Sir Thomas Pettus

Thomas Pettus, described in the supplied family-tree notes as Thomas Pettus, Esq., was associated with Norwich, England. He served as sheriff of Norwich in 1566 and as mayor in 1590. He married Christian Dethick at the church of St. Simon and Jude, Norwich, on 29 October 1548. The notes state that he purchased Rackheath Hall in 1591 and that he was buried with Christian in the churchyard of St. Simon and Jude.

Thomas Pettus, described in the supplied notes as Thomas Pettus, Esq., was born about 1519, with Norwich, England, given in one entry. Another entry associates his birth with Rackheath Manor near Norwich, but this wording conflicts with the later statement that he bought Rackheath Hall in 1591.

He married Christian Dethick on 29 October 1548 at St. Simon and Jude, Norwich. Christian was identified as a daughter of Simon Dethick, Esq., of Wormegay, Suffolk. The family notes state that she died in 1578.

Thomas served as sheriff of Norwich in 1566 and as mayor in 1590. He was also listed as an alderman in 1591 and 1592. In 1591, according to the notes, he bought Rackheath Hall, about eight miles from Norwich.

The supplied notes list the children of Thomas Pettus and Christian Dethick as Thomas, John, William, Alexander, Elizabeth, Cecily, Anne, and Isabel. They identify Thomas as born 17 September 1552 in Norfolk, John as later knighted by Elizabeth and as a member of Parliament in 1601 and mayor in 1608, Elizabeth as born 28 June 1554 in Norwich, Anne as born in April 1564 and dying before 1594 in Norwich, and Cecily as born 13 September 1581 and married to Humphrey Camden. The same notes state that William died in 1608.

His death is variously given as 1597 and as 12 January 1596/97, at Norwich and St. Simon and Jude Church. The notes state that Thomas and Christian were buried in the churchyard of St. Simon and Jude.

Historical context

The supplied material records Thomas Pettus’s civic service in Norwich as sheriff, mayor, and alderman, as well as his 1591 purchase of Rackheath Hall near the city.

Sources & research

Original Family Tree Maker Notes.
“The Pettus Family in England.”
Supplied citation markers: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.