Ledyard Center in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Ledyard

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 4, 2019

1. Ledyard Marker

Inscription. Settlement by New London pioneers in this conquered Pequot Indian country began along the river at Allyn's Point and Poquetanuck in 1653, then spread down the Indian trail to Mystic. Here at the "Center ,” in 1725 the precise center of that area which became Ledyard was chosen as the site for the new North Parish church of Groton and the training field of the militia was moved. On September 6, 1781 that militia supported the defender of Fort Griswold, Colonel William Ledyard, when Benedict Arnold sacked New London and Groton. One-third of those massacred came from this North Parish. Its people, recovering slowly, chose in 1836 to name their new town as a memorial to their leader.

The first village, Gales Ferry (1740), sheltered blockaded Commodore Decatur from British attack during the War of 1812. For nearly one hundred years (1878-1975) Yale and Harvard crews have trained there for their annual four-mile race along the Thames.
Ledyard was the birthplace of Silas Deane (1737 - 1789) – envoy to France during the Revolution. Samuel Seabury (1729 - 1796) – first Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut. Jonathan Whipple (1794 - 1875) and Zerah Whipple (1849 - 1879) – Quakers, founders of the Whipple Home School for Deaf Mutes, now the Mystic Oral School.

Erected 1976 by Town of Ledyard,

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Ledyard Historical Society, and the Connecticut Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 6, 1781.

Location. 41° 26.47′ N, 72° 0.99′ W. Marker is in Ledyard in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Ledyard Center. It is at the intersection of Colonel Ledyard Hwy. (Connecticut Route 117) and Center Groton Road, on the left when traveling south on Colonel Ledyard Hwy.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ledyard CT 06339, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline,

in Greater New London and in the Thames River Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ledyard Veterans Memorials (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ledyard World War I Monument (about 400 feet away); Samuel Seabury (approx. 1.2 miles away); Gurdon Bill’s Station (approx. 1.2 miles away); 2nd District School (approx. 3.6 miles away); Welcome to the Hallville Fishway (approx. 3.8 miles away); Mystic Bank (approx. 4.6 miles away); Montville (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ledyard.

Regarding Ledyard. The Mystic Education Center, formerly the Mystic Oral School, originally the Whipple School for the Deaf, moved from Ledyard to Mystic in 1872. It closed in 1980.

Also see . . .
1. Town of Ledyard, Connecticut

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 4, 2019

2. Ledyard Marker

. (Submitted on October 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Ledyard, Connecticut on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Quakertown Online - Mystic Oral School. (Submitted on October 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 4, 2019

3. Ledyard Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 706 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.