National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Our Chapter
Organized May 11, 1996 · Named for Lucy Flucker Knox
Chapter History
The Lucy Knox Chapter, NSDAR, was organized May 11, 1996, due to the efforts of twenty Daughters living in the Knox County area. The first informational meeting was held in October 1995, and by May all of the arrangements for chartering had been met.
Who was Lucy Knox?
The chapter was named for Lucy Knox, wife of General Henry Knox for whom Knox County was named. Lucy was the daughter of Thomas Flucker, a royalist in Boston, Massachusetts, and incurred her father’s displeasure when she married the young bookseller, Henry Knox, a man of trade. After the Battle of Lexington at the start of the American Revolutionary War, Lucy’s family returned to England, leaving the ardent young patriots in the war-torn colonies.
Boston, at that time, became a prison to its residents as General Gage refused to let the citizens leave to join the patriot army. Major Knox escaped to Cambridge and Lucy joined him later, bringing his sword, which she had quilted into the lining of her cloak. That set the pattern for their lives during the war years. From Bunker Hill to Yorktown, she remained as close to her husband as possible throughout the campaigns.
Major Knox was soon appointed to General George Washington’s staff. Lucy and Mrs. Washington were at Valley Forge during that bitter winter, where they devoted their time to sewing, mending, and attending the sick at the encampment. Lucy was with Mrs. Washington at Mount Vernon during the siege of Yorktown. Later her husband served his country as President Washington’s Secretary of War.
Lucy was described as “a woman of much tact, quick and ready sympathy and good judgment, combined with great good-nature and a love of fun.” The Knoxes retired to Maine after the General’s service in the War Office. Lucy died in June 1824, at the age of 68, having outlived her husband by 18 years.
Source: Pioneer Mothers of America, by H.C. and M.W. Green.
“…I hope you will not consider yourself as commander in chief of your own house, but be convinced that there is such a thing as equal command.”
Lucy Flucker Knox, in a letter to her husband, General Henry Knox, August 23, 1777. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC02437.00638.