Guide to the John C. Parker Papers, 1817-1950, undated
No restrictions.
John C. Parker Papers, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
John Clement Parker (Bowdoin 1886) was born in 1864, the son of John S. Parker (Medical School of Maine 1849) and Maria Caroline (Wood) Parker. Parker was principal of a high school in Kennebunk, Maine (1886-1889). He returned to Bowdoin in 1889 to serve as assistant in the Biology department and attend the Medical School of Maine. He received his medical degree in 1891.
Parker was the surgeon of the Bowdoin expedition to Labrador in 1891. The stated objective of the expedition was to explore the unknown region of interior Labrador. During the trip, Parker conducted a study of the Inuit people, making physical measurements in an attempt to determine their evolutionary history.
In 1893, Parker opened a medical practice in Farmington, New Hampshire. He moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1902, and practiced there until his death in 1913. Parker was the first president of Bowdoin's Providence Alumni Association, and was part of the medical department of the National Guard. He held the rank of major and surgeon in the First Squadron of Cavalry.
Parker married Jennie M. Mirrless in 1893. The couple had four children.
The collection contains family letters (1817-1931, n.d.), many written by John C. Parker to his parents during his time at Bowdoin and on the expedition to Labrador, as well as Parker's diaries and journals (two from the 1891 Labrador expedition). There are also miscellaneous family materials including wills and deeds; military records of Clement Parker (John C.'s grandfather), John S. Parker and John C. Parker; church records and missionary assignments of Rev. Clement Parker; and family photographs and newspaper clippings.
The correspondence is primarily to or from John C. Parker, Clement Parker (grandfather), John S. Parker (father) and Miriam Wood Parker (mother), and dates from 1822 to 1939. It includes many of John C.'s letters home during his days at Bowdoin (early 1880s). Correspondence concerning the Labrador Expedition in 1891 can be found in series M143.2.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
1822 Aug 10 - 1831 Jul 9
1831 Nov 10 - 1834 Dec 3
1842 Mar 13 - 1844 Mar 10
1844 Apr 3 - 1848 Jul 5
1851 Jan 25 - Dec 16
1852 Feb 17 - Dec 13
1853 Jul 3 - 1856 Apr 8
1856 Jun 4 - 1859 Nov 11
1860 Mar 2 - Sep 12
1861 Jan 12 - 1862 Mar 25
1862 Apr 30 - Jun 30
1862 Jul 2 - 1863 May 10
1863 Jun 14 - Aug 9
1863 Nov 9 - 1864 Jul 8
1864 Jul 10 - Aug 27
1864 Sep 16 - 1865 Apr 8
1865 Jul 12 - Aug 4
1865 Aug 11 - 1866 Feb 21
1866 Mar 11 - 1867 Apr 25
1867 Jul 28 - Nov 4
1867 Dec 2 - 1869 Aug 17
1870 Aug 23 - 1874 Mar 5
1877 May 6 - 1881 Sep 3
1881 Sep 11 - Dec 4
1881 Dec 9 - 1882 Feb 5
1882 Feb 26 - Apr 16
1882 Apr 28 - Oct 22
1882 Oct 26 - Dec 11
1883 Jan 14 - Feb 25
1883 Mar 3 - May 13
1883 May 19 - Oct 21
1883 Oct 28 - Dec 16
1884 Jan 10 - Feb 2
1884 Feb 12 - Mar 30
1884 May 3 - Jul 6
1884 Oct 5 - Dec 13
1885 Feb 8 - Apr 12
1885 Apr 19 - Jun 7
1885 Jun 14 - Aug 17
1885 Aug 25 - Oct 25
1885 Nov 8 - 1886 Jan 17
1886 Jan 26 - Mar 14
1886 Mar 21 - May 16
1886 May 25 - Jun 16
1886 Sep 4 - Oct 4
1886 Oct 30 - Dec 30
1887 Jan 2 - Jan 16
1887 Jan 28 - Mar 12
1887 Mar 18 - May 29
1887 Jun 5 - Sep 25
1887 Oct 1 - Nov 13
1887 Nov 20 - 1888 Jan
1888 Jan 15 - Feb 19
1888 Feb 26 - Apr 2
1888 Apr 4 - May 6
1888 May 15 - Sep 30
1888 Oct 14 - 1889 Jan 10
1889 Jan 20 - Feb 3
1889 Feb 23 - Apr 21
1889 May 26 - Jan 17
1890 Jan 22 - Feb 23
1890 Mar 2 - Apr 9
1890 Apr 14 - June 1
1890 Jun 8 - Oct 12
1890 Oct 19 - 1891 Jan 17
1891 Jan 24 - Mar 11
1891 Mar 15 - May 26
1891 May 31 - Sep 25
1892 Jul 8 - Jul 31
1892 Aug 2 - 1893 Aug 16
1893 May 1 - May 28
1893 Jun 3 - Oct 17
1899 Aug 18 - Nov 26
1899 Dec 13 - 1901 May 24
1902 Jan 23 - Oct 10
1902 Oct 17 - Dec 31
1902 (n.d.)
1903 Feb 24 - Jul 3
1903 Jul 8 - 1904 Apr 14
1904 Apr 24 - Oct 2
1904 Oct 27 - Dec 30
1904 (n.d.)
1905 (n.d.)
1905 Jan 15 - Oct 5
1905 Oct 9 - 1906 Jan 28
1906 Oct 12 - 1909 Feb 23
1909 Jul 8 - 1910 Jun 28
1910 Jul 7 - Sep 2
1910 Sep 15 - 1911 Aug 30
1911 Sep 10 - 1912 Aug 15
1913 Mar 14 - 1939 Aug 15
n.d.
This series includes newspaper clippings reporting the progress of the expedition, and correspondence (1891) primarily between John C. Parker (the expedition's surgeon) and his parents. Also included is Parker's journal and diary from the expedition, a poem about the people aboard the "Julia A. Decker" that was read at their Fourth of July festivities, and a theatre program from a play that the group attended in Halifax.
Arranged alphabetically.
No restrictions.
Clippings
Correspondence (mostly John C. Parker to parents), 1891
Diary of John C. Parker, 1891
Journal of John C. Parker, 1891
Miscellaneous Manuscripts
Theatre Program
This series includes several diaries of John C. Parker (1901-1904), an autograph book from his Bowdoin days, a journal from the 1820s, an account of a family excursion to Connecticut in 1865, and the notebook of Miriam Wood (1817).
Arranged alphabetically.
No restrictions.
Autograph Book, 1880s
Diaries, 1820s, 1901 - 1904
"Journey to Connecticut" 1865
Notebook of Miriam Wood, 1817
This series contains records concerning wills and deeds; military papers of Clement Parker (John C.'s grandfather), John S. Parker and John C. Parker; Lebanon town records, including tax assessments, and other miscellaneous documents and certificates.
Arranged alphabetically.
No restrictions.
Authorization for John S. Parker to be Aid-de-Camp
Authorization for J. S. Parker to be Justice of the Peace
Documents and Certificates (Misc)
Documents and Certificates (Misc)
Finances, town of Lebanon, 1850,1852-1853
Land tax assessments for town of Lebanon, N.H., 1870-1881 & n.d.
Military papers of Clement, John S. and John C. Parker
Military resignation of Clement Parker
Teaching certificate of Maria Wood
Will and Evaluation of John S. Parker, 1910; and Jennie Parker, 1926
Will Dispute Correspondence, 1911
Will Dispute Resolution, 1912
Wills and Deeds, 1847 - 1910
Wills, Rev. Clement Parker 1816 - 1819
This series contains family materials including documents concerning Parker's education and his career in education (elementary, secondary, Bowdoin College, and the Medical School of Maine); funerary materials; Parker family genealogy; Rev. Clement Parker's missionary assignments; and miscellaneous announcements, certificates and newspaper clippings.
This series contains family materials including documents concerning Parker's education and his career in education (elementary, secondary, Bowdoin College, and the Medical School of Maine); funerary materials; Parker family genealogy; Rev. Clement Parker's missionary assignments; and miscellaneous announcements, certificates and newspaper clippings.
No restrictions.
Bridgham Grammar School Commencement Address re: Peary
Bowdoin College Miscellaneous Materials
Bowdoin College Newspaper Clippings
Dissertation on Pneumonia by John S. Parker
Francistown, Berwick, Lebanon, and East Lebanon Academics, 1848-1882
High School & Prep. School Misc., 1879-1882 & n.d.
Mr. & Mrs. John S. & Mr. & Mrs. John C.
Newspaper Clippings
Parker Family
Parker & Howkin Families
Wood, Maj. David, fact sheet of life and lineage
Announcements, calling cards
Certificates of membership to organizations, John C. & John E.
Clippings, Civil War
Clippings, Parker Family
Ephemera
Newspapers, 1863 - 1880
"Notice of Part. Events" York, Me, 1836
Papers: "The Literary Art of James Lane Allen," and "A Thanksgiving Story"
Re: Teachers' Associations
Volumes owned by family
Clement Parker, Acton Congregational Church and Sanford South Church
Clement Parker Missionary Papers, 1816 - 1828
Clement Parker Missionary Papers, 1828 - 1829
Pamphlet, "Slander Refuted" by Rev. Guptill, 1873
This series contains photographs of John C. Parker and family.
Arranged alphabetically by size.
No restrictions.
Chairs
Ruth Parker, 6 months old
Underwood, David Gleason, 18 May 1872
Unidentified group of two men and four women
Unidentified man, tintype
Unidentified man and woman (negative)
Unidentified man on horse
Unidentified man on horse
Unidentified man on horse, c.1, c.2
Unidentified man with weapons, tintype
Unidentified men in buggy
Unidentified men on horses
Unidentified woman, ambrotype
Negatives of unidentified women in envelope addressed to Ruth Parker4
John C. Parker
John C. Parker
John C. Parker
John C. Parker
John C. Parker
John C. Parker and friend dressed in Inuit clothing
John C. Parker dressed in Inuit clothing
Unidentified baby
Unidentified baby
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Unidentified baby
Unidentified baby
Unidentified child, c.1
Unidentified child, c.2
Unidentified child, c.1
Unidentified child, c.2
Unidentified child, c.1
Unidentified child, c.2
Unidentified child, c.1
Unidentified child, c.2
Unidentified child
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Unidentified child
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Unidentified child
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Unidentified child
Unidentified family, c.1
Unidentified family, c.2
Unidentified group of 5 men 4 women
Unidentified man
Unidentified man
Unidentified man and child
Unidentified man in Inuit clothing
Unidentified man, woman, child, dog in car (postcard)
Unidentified man, woman, child, dog in car (postcard)
Unidentified man, woman, child, dog in car (postcard)
Unidentified men in car
Unidentified woman, c.1
Unidentified woman, c.2
Unidentified woman
Unidentified woman in dress clothing
Unidentified women, (labled H. Gray)
Unidentified women, (postcard)
Unidentified women and child, c.1
Unidentified women and child, c.2
Album "En Route from Providence, RI to Lebanon, Me and Franklin, NH"
Bowdoin men in front of Adams Hall
Unidentified baby
Unidentified baby
Unidentified baby
Unidentified baby
Unidentified baby
Unidentified child
Unidentified child
Unidentified child
Unidentified child
Unidentified family
Unidentified man in dress uniform
Unidentified man on horse, c.1
Unidentified man on horse, c.2
Unidentified man on horse
Unidentified man on horse
Unidentified woman
Unidentified woman and child, c.1
Unidentified woman and child, c.2
Unidentified woman with child and baby, c.1
Unidentified woman with child and baby, c.2
Jumbo:
Unidentified room
Unidentified room