{"id":2007,"date":"2024-01-11T22:42:55","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T22:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pettitresearch.com\/familyhistory\/?p=2007"},"modified":"2025-04-22T21:21:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T21:21:01","slug":"james-pettit-1725-and-martha-mccune-family-record-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pettitresearch.com\/familyhistory\/2024\/01\/11\/james-pettit-1725-and-martha-mccune-family-record-book\/","title":{"rendered":"James Pettit (1725) and Martha McCune Family Record Book"},"content":{"rendered":"

This old record book has ten pages of handwritten records covering the descendants of James Pettit and Martha McCune.\u00a0 Though this record is silent on the matter, others who have researched this family believe this James Pettit married Martha in 1757 at the Newtown Presbyterian Church in Queens County, New York.\u00a0 This family book indicates James and Martha Pettit’s family spread out into Pennsylvania and eventually into Ohio.<\/p>\n

This original record book is now privately held by The Pettit Research Project in Oklahoma.\u00a0 Please contact me<\/a> if you need more information for a proper manuscript citation. Otherwise, for genealogy purposes you can cite this source as a web page on Ancestry.com<\/a>, wikitree.com<\/a> or elsewhere as follows:<\/p>\n

B.W. Pettit, “James Pettit (1725) and Martha McCune Family Record Book,” The Pettit Research Project, January 11, 2024, https:\/\/pettitresearch.com\/familyhistory\/2024\/01\/11\/james-pettit-1725-and-martha-mccune-family-record-book<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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History and Origin of the James Pettit Family Book<\/h2>\n

This small artifact was purchased on January 11, 2024, from a reputable printed memorabilia dealer who had several other old unrelated items for sale. When asked about the book he stated:<\/p>\n

This book was in a large lot of ephemera I bought online.\u00a0 It included hundreds and hundreds of postcards, letters and miscellaneous other documents.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The seller also stated this was the only Pettit family item he had in his collection.\u00a0 Since it was indiscriminately collected alongside a mass of other paper items the precise history of the book is obscure.\u00a0 He believed it came from Ohio or Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Who penned the record and when they did it is a mystery.\u00a0 There are some clues, however, that can aid in formulating a reasonable theory.\u00a0 Identifying the date of the record helps judge the accuracy to some degree.\u00a0 Generally the closer the events are recorded to the time they happened the less likely they are to be inaccurate.<\/p>\n

First, the earliest date recorded is 1757 and the latest is 1841.\u00a0 Second, other visually similar books with the same covers, binding and internal factory print can be dated to the mid to late 1800 and early 1900s.\u00a0 Suffice to say, this record does not appear to be from the 1700s.\u00a0 If the author of the record could be determined, this could also narrow down the chronological range.\u00a0 There are indeed clues that point to the identity of one of the authors.<\/p>\n

Judging by the handwriting, the records were written by at least two different people.\u00a0 The older records, consisting of names a vital statistics, appear to be written on the odd numbered pages.\u00a0 What looks to be more recent trivia about certain family members is found on opposing pages labeled as pages 6 and 12.\u00a0 One crucial clue is found on page 6 which states:<\/p>\n

Mrs. Oliver Ryall of Pittsburg is granddaughter of James B. Lafferty.\u00a0 Martin Lafferty was senator from Pittsburg<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here the author uses the term “is” instead of “was” in reference to Mrs. Oliver Ryall.\u00a0 Though it could be just loose grammar, it might also mean Mrs. Ryall was still living at the time the note was made.\u00a0 This Mrs. Oliver Ryall, as it turns out, is easy to identify.\u00a0 Her death certificate from Allegheny County, PA identifies Mrs. Ryall as Margaret Lafferty, the daughter of a man named John P. Lafferty.\u00a0 (The “P” in John P. Lafferty stands for Pettit.)\u00a0 He was the son of Robert Lafferty who married Priscilla Pettit who is found in this old record book on pages 1 and 7.<\/p>\n

\"Death<\/a>

Death certificate of Margaret Lafferty Ryall showing her father as John P Lafferty.<\/p><\/div>\n

Whoever wrote the more recent notes in this book knew Margaret Lafferty.\u00a0 Margaret’s life covered a span of 85 years from May 26, 1846, to December 12, 1931. The extra handwritten note on page 6 and 12 may have, therefore, been penciled down sometime in that date range.\u00a0 As noted, the other records appear to be older and include very specific dates.\u00a0 Due the specificity it is quite possible this information was copied from a family bible or another record that belonged to one of the children of James and Martha Pettit.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, at this time there is no way to know for sure who wrote the record or when it was taken down.\u00a0 Researchers are therefore cautioned to use this information carefully.\u00a0 There is no reason to doubt the authenticity or legitimacy of this old family book, but it could also be subject to copiest errors or other minor defects.<\/p>\n

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Images of the Pettit\/McCune Pettit Family Record<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a>\"James<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Transcription of the James Pettit and Martha McCune Family Record<\/h2>\n[Page 1]\n

1. James Pettit married Martha McCune<\/p>\n

was a planter and had land near Fredrick [this line in different handwriting]\n

2. Thomas Darling Pettit, md<\/p>\n

born March 25 -1757<\/p>\n

3. Sarah, Sept 26 -1760 d. Aug 26 -1777<\/p>\n

4. James, Feb 28 \u2013 1762<\/p>\n

5. Priscilla, Aug 30- 1765<\/p>\n

6. Alexander, March 1 -1767<\/p>\n

7. Samuel, Feb 4 -1770\u00a0 d. July 5 -1791<\/p>\n

8. William, May 9 1772 d. July 1 \u2013 1836<\/p>\n

9. Mary, March 11 -1775<\/p>\n

10. Elizabeth, Dec 11 -1777<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 2 blank]\n[Page 3]\n

2. Thomas Darling Pettit<\/p>\n

March 25 0 1757<\/p>\n

Married March 8 -1787<\/p>\n

to Margaret —<\/p>\n

Moved to Kentucky \u2013 had<\/p>\n

two children<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 4 blank]\n[Page 5]\n

4. James Pettit Feb 28 -1762<\/p>\n

Married Catherine Jeans\u00a0 Feb 1794<\/p>\n

11. William<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 6]\n[writing on this is different than other writing and in pencil]\n

Mrs Oliver Ryall of<\/p>\n

Pittsburg is<\/p>\n

granddaughter of<\/p>\n

James B Lafferty<\/p>\n

Martin Lafferty was<\/p>\n

senator from<\/p>\n

Pittsburg –<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 7]\n[handwriting the same as at the beginning]\n

5. Priscilla Pettit Aug 30 -1765<\/p>\n

married Robert Lafferty<\/p>\n

May 12 -1789<\/p>\n

Lived and died in<\/p>\n

Indiana Co. Penna.<\/p>\n

12. Sarah<\/p>\n

13. Mary<\/p>\n

{William} live in<\/p>\n

13a. James B {Martin} East Liberty<\/p>\n

{Robert}\u00a0 Penna<\/p>\n

13b. William<\/p>\n

13c. Samuel<\/p>\n

13d. John married McCurdy<\/p>\n

13E. Jonathan<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 8 blank]\n[Page 9]\n

6. Alexander Pettit March 1 – 1767<\/p>\n

married Rosanna Nixon<\/p>\n

Feb 19 -1789<\/p>\n

14. Absalom tenth child<\/p>\n

and first to live<\/p>\n

15. Alexander Hamilton<\/p>\n

physician -all descend-<\/p>\n

ants dead.<\/p>\n

16. William, Married and<\/p>\n

lived in Natches was<\/p>\n

lawyer and was<\/p>\n

assassinated in his<\/p>\n

office by some on unknown.<\/p>\n

17. Rebecca<\/p>\n

18. Rosanna<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 10 blank]\n[Page 11]\n

8. William Pettit born in<\/p>\n

Fredrick Co., Md. May 9 -1836<\/p>\n

Married to Anna McEwen<\/p>\n

of Wittney Valley, who was<\/p>\n

born Feb 9 -1772 died<\/p>\n

March 3 -1841<\/p>\n

19. Elizabeth, Sept 24 -1795<\/p>\n

20. Samuel, Oct 5 -1797<\/p>\n

21. Henry McEwen, Aug 9 -1800<\/p>\n

22. Anna March 27 – 1802<\/p>\n

23. Isabella Oct 8 -1804 died<\/p>\n

unmarried Nov 23 -1879<\/p>\n

24. Martha May 9 -1808<\/p>\n

died May 17 – 1808<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 12]\n[writing on this is different than other writing and in pencil]\n

Mr & Mrs Dixon<\/p>\n

were the grandparents<\/p>\n

of Dr A G Ebert<\/p>\n

we do not have their<\/p>\n

family complete<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 13]\n[handwriting the same as at the beginning]\n

9. Mary Pettit Mar 11 – 1775<\/p>\n

married Feb 23 – 1790 to<\/p>\n

William Nixon who<\/p>\n

died in 1832<\/p>\n

moved to Marietta Ohio<\/p>\n

and hand eight children.<\/p>\n

26. Samuel<\/p>\n

27. Mary<\/p>\n

28. Martha<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[Page 14 blank]\n[Page 15]\n

10. Elizabeth Pettit Dec 11 -1777<\/p>\n

married Jonathan Smyth<\/p>\n

son of Capt James Smyth<\/p>\n

lived and died in mercer PA.<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Download a Copy<\/h2>\n

Researchers may freely download and distribute this record.\u00a0 (Please be sure to cite this website as the source.)\u00a0 A copy in PDF format can be download by clicking the following link: James Pettit and Martha McCune Family Record Book<\/a> (PDF)<\/p>\n

For inquires about its current location and owner, please use this contact form<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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If you found this record helpful, please post a comment below!<\/p>\n

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