Sophie helped Henry with the next letter to his family in Philadelphia. It was an unusually long and friendly one, designed to make as good an impression as possible. Henry described what he had learned about the leather trade and thanked his father for the good training he had received as a shoemaker. He wanted Ethan to know about his plans to move to North Carolina the first week in October and wondered if his brother still planned to come to the frontier region. Henry hoped that his two sisters had found beaus and were soon to start their own families, and revealed the surprising news that he and Sophronia Knox were soon to be married. He and his wife-to-be both promised to write to their families after they arrived in their new home.

Both Henry and Sophie were eager to be married and on their way, and Henry announced that they would go to the courthouse and have the local magistrate perform the ceremony. Sophie thought longingly of her “bridal chest” and some of the fancy clothing that she and the Knoxes had accumulated since her childhood, but she kept her initial objection to herself. Somewhat hesitantly, they informed Mr. Knox of their plans as they prepared to eat their next Sunday meal in his home. Henry noticed Sophie and Mr. Knox murmuring to each other and was glad to see that both of them were smiling, obviously pleased with plans for the expeditious ceremony.

That afternoon, as the two men sat on the front porch for their customary discussion about affairs of the day, Mr. Knox said, “Henry, as you may know, Sophie has turned over to me a portion of her wages ever since she became employed, and she now has a tidy sum that will be helpful in setting up housekeeping in North Carolina.”

Henry was surprised and responded, “Mr. Knox, Sophie has told me that this has always been her contribution to help pay her share of the expenses in your home.”

“Nonsense! You will have unpredictable expenses, and Mrs. Knox and I are well able to help. We consider her to be our daughter, and we will add a contribution of our own to her dowry. In addition, we will purchase the required stamps for your marriage license.”

Henry was startled and exploded in anger. “No, sir! I’ll be damned if there will be a British stamp on anything of mine!”

Mr. Knox was very proper in his own speech, and this was the first time he had heard an expletive come from Henry’s lips. Henry’s face flushed, and he apologized for his outburst. Neither of them spoke for a while, until finally Henry said, “I know we can’t go to the courthouse, and it might even be a problem with a public ceremony in the church.”