From <em>The Pettit Correspondent</em>, Volume 3, Number 1, page 110

<h2>Ohio County, (West) Virginia Pettits</h2>

<p>The following was received some years ago from Evelyn Renshaw of the
Wheeling Area Genealogical Society.</p>

<p>Jas. Pettet married Mrs. Catherine Zane on February 5, 1794 in Ohio County,
Virginia (now West Virginia).  (She was Catherine McColloch Ryan Zane).</p>

<p>Catherine McColloch first married a Ryan.  I assume his name was Thomas. 
(See Abstract of Deed which I have numbered 1.) According to the DAR Patriot
Index, Thomas was a Soldier in Patriot Service from Virginia.  His wife is
listed as Catherine.  He died in 1780.  There is no marriage record.  The
marriage records prior to 1790 dating back to the formation of the county 1n
1776 are missing.</p>

<p>Catherine Ryan then married Silas Zane, one of the Zane brothers who settled
Wheeling.  It is said he was killed by Indians.  This was prior to 1788. 
(In Abstract of Deed that I numbered 2 it mentions "heirs of Silas Zane and
is dated August 28, 1788.) There is no marriage record but Catherine Pettit
is named as widow of Silas Zane in Abstract of Deed I have numbered 3.</p>

<p>I first found the Pettet name in the 1878 Personal Property Tax Records. 
There is a James and a Thomas listed.  I found no further information on
Thomas.  Catherine Zane is also listed.  (See copies of Tax Record).

<p>1810 Federal Census of Ohio County, Virginia</p>

<pre>
	Petitt, Alexander      p. 7
	Petitt, James          p. 54
</pre>

<p>1820 Federal Census Index of Ohio County, Virginia

<pre>
	Pettet, Alexander      p. 24 (James somehow was omitted.  He did not die until 1823)
</pre>

<p>There were no Pettets in the 1830, 1840 or 1850 Census Indexes.</p>

<p>Abstract of Will,   Book 2 Page 221</p>

<pre>
        James Pettet<sup>1</sup>

        Beneficiaries: Son William and wife Elizabeth
                       James, son of William and Elizabeth
                       Daughter, Sidney Thompson
        Executors:     Brother of James, Alexander Pettet
                       Benjamin Kelly
</pre>

<p>Sims Land Grants Index</p>

<pre>
    	                        Acres             Book    Page     Date
	Pettit, Alexander   385 Jake's Run         3       265     1802
	Pettit, Alexander   100 Wheeling Creek     3       264     1802
</pre>

<p>There are Deeds for Alexander Pettet.  Several name his wife
Rosannah.</p>

<p>Ohio County Marriage Records, 1790-1875</p>

<ul>

<li>Pett, Jas. to Mrs. Catherine Zears, Feb. 5th, 1794, by John Brice, WDM
           This has been determined by a number of researchers to be James Pettet and
           Catherine Zane.  Deed Book 7, page 37, the one numbered 3, proves that James
           Pettet married Catherine Zane.

<li>Pettit, Miss Rebeckah to Mr. Walter McGruder, Jan. 26, 1810, by James Hughs, VDM
<li>Pettet, Miss Rosannah to Mr. Thomas Bingham, Dec. 15, 1812, by Joseph Stevenson, VDM
<li>Pettit, French to Delilah Hall, Aug. 30, 1835, by William McKay

</ul>

<p>Deed Abstracts</p>


<ol>

<li><p>Book 3, page 16<br>
   Apr. 6, 1795 - James Ryan and Catherine Pettit sold to Hezekiah Bukey for one hundred and
   thirty seven pounds one hundred and thirty-seven acres in the forks of Short Creek,
   joining Morgan Vanmetre, Daniel Morgan, Van Swearygen, Edward Morgan, being a tract
   granted James Ryan, heir at law of Thomas Ryan dec'd.</p>
<pre>
                   James Ryan
                   Catherine Ryan
</pre>
   <p>Note: She signed it Catherine Ryan.</p>

<li><p>Book 1, page 177<br>
   Aug. 28, 1788 - Joseph Wilson and Martha his wife sold to Ezekeil Boggs for two-hundred
   and forty pounds, three hundred thirty-three acres being part of a grant of four hundred
   acres issued to Wilson in 1787, joining James Pettet, heirs of Silas Zane, dec'd, Richard
   Yeats, forks of Wheels Run, William Zane and David McClure.</p>
<pre>
                         Mark
                   Joseph X Wilson
                   Martha X Wilson
                         Mark
</pre>
<li><p>Book 7, page 37<br>
   July 1, 1811 - James Pettet and Catherine his wife sold to Joel Zane, heir at law of
   Silas Zane deceased, for one dollar their right to four hundred acres on the waters of
   Wheeling Creek which Catherine as widow and relict of said Silas Zane deceased was
   entitled by dower.</p>
<pre>
                      James Pettit
                   Catherine X Pettit
                          her mark
</pre>
</ol>

<sup>1</sup>[A full transcription of his will appears in TPC, April 1988, pp. 4-5, as recorded in Perry
Co., OH where his son William was living.  In 1827 Alexander Pettit, as executor of James'
will purchased land in Perry Co., OH for William and wife Elizabeth on the promise that the
land would pass to their children.  Perry Co., OH Deed Book C p. 118.  -Editor]