I spent 2 1/2 days in St. Louis looking for Piatts/Pyeatts and will be adding the info to my website by category. I have several deed abstracts, probate connects, death records, etc. I was unable to come up with marriage records that I had expected to find....only one new one.... It has made me decide that my John Piatt and his children traveled out of the St. Louis area to marry. The deed given below is from 1805, and in it, John Piatt appears to be single (no widow's dower considered). However, he had heirs born before and after 1805. So, if my understanding of the land laws is correct, he must have been married at least twice with the second occurring after 1805. Does anyone have any suggestions to where a St. Louis area Piatt/Pyeatt family would have traveled to marry? Thanks, Marianne http://www.angelfire.com/ar/pyeatt/JohnP.html This indenture made this Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and five between John Piat of the District of St Louis in the Louisiana Territory of the one part and James Richardson of the Same District of the other part, Witnesseth, that the said John Piat for and in consideration of the sum of two Hundred Dollars Currency of the United States to him in hand paid the receipt Whereof both acknowledge, hath given, granted, bargain ? ? enfeoff and confirm unto the said James Richardson his heirs and assigns, one certain Tract or parcel of land lying and being in this District aforesaid containing three ? ? and ? acres of eighth bounded with the said James Richardson. North to the vacant Land South to Jacob ?Coons land and East to the main Road, together with all the singular the priveleges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise pertaining unto the said James Richardson his heirs and assigns forever, To have and to Hole the said Tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and Twenty acres as aforesaid together with the one singular the priveleges ? ? ? ? -ing or in any wise appertaining unto the said James Richardson his heirs or assigns ? ? ? John Piat for himself his heirs Executors and administrators Doth Covenant and Agree to and with the said James Richardson his heirs and assigns the said Tract of Land containing One Hundred and Twenty acres together with all and singular the priveleges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appurtaining he the said John Piat will forever warrant and Defend from him and his heirs unto the said James Richardson his heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use benefit and ?behoaf of him the said James Richardson his heirs and assigns forever, In Testimony whereof the said John Piat hath hereunto subscribed his name and affixed his seal at St Louis the Day and year above written. Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of N F Ledue; Jno Hankinson John Pyeatt (seal) Louisiana Territory District of St Louis Before the subscriber one of the Justices of the court of common pleas of the District aforesaid came the within named John Piat and acknowledged the above Instrument to be his act and Deed and as such desired the same might be recorded, In witness whereof I set my hand and seal the day of the the date of said act and Deed. ? Delaunay (seal) Recorded this Eighteenth Day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and five. N. P. Ledue (seal) ______________________________________________________________________________ Send a friend your Buddy Card and stay in contact always with Excite Messenger http://messenger.excite.com