THOMAS PETTMAN (1737?-1802?) was probably the Thomas 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.

The parish of St Mary Northgate, as the name implies, lay on both side 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.

It is very likely that he was the Thomas Petman buried at St Mary Northgate on 17 January 1802, aged 65.

Thomas and Elizabeth had at least two children:

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

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