Green Tea Leaves and Love Letters: Meeting Henry Knox and Lucy Flucker Knox

In the summer of 1777, Henry Knox craved green tea.

What is commonly known about Major General Henry Knox is the spirit in which he rose through the ranks of the Continental Army through merit, not social standing. A young bookseller from Boston on the eve of the Revolution, his passion for the American cause was ignited... as was his love for the daughter of a Tory: Lucy Flucker.

Famously (or not so famously depending on the bits of history you've studied) Henry Knox' wife's family was on the other side of battle lines. Literally and figuratively. She supported him and American Independence, going down in the (history) books as such.

There are many, many resources focused on our Revolutionary War generals but what always draws my attention, is what lies underneath the titles, major event dates, and easily found historical facts.

It's the human element, based on primary sources, that is the momentum for this blog, isn't it?

After a visit to Christopher Newport University (CNU), I was inspired to share that Knox, who later became President Washington's Secretary of War, also loved green tea. How do I know?

Why... letters of course.

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Celebrating 250 at Christopher Newport University.

Let's start at the beginning of my journey into blogging about the Knox' letters. Love letters and one in particular sharing Henry "Harry" Knox' wish for green tea.

Always and ongoing for me: seeking out events and programs in this year (or many years) of 250th anniversaries of American Independence. I'm a regular visitor to Virginia's website created to highlight such events: VA250.org.

And I found a gem about 25 miles down the road from home. "Bound by Letters" - A Performance of the Revolutionary War Correspondence of Lucy & Henry Knox to be offered at CNU!

Why this was added to my calendar:

• it's based on letters- my favorite primary source
• as mentioned, it was close to home
• being free and open to the public: bonus!

What I discovered:

• the program was a reading of the letters in an interpretive manner, with some scripting to enhance and bridge the story (which I love being a total fan-girl of Colonial Williamsburg programming!)
• Dr. Philip Hamilton, creator of the compiled letters of the Knox' Revolutionary War letters was a script consultant to playwrights Renae Erichsen-Teal and Sarah Pultz (side note: these women are both graduates of CNU!)
• the complexity and grief of families split apart by patriotic loyalties
• CNU is a stunningly beautiful campus - I even trekked into their Trible Library and set up my laptop before the show!

What I recommend: search out 250th events because you may find a gem close to home as well!

RELATED: Click here to find America 250 events across the United States.

What I learned and where I'm headed.

As mentioned, I learned that in a letter to Lucy, Henry (affectionately called Harry in many letters) was pining for green tea. To Lucy's temperamental dismay-- seemingly a thing-- possibly wanting the difficult-to-obtain and expensive leaves more than her.

But that's another bit I learned- the personalities as interpreted were based on the letters read (and many unread I'm certain). Lucy's continued distress at being so far from her husband, was a constant topic in her letters to him.

As for Henry, his words (in my opinion) made it clear how devoted he was to his wife and each of their three children. Also clear: his passion for his role in securing American Independence from Trenton to Yorktown.

One cool bit you'll find on the show's program as well as in Hamilton's book: a map of the Knox' travels during the Revolutionary War. So cool. A visual giving context to each letter.

There is much more to learn about Henry and Lucy Flucker Knox; this experience isn't the last for me. I look forward to future research of the Knox' lives and their letters.

• If you want to read Hamilton's book, click here to purchase it.
• If you're interested in the performance at CNU, click here for dates scheduled (through October, 2026).

Closing words from history.

From The Revolutionary War Lives and Letters of Lucy and Henry Knox; Philip Hamilton c 2017 Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pages 105-6.

Why this letter? The green tea... and Lucy's perpetual wish to see her husband immediately made clear. (But that's in most, if not all!)

Two excerpts from the letter: Lucy Flucker Knox to Henry Knox, Boston, MA, Tuesday, 3 June - Thursday, 5 June 1777

"My dearest dear friend,
This day, three months, I parted with the dear partner of my Soul, happy was it for me that I did not then know how many moons would revolve, ere I was again blessed with the sight of him."

....

"My Harry writes to me as if I lived in a land of plenty. Six pounds of the best green tea is what I have endeavored to the utmost of my power to procure. I wrote you last week that I expected some, but it belongs to Bill Turner and he refuses paper money for it. However, you shall have a couple pounds by the first opportunity tho it were my last gunie [i.e., guinea] that purchased it."

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.