Our Collection

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.

Rea & Johnston (1768-1803) [Receipt for William Knox]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.08431 Author/Creator: Rea & Johnston (1768-1803) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document signed Date: April 1778 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 7 x 17.7 cm. Order a Copy

Receipt for painting and gilding sign boards for William Knox. The total cost was £2.0.0. Rea & Johnson noted that payment was received.

John Johnston (an ornamental painter) and his brother-in-law, Daniel Rea, went into a decorating business together where they served the New England area. During the Revolutionary War Johnston served under Henry Knox in the artillery, was promoted to lieutenant, then captain. He fought in the Battle of Long Island where he was wounded and taken prisoner by the British before being honorably discharged. Later he joined Thomas Rea, who had taken over the business of Thomas Johnston Sr. Rea & Johnston where they painted signs, ships, houses, venetian blinds, cradles, chairs, and garden gates. They had jobs with customers such as Paul Revere and worked with painter Ralph Earl. (Wertkin, Gerald C. and Kogan, Lee. Encylopedia of American folk art. 2004 ed. "Johnston, John.")

Rea & Johnston, 1768-1803
Johnston, John C., 1753-1818
Knox, William, 1756-1795

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources