The Surname has taken many forms over the years and exists in several variations today. In the records, the same individual may have had their name spelled a variety of ways: PETTICOAT, PETTICOART, PETTICOURT, PEDDICOURT, PEDDICORD, PETTICHORD, PEDDICORT, PEDDYCOART, and etc.

William PETTICOAT appears on the Bristol servant register as 25 Oct 1665 bound for 4 years to Nicholas Wyatt of Virginia. However, in 1667 Cornelius Howard received head rights for transporting William Petticoat into Maryland. {L.10/f. 498}. It is interesting to note that Nicholas Wyatt of Anne Arundel Co. and Cornelius Howard were very close friends and neighbors. Cornelius testified about his witnessing of the will of Nicholas Wyatt. William Petticoat had 100 acres surveyed for him 8 July 1679 in Anne Arundel Co called "Petticoat's Rest" apparently in the Bay Ridge area south of Annapolis (between South River and Back Creek). However a deed from William Petticoat, Sovereign River, Anne Arundel Co, planter to Thomas Freeborne Sovereign River AA Co., Cooper, dated 2 June 1684, states that the tract "Petticoat's Rest" was originally granted 20 Oct 1666 to William Petticoat.

References to William Petticoat appear in several administration of estates and inventories of estates in Anne Arundel Co from 1676 to 1686. It appears that these persons were in the Annapolis area, based on the other names listed with Williams'. A Ruth Petticoat is listed as receiving payments from the estate of William Lewis of Anne Arundel County on 4 Aug 1712. The Maryland Calendar of Wills lists a Richard Petticoat as a devisee in the will of Joseph Pettibone of AA Co., will dated 10 Sept 1698.

William is presumed to be the father of John Petticoat/Petticourt who was born about 1669 according to a deposition given by John in Court. William PETTICOAT and Ruth? had the following children:

John was presumed to be born in 1669 in Anne Arundel Co MD. He died after 1732 in Baltimore Co., MD. Patented in Anne Arundel Co. 1718 "Popular Spring Garden" 120 Acres, Liber CE#1, folio 252 as John Pettycoat. In 1724 Baltimore Co. patented "Petticoats Benefit" 180 Acres Liber IL#A folio 376, Liber PL#5 folio 404, "Pettycoat's Addition" was patented by John Petticoat in Baltimore Co. 1723, 150 Acres, Liber IL#A Liber 336 and Liber PL#4 Liber 403. In Re the estate of Edward Dorsey Jr. (son of Col. Edward Dorsey), John Petticourt who married one of the sisters of the said Edward Jr. appeared at court and acknowledged the receipt of L37/1/10 (from his father-in-law). In a boundary dispute in 1729 about the tract "Crouch field"...John Petticoat, aged 60, swore that 27 years ago he was working in the woods for Edward Dorsey and it was the bound tree of John Howard. (From Anne Arundel Gentry Vol. 2). On 29 March 1720 John and Sarah Petticourt of Baltimore Co. conveyed to Pleasance Dorsey of same, for L15, 120 acres at the head of Patapsco River. This was the tract "Popular Spring Garden". Benjamin Howard and John Norwood witnessed the conveyance.

He was married to Sarah DORSEY (daughter of Col. Edward DORSEY and Sarah WYATT) before 1 Oct 1702 in Anne Arundel Co., MD.

Sarah DORSEY was born before 1677. She was first married to John NORWOOD who died before 1702. Extract of Perrogrative Court Records show an administrative account for John Norwood's estate filed 1 Oct 1702 Anne Arundel Co. MD for amounts of L48.1.1 and L78.1.6 Lists Payments to: Lawrence Gary, Mr. Richard Everett, Mr. Robert Quarry, Mary Wilden, Mr. Roger Newman, Mr. William Bladen, Mr. Amos Garrett, Mr. Charles Carroll, Mr. John Howard per Capt. Anthony Stratton, Mr. Cornelius Howard, Mr. Thomas Reynolds, William Taylor, Humphrey Lewis. Adminstrix: Mrs. Sarah Petticoat (late Sarah Norwood). Sarah DORSEY and John NORWOOD had the following children:

John PEDDICOART\ PETTICOAT and Sarah DORSEY had the following children:

A John Peddicord was in debtor's prison in 1724 and 1726. This I believe is John Jr., who apparently conveyed all his reality to his father and brother.

There was a John Peddicord (sp?) who had a wife named Mary and a son John born. 28 Dec 1739 in Over Wharton Parish, Stafford Co. VA.

On 2 Feb 1726, John Peddycoat of Baltimore Co. sold "Petticoats Wish" at Middle Run, 100 acres for L20 to William Peddycoat of same it was signed John Peddycoat JR and William (x) Peddycoat. Witnesses to this deed were John Belt (William Peddicord's father-in-law) and John Dorsey.

William was born about 1703 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. He signed a will on 30 May 1770.

Will of William Peddicoart dtd 30 May 1770, (Liber 41, pg. 266, Box 15, folder 49): William Peddicoart being weak in body. 1. All lands to sons: Nathan, William, Jasper, Humphrey, Nicholas, and Caleb Peddicoart, to divide equally in manner following. Them that is possessed the best land to pay money to the other brothers that takes worst land to make both parts of the land equal alike, Provided they pay what Sterling money I owe the estate of Wm. Philip Hammond, Deed and what Sterling money I owe to Essrs Stewart and Campbell, merchants in London or sell the land and pay debts and divide what remains. 2. To loving wife Sarah Peddicoart-all my personnel estate after her death to be divided among children: Jasper, Humphrey, Nicholas, Althea Peddicoart, Esther Peddicoart, and Caleb Peddicoart. Althea and Nicholas to have 1 feather bed and furniture a piece Caleb to have 1 feather bed when he reaches age 21, to eldest son all wearing apparel, to dau. Cassandra Johnson 25 schillings, Jasper and Nicholas are to be executors.

He died in 1776 in Baltimore Co., MD. He had an estate probated on 26 Jul 1776 in Baltimore Co., MD. On 2 Feb 1726 William bought "Petticoat's Wish" from his brother John for L20. In 1733 William was appointed the overseer of roads in the Upper half of Soldiers Delight Hundred. In 1734 the overseer of roads in Soldiers Delight Hundred, in 1750 owned "Norwoods Delight" 100 acres (purchased 30 Jan 1725 from Samuel Norwood). & "Petticoats Banter: 303 acres. Petticoates Banter was Patented by William Petticoat in 1744 This tract was a 1 Sept 1741 resurvey on "Petticoat's Wish". Liber LG#E folio 245, Liber PT#2 folio 93 (index says this land now in Carroll Co). Norwood's Delight was patented (resurveyed?) by William in 1752. 210 Acres in Baltimore, Liber BY&GS#3 folio 641 and Liber BY&GS#3 folio 648.

William served in the militia during the French and Indian wars. He is listed in Capt. A. Beall's Co. from 9 Oct 1757 to 30 Dec 1758 and was appointed Sergeant 9 Feb 1758.

A lot of information on the family is given in the will of Leonard Belt, probated 20 Sept 1793 in Montgomery Co. MD. This will mentions John Belt son of brother Higginson, sister, Sarah Peddicord to who was bequeathed a Negro and at Sarah's death to her daughter Althea wife of William Sellman, Rebekah Peddicord wife of Jasper given 2 Negroes, and Elizabeth Peddicord

wife of Lameck Beckwith one Negro girl. Althea and Rebecca are identified as nieces in the probate of this will.

Sarah BELT (daughter of John BELT and Lucy LAWRENCE) was born about 1707. She died after 1793. I have seen one claim that she was nee BELT. William PETTICOART and Sarah BELT had the following children:

Jasper was born in 1731 in Baltimore Co., MD. In 1778 he was a resident of Montgomery Co. MD, when he conveyed interest in land left to him by his father in Baltimore Co. to brother Nicholas Peddicoart. Rebecca is the daughter of Higgenson Belt, whose sister was Jasper's mother. The will of Higgenson Belt was signed 15 July 1786 and proved 15 Nov 1786 in Montgomery Co., MD. In this will he names wife Sarah, sons John, Carlton, Higgenson, and deceased son Greenberry, and daughter Becky Peddicoart, {Montgomery Co wills Liber B, Folio 361}. One note states that Higgenson Belt married Dorothy, widow of John Rogers by 1740. Jasper Peddicoart conveyed land in Montgomery Co with the concurrence of wife Becky Peddicoart in July 1785 {Liber C/folio 120}. Jasper served in the militia during the Revolutionary War. He is listed in the 7th Company of Montgomery Co., Middle Battalion in Sept. 1777 and as a member of Class #5, the 7th Co. of the Middle Battalion of Montgomery Co MD on the return of Col. Archibald Orme on 15 July 1780. In 1781 he was granted by Carlton Belt (son of Higgenson) parts of the tracts called "Good Soil" 44 acres and "Waters Forest" 51 acres for 100 pounds. {Liber B, Folio 93} In 1785 Jasper Peddicord, farmer of Montgomery Co. was conveyed by Joshua Pigman son and heir of Matthew Pigman deceased of Frederick Co. farmer, a tract called "Gartrell's Goodwill" of 50 acres for 5 shillings. In 1778 Jasper gave the oath of Fidelity in Montgomery Co., and on 30 April 1782 received payment for Revolutionary War (service?). In 1773 he was taxed in the Upper Newfoundland Hundred of Montgomery Co.

He was married to Rebecca (Becky) BELT (daughter of Higgenson BELT and Sarah) about 1764 in Baltimore MD. Jasper PEDDICOART\ PEDDICORD and Rebecca (Becky) BELT had the following children:

Greenbury aka George married Sarah Dorsey on 6 Dec 1796 in Frederick Co., MD and is progenitor of Peddicords in Frederick Co MD. Greenbury is believed to have been the progenitor of the Peddicord families around Emmitsburg and Thurmont in Frederick Co. MD. Greenbury PEDDICORD and Sophia DORSEY had the following children:

Perry was born about 1798 in Montgomery Co., MD. He died on 22 May 1867 in Frederick Co., MD. He was buried in St Anthony's, (Old Mount St Mary's) Cemetery, Mount St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Frederick Co., MD. In the 1850 Census of Frederick Co. Perry Peddicord age 51, Susan age 49, Farmer, real estate valued at $800. In his household were Sophia age 19, Susanna age 15, Caleb age 11, and Emily age 10. He obtained a marriage license on 27 Feb 1824 in Frederick Co., MD. He was married to Susanna HOVIS on 28 Sep 1824 in Frederick Co., MD.

Susanna HOVIS was born about 1799. She died on 6 Feb 1875 in Frederick Co., MD. She was buried in Mount St. Mary's, Emmitsburg, Frederick Co., MD. Perry PEDDICORD and Susanna HOVIS had the following children:

John Theodore was born on 4 Aug 1825. His birthdate on his tombstone is 26 August 1825. He died on 18 Jan 1882. In the 1850 Census of Frederick Co. He is age 25, a Blacksmith born in MD, his wife Sarah Ann was 29, children were Mary Virginia age 3, and Ann Elizabeth age 1.

He was married to Sarah Ann Irons (dau. of Michael and Eliza (Burrows) Irons) on 9 Oct 1845 in Frederick Co., MD. Sarah was born 14 Oct 1820 and died 15 May 1906. She was buried in St. Anthony's (Old Mount Saint Mary's Cemetery), Emmitsburg, MD. John and Sarah had the following children:

Sarah Louise was born on 2 Mar 1861. She was baptized on 17 Mar 1861 in Mount St. Mary's, Emmitsburg, Frederick Co., MD. She was married to Bernard LITTLE (son of John and Sophia (Peddicord) Little). Sarah and Bernard had the following children: