John Wiatt (abt. 1735 - abt. 1795)

Born about 1735 in Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1795 at about age 60 in Gloucester County, Virginia, [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Fontaine Wiatt [send private message]

Biography

Birth

Birth:

Date: ABT 1730/1740

Place: probably Virginia

Note

According to the Gloucester County, Va Land Tax Records there was a John Wiatt who died around 1789-1790. Using the process of elimination, I believe that this John was a son of James Wiatt/Wyatt (b 1674).

In the Land Tax Records the John who died 1789/90 is sometimes listed as John Wiatt Sr. Also listed in these records is a John Wiatt Jr. who died in 1795.

I believe that John Sr. was the father or uncle of the John Jr.

The basis of my theory is due to the fact that the Land Tax Records indicate that John Sr’s 360 acres wound up in possession of Thomas and James Wiatt. In 1792 two new property owners appear on the tax rolls: Thomas Wiatt with 281 acres and James Wiatt with 79 acres.

Here is a recap: John Wiatt Sr had 360 acres when he died in 1789-90. The land-tax rolls in 1792 lists a Thomas Wiatt with 281 acres and James Wiatt with 79 acres. 281 + 79 = 360. Is this just a coincidence ? My guess is that it isn’t.

Thomas and James were definitely the sons of John Jr. This is documented in the Gloucester County Surveyor’s book.

I think this info ties John Jr to John Sr and therefore to James (b 1674).

In addition, since John Wiatt (Jr) had a son named James and a son named Thomas then it is likely that John had a father named James and a father-in-law named Thomas or vice-versa. My family used this naming convention up until the early 20th century. Of course it is possible that John had other sons but which had preceded him in death, which could disrupt my theory.

Evidence, references and other information:

Concerning the Gloucester County Surveyors Book A, 1733-1810, on the platt book page (number 65-397 or 65-2397 ?) there was a diagram labeled Platt of John Wiatt's Land and there is writing below the diagram.

Here is a version of a transcription of that page:

"The above Survey and Division of John Wiatt’s land who died Intestate, divided by a decree of Gloucester Court directed by the commissioners Named in sd decree Decr 1795 as pr platt above. The name of Each of the heirs with bounds and quantity of acres are [Indicatd on] the platt. Wm DuVal S.G." The heirs were Mary Wiatt (the widow we think), Elizabeth Wiatt (a daughter), James Wiatt (a son), and to Thomas Wiatt (a son).

Concerning John Wiatt (d. 1795), here is an alternate theory of his ancestry.

The following is from the book "Descendants of Mordecai Cooke of 'Mordecai's Mount', Gloucester Co., Va., 1650, and Thomas Booth of Ware Neck, Gloucester Co., Va., 1685" by Dr. and Mrs. William Carter Stubbs, New Orleans, 1923.

From page 267 ..… John Wiatt Jr., died 1795, Vestry of Petsworth 1775, son of Capt. Thomas Sr., Vestry of Petsworth 1753, son of Conquest Wiatt, died 1707.

This theory is based on family tradition but I have found no documentation to back this. There is no evidence that Conquest I had a sixth son named Thomas. Conquest I supposedly died around 1708/1709. Maybe the theory confused Conquest I with Conquest II and it was Conquest II that had a son named Thomas, the father of John (d. 1795).

Source

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156635686 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175655946

Acknowledgements