Howard Leckey's The Ten-Mile Country, an often cited source for this family, states that Nathaniel Pettit died on July 26, 1833. However, as the following document shows, Nathaniel died in 1843. Likely, the error in Leckey's work was a typo and, as the will was registered in August of that year, it is reasonable to believe that Mr. Leckey was otherwise correct in stating that Nathaniel died on July 26.
As Leckey was my source for the introduction to the article "The Murder of Nat Pettit" (TPC, July 1989, page 64), the error was there duplicated. You may wish to make the correction in your copy.
It was this Nathaniel's son, another Nathaniel, that was murdered while performing his duties as Constable.
No 761
Will of
Nathaniel Pettit dec'd
In the name of God amen I Nathaniel Pettit of Morris township, Greene County Pennsylvania calling to mind Mortality but in health of body and sound memory blessed be god do this day on the fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two make and publish this my last Will and testament in manner as follows viz. I give my soul to god who gave and my body to the dust to be buried at the discretion of my friends and as to my worldly intrest whitch you hath given me shall be as follows.
first I give to my son John Pettit fourty eight acers of my land south of the Road leading to Waynesburgh down to the Run at a stake thence down the Run to the creek thence to Stokely line second I give to my son Nathaniel Pettit that pies of my land south of said road beginning at aid stake thence along Johns line to Stokely's line thence along Stokelys line to said road thence up said Road to the gate at the mill thence up side of the Mill sace [?] to the Road thence up the Road to a stake at the forks of the road, thence up the left hand road to a sugar tree thence across the Run up the hill to a post thence down to a post by the road thence to the beginning thirdly I give to my son Isaac Pettit fourty three acers of my land across the upper end next to Hopkins]
[There is no "secondly" or "thirdly" in this copy, which appears to be right out of the original will book -ed]
fourthly -. I give to my son James Pettit fourty three acers of my land across next to Isaac.
fifthly -. I give to my son Silas Pettit fourty three acers of my land beginning at Jameses corner on dennis Smiths line thence along said line to a black oak corner now a stump thence on a line to the foot of the hill at the forks of the road as[?] far as[?] to make the fourty three acers each ind [?] equal length.
Sixthly I give to my son Jesse Pettit fourty three acres of my land along side of John Pettit from Jameses line down to the road to a stake.
Seventhly -. I give to my son Levi Pettit that pies of my land begining at the gate by the mill, thence down the road to Stokelys line thence along said [line?] to Thomas McC[ollums?] corner thence along McCollums line to Smiths thence along Smiths line to a black oak corner now a stump thence down to the foarks of the road to a post thence down the Road to the gate the beginning
Eighthly -. I give to my son Charles Pettit thirty eight acers of land lying between Silases James and Nathaniel and further I give my daughter Sarah Barger and to my daughter Elizabeth Lyon and to my daughter Jemina Rogers all and singular of my household furniture live stock and farming utencils to be equally divided between the three and further I give to my well beloved wife Sarah Pettit all and singular of the above mentioned property as long as she Remains my widdow and at her death or marrage day to take only what the law directs in such cases and f[-----?] I make my son John Pettit and my son Nathaniel Pettit to be overseers of this my last Will and Testament to see and take care to perform all things according to the true intent and meaning and In Witness hereof I the said Nathaniel Pettit have to this my last Will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written signed sealed and delivered by the said Nathaniel Pettit as for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who was then preasant at the signing and sealing thereof.
Silas Pettit )
her )
Sarah x Pettit ) Nathaniel Pettit [seal]
mark ) Greene County SS.
)
Before me Jesse Lazear Register for the Probate of Wills and granting letters of Administration in and for said County this day came Robert Milliken and Jacob Barnes Esqs. and being duly sworn did say that they are well acquainted with the hand writing of Nathaniel Pettit dec'd and that the signature purporting to be his to the written Instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said Nathaniel Pettit dec'd is in the own proper hand writing of the said Pettit as also the body of the said Instrument of writing is in the proper hand writing of the said Nathaniel Pettit dec'd according to the best of their knowledge and belief
Sworn and Subscribed before me ) August 22nd 1834 ) Robert Milliken Jesse Lazear ) Jacob BarnesRegistered August 22nd 1834 and Letters testamentary granted to John Pettit Esq. and Nathaniel Pettit same day copy of Will annexed.__________.