Albert M. Knight papers

The Albert M. Knight papers consist of letters written by Albert to his fiancée Abigail Jane Knight, “Jennie,” from 1863 to 1872, and includes one letter written in 1872 from Abigail to Albert (Folder 12). From 1863 to 1865 Albert lived in the Boston area and the letters describe his daily activities, his health, his spiritual beliefs as a member of the New Church congregation, working for his father, textiles and fashion, and current events such as his being drafted (and exempted) for the Civil War.

In early 1864 Albert sailed to Cadiz, Spain, and the Canary Islands, and his letters from this trip describe the landscape, houses, local dress, fruits, and climate. He also visited London, in early 1863 and again in 1865, with a brief visit to Paris, on his way to China, and described visits to monuments such as the Westminster Abbey and artwork he had the chance to see. In March 1865 he sailed to China from London, with stops in Algiers and the island of Java, and his letters recorded the journey, the arrival in China, impressions of China, names of people he encountered, descriptions of the lifestyle of the foreign community, and mentions of trade-related topics such as exports (beans, bean oil, beancakes and peas), imports (cottons, rice, opium and cheeses), and ship traffic.

While Albert was in China, Abigail Jane Knight left her home in Lancaster, Massachusetts, to teach at a Freedmen’s School in Edisto Island, South Carolina; from then onwards she did not write him as often and his letters to her became increasingly focused on this point. It is unclear what happened between them but there was a break in correspondence until 1872, when Albert returned to Boston and wrote to Abigail to request the return of his gifts and letters to her. Abigail's response illustrates their acrimonious relationship culminating in her refusal to return his letters sent to her.