Description:

Ledyard John

John Ledyard, worldwide explorer, DS regarding a "Journey"


1p paper half sheet signed by worldwide explorer John Ledyard (1751-1789) as "John Ledyard" in docket area verso. In very good to near fine condition, with overall toning. Ledyard's signature is large and boldly delineated in thick, slanted letters, the looping "d" of Ledyard partially cut through the paper. Overall measures 7.75" x 5.75".

 

John Ledyard presented this bill to the Colony of Connecticut at Hartford on March 9, 1770. In October 1769, Ledyard had taken a 2-week-long business trip to New Haven, some 39 miles to the south. Travel expenses included horse hire, 5 days' lodging in New Haven, and 11 days' worth of incidentals while Ledyard assisted in "Examg. Settling + alowing [sic] abatements and other matters" and also worked "with the Auditors." Connecticut State Treasurer Jonathan Lawrence reimbursed John Ledyard the sum of £7 9 shillings 9 pence the same day and Ledyard signed the receipt.

 

John Ledyard is best-known as an ill-fated world traveler, but at this early stage of his life, he was a teenaged legal assistant. Ledyard had relocated to his grandfather's household in Hartford after his mother's remarriage, and during this time, he studied to be a lawyer under his uncle Thomas Seymour. Thus we can infer that Ledyard had probably traveled to New Haven on legal business, either to assist his mentor, or to go on his behalf.

 

Just 2 years later, Ledyard would attend the newly established Dartmouth College at Hanover, New Hampshire to train as an Indian missionary. Ledyard was at Dartmouth for about a year, and over 3 months of that time was spent "rambling among the Indians" in northern New England, according to Ledyard's nineteenth-century biographer Jared Sparks. After his return to Dartmouth, Ledyard was so homesick that he built himself a 50-foot-long canoe and sailed back to Hartford.

 

During the remaining 15 years of his life, Ledyard would travel to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Russia, South Africa, and Egypt, and participate in Captain James Cook's Third Voyage through the South Pacific. He died of an accidental drug overdose in Cairo at age 37.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000