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

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

At least 6 Pettit Immigrants came to Virginia and Maryland in the early to mid 1600s.

First Pettits in America Series #8 -Thomas Pettit/Petite Maryland 1639

Thomas Petite and his wife came to the Province of Maryland in the year 1639. In 1645 Thomas imported a child named Catherine Petite who is presumed to be his daughter though the record never explicitly declares this. By 1649 he had acquired the right and title to 450 acres of land near the lower Cedar Point on the north side of the Potomac River in western St. Mary County. His plantation was near what was once called Petite’s Creek.

First Pettits in America Series #7 -Francis Pettit Virginia ~1630s

A Francis Pettit was born around 1612 and was living in Northampton County, VA as early as 1636. He owned a plantation near Cherrystone Creek on the Eastern Shore. He was married to a woman named Ann and had at least one son named Francis. He was also related in some manner to Obedience Robins.

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.

Henry Pettit (1689), Boston Sailor with a Surprising Origin

Wedding bells rang out on December 28, 1718, as Henry Pettit and Sarah Gibbs were married before the Reverend Sam Miles in Boston, MA. The Presbyterian marriage was just 3 days after Christmas Sunday. Sarah Gibbs was the daughter of John and Mary Gibbs of Boston. John Gibbs was a painter by trade, specializing in decorative staining and funeral escutcheons.

First Pettits in America Series #5 –Joshua Pettit/Josue Petit, French Huguenot or Waldensian Refugee in Virginia in 1700

Joshua Pettit (Josue Petit) a French Waldensian or Huguenot, arrived in Virginia in September of 1700 as a colonist bound for Manakintown.

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

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

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

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

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.