Thanks for reading. Let me know if it has been helpful. If anyone is interested, I have more information on Benjamin Pettit and Elizabeth Hindman that I will be publishing. Also there is some indication that Jane Cathcart's father, Samuel Cathcart, had ties to the Hembrees and Pettits around the time of the Revolution. This will be explored in a future paper as well.
I plan on writing something about Archibald McCravy sometime also simply because he has an interesting life story.
The TWO Bible Records of Benjamin Pettit (1769) of Spartanburg Co., SC and Their Whereabouts Today
The story of how copies of the Benjamin Pettit (1769) family bible records have come down to us through the ages is one of intrigue. There are actually two distinct bible records in circulation among researchers which contain similar lists of the births of Benjamin and Elizabeth Pettit's children...
This bible whereabouts is very cool! I am Ben Pettit, my Father is Fred Pettit, and my Grandfather was William Dogan Pettit. His Dad, my Great Grandfather was Paul Ozane Pettit who like his Father and Grandfather was buried at Friendship Baptist Church. I've found a lot of information about my tree from your site which is awesome. That said, we heard the O’Shields name a lot as two of my Great Grandfather's sisters married O’Shields. They were often at family reunions but I was much too young to remember them if I had went! Anyways, I asked my Dad about Mrs. Clyde Pettit Jr. but he didn't know who that would be. I think we could probably trace the tree and find that person. That said, I'm understand that the Benjamin Pettit Bible is missing the family records pages right? So essentially this would just marry the original bible with what's in the archives?
Hey Ben. So cool that you bear the name of an ancestor born in the 1700s.
I think I can answer a couple of your questions.
First, yes, those pages that are in the National Archives have been removed from the bible. However, when they were removed, the information was re-recorded. Comparing the handwriting on all four pages you can see different penmen. I have some thoughts about this but its speculation. I do not believe old Benjamin (1769) kept the record himself because the info we have on him suggests he was unable to write. I think the second record was probably made by his son Andrew using the original as his source.
As to the whereabouts of the bible today. I believe I have located it. I spoke to a woman who inherited it but does not want to be named. It is in family hands in Spartanburg County, SC.
Brandon Brandon we can take this conversation to email if needed. But I would be super interested in making the connection with the family here. My entire family has lived in Spartanburg essentially since the 1700's. I wonder if I could get in touch with them and possibly photograph the family bible.
Ben,
Believe it or not I was actually in Spartanburg earlier in the month. We kayaked down the Pacolet and took pictures of the old Pettit land. Planning to come back soon. Maybe we can meet up?
I am not sure the owner of the Bible will allow me to divulge their name but I will ask. Will move this conversation to email.