1.  Jordan R. Dodd, ed.  1995.  Marriage Index: AR, CA, IA, LA, MN, MO, OR, TX, 1728-1850.  Liahona Research, Orem, UT (Broderbund CD-227):

Pettit, James

Stroope, Eliza

12 Sep 1833

Clark Co.

AR

2.  1840 Census Index/Images (online at Ancestry.com):  can't find.

3.  1850 Census Every-Name-Index/Images (online at Ancestry.com; Image #38 of 120):  Union Par., LA, Roll M432_241, p. 367B, 260/260, enumerated 22 Aug 1850, official enumeration date 1 Jun 1850 (extracted by Diana Gale Matthiesen):¤•

James Pettit

36

M

Overseer

Mo

Living with R. K. LOVE family.  Checking James's parents, Lee & Easter PETTIT, in Clark Co., AR, the children are not living with them as the letter below indicates.  I can't find the children anywhere.

4.  1860 Census Index/Images (online at Ancestry.com):  can't find, though my search was not exhaustive.

5.  WorldConnect / Ancestry World Trees (online at RootsWeb.com/Ancestry.com).  In the notes from a file submitted to the database by Deborah Tollett:

LETTERS WRITTEN BY NANCY WAFER MILLER,  WIFE OF WILLIAM HILL MILLER Union Parish, La. June 30th, 1849 My dear and long lost sister, Tell Wesley that I am glad that he thought enough of me to write to me...  Mrs. Pettet departed this life the 13 May.  Petet took the children off to Ark to his parents immediately.... Your own faithful sister Nancy W. Miller

Other files say that the children survived because James mentions them in his will of 1855, but I can't find them in the 1850 or 1860 censuses.