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Archiver > PIATT > 2004-09 > 1095724686


From: "Sharolynn Pyeatt" <>
Subject: re: Peter and the Pyeatt's in the Carolinas
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 17:58:16 -0600


Robin,

I was able to locate a copy of the original book by W. Thomas Smith,
"Family tree book, genealogical and biographical : listing the relatives
of General William Alexander Smith and of W. Thomas Smith."

After reading what was written, it would appear that some of their
Pyatt/Pyeatt information is faulty. How much is in error will really
require additional research. I plan to go to the FHL in Salt Lake on
Saturday with the hope of examining microfilmed copies of their
reference materials.

This much I can say... They indicate on p. 19, that Peter Pyatt, Sr.,
and his wife, Mary, of Charleston, S.C., according to tradition, are the
parents of three sons, Peter Jr., James and Jacob, and two daughters,
Martha and Jane.

According to them, both Peter Jr. and Peter Sr. served in North Carolina
regiments during the Revolution.

Based upon my own research as well as documentation provided to me by
Nancy Maxwell, James, Jacob and Martha, are definitely children of John
Pyeatt/Pyatt and Martha Jane Blair, who married in Lancaster Co., PA on
13 Dec 1757. John apprenticed James and Jacob to a bell-maker in
Guilford Co., NC & I had a copy of their apprenticeship papers, which I
lost while at the Richmond conference last year. The copy was sent to
me by Nancy Maxwell years ago, before I lost her address and an ability
to contact her.

John Pyeatt of Guilford Co. died 16 Aug 1778. After his death, his son,
Jacob, (born 1760) was appointed guardian of his minor siblings, James
and Martha. Jacob, James, Martha are all referred to as "John Pyeatt's
orphans" in later land transactions in Guilford County. In some of the
land transactions, the name Jane appears to clearly refer to John's wife
(Martha Jane). There is also reference to an adult, Peter Pyeatt, as
one of his heirs.

Ravenscroft lists John and Martha Jane Blair Pyeatt's children as:
Robert, Peter, Benjamin, Capt. Jacob, Martha, James, and Jane. She
assumes that this Peter is the one who dies in Charleston in 1818, whose
will mentions his sister, Jane Davis. But, given the birthdates I have
for these children, Robert, Peter, Benjamin, and perhaps Jane, for whom
I have no birthdate, were all born prior to John and Martha's marriage
in December 1757.

The Smith book is erroneous in stating that James and Jacob who settle
in Arkansas, and the Martha who married John White, are the children of
Peter, Sr. They definitely appear to be children of John Pyeatt and
Martha Jane Blair of Guilford Co., NC.

I have never found any concrete evidence regarding Jane Pyeatt Davis,
who is said to have migrated to Georgia. As for Robert, Peter and
Benjamin's parentage, I am also uncertain. It would appear that John
had a son, Peter, since he is mentioned as one of John's heirs. If so,
was Martha Jane Blair John's second wife? Given that John was 22 when
he married her, it's possible, but is it likely?

There is also mention of a Robert Pyeatt of Virginia who took an oath of
allegiance in Virginia on 25 Sep 1777. John Pyatt of Virginia who
refused to take the oath of allegiance on 4 October 1777. There is also
mention of a Joseph Pyatt, born in Warwickshire, England in 1755, who
enlisted in the Revolutionary army in Virginia in 1776 and 1778. They
indicate that this same Joseph was granted a pension in 1833 and was
living in Burke Co., NC at that time. They indicate that they have no
clues as to any relationship between these individuals and their
ancestor, Peter, Sr.

At the same time, they indicate that there is no other reference to any
Pyeatt or Pyatt in either North or South Carolina prior to 1800. But,
given the documentation regarding John and Martha in Guilford Co., NC,
that statement is definitely wrong. Land records definitely place their
family in North Carolina around 1767/1768. The brothers, James and
Jacob did not appear to have moved from Guilford Co. to Warren Co,
Kentucky until about 1798, based upon where their children were born.
Those born in 1796 were born in North Carolina and those born in 1798
were born in Kentucky.

So... my conclusion to all of this is that their documentation needs to
be reviewed before drawing any conclusions. There may be some kernels
of truth there-- and it may help to clarify the relationship between
John and Peter, Sr.

I'll get back to you as I learn more.

Sharolynn Pyeatt
Orem, Utah


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