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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Parker, Jonas (d. 1775) [Receipt for Joseph Graves]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.237.01 Author/Creator: Parker, Jonas (d. 1775) Place Written: Massachusetts Type: Document signed Date: 22 December 1775 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 10 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

States that Graves is owed one pound sixteen ounces for "entertainement given to let Jonas Parker and his men in bringing prisoners" over his land. Signed by Parker as "Captain of the Gaurd." Verso dated 22 December 1775, but the document must have been written earlier since Parker died in April 1775. Verso also states that document was examined and signed by Abraham Mason, Thomas Durfee, Jon Webster, and Joseph Locke. Verso also bears a second signature from Parker. A later note signed "Everett" tells the story of Parker's death at the battle of Lexington.

Jonas Parker was one of the eight men killed at the battle of Lexington, making him among the first casualties of the American Revolution.

Parker, Jonas, ?-1775
Graves, Joseph, 1735-1796

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