my life, but I am desirous to devote him to the proper rank of a man by discharging my duty to him. But in the perfect case I shall not interpose my authority, I must beg leave to confide his destination to your judgment - If you choose to leave him at Hingham I shall be satisfied if you do not I will submit - But I will not [2] desire him to stay there [strikeout] unless the measure has your perfect concurrence so once for all upon this subject - please to take such arrangements [relative] to him as you shall upon mature reflection think will most conduce to his happiness - and I will acquiesce therein.
Our neighbor Mrs Smith has at last changed her condition. She departed [struck: yesterday] night before the last, and was interred this morning at 10 o'Clock, I have just come in from her afflicted Father and Mother whos support the affliction apparently better far better than I apprehended - I did not see Mr Smith who was in his room - and who is greatly affected - Mrs [Izard] expects to be brought [a bed] hourly - Mrs Smiths children are with their grand mother in perfect health
[3] Mrs Stewart and Mrs [Benja Shaw] are [strikeout] unwell - the latter by an actual miscarriage and the former from an apprehended one each of between two and three months
The Presidents Nephew George Washington [strikeout] who has change of Mount Vernon is given over with his old disorder a consumption -
I have passed this day at [Jonn] Williams - I rode on horseback after the funeral hot a sun as I ever experienced - the [illegible] was a cold [Westeast] wind but it changed to the South at 11 o'Clock - at 3 a gust came up, and it appears to have filled an afternoon at N. Eastern rain - Mr Williams had to send me to Town in by Coach -
As yet nothing is done about the lands - I must soon go again to New York to endeavor to persuade my partner to sell - If he [4] would I really believe I could make it an exceedingly beneficial [strikeout] affair - if he will not, perhaps all may help
I will have the [inserted: mop] boards to be off Mrs Flucker room as you [mention] - [struck: but] we shall pass the winter in this house - But I think we shall perfer sitting in our privy chamber - bur this you can arrange after your arrival
give my sincere love to Mrs Flucker Henry Julia Harriet and the little ones
I am with ardent
sincere affection Your husband
H Knox
Mrs Knox
[written on side of page 4] My anxiety for your safe delivery [illegible] higher and higher as the hour approaches - I shall open every letter with a palpitating heart -
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