Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05953 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 October 1793 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 33 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions their son Henry Jackson Knox is probably already in Boston. Says all are well, except Lucy who was left in Newark with the Ogden's. Says Mr. Breck has hired three rooms in Newark because he has no hope of getting to Philadelphia in the coming months. Reports that she does not believe Congress will sit in Philadelphia, in reference to the yellow fever outbreak. Mentions the deaths of people they know, including the mother and sister of Benjamin Rush and [Major David] Franks. Rush also said that Mr. Blodget and Mr. Clymer were ill. Heard that on average 130 people have died in the last week. References receiving a note from [Philip] Audebert, a clerk in the War Department, stating he saw their "sweet babe." Wants Knox to make a visit to his estates in Maine and to avoid Philadelphia. Does not believe it will be safe to go there until Christmas. Postscript tells Knox to be kind to his son. Place writ added in pencil.
Octbr [5th] 93
My Henry has I presume about this hour reached Boston the winds having been very favorable both Thursday and yesterday. I had the Satisfaction to receive the note of Wednesday eveng written in N York and thence draw my conclusions -
We are well and still at Mr Ricketts except Lucy who I left at Newark where we all dined yesterday I promised Mrs Ogden to come to her some time the next week Mr Breck has hired three rooms in Newark and meant to remove this day as he seems to have no hope of returning to Philadelphia for many months and I find it a [prevailing idea] that Congress will not set there this would be a sore stroke to us indeed- the acc.ts of yesterday are no better-Van Berckel has despaired of Franks very Ill and being in the bank business was suspended. Dr Rush mentions the death of his mother and sister and Mr [Kerr] says the average deaths of the past week have been one hundred and thirty pr day according to the Mayors returns. Dr Rush also mentions Mr Clymer and Mr Blodget as ill [Mr Kerr] says on Thursday forty five persons were buried from [Bush Hill]- but blessed be god the weather has chang'd and altho we have no rain we have a north wind -
I have a line from Mr.Audibert mentioning
[2] our sweet babe as well -
Things being as they are ought you not to make your estate a visit to Philadelphia you cannot go even should the Evil abate from this time it would not be safe until Christmas. - If you resolve in this send my son to me here. and he shall not go to Philadelphia but return from N - york where I am to go in about a week with Mrs Hammond - to pass a few days provided I continue to receive good acc.ts of Augusta.
I shall write again in a few days Mr & Mrs Ricketts who are all goodness desire love to you.
Yours with truest affection -
L Knox
Be kind to Henry I beseech you he will remember it in his old age -
[address leaf]
General Knox
Boston
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