Jacob Piatt IV (1747 - 1816)

Born 1747 in Path Valley, Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Milly (Walker) Piatt — married 3 Mar 1774 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 1816 at about age 69 in Monroe Township, Adams, Ohio, United States

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The five Jacob Piatt's Family Mysteries

Biography

Jacob Piatt's birthdate is uncertain. He was probably born about 1747 to 1749 in the Path Valley, then Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Later the area became several different counties including Franklin County. Since there may have been more than one Jacob Piatt (see The five Jacob Piatt's Family Mysteries) we presume Jacob was a son of Jacob Piatt III and Elizabeth Durham/Dunham. In the will of Jacob III, proven in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1784 he designated Jacob as "ouldest son, my big Bible and my Cane". The will was proven by the Executors: Jacob Peyatte and Benjamin Peyatte who were granted "Letters Testamentory".^[1]

Soon after his birth the family were forced to leave the area because settlement was not allowed due to a treaty with the Indians. The Piatt's home was among those burned to the ground to prevent their return.^[2][3]

His birthdate was deduced by using the approximate birth dates (1769-1773) for three daughters, possibly the children of a first wife, whose name is unknown. In fact, identification of exactly who were the wives of Jacob IV remains a mystery. The first recorded marriage usually attributed to Jacob Piatt (IV) was on March 3, 1774 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania to Milly Walker.^[4] But as previously mentioned Jacob IV already had three daughters born approximately between 1769 to 1773. Then there was one daughter born 1775 who could belong to the marriage to Milly Walker.^[5] Deeds in Ohio County, Virginia dated 1795 show Jacob's wife was named "Nancy". Date wise the attribution of three women as Jacob IV's wives seems to fit but we still cannot be sure because of the lack of documentation.

Research Dr Raymond Bell found Jacob III (father of Jacob IV) was on the tax list for Lack Twp, Cumberland Co PA in 1763, 1767-70 and listed in Fennell Twp (Path Valley) as a non-resident in 1770. He paid taxes in 1770 on 100 acres, horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep located in Lack Twp.

There are several deeds that seem to show the connection between the numerous Jacobs. The first two deeds are dated AFTER the will of Jacob Pyatt III was proved in 1784, which appears to indicate this is estate settlement. One 1784 deed includes the "X" signature of Jean Pyeatt who would be the wife of Jacob II and mother of Jacob III. ^[6][7]

Jacob Piatt IV (referred to as "Jr" in deeds and with a wife "Nancy") moved to Ohio County, Virginia by 1772, prior to the Revolution. ^[8][9] He received a Virginia Land Patent in 1785. ^[10]

One of the Jacob Pyatt's, (Jacob III would have been 57 and Jacob IV 35) had been a trusted officer of George Rogers Clark on many campaigns, and in 1782 was the captain of the Rogalid, a military ship which transported troops on the Ohio River until it sank at the mouth of Beargrass Creek (near Louisville) in September 1782.^[11][12] Jacob, (Jacob III), originally owned lot #75 in Louisville between George Owens and William Harrod. ^[13]

Jacob III had died about 1784 as shown in the tax rolls of Peters Township Washington Co PA. "Widdow Pyatt" is listed beginning 1784/5. In the 1788 tax list she had 200 acres. The last "widow" listing was in 1789 when is been presumed Elizabeth Dunham Piatt died. ^[14]It was probably Jacob IV who in 1788 went to the Natchez area of Spanish Louisiana, where he lived at Bayou Pierre (now Vicksburg) until at least 1794. ^{[15] [16]}After his brother Benjamin was arrested and imprisoned he returned to one of the family homesteads in Ohio County, Virginia. ^[17]

We believe it was Jacob IV who moved in 1796 with his married children and with his brother Benjamin to the Northwest Territory (Adams County, Ohio).^[18] Jacob Peyatt and Benjamin Peyatt had jointly patented 200 acres of land in Adams County, Ohio as shown in the 1809 Tax Assessment. ^[19]

We think he was a resident of Arkansas County in the Territory of Missouri 1814-1816. Residing there with him in 1816 according to tax lists were James and John Pyatt. ^[20]

Jacob IV died about 1816 because a deed listing his heirs was recorded in Adams County, Ohio in January 1817. The deed between the heirs of Jacob Piatt to Benjamin Piatt mentioned the Widow Nancy, Thomas Pettit & Peggy; Rebecca Bayless, late Pyeatt; Polly Williams, late Pyeatt; James Williams Sr, husband of Nancy (Piatt) Williams, decd; Matthew, Rebecca, John, James Junior, and Sally Williams all of Scioto County, Ohio, heirs of Nancy Williams, late Pyeatt; and David Murphy & Caty, late Caty Williams of Scioto Co OH. ^[21]

The known children of Jacob Pyeatt IV are:

Peggy Pyeatt b: c1775-1800 d: aft 1817 m: Thomas Pettit d: aft 1817

Rebecca Pyeatt d: aft 1817 m: Stephen Bayless d: bef 1817 (when Rebecca appears to be widowed)

Mary "Polly" Pyeatt d: aft 1817 m: Joseph Williams d: bef 1817 (when Polly appears to be widowed)

Nancy Pyeatt d: 1805/6 OH m: James Williams Sr d: aft 1817

Sources

1. ↑ Piatt Family Newsletter, Vol 1, No 4, p 17
2. ↑ Blair Magazine May 1931 pg 196-197. On Wednesday, the 30th of May, the magistrates and company, being detained two days by rain, proceeded over the Kittochtinny Mountains and entered the Tuscarora Path, or Path Valley, through which the road to Alleghany lies. Many settlements were found in this valley and all the people were sent for, and the following persons appeared, viz; Abraham Slack, James Blair, Moses Moore, Arthur Dunlap, Alexander McCartie, Felix Doyle, Andrew Dunlap, Robert Wilson, Jacob Pyatt, Jacob Pyatt Jr, William Ramage, Reynold Alexander, Samuel Patterson, Robert Baker, John Armstrong, and John Potts, who were all convicted by their own confession to the magistrates, of the like trespasses with those at Sherman's Creek and were bound in the like recognizances to appear at court, and bonds to the proprietors, to remove with all their families, servants, cattle, and effects and having voluntarily given possession of their houses to me, some ordinary log houses, to the number of eleven, were burnt to the ground; the trespassers, most of them cheerfully, and a very few of them with reluctances, carrying out all of their goods. Some had deserted before, and lay waste
3. ↑ Ohio Footsteps", vol. 99, issue 410: CHURCHES OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY PATH VALLEY CHURCHES "Among those who had settled in Tuscara Path or Path Valley, through which the road to Allegheny lies....Jacob Pyatt, Sr., Jacob Pyatt, Jr". (This is presumed to be Jacob II and Jacob III)
4. ↑ Records of Upper West Conococheague Presbyterian Church, Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Marriages by John King D.D. 1769-1812. copied from Torrence, Robert M., Baltimore, Maryland p 146-147.
5. ↑ Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records [1] Marriage performed by John King D.D.
6. ↑ 20 April 1784. Jacob Pyeatt, Jr. of Jefferson Co., VA, innkeeper, to Jacob Pyeatt, Sr. of Ohio Co., VA for 100 pounds VA currency a tract of land at the head of Short Creek being a part of the waters of the Ohio River and joining Edward Morgan on the North, the widow Cochran on the East, Robert Curey [Curry] on the South & Levi Mills on the West containing 232 acres...to be the Oldest Improvement improved in the year 1772. Wit: Jean (her mark) Pyeatt, Mary (her mark) Pyeatt, John Mitchell & Joseph Williams. [No wife's relinquishment]. Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 1, p. 60.
7. ↑ 20 April 1784. Jacob Pyeatt [Sr.] of Ohio Co., VA to Robert Corry [Curry], blacksmith, of the same place for 30 pounds a tract of land at the head of Short Creek being a part of the waters of the Ohio River and joining John Weats, Levi Miles [Mills], Jacob Pyeatt Jr. Robert Rutherford, Benja Dement, George Diment..containing 232 acres...being improved in the year of Our Lord 1772. Wit: Jacob Pyeatt [Jr.] & Benjamin Pyeatt. [No wife's relinquishment]. Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 1, p. 54.
8. ↑ The Records of deeds for the district of West Augusta, Virginia : for the court held at Fort Dunmore (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 1775-1776, copied consecutively as recorded by Crumrine, Boyd, 1830-1916; Annals Of The Carnegie Museum, Vol. III, No. I.

   26 March 1778 Ohio Co., VA Court - James Miller vs. Jacob Peatt, case agreed (p. 138)

   [2]

   2 Nov 1778 Ohio Co., VA Court - Jacob "Peat" selected for a Grand Jury (p. 36) [3]

9. ↑ Ohio Co., VA Deed Book 1, p. 54. April 1784. Jacob Pyeatt [Sr.] of Ohio Co., VA to Robert Corry [Curry], blacksmith, of the same place for 30 pounds a tract of land at the head of Short Creek being a part of the waters of the Ohio River and joining John Weats, Levi Miles [Mills], Jacob Pyeatt Jr. Robert Rutherford, Benja Dement, George Diment..containing 232 acres...being improved in the year of Our Lord 1772. Wit: Jacob Pyeatt [Jr.] & Benjamin Pyeatt. [No wife's relinquishment].
10. ↑ 15 May 1795 Benjamin Pyeatt, Jr. and Jacob Pyeatt, Jr. & Nancy his wife, all of the County of Ohio [Virginia] to John Waddle late of the County of Cumberland in Pennsylvania for consideration of $500 Lawful money of America a certain tract of land in Ohio County, Commonwealth of Virginia being 220 acres in a line with Levi Mills, corner to John Morgan, corner to Edward Morgan, corner to Land of Wm. Cochran, dec'd, corner to Robert Curry...land granted to the said Jacob Pyeatt by Patrick Henry, Esq. Governor of Virginia by patent dated 11 November 1785. [no witnesses] Relinquishment of Nancy, wife of Jacob Pyeatt recorded Sept Term 1795. Followed by 3 Bonds of John Waddle guaranteeing payment on or before 1st Sep 1795, 15th Oct 1796 & 15th Oct 1798. Ohio Co VA Deed Book 3, p 167. These deed were transcribed using the old Ohio County, Virginia Deed Books and page numbers but there is an easy to read version of these books in the Brooke Co WV Land Book.[4]
11. ↑ Pangburn, Richard L. Indian Blood Vol II. Butler Books Publisher. 1996. Page 349
12. ↑ Jacob Piatt, Pvt Col McNair's Mounted Regiment, Illinois and Missouri Militia. "United States War of 1812 Index to Service Records, 1812-1815," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9589-VHC?cc=1916219&wc=M6YX-3Z9%3A203271501 : 11 March 2016), Ph - Pic > image 2300 of 2718; citing NARA microfilm publication M602 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
13. ↑ "Marines in the Revolution" Charles R. Smith, History and Museum Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, Washington D. C. Chapter XIII State and Privateer Marines / Maryland and Virginia Compiled service records [Revolutionary War] for Clark's Illinois Regiment, Virginia State Troops appear to be for Captain Jacob Pyeatt:

    Jachob Pyeatt appears on a list of the Claimants of the Illinois Redmt (not dated)

    Jacob Pyeatts, Capt. - appears on a payroll of officers under the command of General George R Clark (not dated)

    Jacob Pyeatte, Lt. - appears on a payroll of soldiers in the Illinois Regiment (roll not dated) From March 9, 1782 to September 9, 1782; Amount 90-0-0

14. ↑ Piatt Family Newsletter, Vol 4, April 1986, p 17, "Tax Rolls of Peter's Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania".
15. ↑ Genealogy. com. "The Indian Blood in the Pyatt(e) Family - PA KY MS OH ARKANSAS" By Laverne Piatt July 20, 2002 at 11:09:38. [5]
16. ↑ Genealogy.com. "The Indian Blood in the Pyatt(e) Family - PA KY MS OH ARKANSAS By Richard L. Pangburn July 20, 2002 at 11:16:56"[6]
17. ↑ McBee, May Wilson. The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805. Volume 2, Publisher Genealogical Publishing Com, 2009. Natchez Court Record Book G, p 329.
18. ↑ Interview of John Williams Pike County Republican (Waverly, Ohio), 20 May 1875, Interview with John Williams. See Digital Collection Columbus Public Library. Republished 1975.
19. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7FXQ-V2ZM : 18 February 2021), Jacob Peyatt, 1809; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Adams, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849187.
20. ↑ Craig, Marion Stark, M.D. Early Arkansas Residents: Tax Lists of the Counties of Arkansas and Lawrence in the Territory of Missouri 1814-1816. Morgan Books, 1984. "Tax Lists of the Counties of Arkansas and Lawrence in the Territory of Missouri 1814-1816, p 22.
21. ↑ Adams County, Ohio Deed Book 9: 379-381, 6 Jan 1817.

    Title page [7];

    pages 378-379, Image 469 [8];

    pages 380-381, Image 470 [9]

House of Representatives. Digested Summary and Alphabetical List of Private Claims Which Have Been Presented to the House of Representatives. Vol. III. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1853.

Jacob Piatt, late Captain United States army

Nature of Claim Revolutionary pension

Congress 21

Session 1

Manner Brought Resolution

Journal Page 464

Referred to Committee Military Pensions

House Disposed Discharged; laid on table