PIATT, John Hooper, merchant, born in Boone county, Kentucky, 15 August, 1781 ; died in Washington, D. C., 11 February, 1822. He went to Cincinnati when young, and accumulated a large fortune there, being the first banker west of the Alleghany mountains. When the war of 1812 occurred he contracted with the government to furnish the northwestern army with provisions. Congress having failed to make the necessary appropriations to carry out the contract, and the price of provisions having increased on account of the war, he went to Washington for the purpose of vacating his agreement. But, on receiving verbal assurances from the secretary of war that the difference in rate would be made up to him, he continued to embark his own means in the venture. The army under General Harrison was well supplied, but after the establishment of peace the government repudiated the verbal contract, and he was thrown into prison for debt at the capital, and died there. Sixty years later the supreme court of the United States ordered judgment in behalf of his heirs for the full amount claimed, but the interest has never been paid.