Thomas Parker apprenticed to David Rittenhouse and John Wood and therefore was trained by two of the most well known Philadelphia clock and watchmakers of the time. Parker's working dates are recorded as 1783 to 1817. His Philadelphia shop was at 13 South 3rd Street. Given the 1777-78 date mark on the cases, it is possible that his working dates were earlier although the war could account for the gap. 

This Revolutionary War watch is small, measuring 48mm across the outer case. It's missing its dust cap and the hands and dial are replacements. There is also an interesting repair at the juncture of the balance table and foot. This watch has had a very hard life!  The verge and fusee movement is signed "Thos Parker No. 3 Philada." and is nicely finished. 

Revolutionary War Watch

Parker’s reputation as a clockmaker and his participation in important community activities are well documented. He was the president of the Mechanics Bank, president of the Board of Managers of the Almhouse, and member of The Select and The Common Council. Parker maintained the State House clock and his regulator was regarded as the standard precision timekeeper of the time. His shop must have been impressive; President Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis to Parker to buy a John Arnold gold-cased chronometer for $250.00 (plus seventy-five cents for the winding key) for the 1803 Lewis and Clark expedition (Jackson).

Additional References and recommended reading: 

• Theodore Crom, Trade Catalogues 1542 to 1842, Storter Printing, Florida, 1989 

• James Gibbs, Pennsylvania Clocks and Watches, The Pennsylvania State University, 1984

• Donald Jackson, "Supplies from Private Vendors," in Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Related Documents: 1783-1854, 2nd ed., ed. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1978, p.79 

• John Wyke, A Catalogue of Tools for Watch and Clock Makers by John Wyke, Winterthur Museum Library publication in 1978; this is a reprint of an 18th century catalog with modern commentary