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Hall, Elihu (b. 1755) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00510 Author/Creator: Hall, Elihu (b. 1755) Place Written: Wallingford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 January 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 33.4 x 21.4 cm Order a Copy

Informs Knox that he put Lucy Knox and Mrs. Pollard up in his house when they could not find anywhere else to stay in New Haven. He did not know them, but had heard Knox himself was honourable, so let the women stay for a month while he was away. When the called him back to New Haven "to come & settle" he discovered that a number of things in his house had been broken. Someone had also drank "twenty five gallons Best west India Rum." Hall says he does not know for sure who drank the liquor or did the damage, but implies it was the women. Even if it was not he feels they were responsible for the house, and should be held accountable, but they refused to pay. Expects Knox to "settle the affair honorably" once he returns. The postscript mentions Lucy's troubles leaving town in her carriage due to heavy snow.

[draft]
Wallingford January 2. 1777
Esqr. Knox -
Sir
Doubtless you'll think it rather Bold of me to write you, However as necessity prompts me to it, I hope I am the more excusable; Your Lady and Mrs. Pollard was about September last, destitute of a House and Lodging, and not a place could they get, in the whole Town of New haven, t hey were then at Mr. Botsford but there were obliged to greet him, in two Days, Mr. Botsford applied to Me for my House I was then here with my Family, but talk'd soon of returning to New haven, however as the Ladys appear'd inso Distrest Situation, I took my Horse and rode to New haven when I cam there I forced the Ladys in the same situation as I have Discribed, I was not acquainted with the Ladies nor yourself nor Mr. Pollard, but as I understood you, to be a Gentleman of Honor, and your Lady a Person of Worth and I thought that the People in New haven rather treated you Lady and Mrs. Pollard with Disrespect which I was very sorry for, and suing them in that situation I was Induc'd to Let them go into my House with almost all my Furniture for one month and they have remain'd there till about, w Day's ago when they first for Me to come and settle with them according by I went to New haven and when I came [2] there, I found almost every kind of Cockery that I had in my House Broken and a great many other things much Damaged, and about Twenty Five Gallons of Best west of India Rum Drinks up by somebody, & who it was that Drinks it I don't know the [illegible] was in the Cellar that the Ladies had the care of when I talk'd with Mrs. Knox and Pollard they were unwilling to allow a Farthing for the Rum or one Forthing for the use of all my Furniture and would not give Me for the Brokrage only about Three Pounds and at this time I don't believe I could have them [illegible] for Twenty, I think it is Ingratitude to the highest Degree in the Ladies, I offer'd to submit it to these Gentlemen of Their Choosing, but no they do nothing about it, the Rum was worth at least to Me Fifty Dollars; Just it to your own café. Colo. and you would think it extream hard - I have been assur'd often that when you return this way, You'll settle the affair honorably; wishing that that, might be the café, I am Your most
Obedt and very humble Sert
Elihu Hall
[3] P.S. Your Lady set out a week ago Yesterday in Her Carriges and the Horses was allmost [Tired] down when they had got no Farther than Wallingford. I advis'd to get a slay, but the [hose] rather to [goon] with Carriges, I believe she must have had a very Disagreeable and [illegible] time, for the Snow was not less than five Feet deep, in addition to make it still worse, there was a very Thick [illegible], however I fancy they must have got a Slay, before they could get to Hartford - E Hall

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Hall, Elihu, 1755-?

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