George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Lieutenant John Parke, 22 August 1775

From Lieutenant John Parke

Camp on Prospect Hill [Mass.] 22 August 1775.

Requests “a discharge from the Service, by reason of his having at home a Sister in Law (whose husband was slain in the Battle at Charlestown) with a numerous Family, an aged Father and no Person remaining to provide for, and support them—and he being the only surviving brother.”

L, in unidentified writing, DLC:GW. For a discussion of the handwriting, see James Babcock to GW, this date, source note. Parke’s letter includes a cover addressed to GW in the same writing.

John Parke may be Capt. John Parke of Charlestown, R.I., who served much of the Revolution in the town’s militia.

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