THOMAS PETTMAN (1737-1802) was probably baptized at St Mary Northgate, Canterbury, on 27 February 1737, the son of Henry and Elizabeth Petman.

He married Elizabeth Pett on 12 May 1765 at St Mary Northgate. (Both sets of banns were called in the same parish from 14 to 28 April.) The witnesses were Jane Pett and William Rye. She may have been the Elizabeth Pett, daughter of Michael and Jane Pett, baptized in Wickhambreux on 14 July 1743.

The parish of St Mary Northgate, as the name implies, lay on both sides of the city walls to the north of the Cathedral. It extended along the Sturry road, and included the Artillery Barracks and Old and New Ruttington Lanes. The church was reconstructed in the 19th century to enable road widening. It was later deconsecrated, and what remains has been converted into a theatre for the King's School.

Late in life, Thomas was a resident of Boys's Hospital, now at 148 Northgate Street, also known as Jesus Hospital, an institution set up in 1595 by Sir John Boys for the benefit of eight elderly men and four women from the parish of St Mary Northgate. Those accepted were nominated by the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral and elected by the Mayor.

He was buried at St Mary Northgate on 17 January 1802, aged 65. His death was reported in The Monthly Magazine of 1 March 1802 in these terms: Died...at Canterbury...Mr Petman, carpenter, of Boys's Hospital. Being of the fraternity of ringers, a dumb-peal was rung at the Cathedral, on the occasion, after his funeral.

Thomas and Elizabeth had at least three children:

1. JOHN PETTMAN (1766-1784), baptized at St Mary Northgate, Canterbury on 26 January 1766. He died there soon after his eighteenth birthday, and was buried on 5 March 1784.

2. ELISABETH PETTMAN (1771-??), baptized at St Mary Northgate on 25 August 1771.

3. THOMAS PETTMAN (1774-1823), baptized at St Mary Northgate on 25 December 1774, of whom more anon.