Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7486, for William Piatt, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
and Indian War of 1791.
Piatt, William
Murry, Sarah.
(former widow)
NUMBER
W 7486
{B.L. Wt. 1691_300_Capt.
{Issued May 26, 1791.
({No papers.
_____________________________
CONTENTS
Page 2

New Jersey 1379
===================
Sarah Murry formerly 
widow of William Piatt
N J
who died on the ____________, 1791,
of Essex Co in the State of New Jersey
who was a Captain in the __________ commanded
by Captain____________ of the regt. commanded
by Col. Ogden in the N. Jersey line for the war.
============================
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 480 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Septr.
1837  and sent to Hon. 
G. D. Wall, S, U. States
============================
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837   $3120. -
Semi-anl. allowance ending
===================
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836,}
{Section the 3rd &}
{Ast. Met 17?}
Recorded by Wm L Allison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 129

[Written on right side of page: Date of death not on as?]
Page 3

2563

Approved and 
claim allowed
J. R. P.

$480.

recd. land.

Hon. G. D. Wall,
Senate U. S.
Page 4

Joseph Coles
Affidavit
Page 5

To the Honorable, the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States when in Congress assembled. - 
The petition of Sarah Murry humbly showeth, that she, now Sarah Murry was married to Captn. William Piatt on the 14th day of December A D. 1778, she being then the widow of Ralph Smith, that at the time she married the said William Piatt, he was a Captain in the army of the revolutionary war, and that he served as such, during the whole war, after that war he again entered the service of his country, in May AD. 1791, and was killed in General St. Clair's defeat. Your petitioner had three children by the said Capn. William Piatt, the oldest twelve years, at the time of his death, and that she was left in very limited means of support at the time of his death.
In September AD. 1802, your petitioner married Edward Murry, who abscented himself a few years after, and has not been seen or heard of for thirty years last past. - 
Your petitioner would further state, that she has been supported by her friends, the last twenty four years of her life. - All which facts your honorable body will find verified by the vouchers annexed to this petition.
Now Your petitioner prays, that she may be allowed, by a law of the present congresss, the same pension, that she would have been entitled to under a late Act of Congress provided she had not married the said Edward Murry. And further your petitioner saith not - Township of Westfield Essex County New Jersey  August 19th 1837
Sarah Murry
Page 6

State of New Jersey} Village of Plainfield
Essex County Ss} Westfield township August 17th 1837
Before Me
William P. Shotwell one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Said County personally appeared Sarah Murry who being duly Sworn According to Law on Her oath sais (sic) she now Sarah Murry was Married to Captain William Piatt on the 16th day of December in the year of our Lord 1778 that previously to her Marriage to Capt. William Piatt whe was the widow of Ralph Smith that at the time She Married Capt. William Piatt He was an officer in the army of the revolution and Served as Sutch until the termination of the War.
In a few years after the termination of the revolution war He again entered the Service of His Country enlisted His Men in and about the Now township of Westfield in Said County in the Neighbourhood where he alway resided and Left His home early in the Month of May 1791 and fell in the same year in General St.. Clears defeat as deponant was fully informed by some of His own Men who afterward returned and Otherwise She the said deponant had by Him the Said Captain William Piatt three Children the Oldest of which was about twelve years of age and their primary Circumstances being very Limmited She was
Page 7

wholly dependant on Her industry and economy for there Support In September 20th.. 1802 this deponent Married Edward Murry a foreigner who while on a visit with Her to Her daughters absented Himself and went to Our residence and took most of My Scanty remains we then posessed and has not been seen or herd of by said deponant in thirty years except a vague report of His death This deponant further sais She has for the last twenty four years been Mostly dependant on the husband of Her Daughter for Her support
Sarah Murry

Sworn to and Subscribed before}
Me this 17th day of August AD 1837}
William P. Shotwell one of the}
Justices of the Peace in and for}
the County of Essex}
Page 8

State of New Jersey} August 16th. 1837
Essex County Ss} 
Before Me William P. Shotwell one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Jothen Frazer who being duly Sworn Also on His Oath Says he was Acquainted with Sarah Murry your [Mamoralest: possibly Memorialist] when She was the Widow of Ralph Smith which was before the Revolution and that the Said Sarah Smith Married a Capt. William Piatt then Serving in in the Army as I, Jatham Frazer
Have all reason to believe from Her Marriage Certificate the Hand writing of which I, Jathan Frazer am well acquainted with and Know it to be the Handwriting of Jededia Swan then Justice of the Peace 
After the close of the revolution war He Capt. William Piatt went out again in the Service and is reported to Have fallen in St. Clairs defeat. Some years after the defeat of St. Clear She then Sarah the widow of Captain William Piatt Married a Foreigner by the Name of Edward Murry who after living with Her two or three years Abandoned and Left Her to provide for Herself and has not been herd of for nearly thirty years. I, Jathen Frazer know your [Mamorelest: possibly Memorialist] Sarah Murry to be the same Widow
Page 9

of Ralph Smith who was the wife of the Said Capt. William Piatt who I also knew being a near neighbour to him say about two Hundred yards apart in the Village of Scotch Plains in Said County
Jothan Frazer
Sworn to and Subscribed}
before Me this 16th day}
of August AD 1837}
William P. Shotwell one}
of the Justices of the Peace}
in and for the County}
of Essex}
I certify the within named Jathan Frazer to be a
highly respectable Citizen of Scotch Plains Westfield township Essex County State of New Jersey
William P Shotwell Justice of  Peace
Jathan Frazer
Affidavit
Page 10

State of New Jersey} Westfield August 17th 1837
Essex County Ss}
Before Me Aaron Coe one of the Judges of Superior Court of Common Pleas of [Es] County
Personally appeared Elijah Shotwell who [paper fold obscuring script: according to the law] He was conscientiously Scrupulous of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to Law on His affirmation Sais He was present at the Marriage of Sarah Piatt, and Edward Murry that He knew the Said Sarah Murry when she was the wife of and widow of Captain William Piatt and knows she was the wife and widow of the same Captain William Piatt as Sighted to in the deposition of Aaron Ogden, taken at Jersey City in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey dated August 11th AD 1837. And that in April AD 1806 While He the aforesaid Edward and Sarah Murry were on a visit to the Daughter of the Said Sarah Murry He, the Said Edward Murry absented Himself and Has not been Seen or Herd of Since as the deponant verily believes And this deponent further Sais He is knowing the Said Sarah Murry to have been Mostly dependant on Her Son in Law for Her Support for about twenty four years
Elijah Shotwell
Affirmed August 17th}
1837. before me.}
Aaron Coe one of}
the Judges of the Court} 
of Common Pleas}
Page 11

I hereby certify that Elijah Shotwell the witness appeared as a very respectable citizen of this place, and every way worthy of belief. Westfield August 17th 1837
Aaron Coe Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas
Page 12

State of New Jersey} Scotch Plains August 17th.. 1837
Essex County Ss}
Before Me, William P Shotwell, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Said County Personally appeared, Jonathan H Osborn ___and Stating to me he was conscienciously Scruppelous of taking an Oath and after being duly affirmed according to Law on His affirmation Sais he was well and intimately acquainted with Captain William Piatt and knows He was the Same Capt.. William Piatt that Aaron Ogden recognises in His affidavit taken at Jersey City Bergen County August 11th.. 1837 And that Sarah Murry was the wife of the Same Captain William Piatt that He Capt. William Piatt Served to the termination of the revolution War and then went out against the Indians and was Killed in St.. Clairs defeat as this deponant verily believes that the Sarah Widow of Captain William Piatt afterward Married Edward Murry a foreigner who afterwas absconded. Deponant knows the Said Sarah Murry to be the Same Sarah Widow of Ralph Smith who was Married by Jeddiah Swan [inserted: & to the above named Capt William Piatt 14th of December 1778. Deponant is well acquainted with the Handwriting of Jedediah Swan and knows the Handwriting on her Marriage Certificate to be His. Deponant often done business with him in Capacity of Constable.
Deponant and Capt.. William Piatt were verry intimately acquainted Having Always Lived at Scotch Plains in Said County
Jonathan H. Osborn

[left side margin: interviewed ? before Signed]
Page 13

Affirmed and Subscribed before
Me William P. Shotwell
one of the Justies of the Peace
in and for the County
of Essex
I certify the within named Jonathan H Osborn to be a respectable Citizen of Scotch Plains Westfield township 
Essex County State of New Jersey
William P. Shotwell Justice Peace

Wm. H Osborn
Deposition
Page 14

State of New Jersey}
Essex County Ss}
Scotch Plains August 14th 1837
Personally appeared before me William P. Shotwell one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Said County Joseph Cole, who being duly Sworn according to Law Sais that he has been intimately acquainted with your Mamoulist [Memorialist?] Since early Childhood on about Sixty years. Knew Her when She was the widow of Ralph Smity after which she Married Captain William Piatt, who Served as a Captain in the Revolution War. And that he went out after the Close of the revolution war again. And was reported as Killed in St.. Clairs defeat that after a number of years had elapsed she Married a foreigner by Name Edward Murry who absconded and Left Her to provide for Herself and the Said Edward Murry has not been herd of or seen twenty years or more by me the Said Joseph Cole. I the Said Joseph Cole have always resided in the Same Neighbourhood with the Said Sarah Murry and know her to be the Same person who was the wife of the Same Captain William Piatt
Joseph Cole
Sworn and Subscribed}
at Scotch Plains in Said}
County this 14th day of}
August, 1837. Before}
Me, William P. Shotwell Justice Peace

I certify the above named Joseph Cole is a respectable Citizen of Essex County State of New Jersey and a person of undoubted varacity
William P. Shotwell Justice Peace
Page 15

Bergen County}
State of New Jersey} Ss

Aaron Ogden of the City of Jersey in the County of Bergen [hereby saith], that he served as a Captain in the first New Jersey regimnt command by Col Matthias Ogden in the New Jersey line of the army of [Difficult to read: Revolution and he remained in such?] service to the end of the revolutionary war, and that he was [illegible] during some part of that service Aid deCamp to Brigadier General Maxwell who commanded [Little?] Jersey Brigade, and at other times, Brigade Major to the Same Brigade and at other times Brigade Major and Brigade [Illegible] to the Same and that during all the time he was well and intimately acquainted with Captain William Piatte who was a Captain in New light New Jersey regimant and continued in Service as Such till the termination of the war, and was afterward killed, as this deponant always understood in St. Clairs defeat
Aaron Ogden

Sworn to before me this 11th day of August AD 1837
Wm Anthony Paradise one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Bergen

State of New Jrsey
Bergen County Ss:
I Samuel H. Berry Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Bergen, Do hereby Certify that Wm. Anthony Paradise Esq. before whom the foregoing deposition was taken, was at the taking thereof & still is a Justice of the Peace in and
Page 16

for the Said County of Bergen, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature Wm Anthony Paradise to the same is in his
proper hand writing -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my name & affixed the Seal of the said
Court at New Barbadoes in the County aforesaid this Twelfth day of August An. Dom. Eighteen hundred & thirty seven.
Saml H. Beny Clerk
Page 17

State of New Jersey}
County of Essex} Ss: I Elias Van Arsdale Jun: Clerk of the County of Essex & of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for Said County do hereby certify that Aaron Coe before whom the annexed affirmation of Elijah  Shotwell was made & taken, at the time of taking the same was and still is one of the Judges of said Court duly commissioned & Sworn, and that the named "Aaron Coe" Subscriber to said affirmation is genuine - I further certify that William P Shotwell before whom the affirmation of Jonathan H. Osborn &the affidavits of Jotham Frazee, Joseph Cole & Sarah Murry were respectively made & taken, when the same were made & taken was & still is a Justice of the Peace of said County, duly Commissioned & Sworn, and that "the Signatures" William P. Shotwell" subscribed to said affirmation & to the Jurats of said Affidavits respecttively are genuine-
In Witness Whereof I have hereto set my hand & Seal of Office at Newark the Nineteenth day of August AD. 1837-
E Van Arsdale Jr. Clk
Page 18

New Jersey}
Essex County}
I here may Certifie-
To all those to whom these presents Shall Come
Be it known that on 14th.. of December in the Yeare of our Lord 1778, I, Jedidiah Swan Esquire one of the Justices of the Peace in and for
Said County of Essex. I Married Captain William Piatt to Sarah Smith Widow to Ralph Smith Deceased in presence James Shotwell
And others Given under My hand & Seal
this 29th February 1801. 
Jedediah Swan J. Peace
Page 19

March 14, 1939

BA-J/AWF
William Piatt
W. 7486

Miss Reignette Marsh
177 Maple Avenue
North Plainfield,
New Jersey

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to William Piatt of New Jersey, in the Revolutionary War, whose widow, Sarah, received a pension.

The data which follow were obtained from
papers on file in claim for pension, W. 7486,
based upon service of William Piatt in the War
of the Revolution.

The date and place of birth of William Piatt,
and names of his parents were not stated. William Piatt lived in Essex County, New Jersey, sometime during the Revolution, and at one time, he lived in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

William Piatt was Captain in Colonel Matthias
Ogden's First New Jersey Regiment, and continued in the service until the close of the war; length of service not stated. He entered the service sometime in May, 1791, and was killed in "General St. Clair's Defeat".

Captain William Piatt married December 14, 1778, Sarah, widow of Ralph Smith. The date and place of birth of Sarah, and names of her parents are not shown, nor are there any further data relative to her husband, Ralph Smith. The widow, Sarah Piatt, mar-
Page 20

ried September 20, 1802, Edward Murry, "a foreigner". While Edward Murry and his wife, Sarah, were on a visit to her daughter, about the year 1806, the said Edward Murry absconded and was never heard from again, only a vague rumor that he was dead.

The widow, Sarah Murry, was allowed pension
on account of the service of her husband, Captain William Piatt, in the Revolutionary War on her application executed August 17, 1837, then living in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Sarah by her husband, Captain William Piatt,
had three children, the eldest of whom was about twelve years of age at the time of the death of Captain William Piatt. Reference was made to a son-in-law of the widow, Sarah Murry. Names of children were not designated, nor was the name of the son-in-law stated.

The papers on file in this claim contain
no further discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Sarah Murry, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this
city, and furnish the following data-

Sarah Murry, widow of William Piatt
Certificate #1379
Issued September 6, 1837
Rate $480.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of July 4, 1836
New Jersey Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator


Prev
20
of 29
Page 21

Senate Chamber Sept 4 1837

Sir
Permit me to ask your consideration of the enclosed application as promptly as convenient & to inform me therewith
Your reply
Garret D Wall
Page 22

June 3, 1936

William Piatt-W.7486
BA-J/AWF

Miss Reignette Marsh
127 Maple Avenue
Plainfield, New Jersey

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim, W. 7486, based upon the service of William Piatt during the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of William Piatt
are not given, nor are the names of his parents
stated. He at one time lived in Scotch Plains, New Jersey , always lived Essex Co. N.J.

William Piatt was captain in Colonel Matthias
Ogden's 1st New Jersey regiment, and served until the close of the Revolution. He again entered the service sometime in May, 1791 and was killed in "General's St. Clair's Defeat".

Captain William Piatt married, December 14, 1778, Sarah, widow of Ralph Smith; her maiden name is not stated. The married September 20, 1802, Edward Murry, "a foreigner". While Edward Murry and his wife, Sarah, were on a visit to her daughter, about the year 1806,
the said Edward Murry absconded and was never heard from again, except a rumor that he was dead.

The widow, Sarah Murry, was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Captain William Piatt in the Revolutionary War, on her application executed, August 17, 1837, then living in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Sarah by her husband, Captain William Platt, had
Page 23

three children, the eldest of whom was twelve years of age at the time of the death of Captain William Piatt.

A son-in-law of the widow, Sarah Murry, was
referred to, names of children not given, nor is the name of the son-in-law stated.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 24

BA-J/ILL
Re. & 1812
No. 176

August 1
3
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section      541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rev. War claim of William Piatt, W. 7486    actual   
1 of each page

$2.50      10 pages

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2
inch at top of each page and return
papers in each case in folder with
corresponding name and number.
The word ""Omit"" written in pencil
on those pages not to be copied.

Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Page 25

BA-J/ILL
August 1, 1933.

Administrator of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please furnish photostatic copies of ten pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of William Piatt, W. 7486 - uncertified.

Very truly yours,
Kate S. Curry
1420 Girard St. N.W.
Washington D.C.

Remitter -- Miss Kate S. Curry, 1420 Girard St. N. W., Washington, D.C.

Mail to- Miss Winifred L. Holman
39 Winsor Avenue
Watertown, Mass

Received payment:

$2.50
Irene L. Lerch
Aug. 1, 1833.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

[Written upside down: List to Winifred L Holman:
Wid. Decl. Aug. 19, 1837     1 page
Aaron Ogdens affid. Aug. 11-1837 & Court Rec. - Unfinished, reverse side not ordered. 1 page
Elijah Shotwell's affid. Aug. 17- 1837  1 page
Jonathan H. Osborn's affid. Aug. 17-1837 - 1 page
Jotham Frazee's affid. Aug 16 - 1837 2 page
Joseph Cole's affid. Aug. 14 - 1837  1 page
Sarah Murry's Statement Aug. 17 - 1837 - 2 page
Ctf. of Marriage dated Feb. 29 - 1801 - 1 page
Page 26

Copied

From "Gardner's Army of the United States" P 359.

William Piatt (N. J.) Sec. lt 11 infy 2 Mar. 1799: retained, 
Feb, '01, in 3. infy:-in 2. infy, Apr. '02: Fst lt June '04: Capt
Feb. '09: Actg qrmr gen. and disting. in battle of Tippecanoe,
in his dept: Qrmr gen. (rk Colonel) 23 June '13: Major 34, infy
9 Mar, "14: resigned 30 June '14 as Qrmr general: bvt Lt. Colonel " for gal. cond, and a wound received during siege of N. Orleans" 23 Dec '14 (July '15): disband, 15 June '15 - 
Paymr 20 May'30: died 16 August. 34 at Phila.
[written on left side: This refers to R8221-]

William Piatt (N. J.) Capt in Patterson's Bn, Gibson's reg. 'levies of 1791:' killed 4 Nov. 91 in battle under M. Gen. St. Clair, with Indns. on the Miami.
[written on left side:  this refers to W7486 -
Page 27

MISS REIGNETTE MARSH
177 MAPLE AVENUE
NORTH PLAINFIELD
NEW JERSEY

Jan. 18, 1939

Veteran's Administration
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sirs,

Can your department give me a copy of the Pension papers of Sarah widow of William Piatt (or Pyatt) of Essex (or possibly Middlesex or Somerset) County New Jersey - William Piatt served during the Rev. War - and in the campaign against the Indians of 1791 - He was killed in 1791 - His widow married a man named Murry, who later deserted her - upon which she had her pension restored - I should like any dates you may have for this couple - such as births, marriages etc.
I desire this information for historical purposes.

Very truly
(Miss) Reignette Marsh.
Page 28

[Left side of document: July 31 - 1902
Mrs Percy Oliver Smith
Somerville [man?]
1933 Aug. 4. Photos mailed
to Winifred L. Holman
thru Kate S. Curry & Accou
Div. ntfd, A. D. Y.
_____________________________________________
1936 - June 3 - list to Miss
Reignette Marsh - See her lett
David Hand R. 4555 Act of 
1939 - Mch 14 - list to Miss Reignette Marsh anny

[Center of document: Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7486
Sarah Murry for,
Farmer
Wid, of 
William Piatt
capt. N.J. line
Act: July 4th 1936, Sec, 3d
Index: - Vol. M, Page 71

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Written on right side of document: There is a rejected claim based on same service. see Wm. Piatt R. 8221 - in which there is no proof whatever of service in the Rev. war.
Page 29

#87 Porter Street,
Somerville, Mass.
July 25, 1902.

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-

Will you kindly write me as to whether the name of the widow of Captain William Piatt, first N. J. Reg. N. J. Line, Army of the Revolution, appears in the Pension Records ? As I understand from old letters, etc. newspaper notice of his widow's death and family records, his widow received during her life a pension of $480. a year for her husband's service in the army.  I have made application for membership in the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution and base my claim on the service of said Captain Piatt, my great great grandfather. The society requires No. page, etc. of such record if any there be. Captain Piatt also was a member of the Order of Cincinnati, a copy of certificate of membership of which I have in my possession, sent me by my second cousin, John Jas. Piatt, Esq. formerly Minister to Dublin, and who now represents him in said Society. Is there any such record to be found also in the Department? If so, it would be of great value to me if I could receive such a statement, and thus avoid sending so many papers to the Society.
Hoping for an early reply, and thanking you in advance for the same, I remain,
Very respectfully,
Gertrude M. Butler Smith,
Mrs. Percy Oliver Smith,
87 Porter Street,
Somerville, Mass.

[Official Stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
JUL 28, 1902