The bio I gave you about Robert Pettigrew and his son and grandson came first from a local history book that you can see via Google, called "Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887." Search for that title + Pettigrew to pull up the exact page.
That bio states that Robert immigrated in 1808, but I question that date. Since his youngest child was 6 years old in 1821, and born in Scotland, according to Robert's citizenship petition, then the family must have immigrated no earlier than 1815. I found a first mention of him in 1818 in this:
Book: Minutes of the Common Council of the city of New York, 1784-1831;
New York: The City, 1917, 14825 pgs.
Richard Varick; P V Livingston; Leonard Lispenard; Abraham Lott; et al
R. Pettigrew first shows up in minutes of 10 Aug 1818, under Accounts Audited: "Robt. Pettigrew--bal. Well in Rivington St., $89.25." He continues building wells until 1826, then there is a jump to 1829 when the minutes report bills from him for filling up, regulating, and paving streets. These continue through 1831.
As you've no doubt seen already:
Ancestry.com: New York, Naturalization Petitions, 1794-1906
pgs. 388-9.
Robert Pettigrew
Declaration of intention: 16 Apr 1821, Marine Court, NYC.
Citizenship granted: 1 Nov 1826, Marine Court, NYC.
Exhibits presented (on page 388):
"Report by Robert Pettigrew, an alien, of himself and family made to the clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York, the 16th day of April in the year 1821."
Robert Pettigrew, b. East Lothian, Scotland, age 38, labourer, emigrated from Leith.
Elenor Pettigrew, b. same, age 39
John Pettigrew, b. same, age 16
Margaret Pettigrew, b. same, age 14
Jane Pettigrew, b. same, age 13
Ann Pettigrew, b. same, age 6
Ellen Pettigrew, b. same, age 9
With the above information about the children, I found some marriage and death notices.
New-York Spectator, (New York, NY) Friday, September 17, 1830; col A
Mr. Francis Duncan married Miss Jane Pettigrew, daughter of Mr. Robert Pettigrew, all of NYC.
Wedding was held Friday evening, but no date given, so unknown if wedding was Sept. 17 or Sept. 10.
New-York Spectator, (New York, NY) Monday, December 30, 1833; col E
Dec. 24th, 1833, Mr. John C. Stanberry married Miss Helen, daughter of Robt. Pettigrew, all of New York City.
New-York Spectator, (New York, NY) Saturday, June 05, 1841; col F
At Manhattanville, 1 June 1841, Mr. George J. Byrd, of the firm of Macdonald & Byrd married Miss Hannah, daughter of Robert Pettigrew, Esq., all of NYC.
They were married by the mayor of NYC. Based upon subsequent census records, I suspect that Hannah was the Ann named in Robert's citizenship petition.
The following death notice shows Robert died in 1849, although his birthyear would have been 1780-81 if age 68 is accurate. This deviates from his declaration of intention which gave his age as 38 in 1821. Even with that discrepancy, I still feel this Robert who died in 1849 is your Robert as he does not appear in the 1850 census, although his widow does.
Date: Saturday, March 17, 1849
Paper: Weekly Herald (New York, NY) , Volume: XV , Issue: 11 , Page: 88
DIED, 12 March 1849, Robert Pettigrew, aged 68 years, a native of Scotland, and for many years a resident of this city.
The New York Herald, (New York, NY) Tuesday, May 15, 1860; pg. 7; col D
Died, May 13, 1860, Helen Pettigrew, relict of the late Robert Pettigrew, aged 94 years. The funeral services were held at the residence of her son-in-law, George J. Byrd, No. 6 West 29th Street.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Robert and Elenor/Ellen/Hellen are buried in Green-wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street Brooklyn, New York 11232. Hellen Pettigrew is buried in the Byrd lot, instead of with her husband.
In 1850 Elenor, now widowed and now called Ellen, is in her son-in-law's household.
Home in 1850 census: New York Ward 18, New York, New York
Household Members:
Name Age
Geo J Byrd 40, b. Ireland
Hannah Byrd 33, b. Scotland
Emma Byrd 12
Robt P Byrd 2
Ellen Peltigrew 70, b. Scotland
Ellen Sherriden 27
Likewise, here is a mid-decade census entry, with Elenor/Ellen still alive:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K67V-1N5Event Date: New York, State Census, 1855
Event Place: E.D. 1, Ward 21, New York City, New York, New York, United States
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
George J Byrd Head M 46
Hannah Byrd Wife F 29
Emma Byrd Daughter F 17
Robert Byrd Son M 7
Ida Byrd Daughter F 3
Ellen Pettigrew Mother-in-law F 86
Bridget Donohue Servant F 20
Jane Sheridan Servant F 23
Family Number: 335 , Line Number: 10 , GS Film number: 1018665 , Digital Folder Number: 005207166 , Image Number: 00029
I have more research about Robert's progeny, but that will take another post.
I am not one of his descendants, but I do research into all Petticrew and Pettigrew lines. John W., Robert's grandson, came to my attention before, so your initial question gave me reason to do some more digging.
I am happy to share what I discover, but I like to share it by means of the forum rather than privately. That way, the research can benefit others in the future. You are welcome to PM me if you like, but I will report all that I know on this forum, so a PM may not be necessary.
