Re: VT Rev War Soldier - Nathan PRATT
-
In reply to:
VT Rev War Soldier - Nathan PRATT
Debbie Smith 11/18/00
Debbie
It is possible that the wrong service has been assigned by the DAR especially if it was an early application.However, usually it is required that the evidence make sense.In others words if all the birth is in MA death is in MI and marriage records are from VTthey would question a service records from PA or SC but might not question one from VT or NY.You are required to prove residence during the revolution but it is always possible that the year your Nathan moved out another Nathan moved in and it appears to be one Nathan.Have you requested a copy of the most recent Nathan Pratt application or visited the DAR Library.This would allow you to see what proof is listed.
Geri would be able to tell you if he is listed in the Federal Pension and service record.Mostly likely no, if the archives has already said no records.While some states did give bounty land, Vermont was not one of them and there is no Nathan Pratt listed in the Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants awarded by State Governments.
As to how to tell if it is the correct Nathan there is no way to be absolutely sure unless you find a statement from him listing his serve.However, one way is to check out who else is on the payroll with him and find them.Usually a unit was made up of neighbors so if you can place most of the men to a particular area and that is the area where you ancestor is from then you can make the probability it is the correct Nathan Pratt.Also check out the dates of birth of children if he was supposedly in PA for 2 years but had 2 children born in VE then there may a question.Also check out tax records, I know on one when my ancestor was away fighting the tax payer is listed as Mrs Matthew Dunaway and then as Elizabeth Dunaway before being called Widow Dunaway for the rest of her life.
You may end up having to trace out all the Nathan Pratts in VT so you can show that all the other possibilities cannot belong to the service.I have more information on the wrong Onion family in Maryland than I do on my Onion family.IT did not help that they both had sons named William born in March 2 years apart.But the other William moved to Delaware where he married while mine moved to KY and then In.
I hope this helps some.
Julia Coldren-Walker
More Replies:
-
Re: VT Rev War Soldier - Nathan PRATT
Debbie Smith 11/19/00