Wilson, Lawrence (fl. 1777) [Forged permission for marriage from John Hancock]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.034.01 Author/Creator: Wilson, Lawrence (fl. 1777) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Document Date: 23 April 1777 Pagination: 1 p. ; 10 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Addressed to any clergyman of the city or liberties of Philadelphia. States "Lawrence Wilson has applied to me for license to be joined to Jane Bevan in matrimony. I therefore authorize you to do the same according to the usual form." Wilson, a Continental soldier wanting to marry, forged this document and John Hancock's signature.
It was customary for a soldier to get permission for marriage and this soldier had "imagination." He faked Hancock's name to a document for this. Most unusual.
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