Hi everyone. I'm hoping you can help me verify a Pettit family connection.
I believe my ggg grandfather (William McDaniel born circa 1820 in North Carolina) to be the eldest son of Thomas Smith McDaniel (1795 - 1851) and Hannah Pettit (1799 - 1883), daughter of Henry Pettit Sr. I was wondering if anyone on here had any information on this family that might help make the connection.
I find Thomas and Hannah and family in Gilmer County, GA in the 1850 census. Living directly next door to Thomas and Hannah is their son Henry Columbus McDaniel and his wife and child. Appearing on the same census page, a few doors down, is a William McDaniel (age 31, born in NC) living in the household of a Green Felmat (sp?). William later marries and moves to the neighboring Murray County, GA where he appears in the 1860 and 1870 censuses and various other county records. He appears to have died between 1874 and 1877, and his widow and children eventually migrate to northwestern Mississippi, appearing in DeSoto County, MS as early as 1877.
I believe William's presence in the 1850 census so near to Thomas is not a coincidence. Also, I note that William's eldest son was named John Henry and his second son was named Thomas.
If anyone can help me shed any light on this, it would be much appreciated.
David McDaniel
