Major Dexter Franklin Parker of Boston, Massachusetts, (1828-1864), presented this beautifully engraved coin silver cup to his daughter Lizzie on Christmas Eve of 1861. Lizzie was five years old at the time. Cup is engraved with a floral and grape design and has inscribed on the side, “LIZZIE JANE TUTTLE PARKER, FROM HER AFFECTIONATE FATHER, AT CAMP BRIGHTWOOD, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, CHRISTMAS EVE 1861”. The bottom of cup is marked with “N. HARDING & CO., BOSTON, COIN, M & P”.

The cup has a very shiny patina with some slight darkened spots. It measures 3- ¼“ high X 3 ¼” in circumference.

Before the outbreak of the Civil War, Major Parker served in Massachusetts as a member of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Major Parker enlisted as a private in the 6^th Mass. Vol. Militia on April 16, 1861. He was commissioned as 4^th Lieut. on May 4, and mustered out on August 2, 1861. The following day he was appointed as Capt. Asst. Quartermaster, U.S. Vols., but resigned on July 15, 1862 to accept a commission as Major, 10^th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. He was wounded in the right arm at Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA, on May 12, 1864, and the arm was amputated. He never recovered from his wounds and died on May 30, 1864. He is buried in the Worchester Rural Cemetery. Lizzie lived to the age of 53 and died on May 4, 1910. She is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Westborough, Massachusetts.

The Christmas of 1861 was very likely the last time this father and daughter ever saw each other. This cup represents the tragedy of so many families at this time in American history. It is a sober reminder of all the children who suffered the horrible consequences of a war and never had their father home again. It is impossible to hold this cup in your hand and not shed a tear for them.

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