Analyzing an Old Joshua Pettit Family Record Found in Gilmer Co., GA

Overview

This old Pettit family record from Gilmer County, GA begins with the families of Joshua and Rachel Pettit and William and Elizabeth Poole of Spartanburg County, SC.  Though we do not know for certain, the evidence suggests this record was written down by someone in the family of Rev. John Fulton Pettit sometime shortly after May 21, 1898.  John was born in Rutherford County, NC in 1837.  He was the son of Henry Pettit Jr and Anna Mooney and the great grandson of Joshua and Rachel Pettit of Spartanburg Co., SC.

History of the Document

The Pettit Research Project came into possession of this document on March 26, 2025.  This record was a surprise gift donated by Margaret Peters.

Quick Facts

The dimension of this paper are huge, measuring 42″ by 21″.

The document was originally written in ink. Later additions were made by at least one other person with different handwriting in pencil.

The oldest date written in ink is May 21, 1898, which is the marriage of George F. Pettit and Bessie M. Robinson.

The document traces the ancestry of the Pettit family as well as the Griffith family.  This would be the families of John Fulton Pettit and Rebekah Griffith.  This indicates it was probably written by someone in the John Fulton Pettit family, perhaps John himself or George F.

Mrs. Peters did not know for certain but she believes George F. Pettit created this family record. He was also the author of  an Old Story About Gilmer Co, GA Pettit Pioneers and Other Families which was covered in a previous article.

The document was in the possession of descendants of George F. Pettit’s daughter Ruth and was donated to The Pettit Research Project in 2025.

The oldest generations recorded are Joshua and Rachel Pettit, William and Elizabeth Poole, and Stephen Griffith and Sally Walker.

The youngest generation includes the children of John Fulton Pettit and Rebekah Griffith.

Full Color Scans

Below are high resolution color copies of the record.  Click the image to enlarge.

A New Mystery -Rachel Moody Pettit?

Joshua Pettit’s (1734) wife’s name was Rachel.  There has been considerable debate among researchers as to the identify of her maiden name.  Some say Monroe, others Valentine, others insist there is no evidence of either.  This old family record has a maiden name for Rachel that was not on anyone’s radar.  This record originally had her first name followed by a dash indicating the author did not know her maiden name.  A later addition in pencil, however, has the name “Moody” born about 1740.  How seriously we should take this penciled in addition is anyone’s guess but it is something to keep in mind.

Transcription

Below is a transcription of the family record.  Items listed in blue italics with an asterisks indicate later additions made in pencil.

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