At least 6 Pettit Immigrants to Virginia and Maryland in the 1600s

The Pettit Research Project has identified at least six distinct “Pettit” immigrants who came to the colonies of Virginia and Maryland in the early to mid 1600s.  The goal of this post is to create a quick reference point for researchers to use to be able to distinguish between these immigrants. It is important to note than not all of them spelled their name “Pettit” and, thankfully, most of them went to different areas of the colonies as highlighted on the map below.

The map above shows what is believed to be the approximate locations where various Pettit immigrants settled in Virginia and Maryland in the 1600s.  More information on each of these can be found in the related articles below.

• First Pettits in America Series #1 –Richard Pettit; Virginia Immigrant in 1636
• First Pettits in America Series #2 –Thomas Pettit and Katherine of Rapp. Co., Virginia, before 1655
• First Pettits in America Series #3 –Colonel Thomas Pettit/Petty/Pettus of Littletown Virginia, ~1641
• First Pettits in America Series #4 –John Petit/Pettit, a French Surgeon in Virginia, ~1638
• First Pettits in America Series #7 -Francis Pettit Virginia ~1630s
• First Pettits in America Series #8 -Thomas Pettit/Petite Maryland 1639

Aside from these immigrants who were in the colonies quite early, there were two others who came after 1700.  The following articles touch on them and their lives:

• First Pettits in America Series #5 –Joshua Pettit/Josue Petit, French Huguenot or Waldensian Refugee in Virginia in 1700
• First Pettits in American Series #6 –William Pettit of Louisa Co., VA -Possible French Irish Immigrant ~1720

The map below represents Virginia and Maryland in 1660.  All the above 1600s immigrants would have already been in the colonies at this time.  Note the limited extent to which colonization had extended inland.

Virginia 1660