Family Empire in Jersey Iron: The Richards Enterprises in the Pine Barrens, by Arthur D. Pierce (Rutgers University Press, 1964) contains two sections of particular interest to Pettit researchers: "A Genealogical Sketch of the Richards Family" in the back of the book, which shows the ancestry of William Henry Richards (1828-1863), who m Mary Bozearth, sis/o Esther Ann (Bozearth) Reeves, who became the second wife of Mahlon Pettit, farmer and inn- keeper at Flyat in Washington Twp, Burlington Co; but especially another section at the back giving selected extracts from the business diary of the Weymouth Iron Works on the Great Egg Harbor River in present Hamilton Twp of Atlantic Co.
It is ironical that Pierce's selections from "The Weymouth Diary" begin with the death of John Pettit and end, fourteen years later, with "M. Pettit tipsy". All of the Pettit mentions are given below. It is not known if any of these Piney iron workers and colliers were any kin to Col. Charles Pettit, of Philadelphia, some-time partner of William Richards in Batsto and other iron works.
1,
Died this morning very suddenly John Pettit. Peter Cox began to fill furnace.
4,
Jacob Pettit taken sick this day. Light rain.
12,
Jacob Pettit separated this life about 10 o'clock this morning. Died this evening at 6 o'clock Jacob Pettit's wife after a short illness.
13,
Jacob Pettit and wife buried this afternoon. Sam Pettit was taken sick last night.
2,
Sam Pettit's wife taken sick this morning.
12,
Sam Pettit began to put in ore. Perrine Applegate sick after drinking.
27, Departed this earthly prison at 10 o'clock forenoon Sam Pettit's child, age about one year.
26, Married John Scull to Miss Hanna Pettit last evening by Revd. John Daily.
23, Began to snow. Sam Pettit moved to Mark Adams house.
15,
Samuel Pettit went to Mount Holly for masons (to build new furnace stack). U.(riah) Steelman cut himself very bad.
17,
S. Pettit returned from Holly with masons. J. Wentling and J. Adams found drunk in the road coming from Millville.
7, Samuel Pettit & B. Taylor working on canal. Rain heavy.
16, M. Pettit working on canal.
7, S. Pettit hauling wood for school house.
7,
S. Pettit & C. Shinn went with moulders to Atsion.
30,
Saml. Pettit went to Atsion to take the proving machine.
17, Saml. Pettit took blind woman to Atsion.
18, John Pettit quit the furnace. Robart began keeping.
19, Blowed out 3 o'clock A.M. Benj. Barns & M. Pettit tipsy.
(Last extract in book.)
Additionally, on page 106 of the text, another record book is quoted as indicating: "For cleaning the bombs (canisters for grape shot - TWB) John Ackley, William Kears, Mark Adams, and Jacob Pettit were paid respectively `$14.30, $2.31, 33 cents, $2.31'." This was an entry for 24 Jan 1810. Undoubtedly, many more references to the Pettits would be found upon examining all the business record books described in Family Empire in Jersey Iron.