Henry Knox to Clement Biddle, November 11, 1781

“His excellency – the General & Mrs[.] Washington amidst flattering public prospects have Received the most fatal blow to their Domestic felicity – the amiable Mr[.] Custis, Mrs[.] Washington’s only child has just been obliged by the rigid hand of fate to pay his last Debt to nature – his patriotism led him to camp to participate above degree of [ ] of his amiable & illustrious father, where he contracted the [buds or seeds?] of his disease which in a night or two terminated his life, at Colonel Bassetts [sic] Mrs[.] Wahington’s Brother in law about 30 miles distant from Wmsburg.- Mrs[.] Washington & Mrs[.] Custis and the General were present at his last Gasp – It is only for an affectionate parent to form a totally adequate idea of [this family’s most afflicted?] state.”