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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.06033 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0121] January-March 1794 |
| Title | Henry Jackson to Henry Knox about transactions, the cold, Boston theatre and food he sent to Knox |
| Date | 26 January 1794 |
| Author | Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Business and financial document |
| Content Description | References Knox's letter of 15 January. Makes references to various financial transactions. Forwarded the whole of Peters' survey to William Bingham last week. Says the weather is so cold the ink is freezing in his pen. Reports that the new theatre in Boston will open tomorrow. Says "it is one of the most Elegant & beautiful buildings on the Continent." Mentions that Samuel Breck will be particularly astonished. Says the bills to build the theatre have come to $35,000. To finish the assembly room will take an additional $5,000. Wants to know if Knox received the beef, butter, and potatoes sent to him. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War General Land Transaction Waldo Patent Surveying Extreme Weather Art, Music, Theater, and Film Building Construction Architecture Finance Diet and Nutrition |
| People | Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | Arts & Literature; Merchants & Commerce |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | With the first Boston Theatre, later called the Federal Street Theatre, Boston can be said to have inaugurated its theater history. One of Charles Bulfinch's early creations, the playhouse opened on February 3, 1794 with Gustavus Vasa and Modern Antiques. It was soon considered the finest theater in the country. Four years later, the building burned down only to be quickly rebuilt. In its early days, the Federal Street Theatre was managed by Charles Stuart Powell, who retired after two seasons. The building continued to operate as a theater until 1835, when it was converted into a lecture hall called the Odeon. In 1846, it again reopened as a playhouse under its old name, the Boston Theatre. The structure was razed in 1852, eventually making way for the lavish second Boston Theatre on Washington Street in 1854. Julia Dean and Edwin Forrest were among the more prominent actors at the first Boston Theatre. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |