John Platt UE, Montreal

John Platt UE

c1756 - aft 1802, Montreal, Quebec

Home Page My database at Rootsweb Contact Me
Pioneers of the Bay of Quinte

Why I am interested in this man
.
In researching some Platt families of Prince Edward County there was mention of a connection to John Platt UE. This research below supports the conclusion that there is no known connection between John Platt UE and the Quinte area Platt families.

© Randy Saylor, 2019


Use these links to jump up and down this page.
  1. John Platt UE Loyalist
  2. Other possible children of John Platt UE
  3. Records
  4. Strays

1. JOHN PLATT UE LOYALIST
John Platt is the only Platt on the UE list. His petitions are mostly found in Lower Canada records but a few are in the Upper Canada records as well. Following the petitions chronologically reveals his war record, land accumulation and identifies his wife and son.

There are 56 "hits" for the name Platt in the Land Petitions of Lower Canada, 1764-1841 [LPLC] and a few petitions in Upper Canada. From them it is determined that John Platt started serving in August 1775. He became a Lieutenant in the Regiment of Foot Commanded by Major James Rogers [Rogers Rangers] and in 1788 received 600 acres in Hawkesbury Township in Upper Canada. He hired men to improve the land and found settlers for this land. In 1796 he applied to Upper Canada for 1400 acres but was refused because he lived out of the Province [ie: he was living in Montreal]. He petitioned again in Lower Canada in 1798 for 1400 acres for himself and also for his son George and wife Ann. George was granted 600 acres and Ann 1200 acres for a family total of 3200 acres not including the original 600 acres. The family resided in Montreal.

George was born about 1776 and married a wife named Elizabeth and she was a widow in 1826.

John Platt's wife is named Ann. An Anne Platt petitions in 1801 in Upper Canada successfully for 200 acres as the daughter of Loyalist John Wragg UE, deceased, of Lower Canada. She is granted 200 acres in Landsdowne Tp and is said to be living in Elizabethtown, both in Leeds County near Brockville. Is this the same woman? One connecting record is an affidavit that John Platt UE gives for a Robert Wragg in the Loyalist Claims Commission. No conclusion is made here that this Ann of Elizabethtown is the wife of John Platt UE.

Curiously there are two conflicting records for land being granted in Upper Canada. John Platt's own petitions (below) state he received 600 acres in Hawkesbury Township, Prescott County in 1788. An alternate grant is recorded as John Platt UE being granted lot 10 in Con 1 and Con 2 in Charlottenburgh Tp, Glengarry County in 1788. The land records might clarify this question though this researcher trusts John's petition.

In conclusion, John Platt UE was granted a lot of land and was likely a wealthy man. It appears that he had one wife Ann and one son George. George was born about 1776 and if John was at least 20 years old then his birth year would be about 1756; though probably earlier. His last petition found so far is 1802. His will has not been found and given his wealth one would expect a will to be probated. From the affidavit it appears he may have lived around Saratoga before the Revolutionary War. Church records have not been checked.



2. OTHER POSSIBLE CHILDREN OF JOHN PLATT UE
Dr. H.C. Burleigh's genealogical work is highly regarded and his papers are on line at Queens University. His Platt folder has among its pages an extensive chart of the Caleb Platt - Lois Elsworth family. Most of the chart involves the Elsworth ancestral line but on the left we see a John Platt. Burleigh has used dashed lines to indicate the possibility of three of his children being Prudence Platt, Jemima Platt and Caleb Platt. None of these children petition for land as a son or daughter of a Loyalist. Is this John Platt the same man as the loyalist of that name? Given that Burleigh was the genealogist for the Kingston UEL Association and there are letters in the folder discussing descent from this John Platt, it is concluded here that Burleigh treated the John Platt named as potentially the loyalist. In a 1957 letter Burleigh instructs a person looking to prove Caleb is a son of John Platt UE to check if Caleb applied as the son of a loyalist. Clearly, Burleigh was not convinced.
Source: Dr H.C. Burleighs Papers, Caleb Platt and Lois Elsworth, Platt folder, online at Queens University, p. 12, 18, 26.

Conclusion
It is concluded that Prudence, Jemima and Caleb are NOT children of John Platt UE. They are not named in any of John's petitions and the fact that none of them petitioned as a SUE or DUE is strong evidence that they are not children of John Platt the Loyalist. See this page for more on the Platts of Prince Edward County.



3. RECORDS
Blacksmith of Saratoga, NY
"John Platt UE, the Saratoga New York Blacksmith who served as a Loyalist spy and brought news to Governor Carelton of the American attack on Montreal in 1775 before it happened, and who later settled in the city as a Loyalist."
Source: The Loyalist Gazette, Spring 2018, 32

1783 List
"Ludwig Street late Lieut of the Militia by a Commisssion of Govr Tryon Esq"
"Joseph Reichert late Lieut ... Do ..."
A list of names compiled under the signature of John Platt Ensn [Ensign, not yet a Lieut.]
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 190, C-2565, Online at LAC, Item 70062, starts at page 90990

1787 Petition
22 Jan 1787, We the subscribers ... appointed Saml Adams to be our sole agent ...
John Platt [is named as one of the subscribers.]
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 29, C-2504, Online at LAC, Item 70063, starts at page 15447

1787 Loyalist Claims
[Excerpts] [157] 22 June 1787, John Platt, Saratoga, Albany Co, blacksmith, now of Montreal, native of Derbyshire, England, came to America in 1768 settled Saratoga. In Sept 1775 was at St Georges Ticonderoga and Crown Point long enough to determine the strength of forces there. Proceeded to St Johns three weeks before the enemy and delivered intelligence to Maj Preston, 26th Regt.
[158] Taken prisoner for his Loyalty and "tryed" 3 times at White Creek. Joined Army 4 Aug 1777 at Fort Edward under Burgoyne and taken prisoner at capitulation at Saratoga. Prisoner with two of his negroes by Capt Morgan who questioned him
[159] Your memorialist not giving satisfactory answers was struck over the head several times with a club and three ribs broken. His packet taken with 25 to 30 guineas. Made his escape and joined Royal Army at Ticonderoga and aided in recruiting and secret service 1775 - 1781. No recompense till 20 Jun 1781 when Genl Haldimand put him on the pension list till 24 Dec 1783.
[160] Losses listed.
973 acres, house, bar, saw mill, stables £2000
blacksmith tools, rum, Negroe man and woman, logs sawed into boards, etc
total £2728 New York Currency
[161-2] 22 Jun 1787 Montreal - repeats much of what is above with evidence such as deeds. These men swear in person on his behalf: Maj James Rogers, Maj Edward Jessup, Hugh Munro, Richard Wrag and Isaac Lew?
Source: PRO, London, UK American Loyalist Claims, 1776-1835, on Ancestry, Series 1, Class: AO 12, 026

John Platt UE does not appear in the Claims report listed below. However, there is a John Platt who is a witness for a claim by Hugh Munro of Albany Co. and Richard Wragg of Saratoga. John Platt had bought land from a Robert Hoaksley. All were loyalists. Note that Richard Wragg has the same surname as John's wife's maiden name.
Source: The Second Report of The Bureau of Archives For the Province of Ontario, Subtitle: United Empire Loyalists, Enquiry into the Losses and Services in Consequence of Their Loyalty, Evidence in the Canadian Claims, 1904, Alexander Fraser. It is online at Archive.org, 944-948

1796 UC Petition
13 Feb 1796, Montreal, petition of John Platt, Lieutenant in His Majesty's late provintial[sic] Regiment of Foot Commanded by Major James Rogers ... has only received 600 acres ... brother officers of the same rank ...have universally received an additional Bounty of 1400 acres ... in the Eastern District on or near the south end of the Rideau Lake in the County of Leeds ...
[fold note] It appearing that the petitioner does not reside in the province The committee cannot at present accomodate the Prayer of the petitioner.
Entered in Land Book B, page 107
Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, 1796, V 400, P2/15, C-2489, on line starts at image 177

1797 Affadavit
6 Nov 1797, Montreal, John Platt affidavit in support of John McDole, formerly a farmer living in Saratoga, who he has known for 27 years. [signed] John Platt late Lieut in Rogers Rangers.
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 130, C-2543, Online at LAC, Item 70067, starts at page 64099. See also Item 70068.

1798 LC Petition
27 Mar 1798 Montreal, petition of John Platt of the City of Montreal, Lieutenant in His Majesty's late provincial Regiment of Foot Commanded by Major James Rogers ... joined ... August 1775 ... and brought intelligence of the approach of General Montgomery towards Canada, which information Memorialist communicated to General Prescot then commanding his Majestys Garrison in the City of Montreal, three weeks prior to General Montgomerys Army arriving at St Johns ... had his lands, buildings and property in America confiscated ... on 13th November 1788 obtained a certificate for 600 acres in the Township of Hawkesbury in Glengarry County in the Province of Upper Canada ... at considerable expenses in clearing and improving the 600 acres ... erecting dwelling Houses and barns and settling familys upon the same at cost £300 ... prays for 1400 acres ... in either Townships of Hammingsford, Clifton or Chatham ...
[Fold note] 14 Dec 1799, recommend the land be granted from the townships on the north shore of the Ottawa River as there is no grantable land left in the townships named.
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 158, C-2554, Online at LAC, Item 70070, starts at page 77629
An alternate grant is recorded as John Platt UE, residence Montreal, being granted lot 10 in Con 1 and Con 2 in Charlottenburgh Tp, Glengarry County in 1788.
Source: Ont. Land Records Index, OLRI, see Platt.

1798 LC Petition
24 Apr 1798 Montreal, petition of George Platt, of the City of Montreal ... [This petition is in the same hand of the one above and repeats much of what his father stated. His father is not named but is without a doubt, John Platt.] That your memorialist is in the twenty second year of his age [b. abt 1776] ... prays for 1200 acres ... [signed] George Platt
[fold] 14 Dec 1799, Land committee recommends 600 acres due to services of his father ... to be set apart of the North Shore of the Ottawa River
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 158, C-2554, Online at LAC, Item 70052, starts at page 77624

1800 LC Petition
2 Oct 1800, Montreal, bundle of petitions of John Platt with others. In consequence of orders in my favor for 1400 acres, in the favor of my wife for 1200 acres and my son for 600 acres of land on the North side of the Grand River [Ottawa River], passed in Council 27 Jan 1800. I purchased a bark canoe hired an Indian and a white man and employed Simon Z Watson Esq deputy surveyor to assist me in exploring the said lands ... township of Buckingham ... passed the falls at Chaudiere at Township of Eardly [the land was found unacceptable for cultivation] ... prays for land in Township annexed ... [signed] John Platt
[fold note]  28 Oct 1800, [Land committee agrees the north shore is not suitable and recommends the grants of the petitioners be made in other areas being opened up. They are named.]
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 83, C-2525, Online at LAC, Item 70074, starts at page 41455

1801 Anne Platt petition
10 Feb 1801, petition of Anne Platt UE, of Elizabethtown, daughter of John Wragg UE of the province of Lower Canada ... lawful age and married, has never received lands ... prays [for land] ...
... certify I am and have been personally acquainted with her father who has resided in Lower Canada ever since the year 1778  Thomas Sherwood JP
[fold] 24 Feb 1801, recd for 200 acre as dau of UE
Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, 1801, V 401, P5/7, C-2489, on line starts at image 1055
Anne Platt residing in Elizabethtown, Leeds County, is granted Lot 9, Con 4 Landsdowne Tp, Leeds County, 24 Feb 1801 as a DUE.
Source: Ont. Land Records Index, OLRI, see Platt.

1802 Roxton Tp.
5 Nov 1802, Quebec, Distribution of the South half of the Township of Roxton
John Platt, lots 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13; Sixth Range, 1200 acres
George Platt, 15, 16, 18; Sixth Range, 600 acres
Ann Platt, 19, 20, 22, 23, 225, 26; Sixth range, 1400 acres
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 42, C-2509, Online at LAC, Item 70035, starts at page 21086
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 95, C-2529, Online at LAC, Item 70036, starts at page 47201
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 71, C-2521, Online at LAC, Item 70030, starts at page 35793

1827 Petition
1 Jan 1826, Quebec, Persons claiming lands in the township of  Hinchinbrook and Godmanchester ...
Elizabeth Platt in trust for the heirs of the late George Platt, Godmanchester Township, 716 acres, This portion is claimed by the heirs of the late George Platt who claim them under the original nominees -
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 52, C-2513, Online at LAC, Item 70046, starts at page 26810

UE List
John Platt is on the UE List as residing in the East District, Montreal and employed in the Secret Service J.F.
Source: The centennial of the settlement of Upper Canada by the United Empire Loyalists, 1784-1884; the celebrations at Adolphustown, Toronto and Niagara, with an appendix, containing a copy of the U.E. List, preserved in the Crown Lands Department at Toronto, 1885, Rose Pub page 236



4. STRAY RECORDS
1792 John Plat of Vermont
A long list of named individuals from Vermont seeking land in Quebec as settlers  - not Loyalists.
A John Plat[?] is one of those named. This man may never have left Vermont.
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 55, C-2514, Online at LAC, Item 70064, starts at page 28065

1798 and 1800 Beard Platt
28 Apr 1798, List of persons who have appeared before the Commissioners at Missiskouie Bay ...
19 Mar 1799, E. Beard Platt, protestant, 1 male only, came from St Armand and intends to settle there
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 37, C-2507, Online at LAC, Item 70043, starts at page 18728

3 Mar 1800, St Armand, Petition of Beard Platt of St Armand, Bedford County ... Epenetus Platt, deceased, the father of ... the petitioner [accounts how father was treated by Rebels losing his property worth $7000, being imprisoned in Simsbury Mines in the State of Connecticut for 9 months ... he died soon after the close of the war thereby prevented from applying for compensation ...
Affidavit certifies the father was a Captain in the Militia before the Revolution and living a few miles from New Milford  in the then Colony of Connecticut ...
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 158, C-2554, Online at LAC, Item 70041, starts at page 77620

1792 Doby[?] Platt
1792, List of individuals seeking land in Quebec.
Doby Platt is named
Source: LPLC, RG1 L3L, V 44, C-2510, Online at LAC, Item 70042, starts at page 22011

Peter Platto is on the UE list but is not likely connected to this family.
5 July 1823, petition of Peter Platto [of Bertie Tp, Niagara area], served as a private soldier in Capt Hares? Company in the Corps of Butlers Rangers during the American Revolution ... entitled to be entered on the UE list
[52d] John Butler certifies John Platto was in Capt Hares Company
[52i] recommended on the UE list
Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, 1823, V 404a, P13/52, C-2491, on line starts at image 1109

9 July 1834, petition of Cornelius Plato or Blado [sic], son of Peter Platto, prays SUE
[fold] recommended SUE as son of Peter Platto
Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, 1834, V 408a, P18/198, C-2731A, on line starts at image 989