Fredonia in Chautauqua County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. James Pettit
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 17, 2025
1. Dr. James Pettit Marker
In 1835, Dr. James Pettit moved to Fredonia and purchased land in the area of today's Temple and Matteson Streets, totaling about 25 acres. Dr. Pettit's home, as seen in this photo was situated in an area at that time known as Cordova.
Dr. Pettit had been a surgeon in the army during the War of 1812 and had decided to move to the Fredonia area years later to begin a successful patent medicine business.
Dr. Pettit became successful selling "Pettit's Eye Salve" and other remedies throughout the area and beyond. Dr. Pettit and his family were very devoted to the fight to end slavery in the United States, so upon his arrival in Fredonia he became involved with a few of his neighbors in the Underground Railroad system to help slaves escape to freedom. Dr. Pettit and his wife Lucy assisted many slaves travel to Canada and freedom during his years in Fredonia. Dr. Pettit's son Eber Pettit was also a large part of the Underground Railroad community locally. Eber Pettit published a famous book "Sketches of the Underground Railroad" years later to highlight the activities of the Pettit family and others as "conductors" on the Underground Railroad.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Science & Medicine • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, and in the Southern Tier. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elijah Risley Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Risley Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Abell Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Hezekiah Barker (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Squire White (within shouting distance of this marker); Seth Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Celia (Celea) Cole (within shouting distance of this marker); Alonzo Cushing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredonia.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 17, 2025
2. Dr. James Pettit Marker
Pettit's gravestone is at ground level in front of the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
