Hello all, I have transcribed a statement from the Board of Land Commissions Missouri. I was hoping that someone could tell me about some of the familie named. It sounds like these families were part of group that settled in this area (Merrimack - Negro fork) at the same time. I am hoping to determine if my John Pyatt came to Jefferson County with them in a group and where they all came from. I can't help but noticing all the VERY french names on this list. Are these perhaps actual French immigrants? Does anyone have a basic knowledge of the immigration patterns into this area? Anyone have a guess as to the word immediately preceeding the word 'claimant' on the last line of the statement? Thanks, MCP "30 Jan 1809 pg 451 (reference Book 1 pg 499) James Richardson assignee of the inhabitants of Mardais de Liard claiming 1000 arpents of land. James McDonald sworn says that about 11 years ago Francois Honore, Louis Honore, Baptiste A???, ?Noel Honore, Antoine Braden?, John Pyatt, George Shultz, Phillip Shultz, Soloman Pettit (and that there was another house said to belong to Jonas Sparks) inhabited and cultivated on the land, claimed, had gardens, got their fencing and firewood off said tracts, cultivated that year and lived there and cultivated for several years. witness believes 3 or 4 years consecutively, claimant inhabited and cultivated on said land all this time with the rest; and was a ?syndic? claimant has continued to inhabit and cultivate the same ever since. Laid over for decision."