Self-Paced Courses: Explore American history with top historians at your own time and pace!
13 January 1864
Dewey, Orville S.
to sister
Cassie wrote, apologizing for her silence. She hasn't written because her sister has been ill and this has required all her time.
GLC02161.112
1 April 1864
to mother
He has enclosed a soldier's tribute to the 1st corps. He was one of the original members. Cassie wrote that many people had returned home and that she will visit his mother this summer.
GLC02161.118
13 January 1863
Edwards, Oliver (1835-1904)
to Eunice Lombard Edwards
Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Location inferred from content. States, "You see I am back at last and that without seeing my mother that was too bad. I had a splendid time in Cleveland but it made...
GLC02163.06
no date
Higgins, Patrick
to Fannie Schoonmaker
Lonely, decided to write her. Is very happy with his new place. Does not know what to write; asks for suggestions in her response. Asks if her parents are going away, and, if so, to let him know in advance so he can see her. Promises that he will not...
GLC02164.04
2 May 1910
Davenport, J.L. (fl. 1910-)
Pension Certificate
Pension is granted to Catherine Morse.
GLC02170.61
6 March 1849
Madison, Dolley (1768-1849)
[Collection of two items, quotation signed by Dolley Madison and engraving] Decimalized
GLC02231
[Quotation for Mrs. Isaac Toucey]
Quotation of 17th century English writer Nicholas Breton, titled Truth, and dated 1616, copied out and signed by Madison. Inscribed "For Mrs. Toucey." "Truth is the glory of Time, and the daughter of Eternity; a title of the highest grace, and a...
GLC02231.01
29 November 1814
Adams, Abigail (1744-1818)
to Richard Rush
Addressed to Rush as Attorney General in Washington, D.C. Encloses a letter received from her son, John Quincy Adams, to the President, James Madison, and states that he may read the political parts to the President if he desires. States that the...
GLC02291
8 March 1865
Prentiss, Mary Y. (fl. 1865)
to Abba
Written by a young girl to an unidentified recipient (apparently her sister), intermingling observations with gossip and flirtation. Exclaims enthusiastically about all the fun she is having. States that she attended Lincoln's second inauguration...
GLC02319
1 October 1872
Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891)
to Horace Rublee
Thanks Rublee for gifts and hospitality on his recent trip to Switzerland. Discusses President Ulysses S. Grant's reelection contest, declaring, "I see the President daily and he takes things as easy as though he had no interest in the Contest that...
GLC02332
6 January 1840
Fillmore, Millard (1800-1874)
to Solomon Haven
Discusses political and social news. Mentions that the state legislature will meet tomorrow and that there is a movement toward legal reform, which he feels in necessary. Briefly comments on national and state debts. Written as member of Congress.
GLC02344
20 December 1929
Hoover, Herbert (1874-1964)
to Richard Edmonds
Acknowledges to Edmonds, the founding editor of the Manufactures Record, that their unemployment was high but contends "it is fantastic for the Englishman you mention to talk about five million." Also notes that he needs to hear from Edmonds...
GLC02346.01.01
26 November 1819
Key, Francis Scott (1779-1843)
to Henry Maynadier
Written from Georgetown. Key writes to his uncle about depressed stock prices. He also discusses colonizing 12 captured Africans who are in Baltimore (he does not explain how they came to be there), in reference to his efforts through the American...
GLC02379
22 January [1870]
Lee, John F. (1813-1884)
to Henry Jackson Hunt
Lee requests Hunt's presence, but notes "The stage [inserted: U. S. mail coach] is slow, & regulated on the plan of Sumner's civil rights bill. (crowded with niggers) You might be wanting in some gallant attentions to a colored lady, & be legislated...
GLC02382.083
11 April 1878
Relates that he is leaving Washington to travel to St. Louis, Missouri. Notes that Senator Ambrose Burnside (a Civil War General) is doing well but may need looking after. Mentions Representative Walsh (possibly William Walsh, a Representative from...
GLC02382.096
18 May 1883
States "I say you are still fit for the tented field; full pay; and to hold your own with any hero or patriot of them all (even with Cullum- I will tell you, someday, why I put him first)." Scolds Hunt for going to Little Rock, Arkansas because...
GLC02382.098
21 December 1869
Worth, Margaret (b. 1828)
By the daughter of General William Jenkins Worth. Missed Hunt on his last visit. Has spent long hours in a sick room (possibly the room of her mother, Margaret Stafford Worth, who died in 1869). Mentions General Joseph E. Johnston, Robert E. Lee...
GLC02382.100
1871-1894
Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881)
Letters with wife Nancy, to Rev. & Mrs Shiras [decimalized]
Letters by missionaries from north of the Missouri River, 38 miles north of Santee Mission in South Dakota, describing teaching English, arithmetic, and bible to Yankton Sioux Indians. The collection was written to Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Shiras of...
GLC02429
1750-1820
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Henry Knox papers, including retained and received correspondence, &c. [Decimalized .00001 - .10737]
Letters and documents, written to or by Knox, who served as chief of Artillery during the Revolution, and then as Secretary of War under the Articles of Confederation and in President Washington's first administration. The collection includes Knox's...
GLC02437
7 July 1775
to Lucy Knox
Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).
GLC02437.00197
11 July 1775
Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels...
GLC02437.00199
10 August 1775
Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the "regulars" making a "fine prize" of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of...
GLC02437.00200
5 January 1776
Laments not being able to return to Lucy when he had hoped to. Praises Lucy at length and reaffirms his love for her. Notes that this is only the fourth letter he has been able to write to her in the two months they have been apart, and explains why...
GLC02437.00237
1 February 1776
Washington, George (1732-1799)
Lucy Knox and Henry Knox
Invitation to dinner, from George and Martha Washington.
GLC02437.00247
24 April 1776
Writes that he curses "the man who first brought on this war only because it separates me from my Love." Mentions that he has received instructions from George Washington to inspect and fortify the local harbor in order to make it safe for...
GLC02437.00276
1 July 1776
to William Knox
Chastises William for not writing more. Discusses the recent Tory plot to either capture or assassinate George Washington and the subsequent hanging of a member of the General's Guard named John Rickey, a misidentification of Thomas Hickey, the only...
GLC02437.00356
15 July 1776
Responds to a letter from Lucy in which she remonstrated Henry over their recent separation in which she left New York and went to Connecticut. Henry is "both grieved an angry" because Lucy blames Henry for her inconveniences even though it is in...
GLC02437.00375
Mentions that he wrote to Henry Jackson about the British ships that sailed up the Hudson on 12 July 1776 and their engagement with artillery. Describes an attempt by General William Howe to have a letter delivered seeking a truce, which was...
GLC02437.00378
18 July 1776
Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)
to Henry Knox
Reports no news from Boston and a feeling of security there. Explains that all news from New York comes from the bi-weekly post deliveries. They keep hoping to hear "something grand from you[r] quarter." General George Washington's call for troops...
GLC02437.00382
22 July 1776
Indicates that he found an indentured servant, Thomas Eliot, for Lucy (see Lucy's request for one in GLC02437.00383) and has purchased three years of his labor. Mentions that Captain Sebastian Bauman's family "have gone into the Jersies" and asks...
GLC02437.00385
21 July 1776
Thanks her for writing and remarks that "Religion and virtue dictated every line" of her last letter. Discusses death from a religious perspective. Informs Lucy that this letter will be delivered by Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Continental...
GLC02437.00387
1 August 1776
Reaffirms his love for his wife. Discusses smallpox and the possibility of Lucy going to Boston to be inoculated. Comments on various daily and domestic activities, like how he typically spends his time, with whom he dines, and what time he goes to...
GLC02437.00408
7 September 1776
Indicates that military activities in New York are disrupting the mail. Thanks her for the kindness of her last letter. Reports little activities since the retreat in the Battle of Long Island. Criticizes the promotions that have been made because...
GLC02437.00442
7 November 1776
William Knox
Was worried to hear from Henry Jackson that William had gone aboard a ship going to confront the British ship the Mifford. Notes that after pursuing the Continental Army to White Plains, the British have turned back toward New York and Knox...
GLC02437.00483
28 December 1776
Expresses his love for Lucy, but says that the love of his country must keep them apart for now. Discusses the Battle of Trenton (26 December 1776) in depth. Starts by stating that Lucy must "have heard of our success on the morning of the 26th...
GLC02437.00497
6 March 1777
Expresses his love for her and his sadness at being forced to part again. Mentions his travel plans as well. After months apart the couple was finally able to see each other when Washington sent Knox to Boston to recruit men and examine artillery...
GLC02437.00544
3 April 1777
Knox, Lucy Flucker (ca. 1756-1824)
Says she and Mr. [Benjamin] Hichborn have completed "the affair of the house" for 5,500 pounds. Says the transaction pains her, though is sure her father will approve once he knows the circumstances. Is worried, however, that others may see Henry...
GLC02437.00565
13 April 1777
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....
GLC02437.00572
26 May 1777
Laments her lonely situation, noting that a recent visitor brought her news of Henry, but no letter from him. Envies the wives of generals able to travel with their husbands: "happy Mrs. Washington happy Mrs Gates in short I do not recollect an...
GLC02437.00602
17 July 1777
Mentions the capture of the Fox, a British frigate. Apparently, the Fox was retaken by the British, but this news is uncorroborated. Colonel Jackson expects to be called in to pay Knox's contribution to a privateer. Suggests that Henry persuade...
GLC02437.00626
24 August 1777
Comments on General John Stark and the Battle of Bennington ( 16 August 1777): "I don't think all History from Adam to this day, can produce such an instance, which an unequal number of raw undisciplind militia, have attack'd a Superor number of well...
GLC02437.00639
26 November 1777
to George Washington
Penned by Samuel Shaw, with post-script in Knox's hand. Knox answers the question: "... whether it would be advisable to attack the enemies redoubts and the City of Philadelphia by way of storm ... " Knox writes, "I exceedingly lament my want of...
GLC02437.00667
10 January 1779
Discusses recent trouble with the post, his estate (William handled many business matters in Knox's absence), and a petition. Possibly referring to his own estate, expresses relief that William has chosen Joseph Peirce as an agent. Requests that...
GLC02437.00745
3 June 1779
Tallmadge, Benjamin (1754-1835)
Relates that he enclosed to Samuel Broome of Boston a set of bills of exchange drawn by Captain [Simonot De Valcourt?] from Valcourt's father. Encloses an extract [from his contract with Broome], copying the information for Knox. Discusses the...
GLC02437.00767
29 September 1781
Notes the "very kind reception from the good Lady of this place" [Martha Washington]. Gives news about their daughter Lucy, who is staying in Philadelphia. Colonel Clement Biddle and his wife will see her each Sunday. Pertinent correspondence will...
GLC02437.01199
1 October 1781
Responds to his wife's letter dated 29 September 1781 (GLC02437.01200). Discusses investing Yorktown and General Cornwallis' evacuation of his outer works the day before writing this letter. Discusses the Continental Army's prospects to "impress our...
GLC02437.01203
16 October 1781
Writes that Martha Washington and Nellie Calvert Custis received letters from their husbands letting them know how they are and what is happening in the war. Chastises Henry for not writing. She misses their daughter Lucy, who was living in...
GLC02437.01230
19 October 1781
Announces that "a glorious moment for America" has arrived, Lord Cornwallis has surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown. Discusses how General Washington refused Cornwallis' request that Britons and Germans be sent back to their countries prior to his...
GLC02437.01244
23 October 1781
Has heard from Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth that Lord Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown had occurred, or would shortly. She has received his letter of 16 October 1781 and is awaiting the next, which Knox wrote on 19 October 1781 (see GLC02437.01231...
GLC02437.01257
31 October 1781
Received Lucy's letter via Martha Washington and is glad to hear his daughter is in good spirits. Hopes to see her in ten days. He has to prepare to transport ordnance in the aftermath of the siege of Yorktown. Mentions that the French army will...
GLC02437.01277
Showing results 101 - 150