John Coleridge Patteson [1827-1891], known across the Victorian missionary world as, "Bishop Patteson," was one of those archetypal missionaries. Along with David Livingstone, Robert Moffat, and a few select others, his name appears on countless Victorian biographies, collections of missionary biographies, etc. And for good reason.
Sent as a missionary with the Church Missionary Society to the South Sea Islands, he learned over 20 languages and was indefatigably committed to the evangelization of the Melanesia, the Solomon Islands, etc., It was actually George Augustus Selwyn [of F. W. Boreham fame], visiting England in 1854 as Bishop of New Zealand, who recruited Patteson to come help them reach the 1000+ unique people groups scattered across the islands. He departed for the Islands in 1855. By 1861, he was Bishop of Melanesia. This was where Williams was eaten by Cannibals. And it was this dynamic that made Patteson the perfect candidate; he was gracious, calm, and caring. Often his demeanor alone made way for the Gospel where previous abuses had poisoned the well. That said, he was shot, attacked, and those traveling with him died from poison arrows meant for Patteson.
At last, in 1871 [yes, take that in; he learned 20 languages in 16 years], he landed on an island where profiteers had taken advantage of the people and captured some as slaves. Even his kindness could not protect him, and Patteson was murdered as revenge. He knew the risks, approached the people anyway, believing the risk worth the love of Jesus for the people, and he paid the ultimate price.
Autographs of Patteson are very rare. The present is a nicely presented 1/2 original pay document for Patteson early on in his service in the South Sea Islands, before being consecrated Bishop. The signature at the lower right is in his hand and would be a wonderful little item framed with an engraving of Patteson.