The Petty Family

Ancestors of Ann (Nancy) Petty Ransdell

1^st generation

Thomas Petty

(1610-1664)

Katherine Morris

(1638-1719)

            Thomas Petty was baptized August 23, 1610 in St. Peters, Hungate, England.  He was a son of William Pettus, 1583-1648, and Mary Gleane, d. 1631.  Thomas married in 1656 Katherine Morris, who was born 1638 in Norfolk County, England, the daughter of Maj. George and Eleanor Morris of New Kent County, VA. [1]

Thomas' will was dated September 23, 1663, South Farnham Parish, Rappahannock County, VA, proved January 7, 1664. 

Thomas and Katherine had a daughter Dorothy and a son Thomas.

2^nd generation

Thomas Petty (II)

(1664-1720)

Rachel Wilson

(1656-?)

Thomas Petty II was born in April or May, 1664, after the death of his father (Essex Land Trials 1711-16, 20). His mother made a gift deed to her son Thomas which shows that a son was born shortly after the death of his father (Essex Co., VA, DB 2, p. 418).

Thomas married Rachel Wilson in 1685. He is mentioned in a conveyance by his grandfather, Major George Morris, in 1685, perhaps a wedding gift.

Thomas and Rachel had six children:  George, Thomas, Benjamin, Rachel, Elizabeth, and Mary.                                                

Thomas' will is dated November 18, 1719, and was in probate in May 1720.

3^rd generation

Thomas Petty III

(1680-1750)

Catherine Garton

(d. before 1749)

            Thomas Petty III was born about 1680 in Essex County, VA.  He married Catherine Garton on March 6, 1701, in Richmond County, VA.  She was the daughter of John Garton and his wife Martha.

          Thomas and Catherine had nine children:  John, Thomas, Christopher, William, James, Rebecca, Mary, George, and Martha.

          Thomas' will was dated January 31, 1748/49, and was in probate May 24, 1750 in Orange County, VA.  Catherine was not mentioned in his will, so presumably she died before 1749.

4^th generation

John Petty

(1702-1770)

Rebecca Simms

            John Petty, the oldest of nine children of Thomas Petty III and Catherine Garton, was born in about 1702.  He married in 1730 Rebecca Simms, in Richmond County, VA.  She was the daughter of Thomas Simms and Rebecca Harrelson.[2]

          John and Rebecca had (perhaps) 16 children, including Thomas, Sarah, Tabitha, Luke, Francis (b. 1752), Abner, George, John, Alfred, Ford, Zachariah, Ann, Rebecca, Susannah, Jennie or Jemima, and Apphira.  (Some researchers do not name all these children.)

          John's will (Orange County, VA Will Book 2, p. 422); addition made February 20, 1770; was in probate September 27, 1770. 

          Their daughter Ann Petty married William Ransdell of Westmoreland County, VA.  (see RANSDELL).