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1778 Revolutionary War, Manuscript Document

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American Revolution

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1778 Revolutionary War Soldier Fined For Not Serving or Procuring a Substitute for the Continental Army

1778 Revolutionary War Manuscript Document Signed, Topsfield, Massachusetts, Very Fine.
Original handwritten document dated May 5, 1778, at Topsfield, Mass, measuring 3" x 5", which records the payment of a £15 fine, paid by Elisha Wilde, because his son would not serve or find a substitute to serve as a Soldier in the Continental Army. Signed by Eliezer Lake, this is a remarkable document considering that most historians believe that the procuring of substitute soldiers began during the Civil War by the Union Army.

The Eliezer (Eleazer) Lake who signed this document was either Eliezer Lake Jr (1724-1796) or his son, also named Eliezer Lake Jr (born 1751), both of whom lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Eliezer Lake Sr. (1686-1771) also lived in Topsfield. Another document in which the younger Eliezer Lake Jr. paid "eighteen hard dollars" for his own substitute, appeared recently in another auction.

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