Genealogy of Pettit families in America
About this book Source: Original data: Van Wyck, Katherine Louise Wood,. Genealogy of Pettit families in America : descendants of John Pettit, 1630-1632, first of that name in America. South Pasadena, Calif.?: unknown, 1980.
Notes:
Reproduced from typewritten copy.Includes index.Bibliography: leaves 74-75.
Subjects:
Petty family.Pettit, John, 1608-1662.Dunham family.Upfold family.Pettit family
Table of Contents
Front matter
Title page
Chapter I. An outline of the Hugenot emigration
Chapter II. Hugenots in England and America
Chapter III. Petits in France
Chapter IV. Petits in England
Chapter V. Pettits in America before 1700
Chapter VI. The Pettits begin their life in America
Chapter VII. An outline of the Pettits first twenty years in America
John Pettit I and some of his descendants in the direct line. Division I. Roxbury and Stamford to Sharon
John Pettit I and some of his descendants in the direct line. Division II. Sharon to New York state and westward. Branch I. Dr. James Pettits line. Fredonia, N. Y
Back matter
John Pettit I and some of his descendants in the direct line. Division II. Sharon to New York State and Westward. Branch II. George Pettits Line Fabius N. Y
The Dunham Family
The Upfold Family
Index. All persons hearing the name of Pettit
Index persons hearing other names than Pettit
Transcribed by Wona Chennault
12/2008
GENEALOGY
AND
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF PETTI FAMILIES
1630-1937
Elizabeth Pettit Davenport
Feb. 1945
[Blank]
GENEALOGY OF
PETTIT FAMILIES IN AMERICA
DESCENDANTS OF
JOHN PETTIT 1630-1632
FIRST OF THAT NAME
IN AMERICA
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
KATHERINE LOUISE VAN WYCK
OF SOUTH PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
1936
FORWARD
In preparing the Pettit Genealogy, it seemed dessirable to study and briefly review the Hugenot background, to call attention to the presecutirons for religious principles which were the cause of the original emigrations form France. Also to show the continued religious stanchness during the stay in England which led to the second emigration to America.
The religious characteristics in the descendants of John Pettit (6) and Hannah Dunham of Sharon, Connecticut were enhanced by the Puritan Dunham strain and in the George Pettit branch by his marriage to Jane Uphold, the daughter of Rev. John Uphold.
To the deep religious character of many of the descendants, the letters and biographies remaining amply testify. Although the types of religious faith may have differed with the years, there is abundant evidence that the hight ideals of service and character have continued.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This genealogical study of John Pettit I and some of his descendants was made possible through the interest and foresight of Judge George Pettit of Fabius, N.Y. in preserving the biographical data of members of the family in the early years of 1800 and passing it on to his children and grandchildren. In the latter half of 1800, George Pettit’s Family Bible came into the possession of his grandson, Dr. John Larenzo Heffron of Syracuse, N.Y. who before his death sent it to Milton H. Pettit Sr. now of Bostonia, California.
From Milton H. Pettit I, there came to his daughters Elizabeth Pettit Mailer and Caroline Pettit Griswold, letters, newspaper clippings and other data of value. These and their collections prior to their deaths in 1934, were all made available.
To Mrs. E.P. Crandall (Rose Pettit) of Fredonia, N.Y. we owe most of the information concerning the families of Dr. James Pettit’s branch. Mrs Crandall’s generosity in sharing the results of her years of research is gratefully appreciated.
We acknowledge the help of Mr. Henry Eber Pettit of Oak Park, Ill. and of Mr. Jas. H. Wells of El Cajon, California, in securing information in regard to the descendants of Judge Jas. J. Pettit of Kenosha, Wis. and from Mrs E.D. Andrews (Julia A. Bruner) of Akron, Ohio for information as to the descendants of her grandfather Judge John Uphold Pettit of Wabash, Ind.
We desire to express ou sincere apprciation to Miss Clara Rowell and Mrs. Paota Patrick of the staff of Genealogical Department of the Los Angeles Publich Library of their courtesy, and their patient, skillful assistance.
CHAPTER I
AN OUTLINE OF THE HUGUENOT EMIGRATION(REASONS FOR LEAVING FRANCE)
The religious struggles against the oppression and power of the Roman Catholic church began in Germany witht he protest of Martin Luther. He was born in 1483. He bagan preaching against the power and corruption of the Roman Church in 1517. His followers were in 1529 the first to be called Protestants. Luther died in 1546, but his religious teachings had spread through Germany and Western Europe.
The second great Protestant leader was John Calvin (1509-1564) of Genova, Switzerland, who formulated the doctrines of the Protestants which became the Articles of Faith of the Huguenots, Puritans, and the English people of Scotland.
In Franco and in the Netherlands—Holland, Belgium, Flanders, etc., religious political parties were formed and the struggle for supremacy led to bitter civil and international wars.
In Franco under King Henry II (1547-1559) Catholic influence was paramount and persecutions of the Huguenots began and were renewed periodically for 130 years. Huguenots began leaving Franco in Henry II’s reign. His successor, Francis II, came to the throne in 1559. He was married to Queen Aune of Scotland and the government was in the hands of her uncles, Duke of Guise and Cardinal of Lorraine, zealous Catholics. They began at once to destroy the Huguenots. Twelve hundred persons were executed “with revolting cruelties” in 1560. The Huguenots had increasted in numbers and influence and now included many men of high rank and great ability, and the struggles between the Huguenots and Catholic parties for power in governmental affairs increased. Francis II died in 1560.
Charles IX was only ten and one-half years old when he came to the throne in 1560. His mother, Catherine de Medici, adminstered the government. Her advisor was wise and moderate. Leaders of both parties were placed in the great offices of State. The States-General (Parliment) was assembled and it proclaimed entire religious freedom in France (except in Paris). This was confirmed by royal edict. Four cities, one La Rochelle, were placed as guarantees in the power of the Huguenots, Admiral Coligny being their leader. This, however, did not rostoro their confidence in the government. Both parties were bitter. Catherine became jealous of Admiral Coligny and she “wrung” from King Charles his consent to the death of Coligny and other Protestants. The “Masscere of St. Bartholomeow” was ordered and took place on August 24, 1572. In Paris 10,000 person were “butchered” and 30,000 in other parts of France, without distinction of age or sex. The Huguenots still held La Rochelle and later obtained favorable terms from the government. Charles IX died in 1574. He was succeeded by Henry III.
During the reign of Henry III (of Valois) the Huguenots became very powerful under the leadership of Prince Henry of Navarro and the Prince of Conde. They compelled humiliating confessions fromt he King in 1576.
1.
This led to the formation of a “Holy League” composed of Catholic King Philip of Spain, the Pope, and the French Duke of Guise to secure Papal supremacy, extirpate the Huguenots, overturn the French government and place Catholic Duke of Guise in power. The Huguenots formed a “Counter-League” headed by Henry of Navvare and Prince of Conde. Henry III chose to favor the Holy League and on July 18, 1585 published “the Edict of Nemours” revoking all previous edicts guaranteeing religious freedom and peace and allowed six months to make public profession of the Catholic religion or go into perpetual exile. In the war which ensued in 1587 between the forces of King Henry III and Henry Duke of Guise, and the Huguenots under Prince Henry of Navarre, Henry III found himself at the mercy of the Guises and cuased them to be assassinated. He then allied himself with Henry of Navarre and the Huguenots. A few months later he was assassinated by a monk. (Motleys United Netherlands, Vol. 1, pg. 311.)
In 1589 Henry IV of Navarre, a Huguenot, came to the throne of France. He promised security to both Catholics and Protestants. This displeased the “Holy League”. He had to fight for his throne and won. In 1598 he published the Edict of Nantes “confirming the Huguenots rights and privileges and conferring upon them entire liberty of conscience and admission to all offices of honor and emolument”.
There were in 1607 four thousand great Huguenot Lords and 30,000 Huguenot soldiers. The Huguenots had 740 churches and the best fortresses in France. (Motley’s United Netherlands)
In 1610 Henry IV was assassinated by a half insane fanatic and many Huguenots left France.
Louis XIII, aged nine years, succeeded under the regency of his mother, Mary de Medici. Cardinal Richelieu became her advisor. His first object was to subdue the Huguenots. La Rochelle was besieged and in 1628 compelled in surrender after 15 months during which the population was reduced from 27,000 to 5,000. The other cities in possession of the Huguenots surrendered also and the cause of Protestantism in France was entirely prostrated. Huguenots fled to Holland, England, and New England.
The economic and cultural status of France became very high under Richelieu, the King being a mere cipher. Richelieu died in 1642 and Louis XIII in 1643.
Louis XIV was scarcely five years old when he became King with his mother, Anne of Austria as regent. Cardinal Mezarin, as Prime Minister guided Franco to victory in several wars with Holland and Germany, annexing Alsaco and Strasburg, fixing the coundaries of France much as they are today. Mazarin died in 1661 and the King assumed the reins of government. Under his rule of over 50 years France was very prosperous. The grandeur of his civic and national improvements, his patronage of arts and sciences, wise financial measures, glorified France. His court was magnificent. Madame de Maintenon was his favorite and adviser. A zealous Catholic, she persuaded Louis to revoke the Edict of Nantes. He published the revocation in 1685. Ficerce persecutions had already begun in 1681. Five hundred thousand to one million persons, seven percent of the best blood, business men, trades and skilled craftsmen, fled from France in any way they could to Holland, Dermany, the West Indies, and to America. England received the major part of the emigration, at least for the first flight.
2.
CHAPTER II
HUGUENOTS IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA
The English Church separated from Rome in 1534 and the Bible was first printed in England in 1535. As the first persecutions of any magnitude in France began between 1547 and 1559, Protestant England was the natural refuge.
Queen Elizabeth came to the throne of England in 1558. The Huguenot refugees were welcomed for their industry and skill. The merchants and manufacturers added to England’s prosperity. The bankers, weavers and jewelers were of high station. In 1618, the English men complained to the government that the foreigner’s competition was ruining their business. (“The Huguenots” by Sam’l Smiles)
There were in England in 1558 three religious parties. Those of the Established Church of England, the Roman Catholics and the Protestants, (Independants, Separatists, Brownists, Baptists, etc.) known later as the Puritans.
The first important act of Queen Elizabeth was the re-enactment of the laws of Kind Edward VI (1553) making changes in the “established” religion and ordering severe punishments for those who refused to comply with the liturgy as contained in the Book of Common Prayer.
By the “Act of Supremacy” the English sovereign was made head of Church and by the “act of Conformity” no persons were allowed to attend any places of worship other than those of the Established Church. For refusing to “conform” hundreds of English people suffered death and imprisonment.
Elizabeth died in 1603. James I, who succeeded Elizabeth, proceeded to persecute those who refused to recognize his claim to the “divine right to rule” without control either by Parliament or other governmental agencies (1621), and also those who refused to “conform” to the Established Church. Like Elizabeth, James welcomed the Huguenots and approved their industry, honesty and stability, but hated the “trouble-makers” of the English who contended for the liberties, rights, and privileges granted to Englishman by the Magna Charta signed by King John in 1215.
The Huguenots mingled with the general population and were religiously of the Independents, but they were allowed in several cities to have their own churches with services in French. Large numbers of Huguenots had settled in the Eastern and Southern Counties of England. Nottingham and Lincoln at the North, Norfolk, Cambridge, and Suffolk to the South of them were “hot-beds of non-conformity”, and Essex, Eerts, Kent and Sussex farthest South, were scarcely less so.
The persecutions under Elizabeth and Jame I drove many English Protestants to Holland. One large group found refuge there and lived for nine years at Leyden; but Holland was crowded and there was little opportunity for their children, so emigration to America was determeind upon. The great captains, Drake, Raleigh, John Smith and others had told of the lands beynd the sea. As early as 1562 the Huguenots attempted to establish
3.
a colony on St. Johns river, Florida, Port Royal, but the colonists were massacred by Indians. In 1605 a French colony was started in Nova Scotiia. This also was a filure.
The “Pilgrim Fathers”, one hundred of whom sailed from Holland and England in 1620 led the way and the tide of emigration set westward. Many of the Huguenots who had fled to Holland and England came to New England and New Netherland from 1626-1640 and later 1686-1700. Several French colonies were started—Newtown (now Cambridge, Mass), Oxford, and later in 1688 at New Rochelle, N.Y. in South Carolina in 1700, and in the West Indies. Campbell in his “Puritans in Holland, England, and America” says the Hugenots from Normandy, Gascony and Province let by Gabriel Bornon came by way of England (as most of them did) to Boston. Some remained in Boston, others followed Bernon to settle Oxford. When on August 25, 1696, Oxford was burned by Indians and many massacred, those remaining of the group went with Bernon to New Rochelle. In 1685, 150 Huguenot families came to Massachusetts and the French church was built in Boston in 1693. After the first groups came individual members of families as shown by Hotten’s “Original Lists of Emigrants 1600-1700”.
IN NEW YORK
Baird’s “History of the Huguenot Emigration” states two French families arrived in New Netherland (New York) and went Eastward to the Connecticut River. In 1638 only two French persons were in New York City, but from that time more emigration continued. (Note: The early N.Y. records were very meager, none having been kept for the first 15 years)
In 1671 Huguenot families came to New York from St. Christopher, West Indies. From 1676-1681, Huguenots were in New York and Harlem. In 1683, sixty families came from Canada and some came from Boston. (Jas. Riker’s History of Huguenot Emigration)
From 1681 numbers came to Massachusetts and Virginia but many more to New York and South Carolina (Fiske’s Dutch and Quaker Colonies-Vol. II, pg. 401)
IN NEW ROCHELLE
A company of Huguenots who had fled to England in 1681, in 1686 commissioned Jacob Leisler acting Governor of New Netherland to purchase land for them. He bought from John Pell 6000 acres of a grant from the English King to Thos. Pell (his uncle) on Long Island Sound, for which was paid about $8,000.00. A letter from Dominic Henry Selyns of New York states “on 10thof October, 1688, Nove Rupella (New Rochelle) is being built up” (Clark’s History Westchester Co.) They bought also 100 acres for a French Church which was organized in 1689 and built in 1693. The first Minister was David de Bonrepos from St. Christopher W.I. to Massachusetts thenco to New Rochelle in 1686.
Gazeteer of State of N.Y. by J.H. French, Chapter on Westchester Co. pg. 703, states “The Huguenots who settled New Rochelle were brought over from Bristol in the English King’s ships landing at Bauffets or Bonnefoys Point, N.E. of Davenport’s Point in 1686. The town record of New Rochelle commences November 1, 1699.
4.
For two generations they preserved the French language in all its purity. There was correspondence with other French colonies,--Oxford and Newtown, Mass. Before their church was built in New Rochelle in 1693, the Huguenots walked to New York to worship in the Church of Egliss du St. Esprit, twenty miles distant.
5.
CHAPTER III
PETITS IN FRANCE
The data concerning the Petit families in France before 1700 were taken from the French “Dictionaire de la Noblesse” by de la Chenaye—Published by Desbois et Badier, Paris. It is included only as part of an interesting backgound.
Petit, “ancien Noblesse”, originally came from Normandie and were of the Election of Caen of which family is N—le Petit, ecuyer (esquire) du Vivier whose arms are “de gueules, au lion passant d’or: au chef cousn d’azur, charge de three etoiles du second e’mail”.
Le Petit are descended from the House of Moulines and were divided into two branches: one established in Paris under the name of Petit des Landes, and the othere in the Palatinat under the name of Petit de Maubisson.
In 1259 Jean Petit, ecuyer (esquire), cadet of Moulines, election of Caen, birthplace Caux, attached himself to the service of Bouchard, Comte of Vendome and Castres. He had a son Claude, also a “gentleman in waiting” of Vendome. Claude’s son Louis, attache of the same, was father of Claude II. His son Antoine in 1400, had children, one, Henri succeded Antoino in the position of “sommelier” (butler) of the Corps de Jean (probably a military corps). Henri Petit, ecuyer, with Louis, Comte de Vendome, was made prisoner in the battle of Azincourt in 1415 and carried to England where he died in 1477 and was interred there.
Petit des Landes were all of or near Paris, Seigneurs de Passy, Villeneuve, Pavanne, Etigny and Leudeville. The family was divided into many branches, know nad distinguished in Paris “since most of the Century”, more through the different positions which they have occupied than through their alliances.
They trace their origin to Francois Petit, married first Madeline Louvencourt; second, -- -- de Villeneuve. He was Secretary to the King Louis XIII in 1637. Of the first marriage there were eight lines of descendants. Of the second there were three.
NOTE:
This branch having remained in Paris and in the service of the King and government was undoubtedly Catholic.
Petits of the Palatinat
Francois Petit, ecuyer (esquire) Sieur de Maubisson, was baptisted April 17, 1663, in l’Eglise de Saint Merry Parish. He passed into Germany the Palatinat was a part of Bavaria west of the Rhine) where he established himself. He was counsellor in the service of S.A.S. l’Electeur of Palatinat, Baille (bailiwick) de Veldenz, where he died and was interred in
6.
Parish de St. Remy de Dusemont of the Comte de Veldenz (Veldentz). The Comtes Palatinat of the Rhine were royal officials under the Emperor of Germany in the 10th century. The office was hereditary. The ruling family became extinct in 1685.
In 1583 the Electeur, Louis VI, was a Lutheran and his successor from 1583-1592 gave every encouragement to the Calvinists. The great majority of the inhabitants of the Palatinat were Protestants. This was undoubtedly the reason for Francois Petit settling in the Palatinat.
About 1690 Louis XIV attacked and devastated the Palatinat for six years. In 1697 “for money”, he abandoned his claim that the region belonged to France (Encyclopaedia Brittanica). The Petits in Normandie and in the Palatinat were undoubtedly Huguenots.
The Encyclopaedia Brittanica and La Grand Encyclopaedia (French) have pages in regard to individual Petits, prominent in France as botanists, physicians, surgeons, and men of other professions. Others were sent on government missions to foreign countries.
At the siege of Antwerp (then city of the Netherlands) by the Spaniards in 1585, “Historian Le Petit, a resident of Antwerp, was sent on a secret mission to Paris to secure auxiliary force and pecuniary subsidy from King Henry III. He returned with encouragement”. Queen Eliabeth was also appealed to by a commission and promised aid but delayed too long. Antwerp fell and the inhabitants were “put to the sword”.
In 1685 James II had come to the throne of England. He was very unpopular at the end of three years. Prince Williams of Orange also an heir to the throne of England “descended from Germany” into the Netherlands to raise an army with which to enforce his claim. There had been many Huguenot officers and men in the Dutch Army fighting the Spaniards. Seven hundred thrity six officers joined William of Orange. He had two regiments entirely of Huguenots, 2250 men. Prince William landed with his army at Torbay, England, November 15, 1688 and defeated the Army of King James. The crown was conferred jointly on William of Orange and Mary his wife also an heir to the throne. (Motley’s United Netherlands)
Of this army “Petit, Le sieur, was an officer in the Red Dragoons. Many descendants of this family have served in the British army and held offices in Church and State”. (Huguenot Refugees and Their Descendants, 1618-1688 by Samuel Smiles).
Smiles states that “50,000 Huguenots found safety in England four years before the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.” Of these were the settlers of New Rochelle.
“The chief numbers were from the northern and western province of France directly into England, Iceland, America and Cape of Good Hope”.
“One hundred forty families of Huguenots left England in 1622, some going to Holland but the greater number going to the American colonies already formed on Massachusetts Bay”.
(Cooper’s List in the Camden Society Papers, lists Petits and Pettites, silk weavers and makers of fabrics living in England in 16818.)
Note 1.
The Butler of a royal household was an official of high rank whose duties, though primarily connected with the supply of wine for the royal
7.
table, varied in the different courts in which the office appears, chief male servant of the household. In England counts, earls and other nobles held office as Butler to the King. From the Encyclopaedia Brittanica we learn that all families named Butler in England and Amerca are descendants of men who held the office of Butler to the royal families.
Note 2.
The ancestral seat of the Princes of Orange was Dillenburg in Nassau Province of Germany.
8.
CHAPTER IV
PETTITS IN ENGLAND
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED:
English Surnames (Beardsloy)
Homes of Family Names in Great Britain (Guppy)
Family Names (Baring-Gould)
British Family Names (Barber)
The original name Petit, or Le Petit, was Norman French and was anglicized. The various spellings in England and America were Pettit, Pittitt, Pettitt, Pettye, Petty, Pettet, Petyt, Pettis, and possibly Pettee.
Some Petits in England seem to have come from France early and settled in Cornwall, and later in Kent, Essex, Sussex, Bedford, Oxford, and Suffolk, containing the greater numbers.
In “Visitations of Cornwall” by Vivian*, the pedigree of the families of Petit and Treasahar is given from the death of Sir Robert Hellegan in 1272 through twenty-four generations to 1740.
In the fourth generation the heir was Isabel daughter of Sir Belemus Hellegan who married Sir John Petit, Knight, whose son became head of line. He was, through his mother, great-grandson of King John of France who died in 1364. The Petits continued as heads of the family with the title “Sir” borne by twelve generations. The direct male line seems to have become extinct in 1515. The seat of the Petit family in Cornwall was Ardevora. The arms of the Petits are displayed on a capital of St. Just Church, in Roseland.
The women of the Petit family married men of the Gentry class. (see pedigrees in “Visitations” under names of Philleigh, Carminowe, Trevanion, Poylo, or Poile. (Philleigh pedigree herewith).
“Visitations of Kent” by Bannerman 1574-1619
Pedigree of Petitt Family founded by Valentin Petitt records six generations 1574-1619. The son of Valentin was John Petit who became a London Alderman. His son Valentyn and family owned the Dandelion Estate on the Island of Thanot, Kent, in the 16th and 17th centuries. (Pedigree herewith.) Guppy’s Homes of Family Names in G.B. published 1890, gives nine Petitt families in Kent in that year.
“Visitations of Suffolk” by Metcalf and Sir Edw. Bysshe.
The pedigree begins with Gyles Pettit in Horshheath, County of Cambridge. His son John Pettit signed the pedigree. He had four children, Edward, son
*Note: All “Visitations” mentioned were published by the Harleian Society, London.
9.
and heir, aged ten in 1664, John, Charles, and Elizabeth. Guppy gives 23 Pettit (sometimes spelled Pettet) families in Suffolk in 1890. (Pedigree herewith)
“Visitation of Essex” by Berry, refers to marriage of Phillip Brisco eldest son of John Brisco of Aldenham to Joan, daughter and co-heir of William Petit of County Kent. Their grandson, Robert Brisco, was eight years old in 1634. (Pedigree herewith.)
Guppy gives 18 Pettit families in Kent in 1890, twelve in Bedford, ten in Sussex. Guppy also states Pettit (and varied spellings) in Essex, England six centuries ago, and in the 15th century in Norfolk.
Barber lists “Pettit, French Petit, a Huguenot name—1618” (no first name, no residenc)
Victoria History of the Counties of England, Edited by Wm. Page, -Essex Co. Division, - states “a few Huguenots from 1572 on, found their way to Essex Co. Their presence partly accounts for the energy and determination with which the Puritan doctrines were received and adopted in Essex.”
The Huguenot refugees in the 16th and 17th centuries established in Essex the manufacture of Bays and Says which flouished for over 200 years (Bays, blankets with long nap—Says, a kind of serge cloth.)
Saffron Walden was so called because of the Saffron grown in the region. It was exported to all countries.
10.
From “Visitations of Conwall” – VivianPhilleigh
Pedigree of families of Peit and Tresahar of Ardevora
ob. 1272
_______
__________
_____________ la Blanche, dau. of King John of France,
ob. 1364. Isabel ob. 1313
___
_______
_______
________
_____
_______
__________
_________ and Jane Velesborough
__________
___________
___________
1515
“Arms of Petit”
“Argent, a lion passant
(or salent) gules.”
11.
From Visitations of Kent
__________
______________________
____________________________________________________
dau. Alex no issue dau. of no issue
Northwood Thacher
Elias—unmarried
______________________________ _______________
(son & heir) m. 2. Maria
dau. Tho. Cleve
_______________________________________________________________________
m. Wm. Parker son & heir age 22 age abt. 19 age 16 age 14
age 23 in
1619
From Visitations of Suffolk__________________________
m. 2. Mary, dau. Jos. Chamberlain
_________________________
John
Charles
Elizabeth
Signed John Pettit
12.
CHAPTER V
Petits in America before 1700The name “Pettit” in the records in America is as variously spelled as it was in England.
The Pettits in America of whom records have been found are as follows:
Anne Pettit’s name is on “Hotton’s earliest list of emigrants, 1600-1700” (John Camden Hotten). In “The Wintrhop Fleet” Chas. Edw. Banks states that she arrived at Salem, Mass. Colony June 16, 1630 on one of five Winthrop ships from Saffron Walden, Essex Co., England. She transferred her membership from the “State” church there to Salem and from Salem to Boston in August 1630. She was enrolled in the Boston Church as Anna (Pettit) *Peters, doubtless was married after arrival in America and before August 1630. (Pioneers of Massachusets by Pope; Planters of the Commonwealth by Banks). William M. Pettit of Dayton, Ohio in response to a letter of inquiry written to the Vicar of the church at Saffron Walden, received the information that Anna Pettit of Widford was baptized there in April 1610 and was the daughter of Henry Pettit, a Huguenot refugee. No further information in regard to Anna Pettit Peters has been found. She was undoubtedly a sister of John and Thomas Pettit and preceded them to America.
Thomas Pettit emigrated from England with his wife Christian, daughter of Oliver Mallows (Mellowes) (Mellows) who brought also his second wife and his other children.
John Pettit was a communicant of the church at Ipswich, Mass. in 1631-2. He was found in Boston in 1634. Thomas Pettit seems to have gone with Oliver Mallows directly to Boston. Later he went to Exeter N.H. and Long Island. John Pettit was employed in Boston by Oliver Mallows but was found in Roxbury, Mass. 1634-1644.
(Compendium of American Genealogy)
(Pioneers of Mass. by Pope)
(Details of history later)
*Or Peeters
In New Netherland (New York) on May 27, 1694, in the Huguenot Church Eglise du St. Esprit Marie, daughter of Jean Pettit and Ester Sousean was baptised by Rev. Peyret, Minister. The witnesses were Jean Le Chevalier and Marie Morillet. (Collections Huguenot Society pg. 36)
One Thomas Pettit married Catherine Branch Nov. 26, 1697 (New York Genealogical and Biographical Records)
In 1700, one Judith Petit married Isaac Bataille, weaver, and fled from Rouen, France to South Carolina and one Marguerite Petit married to Nicholas Brochet from Nanteuil des Meaux with their son Nicholas, his wife, Suzanne Danay and children also went to South Carolina. Meaux is 30 miles N.E. of Paris. (Huguenot Emigration by Baird, Vol. 2, pg. 74 and 104)
There were Petits in New York and in New Rochelle, but whether the familie were original settlers or from the near-by colonies on Long Island or Connecticutt there was found no evidence.
“History of Westchest Co.” by Rob’t Bolton, Vol. 1, pg. 587, records a petition signed with 28 names to grant permission to Benjamin Petit of
13.
New Rochelle to build a mill, voted April 17, 1724. (pg. 599). From New Rochelle Town Records, at a Town meeting in 1815, William Pettit was granted land or a road (pg.412). In 1824 Wm. Pettit was present at a Town meeting. Also was recorded as Pathmaster of the First District. That there was intercourse between the French of New Rochelle and the Pettits of Newtown, Long Island is borne out by the Town Records of New Rochelle. One Thos. Pettit of Newtown was willed a tract of land by Theophilo Fourrestier. Deed was dated 1715. Bairds “Huguenot Emigration” gives as residents of New /Rochelle Theophile Fourrestier age 56, Charles, age 54 and Jean, all in New Rochelle from Cozos, France.
There were several entries in regard to this land will to Thos. Pettit. On page 130 the name was spelled “Petit”, on page 134-“Pettits”, page 135-“Pettit”, page 140-“Petit”, showing (as in Sharon Records) that the clerk spelled by sound rather than by knowledge.
THE PETTIT TRADITION OF ORIGIN
The Pettit Family Tradition accepted by the descendants of the Sharon, Conn. line has been substantially as follows:
“John Pettit left La Rochelle, Fr. in the fall of 1685 with other Huguenots, being obliged to flee because of persecutions following the revocation by Louis XIV of the Edict of Nantes. Taking only such articles as were necessary, they sailed on a small ship of 160 tons burthen, arriving in New York in mid-winter after an unusually severe passage of over two months duration. They settled on a beautiful tract of land a few miles north of N.Y. City on the East River, naming the settlement New Rochelle. The family continued to reside there until removal to Sharon, Conn.”
The tradition does not accord with the true history of the founding of New Rochelle, as evidenced by data already set forth, nor with the clear evidence as to the settlement of Stamford and of Sharon. It is of record that the settlers of New Rochelle spoke pure French for fity years. There are no French names in the Stamford Pettit line nor any indication that they spake French.
14.
CHAPTER VI
THE PETTIS BEGIN THEIR LIFE IN AMERICAThere have been no records found to suppor the New Rochelle tradition of their having landed in New York direct from France.
The “Compendium of American Genealogy” records John Pettit in Roxbury, Mass., and Thos. Pettit, his brother, with Thomas’ wife and father-in-law, Oliver Mallows as being in Boston in 1634.
There is abundant reason for believing that John (born in Widford, Exxes, in 1608) and Thos. Pettit and Oliver Mallows at the time of their coming to America, left the same district in England as the great Puritan leaders. This embraced the counties of Norfolk, Nottingham, Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertford (Herts), Essex and Kent, a region approximately 18 miles long by 80 miles wide. The greatest number went from Suffolk and Essex. As already stated, there were a number of Pettit families in each of these counties. Seeking clews as to their English Source, we find in “British Family Names” by Barber, that “Mallows” the name of Thos. Pettits father-in-law and “Marlow” originally were Marlieux in France and Mallows was a local family name in Hertfordshire, which borders Essex.
In Suffolk on August 26, 1629, twelve of the most eminent Puritan leaders resolved to lead an emigration under John Winthrop, of Groton, and Thos. Dudley. John Winthrop (born 1588) sailed from Southhampton on the ship “Arbella” on April 22, 1630. Seventeen ships brought 1000 persons to Mass. colony. They poured over Boston, Charleston, Newtown (Cambridge), Roxbury, Dorchester and Watertown.
John Winthrop was elected Governor of Massachusetts colony, in 1637. (“Life and Letters of John Winthrop” by R.C. Winthrop)
From Essex came John Eliot, the first teacher and pastor of the first church in Roxbury. John Eliot was born at Widford, Essex (25 miles north of London). When he was six years old, his parents moved to Nasing, Essex Co. After he was graduated with B.A. degree from Cambridge University in 1622 he was employed by Thomas Hooker at Little Baddow School near Chelmsford, Essex. He sailed from London with sixty others (one of whom was John Winthrop Jr.) in the ship “Lyon” on August 23, 1631, arrived at Boston November 3, 1631. His age was 27. He served a church in Boston for one year. “His English friends and neighbors had arrived and settled in Roxbury and he went in 1632 to be with them as teacher and minister. He was called the “Apostle to Indians” (History of Roxbury by Ellis)
Thos. Hooker, the great leader, driven out of Essex in 1630 for “non-conformity” went to Delft, Holland. He was pastor of an English Puritan church there. In 1633 he came to Boston and became pastor of the church in Newtown (Cambridge). (Note: Dissatisfied with the lack of liberality of the Puritans of Massachusetts, he led a party of one hundred persons on foot, driving their cattle to found Hartford in Connecticutt. Of this group John Marsh of Braintree, Essex, England, was one.)
15.
In 1634 nearly four thousand had arrived in Massachusetts colony.
It is unbelievable that the Huguenot Pettits and Mallows should not have been familiar with this great emigration of Protestants and known, or know of, the Puritan leaders mentioned as well as Wm. Bradford, Wm. Brewster and John Robinson, leaders of the group in Norfolk and Nottingham Counties who fled from persecution to Holland in 1611 and settled Plymouth colony in 1620.
Was it not natural that John Pettit, also born in Widford, should have gone to Roxbury for the same reason John Eliot, “to be near his English friend and neighbors” of whom John Eliot himself was perhaps one?
16.
CHAPTER VII
AN OUTLINE OF THE PETTIT’S FIRST TWENTY YEARS IN AMERICA
Although the “Compendium of American Genealogy” Vol. 1, pgs. 665 & 914, states taht “John Pettit came from England with his brother Thomas and Thomas’ father-in-law, Oliver Mallows and was in Roxbury in 1634”, other records are in conflict.
There is authentic record that Anne Pettit was the first to come in 1630. John Pettit was recorded in church record of Ipswich, Mass. Col. as a communicant in 1631-2 and as living in Ipswich in 1633.
There is authentic record that Thoams and his wife and Oliver Mellows, with his second wife and children, emigrated in 1633. John Pettit worked for Oliver Mallows in Boston in 1634, but went to Roxbury, Mass. Colony, 1634-1636.
John Pettit was born in Widford, Essex Co. England. Probably he was attracted to Roxbury for the same reason as John Eliot, also born in Widford, “to be with friends and neighbors”. Ninety-two came from Essex Co. in the “Winthrop Fleet”. Also it is possible that he was not in sympathy, as were Thomas and Oliver Mallows, with the religious controversy engendered in Boston by the doctrines advocated by Mrs. Anne Hutchinson and Rev. Wheelwright which culminated in 1636-7.
John Pettit was born in Widford, Essex Co., England in 1608 and was 26 years old in 1634. His name appears as a resident of Roxbury and is listed as a communicant of the first church in the handwriting of John Eliot, its teacher. In 1639, the list on the leaf of the “original Town Records of earliest inhabitants, 1636-40” (Remainder of record lost.) reads:
“24-1/2 acres ---- John Pettit ---- 8”
In “Town of Roxbury” Drake states: “The figures in the right hand column sometimes erroneously supposed to indicate the number of persons in the respective households, have an evident correspondence with the number of acres given in the column on the left, and are perhaps a valuation in pounds and shillings. Some of the figures have been torn off.”
“Roxbury Land Records” in the Town Books, a complete and accurate list of the inhabitants, sets forth that “one Wm. Denison asked permission to maintain a fence between John Johnson’s land and his land” which he bought from John Pettit. Petition dated January 8, 1644. Also in 1644 a “petition to enclose tracts of land” one of which was 51-1/2 acres bought of one Edward Porter and John Pettit lying in the thousand acres at Dedham. The sale of these lands indicate the approximate time when John Pettit migrated from Roxbury. Probably in Roxbury, John Pettit married Debrow --- and born there were John II in 1638 and Deborw. “Compendium of American Genealogy”, Vol. 1, pg. 665, states John Pettit went from Roxbury to Long Island.
Stamford was started in 1640 by a group following the lead of Andrew Ward. “History of Stamfore” by Huntington says “John Pettit was one of the first white settlers and was credited with children before 1650.” The names of John Pettit and Debrow Pettit appear on a “list of person coming to Stamford between 1643-1676”. (History of Fairfield Co. by D. Hamilton Hurd, pg. 698). Thomas Pettit was undoubtedly attracted to Long Island by John’s persence at Stamford. There was intercourse between the families, evidence in recordings of marriage, etc. in both places.
17.
(Authorities consulted)
New England Pioneers by Pope
Pioneers of Massachusetts by Pope
Town of Roxbury by Francis S. Drake
History of Roxbury by Ellis, pg. 18 and 126
Roxbury Land Records
The genealogical Records begin with John Petit in Stamford in 1650, from the Records of births, marriages and deaths given in the History of Stamford by Huntington, and data from American Genealogist by Donald L. Jacobus.
Thomas Pettit—1610-1690.
Thomas Pettit was born in Widford, Essex Co., England, 1610. He emigrated to Boston, Mass. Colony in 1633 with Oliver Mellows (Mallowes) and his family. In 1636 Thomas married his daughter Christian Mallowes, b. 1620/1. Oliver Mallowes advanced the passage money for Thomas who worked for him in payment for 3-1/2 years, until August 11, 1637. He was granted a house lot in Boston Jan. 8, 1638. (Pioneers of Mass. by Pope) (Record Commission Vol.2, pg. 22)
Oliver Mallowes operated a mill and both Thomas and John worked for him, Thomas until 1637, John until he went to Roxbury.
Thomas Pettit and Oliver Mallows were sympathizors with Rev. John Wheelwright. Thomas followed him to a new settlement at Exiter, New Hampshire in 1638, where Thoas signed the “Exiter Combination” on April 2, 1640. (Exiter Comination, see note 2). In the religious controversy in Boston over Mrs. Hutchison and Rev. Wheelwright Thomas was arrested on charge of “suspition of slander, idelness and stubborness and was censured to be severely whipped and kept in hould”. (Records of the colony of Mass. pg. 194). The sentence was not carried out. Thomas Pettit received six acres at Exiter as his share of the Combination. He was appointed a “Culler of pipe staves” for the town Feb. 1647.
In October 1651 he was authorized to sign a petition on behalf of the town, in regard to boundaries and to sign an agreement with the minister on June 13, 1655. He was select man in 1652 and 1655; after the latter year his name disappears from Exiter.
Thomas Pettit, Jr., his son, had a grant of 30 acres in Exiter in Feb. 1647-8. His daughter Hannah was born in Feb. 1647-8. “The Essex Institute”, Vol. 3, pg. 15, also records her birth and “Compendium of American Genealogy” lists a son Nathaniel born 1646. The “essex Antiquarian” Vol. 1, pg. 179, records John, Ted (Thos.) and Mary Pettit as witnesses to a deed executed by Edw. Gilman, Nov. 14, 1654. History of Exiter by Chas. H. Bell pg. 31, states, “Thomas’ wife was named Christian.”
In 1655 Thomas Pettit migrated to Long Island settling first at Mespat, but was so troubled by Indians that he removed to Flushing. “Later a goodly number of Englishmen came from New England and the Connecticut shore.” A settlement was made at Newtown in which Thomas Pettit was a leader. He was Marshal of the Town Court in 1658 and 1660; Thomas Jr. was assessor 1691-1693. Nathanial and Moses were established as residents and free
18.
holders and Thomas Jr. and Nathaniel each received 10 acres of woodland Apr. 23, 1668. They and John received tracts of land, deeds and patents Nov. 25, 1686 under the draft of the charter received in the beginning of 1686.
“Annals of Newtown” by Riker, pg. 110, mentions sons of Thomas Pettit, Thomas Jr., Moses, Nathaniel, John, and “Essex Institute” records daughter Hannah and Essex Antiquarian mentions Mary.
Nathaniel, born 1646, married Mary Field. He purchased 800 acres of land in Delaware. On Sept. 13, 1673 as a Quaker he refused the oath of allegiance. He died in 1714.
From Thomas Pettit’s descendants have sprung the Pettits who mirated westward through New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This line cover by “Pettit Family in america” is not carried on.
Note 1.
Oliver Mellows (Mallows) appears to have been man of some means. He was son of Abraham and Martha Bulkeley Mallowes, nephew of Rev. Peter Bulkeley. He married first Mary James at Boston, England, Jan. 1, 1620,* mother of Christian who married Thomas Pettit. He married, second, Elizabeth Conney Mar. 1, 1633 in Boston, England and emigrated the same year, with his second wifee and children. He was charter member of First Church, Boston, Mass. Col. in May, 1634, and was elected a Freeman in Sept. 1634 (American Genealogist, V. 11, pg. 4). He was a sympathizer with Rev. Wheelwright and was disarmed in 1637 in Boston. He had three children born in Boston 1634-1638. He died intestate in 1638 in Braintree.
Note 2.
The Exiter Combination. (From History of Exiter by Chas. Bell, pg. 32.) Rev. John Wheelwright minister of First Church in Boston in Jan. 1636-7 preached a sermon sympathizing with Mrs. Hutchinson for this he was tried and banished being given two weeks to depart. After going to Rhode Island for the winter, in April, 1638, he went to Swampscot Falls, then in New Hamshire. There he founded a church, secured land of which the Morrimac River was the southern boundary. He called it Exiter.
In July 1639 a combination of nearby plantations, a voluntary association for governmental purposes was formed and called “The Exiter Combination”. In 1643 all the plantations of New Hampshire came under Massachusetts except Exiter and it was received Sept. 7, 1643 upon petition which Thomas Pettit signed.
*The dates were secured from records in Bosston, England by Wm. M. Pettit of Dayton, Ohio, and give to M*on H. Pettit (2) in 1928.
19.
Genealogy of Pettit families in America Van Wyck, Katherine Louise Wood,. Genealogy of Pettit families in America : descendants of John Pettit, 1630-1632, first of that name in America.