Berks County, Pennsylvania
With the following documents, please notice that Berks County, Pennsylvania records
documented George's name as George Plott (Blatt/Blott/Plaut) not Jorgen or Jonathan.
documented George's name as George Plott (Blatt/Blott/Plaut) not Jorgen or Jonathan.
When George Plott signed his daughter Catherine's marriage record and the two deeds, one to each of his sons John and Henry, George gave us lessons on German script and phonetics. Stop and ponder for a moment that our greatx grandpa George, although deceased for over two hundred years, is still teaching his grandchildren German and phonics.
B, b and P are interchangeable for Plott. George wrote in German "blott or blatt", which also phonetically sounds like Plott. The "o" is phonetically interchangeable with "a" and "au". The "tt" could be one "t", "d", "dt" or look like "th". So, when researching, we are looking for: Plott, Platt, Blott, Blatt, Blett, Blad, Blod, Bladt, Black, Block, Blodt, , Plaut, Ploth, etc. in German script and phonically.
The below tax lists were ordered by the British government, whose English clerks tried to understand people with thick German accents. The English clerk wrote phonetically what he heard. George paid his taxes. The task of paying and recording George's taxes was completed.
For years, we have wondered why we could not find George Plott's early records, well a couple of the answers are that we need to consider German script and we need to look for the Plott surname phonetically. Now, we know that George and Margaret lived in the Berks County, Pennsylvania area for about twenty-five (25) years. The documents that George signed and authorized confirm what his son, Daniel, told Dr. George Engelmann in 1837, "Father and mother had come as children from Germany, had married in Philadelphia, were to Reading, or as the Germans say, pulled Redingen in Pennsylvania, and then even before the Revolutionary War with many other Germans moved to North Carolina." Reading is the county seat of Berks County. The below tax lists are from Berks County, Pennsylvania.
B, b and P are interchangeable for Plott. George wrote in German "blott or blatt", which also phonetically sounds like Plott. The "o" is phonetically interchangeable with "a" and "au". The "tt" could be one "t", "d", "dt" or look like "th". So, when researching, we are looking for: Plott, Platt, Blott, Blatt, Blett, Blad, Blod, Bladt, Black, Block, Blodt, , Plaut, Ploth, etc. in German script and phonically.
The below tax lists were ordered by the British government, whose English clerks tried to understand people with thick German accents. The English clerk wrote phonetically what he heard. George paid his taxes. The task of paying and recording George's taxes was completed.
For years, we have wondered why we could not find George Plott's early records, well a couple of the answers are that we need to consider German script and we need to look for the Plott surname phonetically. Now, we know that George and Margaret lived in the Berks County, Pennsylvania area for about twenty-five (25) years. The documents that George signed and authorized confirm what his son, Daniel, told Dr. George Engelmann in 1837, "Father and mother had come as children from Germany, had married in Philadelphia, were to Reading, or as the Germans say, pulled Redingen in Pennsylvania, and then even before the Revolutionary War with many other Germans moved to North Carolina." Reading is the county seat of Berks County. The below tax lists are from Berks County, Pennsylvania.
1758
I found this on a microfilm that I ordered to view through FamilySearch . com. I apologize for the poor images. I took camera pictures of the microfilm images. I have requested to the Pennsylvania Archives copies of the original taxable. I will post copies when I am in receipt.
Mr. Montgomery wrote:
"Names of the taxables of the several districts of Berks County as secured by Assessors for the year 1758. They were entered in three separate records, but not arranged alphabetically, ..."
"The three original records are in the custody of the Historical Society of Berks County at No 519 Court Street, Reading."
Mr. Montgomery wrote:
"Names of the taxables of the several districts of Berks County as secured by Assessors for the year 1758. They were entered in three separate records, but not arranged alphabetically, ..."
"The three original records are in the custody of the Historical Society of Berks County at No 519 Court Street, Reading."
1760
1760 Maidencreek, Berks County, Pennsylvania Tax List. George Plott was listed with the surname "Plaut". Remember, this was Colonial British rule. So, the English speaking and writing clerk wrote what he heard. "Plaut" for "Plott". George was listed as single. His older brother was Frederick, who was listed as married and also with the surname "Plaut". George and Frederick were listed on the second page of this file.
The heading reads, "A Record of Provincial Tax of One Shilling and six pence per pound and twenty shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks in November 1760."
The heading reads, "A Record of Provincial Tax of One Shilling and six pence per pound and twenty shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks in November 1760."
1762
1762 Tax List for Berks County, Pennsylvania. Geo Blatt was recorded on the Windsor Township list. His older brother, Frederick Platt, was listed on the Maiden Creek list. Please note the spellings variance of the surnames for each. George was recorded with the surname "Blatt" and Frederick was recorded with the surname "Platt". Both were married. This means that George married Margaret during 1761-December 1762.
"A Register of a Tax of one Shilling and six pence per pound and Twenty Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks County in December 1762. Towards sinking divers Sums of Money granted to his Majesty's Use, by an Act of Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania."
"A Register of a Tax of one Shilling and six pence per pound and Twenty Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks County in December 1762. Towards sinking divers Sums of Money granted to his Majesty's Use, by an Act of Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania."
1763
1763 Tax List for Berks County, Pennsylvania. George was listed as George Blad with his younger brother listed as Adam Blad. Both were listed on as married.
"A Register of a Tax of one Shilling & six pence per Inhabitants of Berks County in December 1763. Towards sink divers Sums of Money granted to his Majesty's Use, by an act of Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania."
"A Register of a Tax of one Shilling & six pence per Inhabitants of Berks County in December 1763. Towards sink divers Sums of Money granted to his Majesty's Use, by an act of Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania."
1764
1764 Tax List for Berks County, Pennsylvania. George was listed as Geo Platt with his older brother Frederick Platt. Please notice that the surname for this tax list begin with a "P" instead of a "B".
"A Register of a County Tax of three Pence per Pound and nine Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks, towards paying the charge of Building a Court House & defraying other Charges that appertain to the said County."
"A Register of a County Tax of three Pence per Pound and nine Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks, towards paying the charge of Building a Court House & defraying other Charges that appertain to the said County."
1765
1765 Tax List for Berks County, Pennsylvania. George Plott was listed as George Blatt with his older brother, Fred.k (Frederick) Blatt and his younger brother, Adam Blatt.
"A Register of a Tax of three Pence per Pound and Nine Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks County in the year 1765. Toward defraying the Charge of Killing and destroying Wolves, Foxes and Crows and building a Court House in Reading with such other uses as may resound to the public Benefit of the said County."
The 1765 Tax List was the last time George was reported as paying taxes in Berks County, Pennsylvania. George and Margaret were moving to Cabarrus County, North Carolina. George bought property from the Castors in 1767.
"A Register of a Tax of three Pence per Pound and Nine Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks County in the year 1765. Toward defraying the Charge of Killing and destroying Wolves, Foxes and Crows and building a Court House in Reading with such other uses as may resound to the public Benefit of the said County."
The 1765 Tax List was the last time George was reported as paying taxes in Berks County, Pennsylvania. George and Margaret were moving to Cabarrus County, North Carolina. George bought property from the Castors in 1767.
1766
1766 Tax List Berks County, Pennsylvania. The "1765" Tax List was the last time George was reported as paying taxes in Berks County, Pennsylvania. George and Margaret were moving to Cabarrus County, North Carolina. George bought property from the Castors in 1767 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Date of Record 1768 July, Date on Document: November 4, 1767, Type Deed, Grantor Jacob & Cristina Castor, Paid 20 pounds, Brief Description 74 A (acres) Cold Water & Dutch Buffalo Creeks, Mecklenburg/Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Deed Book 3, Page 186. He was documented as “George Plat”.
On this 1766 Tax List, his younger brother was listed as Adam Blatt and his older brother was listed as Fred.k (Frederick) Platt. I highlight that Adam was listed as "Blatt" and Frederick was listed as "Platt".
As I mentioned above, George was not listed on the 1766 tax register, as he and Margaret had moved from Berks County (Reading area) to North Carolina. This movement agrees with information their son, Daniel, told Dr. George Engelmann in 1837, "Father and mother had come as children from Germany, had married in Philadelphia, were to Reading, or as the Germans say, pulled Redingen in Pennsylvania, and then even before the Revolutionary War with many other Germans moved to North Carolina."
"A Register of a Tax of Three pense per Pound and nine Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks Count in the Year of our Lord 1766 Towards defraying the Charges of Killings and destroying Wolves, Foxes & Crows with such other Uses as may resound to the Public Benefit of the said county."
On this 1766 Tax List, his younger brother was listed as Adam Blatt and his older brother was listed as Fred.k (Frederick) Platt. I highlight that Adam was listed as "Blatt" and Frederick was listed as "Platt".
As I mentioned above, George was not listed on the 1766 tax register, as he and Margaret had moved from Berks County (Reading area) to North Carolina. This movement agrees with information their son, Daniel, told Dr. George Engelmann in 1837, "Father and mother had come as children from Germany, had married in Philadelphia, were to Reading, or as the Germans say, pulled Redingen in Pennsylvania, and then even before the Revolutionary War with many other Germans moved to North Carolina."
"A Register of a Tax of Three pense per Pound and nine Shillings per Head laid on the Inhabitants of Berks Count in the Year of our Lord 1766 Towards defraying the Charges of Killings and destroying Wolves, Foxes & Crows with such other Uses as may resound to the Public Benefit of the said county."