"In case you aren't aware of it, there is a book review in the Sunday February
18th issue of the Book Review section of the New York Times of a new (2007) biography
Ledyard: The Search For The First American Explorer about the life of John Ledyard III.
His grandmother was Deborah Youngs of Southold, daughter of Judge Benjamin Youngs, who was
a grandson of the immigrant and ancestor to many of your readers, Rev. John Youngs. Some
history of this family is on pages 67-68 of Selah Youngs book.
I have only read a little of the book so far, but it is fascinating history. It recites
some of the life of the first John Ledyard who married Deborah Youngs and who was a
compatriot of Eleazar Wheelock, the founder of Dartmouth College, and also of several well
known ‘Great Awakening' ministers, i.e. Rev George Whitfield, Rev. James Davenport,
and Rev. Jonathan Edwards. The book then goes on to the life of the main subject, the
grandson, and his adventures and endeavors around the world, including Europe, Russia,
Siberia, western North America, and Africa, as well as his interaction with Thomas
Jefferson. and with Capt. James Cook.
The author's name is Bill Gifford. Published by Harcourt. this month, February 2007.
Our local public library bought two copies, perhaps your library did or will buy one. The
publisher's price is $25, but you can find it on-line at Amazon or B&N for $16.50.
"
Editor: I wasn't aware of this book! Thank you for letting me know about it -
I'll have to look for it at Borders! I'll let our readers know about it, too.
I have written about Col. William Ledyard in the newsletter - devoted a whole
newsletter to the Battle of Groton Heights several years ago, in fact. Col. William was
one of Deborah's sons - so that would have made him an uncle to John Ledyard III. William
was run through with his own sword by the British commander who captured Fort Griswold on
Groton Heights (Connecticut) in this battle in 1781. The Brits were on their way to
Yorktown, so their victory didn't last very long in this case.
"How do I subscribe to your newsletter?
I am descended from Bethia Youngs and Robert Clark Francisco of Morris Co., NJ. I came
across a website that lists her ancestory as the following but it lists no sources so I do
not know how accurate it is:
Rev. Christopher Yonges (?-1626) & Margaret Elwin
Rev. John Yonges (1602-1671) & Mary Warren
Christopher Yonges (1643-1695) & Mary Budd
Christopher Youngs (1677-1727) & Elizabeth Moore
Christopher Youngs (1700-1785) & Joanna Parshall
Christopher Youngs (1723-1800) & Anna Wells
David Youngs (1747-1824) & Rebekah Lambert
Bethia Youngs (1805-1857) & Robert Clark Francisco
Do you know if this lineage is correct? Please let me know about the newsletter."
Editor: The first correction to your information is that it has never been
conclusively proven that Rev. Christopher's wife and mother of his children was Margaret
Elwin. To date we are not sure what our Margaret's maiden name was.
Rev. John's third wife was Mary Warren (widow Gardner). Their youngest son was
Christopher who married Mary Budd.
We can confirm your information up to David Youngs (1805-1857). We do not have
the name of David's wife in the records. In Youngs Family by Selah Youngs, Jr., it does
state:
"He (David) rem. (removed) to New Jersey, m. (married) and said to have
had children who visited Long Island."
Selah goes on to name two sons for David: Edward and Christopher.
