First Pettits in America Series Archives - Pettit Family Genealogy and History

First Pettits in American Series #6 –William Pettit of Louisa Co., VA -Possible French Irish Immigrant ~1720

It is said that a William Pettit (born around 1697) migrated to Louisa Co., VA around 1720. Some researchers claim William Pettit’s land of nativity was Ireland while others state that he came from France. Though vastly different countries, these two origins need not be mutually exclusive. It is very possible he (or his parents) came to Ireland after leaving France in the protestant migration.

First Pettits in America Series #4 –John Petit/Pettit, a French Surgeon in Virginia, ~1638

By Brandon

John Pettit/Petit came to Virginia from France as early as 1638. He settled in the Charles River County area which would become York County. He was a surgeon. He petitioned the House of Burgese to become a ditizen in 1666. His will was written in 1669 and it revealed John Petit married a woman named Rebecca and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret.

First Pettits in America Series #3 –Colonel Thomas Pettit/Petty/Pettus of Littletown Virginia, ~1641

By Brandon

NOTE: There is every reason to believe this man’s name was Pettus and not Pettit. Unfortunately there are a number of genealogists who erroneously mix Thomas Pettus with Thomas Pettit and his wife Katherine who lived in a different area of Virginia. The information in this article is provided in order to help researchers keep the two men and their lives separated.

First Pettits in America Series #2 –Thomas Pettit and Katherine of Rapp. Co., Virginia, before 1655

By Brandon

Thomas Pettit and Katherine his wife were in the Rappahannock River settlement in Virginia as early as 1656. They had one son, Thomas Pettit Jr and one daughter, Dorothy. It is likely that this Thomas is the ancestor of many of the Pettits in America today including those who trace their line back to Surry Co., NC.

First Pettits in America Series #1 –Richard Pettit; Virginia Immigrant in 1636

By Brandon

The First Pettits in America Series. In this installment we look at the documents surrounding the immigration of Richard Pettit to Virginia in 1636 by Alexander Stomer.