"Pettet" in a Sasine- what does it mean?

[goldie61]

Hi

This says -

‘four pound land of Barnsyd in Easter Neuton lyant in the aft syd thereof
commonly called the Neuk (?) comprehending the misle (?) ground or meadow at the foot of the arable ground as the samen is pettet(?) and presently possessed and occupyed be the said Alexander himself and his tennents being'

This ‘pettet’ occurs three times in the document in similar contexts, but I can’t find what it means. In fact the third time it has ‘double t’ on the end of it as well as in the middle – and most definitely ‘t’s and not ‘l’s.

And

 This should say something like ‘be it known to all men…..’

‘In the name of God soe be it Be it  ?  title (?) all men be (by) this present public  instrument that in the year of the incarnation of our Lord a thousand six hundred ninety.’

Any ideas?
Many thanks

[fastfusion]

my thoughts , and probably way out there, was "portion"....  the only other word I know is French ... petit... which if my schooldays serve me right meant small....  as petit chien meant puppy or small dog........  anyways  opinions cost nort....

[GR2]

lyand, rather than lyant (-and is the present participle ending)
eist (= east), rather than aft
Neuk is correct. A neuk is a corner (it is commonly found in placenames e.g. Spottyneuk)
misk (= boggy), rather than misle

....so be it kend till ..... (= so be it known to) - to ken is to know

[goldie61]

Thanks guys. Thanks for the insights GR2.
Any thoughts on 'pettit'? The old French petit had crossed my mind, but it doesn't make sense in context.
'Portion' could though I guess. 

[josey]

Could it be a way of saying 'past & presently possessed'?

[GR2]

Pittit = pitted

In the sense here, it refers to a series of small pits dug at intervals to mark the boundaries of land. I.e. as defined by boundary pit marks and presently possessed.

[josey]

Thanks for the useful insight, GR2; I've never seen that in a sasine before!! I've seen boundary stones mentioned.

[GR2]

Sometimes pits had stones set into them, so you hear of "pit-stanes" as well. In fact pit can sometimes be used loosely to mean a marker-stone.

[goldie61]

Great stuff GR2. 
Many thanks again.