Colonial America
French and Indian War 1758 Conn. Fiscal Document Signed "Joseph Talcott Treasurer" to Repay John Ledyard's Loan a Tradition that Originated America's Song "Yankee Doodle"
JOSEPH TALCOTT (1701-1780). Treasurer of the Colony of Connecticut from 1756 to 1769.
(JOHN LEDYARD, SR.) (1700-1771). Father of the Famous American, Connecticut Explorer and adventurer, John Ledyard (1751-1789) who accompanied Captain James Cook on his voyage to find a Northwest Passage to the Orient (1776"1779), namesake of the town of Ledyard, Connecticut (the current location in Ledyard of the Foxwood's Restort Casino).
May 20, 1758-Dated, Manuscript Document Signed, "Joseph Talcott Treasurer", 6" x 6.75", 1 page, Colony of Connecticut, Choice Crisp Extremely Fine. A rare "Colony of Connecticut" Indented 6% Interest Bond (at top), Unlisted Type in "The Price of Liberty" by Anderson. Uniface, made for receiving a 100 Loan from John Ledyard Esqr. (1700-1771) (a historic Hartford Merchant and Adventurer) to help fund the Colony during ongoing expense of fighting the French and Indian War.
This 100 Bond commits the Colony of Connecticut to repay this loan of 100 from John Ledyard Esqr. (not signed) in Three Years later at 6 Percent Interest, "for the Use and Service of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut." Treasurer Joseph Talcott's large bold brown ink signature has a manuscript line cancel, and a notation above reading, "not negotiated" that suggests that this loan may not have been completed, at least in this form. Document reads, in full:
"100 / No 38 --- Colony of Connecticut 20 May 1758 --- Received of John Ledyard Esqr the Sum of One hundred Pounds lawful Money, for the Use and Service of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut and in Behalf of said Colony, I do hereby promise and Oblige my self and Successors in the Office of Treasurer to repay the said John Ledyard or Order the 20 Day of May 1761 the aforesaid Sum of One hundred Pounds in lawful Money with Interest Annually at the Rate of Six P(er) Cent P(er) Annum. (Noted) not negotiated - Witness my Hand -- (Boldly Signed) Joseph Talcott Treasurer".
A very fresh and clean well written, easily readable Loan Document, measuring 6" x 6.75" being Indented at top margin on high quality watermarked laid period paper. Highly attractive and exceedingly rare. The first of this type format of French and Indian War, Colonial Connecticut, official fiscal payment Document we have seen. This Type is Not listed in William Anderson's reference on Revolutionary War period debt instruments titled: "The Price of Liberty".
Historical Background for Loans made to Colonial Connecticut:
Colonial Connecticut primarily raised funds by a combination of taxes on property, polls, and faculties (depending on the taxpayer's profession or business). The Governor of Colonial Connecticut in 1758 was Thomas Fitch IV (ca. 1699-1774), who served as governor from 1754 to 1766.
The first years of his administration were marked by the French and Indian War (1754-1763), and Connecticut gave large amounts of money, manpower, and supplies to the conflict, sometimes more than it could afford. This experience likely led to loans such as the failed one this bond documents.
According to one tradition, in 1755 a British surgeon, Dr. Richard Shuckburgh, gave Col. Thomas Fitch V, the governor's son, a song as a joke. The lyrics made fun of Col. Fitch's troops: "Yankee Doodle went to town, a-riding on a pony...," making Col. Fitch the original "Yankee Doodle."
Two decades later, American troops in the Revolutionary War adopted the song as a favorite marching song. It became the state song of Connecticut in 1978.
Joseph Talcott (1701-1780) was born in Hartford, Connecticut, as the son of colonial Governor Joseph Talcott (1669-1741). The younger Joseph Talcott married Esther Pratt (1703-1775) in 1727, and they had at least five children. He served as Treasurer of the Colony of Connecticut from 1756 to 1769. He served as a deacon at First Church in Hartford from 1748 until his death.
John Ledyard (1700-1771) was born in England and migrated to Connecticut around 1717. There in 1727, he married Deborah Youngs (1704-1747), with whom he had ten children. After her death, he married Mary Austin, with whom he had five more children. The Youngs and Austin families were well-established and prosperous in Hartford, giving Ledyard access to the upper levels of colonial society, where he became a prominent merchant. He was the grandfather of famed explorer John Ledyard (1751-1789).