Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

necticut. This is the farm which was
deeded to the immigrant, Captain Richard
Osborn, for his services in the Pequot
War. Turney Osborn married, January
9, 1812, Sarah, born August 28, 1783, died
June 16, 1859, a descendant of Stephen
Pierson.
(VII) Gregory Thomas Osborn, son
of Turney and Sarah Osborn, was born
February 14, 1820, in Georgetown, Con-
necticut, and was educated in the district
schools. In early life he was a farmer
and later engaged in business as a cattle
dealer. He went West and to Canada,
buying cattle and then driving them to
the home market. It is said he bought
the first western steers ever brought to
this part of Connecticut. At first a Whig,
Mr. Osborn later joined the ranks of the
Republican party, and was one of the
original John C. Fremont men in this sec-
tion. When Horace Greeley was de-
feated, Mr. Osborn became a Cleveland
Democrat. Mr. Osborn was elected to
the Legislature for a term and served in
the first session held in the new Capitol.
He also served as selectman ; was a member
of the Train Band, and an orderly
sergeant. His sword is now in the possession
of his son. Mr. Osborn married
Mary Elizabeth Piatt, daughter of David
Piatt, a descendant of Richard Piatt.
They were the parents of William Edgar
Osborn, of extended mention below.
Richard Piatt and his wife Mary landed
in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1638.
Their son, John Piatt, moved to Milford,
Connecticut, where he married Hannah
Clark, daughter of "Farmer" George
Clark, of that town. On June 6, 1660, he
came to Norwalk and built his home on
the old Fairfield path. He was one of
the most noted men in Norwalk history,
and was appointed in October, 1665, as
commissioner to view grounds with refer-
ence to new plantations, and was one of
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323
the party who laid out Danbury, Connecticut.
His son, John (2) Piatt, was
born in 1664, and married, in May, 1695,
Sarah Wood, daughter of Ephraim Wood.
Their son, John (3) Piatt, married Sarah
Hickox, and they were the parents of
Samuel Piatt, who married, March 2,
1757, Ann Raymond, daughter of Jabez
Raymond. Justus Piatt, their son, was
born September 10, 1768, and died March
17, 1849; hemarried (first) Hannah Smith,
born March 18, 1773, died January 15,
1830. They were the parents of David
Piatt, born May 24, 1797; he married,
October 7, 1822, Mary Hanford, daughter
of Isaac and Albacinda (Chapman) Hanford.
She died February 5, 1892. David
Piatt was engaged in the edge-tool business
on the Newton turnpike in the town
of Weston, Connecticut, and lived the lat-
ter part of his life across the river in the
town of Wilton. He was one of the charter
members of Temple Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Westport. He died
April 30, 1871, and his daughter, Mary
Elizabeth, became the wife of Gregory
Thomas Osborn, as above noted.
OSBORN, William Edgar,
Business Man, Public Official.
Very often we find the representative of
one of the early Colonial families taking
an active part in the administration of
public affairs, and it seems particularly
fitting that this should be so. A worthy
scion of the Osborn family, and treasurer
of the town of Westport, Connecticut,
William Edgar Osborn holds a respected
place among his fellow-citizens. He is
a son of Gregory T. and Mary E. (Piatt)
Osborn (q. v.), and was born in Georgetown,
Connecticut, where he received his
education.
For a time after completing his school-
ing, he worked on the farm with his father