Boston bookseller Henry Knox (1750-1806) was a self-taught military genius who served as Washington's Chief of Artillery throughout the Revolutionary War. After the peace he became Secretary of War.

His wife Lucy had inherited a large part of the Waldo Patent so Knox and his associates bought the rest of the Maine tract. In 1795 the General built his great house "Montpelier" at Thomaston and attempted to live the life of a wealthy squire. However, constant clashes with squatters, neighbors and creditors wore him out by age 56.

His widow lived on in genteel poverty until her death in 1824 and "Montpelier" fell apart and was eventually demolished. The current building is an elegant reproduction constructed in 1931.

This image is a photograph of an engraved likeness of Henry Knox. The engraving is by Hezekiah Wright Smith (1828-?) after Edward Savage (1761-1817).