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From: Laverne Piatt <>
Subject: [PIATT] William Pyatt, Frederick Co VA, 1777+
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 16:03:31 -0500

The records excerpted here were found by Richard O Piatt a couple of years ago
when the Piatt Researchers met in Bridgewater VA and researched in Winchester,
Frederick Co VA. Any comments as to who this WILLIAM PYATT might have been
and his connection to the rest of the bunch would be appreciated.

*****
Frederick Co VA Deed Book 17, page 409

This INDENTURE made this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and seventy seven BETWEEN Rezen Reagon of the County of
Frederick & Colony of Virginia of the one part and William Pyatt of the same
place of the other part, Witnesseth that the sd Rezin Reagon for and in
Consideration of the Sum of Five Shillings Current Money of Virginia to him in
hand paid by the said William Pyatt at on or before the Sealing and delivery
of these Presents the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge hath
granted...unto the said William Pyatt a Certain Tract or Parcel of Land
Situate in the County and Colony aforesaid on the Drains of Opeckon Containing
One hundred & Fifty acres being part of three hundred & Fifty three acres of
Land granted to Robert Stewart [sic] by Deed from under the hand of the
Proprietor of the northern Neck of Virginia bearing date the thirteenth day of
June &c and by the said Robert Steward [sic] & Catherine his wife was Conveyed
to James Sayer by Deeds of Lease & Release dated the first & second days of
March 1761 and by the Last Will & Testament of the said James Sayers dated the
25th day of December 1761 was bequeathed to the said William Sayer and by the
said William Sayer and by the said William Sayer and Mary his wife Conveyed to
the said Rezin Reagon by deed of Lease and Release bearing date the 28th and
29th days of October One Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Eight as will more
fully appear by the records of the said county....

[The description of the land names only one person in "Robert Steward's fence."]

Witnesses: Jos Carter, David Johnston, Joseph Padfield, William Gibbs
*****

The next deed in Frederick Co VA Deed Book 17, page 410, and dated 5 June
1777, is a second deed from Rezin Reagon and ANNE, his wife to William Pyatt
for the same parcel of land. (Apparently these are deeds of lease and
release?) The first deed was signed by Rezin Reagon and the second by Rezin
Reagon (perhaps both deeds by mark) and by Anne Reagon, by mark. Witnesses to
the second deed were the same as to the first. Then William sold the land:

*****
This Indenture made this twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord One
Thousand Eight hundred and two Between William Pyatt of Frederick County and
Commonwealth of Virginia of the one part and Joshua Wood of the same place of
the other part Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of Six
hundred pounds Current money of Virginia to the said William Pyatt in hand
paid by the said Joshua Wood....[then appears the same description and history
of conveyance of the land]

Witness: Thomas McKeown [others may be cut off the page] Signed by William
Pyatt by mark.

*****
By 1804 currency in Virginia had changed to dollars and cents if I interpret
the next record correctly:

*****
Frederick Co VA Will Book 8, page 115

Pursuant to an order of Court dated Dec 1804 we have proceeded to appraise the
Estate of Wlliam Pyatt dec to wit:

One mare and colt$30.00
One Axe Hoe and two Pitchforks 8.50
One Sheffield Bowl &c 8.50
Bed bedstead & bedding 14.50
one falling leaf Table 8.00
One Chest 2.00
Three Chairs 8.50
Spoons & Razors .50
Waring [sic] apparel 7.50
Bonds, Notes, and Book Accts 1037.00

1095.00

Given under our hands this 22 day of Jun 1805. Elijah Littler(?), Geo Bruce,
Jas Bruce

At court held for Frederick County the 2 day of September 1805. This
appraisement of the Estate of William Pyatt decd ws returned into Court and
ordered to be recorded. By the Court. Ja(s?) Keith Co Clerk
*****

(The numerals which I interpret as 8 in the list above were just a squiggle,
so by math I have arrived at the number of 8 which seems to fit the total.)

What do the records show? That a William Pyatt owned a parcel of land on
Opequon Creek in Frederick Co VA from 1777 to 1802, that he never married or
was not married at the time that he sold the land, that he made a heck of a
profit, even taking into consideration the vast fluctuation in currency in the
early years of this new country, and that he was in business with accounts
receivable at the time of his death. Can anyone add to this or give
corrections to the assumptions made here? Can anyone explain how such acerage
could have been purchased for 15 shillings in 1777?

--
Laverne Ingram Piatt
Ontario, OH

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• [PIATT] William Pyatt, Frederick Co VA, 1777+ by Laverne Piatt <>