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Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00572 Author/Creator: Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 April 1777 Pagination: 5 p. ; 22.4 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy

Hopes Henry is thinking of her. Says that she is being inoculated for smallpox, but that a rash on her arm has slowed the process and led the doctor to give her more mercury. Worries about her health but says their daughter is doing quite well. Lucy's aunt is with her for now, but will soon be leaving to marry "an old fellow." Says that she is planning to join him soon in Morristown, commenting that since Mrs. Washington is there she feels she can be there too. Mentions news of troop movements. Hears her brother "is in York" but hopes he will come home soon. Worries that the war will force Henry "to draw his sword upon my own - and only brother." Hears that even Colonel Webb cannot raise men using a bounty. Notes that Mr. Jarvis desires cash. In postscript says she is forwarding a letter to him from "the famous Dutchess of Brotenburg, Princess of Frankfurt, and cousin of the queen of Great Britain." Brotenburg probably refers to Brandenburg. Worries that Peter will be forced to "do the duty of common soldiers," and upset that William is leaving soon.

[draft]
No 7 Boston April 13th 1777 -
My dearest friend. my all. my Harry - where are you - are you Safe are you well - would to heaven I could see you for one half hour - do you wish for your Lucy - do you think of me - do you ever shed a tear for me - tis very very hard thus to be parted - will it last long my love - or is the day at hand - that shall reunite us - I hoped to have seen you at Springfield soon; but you do not encourage me, what is the reason are you not to come there tell me you are - say something - that shall clear my spirits -
I wrote you last thursday - that I hoped to be innoculated that day for the small pox but a rash breaking out in my arms induced the doctor to wait a little and dose me farther with the mercury - but he has just now asured me, he will finish it tomorrow morning - I own I have my fears [inserted: that] my spirits are not in a proper situation to [struck: the] carry me well thro it - little dear Lucy grows the most engaging little rouge that can be - she has learned a number of winning ways - which would delight her papa - but alass -
My Aunt is with me [2] at present, but will not stay long - she desires her regards to you. She is going to marry an old fellow of sixty three - and will not be perswaded of from it -
On Tuesday next Colo Jackson is to march for Providence with his company - Peter does not like it as it will retard his going to you - in every [inserted: other] respect I believe he is pleased with it - [strikeout] [inserted: I know not but] I shall sett of for morristown soon I see no reason why I cannot as well be there, as Mrs Washington to whom present my respectful compliments - we have a vessel here, but [struck: ? ] [eaight?] weeks from Bristol who brings an account of that city having adressed his majesty thier king upon the success of his arms in America - the captain I am told says that no troops were coming as they supposed long ever this genl Howe had made an intire conquest - poor deluded people - I hear my brother is in York but hope it is not true - if it is - I will write to him and advise him to come home - this is a horrid war my dear Harry - I [3] wish it had been protracted till my head was cold - that I might have spent the little time I have to stay in this world with him who is dearer to me than all that world beside - but oh he is taken from me to fight an inveterate enemy - and perhaps to draw his sword upon my own and only brother -
I much wish to hear from you that the Army [struck: are] is full - I am almost discouraged at times fearing it never will be. Mr Chester of Weathersfield [inserted: who] dined with me to day - sys that even Colo Webb who had got the bounty - had few or no men raised - two or three persons who have come from camp lately have brought me no letters - they say they either breakfasted or dined with you the day before - but you said you had lately worte and desired they would tell me you were well - I am almost affronted at it as you know it would give me pleasure to hear from you not only daily, but hourly -
Mr Jarviss desires you will send him a [4] waggon load of paper dollars - as he expects soon to give an equal weight of paper for lead copper &cc
farewell my dear Harry
your ever affectionate
Lucy Knox
PS
I send you a letter which the famous Duchess of Brotenbourgs Princes of Frankfort and cousin of the queen of great Britian begs your care of - she brought it to me [struck: unopened] unsealed that I might give her my opinion whether it would offend his excellency or not - it is a very artful affair - and may at least afford him some amusment, however - you will use your judgment - whether you wou[ld] deliver it or not - by Mr Shaw I shall send you a few stocks will get some more - if I can - to carry with me to Springfield when I shall receive the wellcome summons to meet my Harry there - you will want to see me after the small pox I am sure - will want [5] to know if I look as I did or whether there is danger of your not liking me as well as you did when you saw me last - Peter has just come in in a great fret - the Colo has been telling them, that they are to do the duty of common Soldiers - to fetch thier own pork and dress it when they have done - to stand centrys - and mount gaurds without [struck: distincion] distinction - it is very unhappy for me just at this time that Billy should be obliged to leave the town - as it will oblige me to shut up the house - but I am almost inured to misfortunes of this kind - may God Almighty avert the greatest of all evils and I will be patient under every other - Adieu Adieu my Harry love me one half as well as I do you - and if possible lett me come to you -
your tenderly affectionate wife
LK -

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, Martha, 1731-1802

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