[draft] April 16th 77 My dear dear Harry - I had like to have wrote husband - and how you would have laughed - but laugh or not, be asured it is my greatest pleasure - and my greatest pride to call you by that endearing name - and I think upon the hour that made you such as that - when heaven bestowed upon me the greatest of earthly blessings. I am sensible that I have not been duly grateful to the author of all good and perhaps that is the reason why you are so cruelly torn from me - I wish my Harry knew how dear he is to me - but it is a subject that I cannot write upon - my heart over flows at my eyes - you are a sad boy to give me so much pain - the packet which I send you was intended by Colo Lee - and my part of it wrote last sunday - I was innoculated on monday morning - as I expected - I wish [2] Billy could have staid till I was well again - but how much more do I wish for his brother - I expect a letter to night by the post which I hope will raise my spirits - do not neglect to give me that satisfaction as often as possible - there is a Letter to Sam Pitts - dated April 1st signed H Knox - I cannot suppose it came from my Harry Knox - as his last to me was March the 31st - I send three stocks by Mr Shaw - shall send as many more in a few days - with a very handsome waistcoat if the price is not too high - I have not heard it yet - I send Miss Hoffmans shoes - there are some pretty Callicoes to be opened to morrow where I hope to get something which will make her a pretty frock - [struck: God bless] God bless you my love - think of me & pray for me Your ever affectionate L Knox Lucy sends you a kiss she } has learned several words, } [strikeout] very plain [address leaf] General Knox by favor} Major Shaw} Morristown [Written vertically on page 1: I wrote this letter with a pen of my own making.]