John Alden DS Re: Money Borrowed from William Floyd, Declaration Signer

Manuscript document signed and sealed by "John Alden," Nathaniel Cushman," and "James Lasell." 2pp, measuring 8" x 13", Windham County, Connecticut, dated August 1, 1759. The document describes a loan taken by the three men from William Floyd and others. Reading in part, "This Covenant made...by and between the three following Named Parties -- Viz John Alden of Lebanon, in the County of Windham, & Colony of Connecticut, for one part, and Nathaniel Cushman of Sd Town for the Other Part, & James Lassel of Windham in Sd County for the other - Witnesseth that Whereas the Sd John Alden hath hired & Borrowed of Willm Nicoll, Junr, William Smith, William Floyd & Charles Floyd Executors of The Last Will & Testament of Nicoll Floyd Deceased, In Suffolk County in The Province of New York...The full & Just Sum of Fifteen Hundred Pounds in Lawfull Money of said New-York..." Also signed at the bottom by witnesses, "Eliphalet Dyer" and "Sibbil Lothop." With a partial integral leaf, and docketing on verso which reads, "Cushman, Alden & Lassel / Mutual Covenant." Flattened folds with toning throughout. Some staining from the wax seals. Light soiling in places. Boldly signed. Overall very good.

The signer of this document, John Alden (1716-1764), was the great-grandson of John Alden (c. 1599-1687) and Priscilla Mullins Alden (c.1602-c.1685), who came to Plymouth aboard the Mayflower in 1620. The younger Alden was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1716 and died in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1764, five years after he signed the document here offered. The elder Alder is mentioned in Longfellow's poem, "The Courtship of Miles Standish", in which Standish asks his good friend, John Alden, to propose to Priscilla Mullins on his behalf, only to have Priscilla respond, “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?”

William Floyd (1734-1821) and Charles Floyd (1738-1773) were sons of Nicoll Floyd (1705-1755). William would go on to become a wealthy farmer and political leader in New York. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was a signer of the Continental Association and Declaration of Independence. In August 1776, a few weeks after the Declaration was signed, the British Army overran Long Island, confiscated Floyd's house and estate, and used the property as a base for its cavalry over the next seven years. Floyd remained active in politics throughout the Revolutionary Era, served as a major general in the New York State militia, and was elected to the first U.S. Congress in 1789.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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