The information below was part of the original article. It was removed on 9/21/23 after discussion with Janet Wood, another Pettit family researcher, revealed that this James Pettet is probably not the same man mentioned in the Bible record. That researcher commented:
"I was able to read the probate and will of that John Pettit and all the right sons are listed in his will, he mentions James, but in the past tense since it is his granddaughter "Elsy Ann Pettit, reputed daughter of my son James" who he leaves a small sum of money to. Elsy Ann is reported to be in the territory of Wisconsin whereabouts unknown. This will was written in 1839 and probated in 1840 The probate does not mention James as an heir but does again mention the granddaughter, Elsy Ann Pettit. James of the bible record was firmly place in Chenango Co. NY in 1840 with a wife and family."
I concur and have removed this speculatory piece but am preserving it here in the comments for historical purpose. Original section follows:
(Possible) Family History
It has not yet been confirmed but it is suspected that this James Pettet may be the son of a John Pettit written about in The History of Saratoga County, NY by Nathaniel Nartlett Sylvester published in 1878. In that book a biography of John Pettit is described, mentioning a son named James Pettit who could have been the author of this Bible record. James is said to have been a soldier in the War of 1812 and the James in this Bible record would have been about 18 years old at the time. An excerpt from that book is quoted below:
John Pettit was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in August, 1764. Being of a studious turn of mind, he early began to study and his first lessons in writing were taken with a coal for a pencil and a strip of birch-bark for a copy-book. As soon as he was old enough to do so he enlisted in the continental army, and served till the close of the Revolution, and then returned to his Massachusetts home. Here he soon after married Mary Barnes, and in 1793 emigrated to New York, and settled a little north of Greenfield Centre, on the farm no occupied by Hiram T. Lawton. Upon the erection of the town he became, by appointment, one of the justices of the peace, and held that office for forty-one consecutive years. He was elected supervisor four times, and was a member of the Assembly in 1817 and again in 1823.
His family consisted of eight sons and five daughters. Three of his sons, John, James, and Paris were solider in the War of 1812. Paris was killed in battle at Sacket’s Harbor. John was taken prisoner, and carried to Quebec. James passed through the war unharmed. Another son, William R. Pettit, removed to Gorham, Ontario Co., where he still lives, at an advanced aged. He was a member of the Assembly, from the first district of Ontario county, in 1852. The only other surviving child is Alexander H. Pettit, of Fairweather, Adams Co., Ill. John Pettit died, fill of years and honors, Jan.1 1840.
