1839 Letter George Pettit in Fabius, NY to John R. Pettit in Lima, OH
1839 Letter from George Pettit in Fabius, NY to John R. Pettit in Lima, OH
This original letter was acquired by The Pettit Research Project in January of 2025 from a private US Postal Service collectables dealer located in Lakeland, FL.
On April 5, 1839, George Pettit (1780-1866) of Fabius, NY wrote this letter to his brother John Riddell Pettit (1793-1855) in Lima, OH. In it, George discusses his fluctuating health and his plans to sell the farm and move to the northwest. He mentions their brother David Pettit and David’s son Jonathan Pettit.
A transcription of the letter can be found below and high resolution images of the letter below that. A brief but extremely flattering biography of George Pettit originally published in 1896 is at the very end of this article.
Currently the most widely published genealogy of George Pettit shows him as follows:
- George Pettit (the author) (1780-1866) +Elizabeth Sweetland (1784-1811)
- Captain Jonathan Pettit (1752-1835) +Agnes Riddell (1752-1833)
- John Pettit (1720-1754) + Hannah Dunham (1721-1805)
- Jonathan Pettit (1693-1772) + Hannah Holly (1694-1739)
- John Pettit (1668-1715) + Mary Bates (1671-1702)
- John Pettit (1638-1676) + Sarah Schoield (1645-)
- John Pettit (1608-1662)
(The Pettit Research Project has not confirmed this lineage and this is included for reference only.)
Living Pettit descendants of the above John Pettit 1608-1662 have participated in y-DNA testing which has proven this branch of Pettits is distinct from those who descend from Thomas Pettit (b~1610) and Christian, his wife, who migrated to Boston. This is the same family described in another old letter published by The Pettit Reserach Project in 2022. That letter, written by Elnora Pettit in 1864, extensively discusses this Pettit clan’s genealogy. The other letter can be found here: Another Old Genealogy of John Pettit (1608) Hand Written by Elnora Pettit (1808-1886), Daughter of Dr. James Pettit (1777-1849) and Lucy Felt (1777-1859)
Transcription of 1839 Letter
[Page 1]
Dear Brother Monroe Pritnam Co April 5th 1839
It has been more than two years since I had
a letter from you and near as long since I wrote to
you, once I am *** I have wrote to you if not more
since I received any and the more do I wonder be-
-cause in your frequent correspondence with Brother
David and his Daughter my name is but hardly
worth a place but let it *** in my best letter
about two years ago I stated my situation of health
which was poor but when the warm weather sets in
my health gradually improved and I have enjoyed
it comfortably until about two months ago since
which time I have been weak feeble and sickly but
not confined. I keep about and do light work and
chores but my strength for heavy work is gone I expect
forever my complaint is on my lungs ^I think and general
weaknesses I feel thankful to the father of heaven that
I am yet alive and pray that while it is spared it
will be to His glory and my eternal welfare
the next of the family are comfortably well ***
*** expected Brother David left ^ here after having been
near his place on a job digging a race with his son
Jonathan about the middle of February which so ****
**** some six or eight weeks they frequently visited
us —– by our request and happly we spent a number
of the long winter evenings in conversation on vari-
our subjects, in one of these visits while conversing about
the situation and health of their country the **** of
our farms ** David told me that in one of your last
letters to him you had given him full liberty to sell
his place if he thought he could better himself so
we both concluded we could better pros*** by selling
the first good opportunity accordingly I have sold
[Page 2]
if my life is spared my object is to remove some one two
three or more hundreds of miles to the northwest and
spend the remainder of my life in or near the parallel of
latitude my former was and if David sells we shall go
together and buy out the **** left after paying you
and other debts for cheap and government land
if the course I have taken and propose to follow meets your
assent I shall rejoice and entertain the hope to continue
the load of your money some further length of time under
the existing contract or some new one order at you
disen**** if so you conclude to favor me I will give
and am able to give you satisfactory security either
by mortgage or entry again in your name the whole
amount of Money Due you at the expiration of the
ten year or again I will give you the obligations
of the Mare I sold to with my own —- to become
Due the first of Nov 1840 which would be quite
a help to me and yet before the bond is due or ten
years expired, but if otherwise you decide I am
also prepared for I have received 150 dollars for the express
purpose to **** my contract with you and get your deed
of this lot and the money is now and at your order I
am obligated to make a good and sufficient deed in law
by the first of September next which is the time I have
fixed upon to start to the west you will know therefore
that it will be all important to me to have your
deed signed by your wife acknowledged and forwarded
to me before or by that time in compliance with some one
pf the above proposals the former will suit me best as my
means is limited and I shall consider it a great favor
but if it does not answer your feelings I hope the latter
will and ^ claim it as my wright in fulfillment of the contract
I hope and request you write and answer this soon as
received and propose and divest agreeable to your wishes
if you want the money it is nearly **** in your
letter what money you will take and how to send it
this as ever from your affectionate brother
George Pettit Esq
John R Pettit
Images of Letter
Envelope
Seal
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Biography of George Pettit (1780-1866) of Fabious, NY
Below is a brief biography on George Pettit for Fabious, NY who was the son of Dr. James Pettit a descendant of the John Pettit (1608-1662) Pettit line. This quote is taken from Onondaga’s centennial. Gleanings of a Century by Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908 published in 1896 by The Boston History Company.
Hon. George Pettit, of New England stock, was born January 13, 1780. He came to Fabius and located in Keeney’s Settlement in 1800. A few years later he moved to a large farm just south of Fabius village. He was a member of assembly from his assembly district for 1821, 1835, and 1836, associate judge of the old Court of Common Pleas of the county during 1823, 1828, and 1838, for a long time postmaster at Fabius, justice of the peace for many years, and a soldier of the war of 1812.
For many years he was the most noted and eminent citizen in the town of Fabius. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. In his intercourse and controversy with his fellow townsmen he invariably carried his point and maintained his position. He demolished all adversaries and opposition. He had a will of iron, and a firmness seldom equaled. He deliberately reached a conclusion, and then he could not be shaken from it. It was said that his extended information gave him the mastery on all occasions.
He was a popular man, took an interest in all town and public matters, and his judgment and advice were usually relied upon and followed. On a legal question his opinion had much weight, and few lawyers could render a better one. In religious matters he took a broad interest. For a quarter of a century he was the bone and sinew of the Baptist church in Fabius village. Heart, hand and purse were freely given to the cause; and the church, during this time, was virtually under his control. No dishonorable or unmanly act was ever charged to George Pettit. Through his long life, midst all his varied occupations, he escaped damaging errors as well as the vile breath of the calumniator.
His long life ended, he sank to rest on the 9th day of August, 1866, and his remains were placed in the family burial lot in Fabius Evergreen Cemetery, beside one who brightened his home existence for many years. George Pettit married three wives, one of whom survived at the time of his death. He had a large family of children. Jonathan E. Pettit was one of the oldest, and possessed many of his father’s characteristics.