Lucy Flucker Knox

Lucy Flucker Knox (August 2, 1756 – June 20, 1824) was an American revolutionary. Born as daughter of a colonial officer under the British government, Lucy joined the American Army under the Influence of Henry Knox, the most important man in her life. After their marriage, Lucy moved around with Henry and lived on the military camp. She accompanied Henry Knox until he retired from the army in 1794.

Early life and education

She was born into a wealthy family of privilege as the daughter of the Provincial Governor of Massachusetts. Lucy's father, Thomas Flucker, holding office under the British government wanted Lucy to marry someone of a higher social status. However, in June 1774, Lucy married Henry Knox. Her father disowned her because Henry was a merchant-class suitor at the time. Her family then fled for London once Boston has fallen, she would proceed to never see her family again.

Lucy Knox was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family which gave her access to home-school education and an extensive amount of resources at the house library. Even for a woman of elite social class, she was always regarded as someone with "extensive reading". In fact, Lucy Knox was a frequent visitor to Henry Knox's boostore and that's where the couple first met.

Life during the Revolutionary War

During most of the Revolutionary War, Lucy and her beloved husband were apart. Unfortunately, unlike other officers' wives she was wasn't able to get as many visits to the war camp. The reasoning behind Lucy Knox not receiving as many visits as other officers' wives as that she had already gave up already she had (her family) for this patriotic cause and therefore her husband was reluctant to her visiting and witnessing all the suffering. Even though they were separated for such a long time, Lucy and Henry didn't let their love die out and were connected through letters they sent each other. Their letters are kept at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American Revolution. They provide a first-hand view of one of the closest people to General Washington as well as an insight into the life of a war-hero spouse.

Personal life

Lucy Knox had fallen in love with a revolutionary war patriot Henry Knox, who was born into poverty in Boston in 1750. Despite her father's wish of she marrying a man with higher social status, Lucy Knox followed her own heart. She met Henry and fell in love with Henry when he was working at a bookstore in Boston.