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The Pittard family seems to have originally come from the vicinity of Switzerland and France, where there are still Pittards today. The family seems to have migrated through France, up around Normandy, then across the English Channel to England, prior to the Edict of Nantes banning all Protestants. They seem to have been glovemakers, making the soft leather gloves much favored by French royalty. There is a Pittard Leather Company in Somerset, England, where leather goods, including gloves, are manufactured to this day. Even Tiger Woods likes Pittard's leather golf gloves! Cousin Harold Pittard is living in Germany and doing research in Europe.
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The first Pittard found on the North American continent, for whom descendants have been found, is Samuel Pittard, an indentured servant, in 1727. He was indentured to Thomas Waring, later sheriff, of Essex Co. Virginia. He was released from his indentureship early, with the caveat that he make bricks, to build a house for Thomas Waring. He lived some years in Essex, then move to the next county, Caroline Co. For about 15-20 years, he is missing, only to turn up in Granville Co. North Carolina around 1770. His two sons, John and Samuel, are the ancestors of most of the American Pittards today. With the Internet, more Pittards find me all the time.
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Several Pittard families began life on the North American continent around 1850. One family came to Wayne Co. New York, then west to Vancouver, Washington. Another two families ended up just miles from each other in Knox and Oneida Co. Illinois. Those two families also went further west, to Washington State, Idaho and Utah, where they are found now.
Other Pittards also left England and colonized Australia. Deb Pittard is doing research on the Australian lines.
Other information will be added at a later time.
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