In Likely the Earliest John Tyler Document Ever Offered for Sale, the 23-Year-Old Settles His Recently Deceased Father’s Accounts With the Son of Signer of the Declaration of Independence Benjamin Harrison and Brother of His Future Running Mate

Tyler would later serve as Vice President under William Henry Harrison, whose brother signed this document

John Tyler was not only the President of United States, but was scion of a prominent Virginia family and son of the Governor of that state, John Tyler, Sr.  The father was close with many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, particularly those from his state, including Thomas Jefferson (with whom he had once been roommates) and Benjamin Harrison; and these notable Virginia families mingled in both society and business.  Benjamin Harrison V (the Signer) and Tyler Sr. served in the Virginia House of Delegates together, as well as in the Virginia Convention to ratify the United States Constitution.  The senior Tyler served in the Continental Army while the elder Harrison served in the Continental Congress.  From 1781-1784, Benjamin Harrison V served as Governor of Virginia, and Tyler Sr. served as Virginia’s Governor from 1808-1811. Tyler’s son John  followed in his father’s footsteps, and as Tyler Sr. left the Governor’s mansion, Tyler Jr. took office as a delegate in the Virginia House.

In January of 1813, Tyler Sr. died, and his son, who was a lawyer, became executor of his will. The houses of the Harrisons and the Tylers were close by and the Harrisons owed some money to the former Governor.  At the time, the Harrison homestead was run by Benjamin Harrison VI, son of he Signer and brother of William Henry Harrison.

Autograph document signed, “Six months after date we promise to pay unto John Tyler Executor of John Tyler deceased for value received, the just and full sum of forty nine dollars and sixty cents – to carry interest from the  date if not punctually paid.  To the payment whereof we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents – As witness our hands and seals this 18th day of October 1813.”  It is then signed by Nathaniel Nelson and Benjamin Harrison (the Harrisons and the Nelsons were intermarried), as well as Seaton Crump as witness.

On January 22, 1816, Tyler continues, “I assign the within Bond to William Tyler.  John Tyler.”  William Tyler has continued on March 21, 1816, “Received of Mr. Benjamin Harrison the full amount of the within bond. William Tyler.”   Harrison VI has also made a note on the back.

This is the earliest document of John Tyler we can find ever having been offered for sale by at least four years. We acquired it directly from the Harrison descendants, and it has never before reached the market. It was clearly retained by Benjamin Harrison VI as proof of his fulfillment of his debt to the Tyler family.  To show how early this is, it would be nearly 30 years before Tyler would assume the Presidency; and that, after the death of Benjamin VI’s brother, President William Henry Harrison.