According to Virginia Loomis, James' gravestone lists his birth as July 1839, but the 1880 and 1900 censuses both say 1830. Also, his mother died in 1831. Either Virginia misread the tombstone or her notes, or the stone is wrong.

Her death certificate records Amanda J. Pettit, age 72 years 4 months 17 days, born 7 June 1845 in Kentucky, died 24 Oct 1917 in Dry Ridge, Grant Co., Ky, widowed, father James Thomas, mother’s maiden name Connie Merchant, both born in Ky, cause of death tuberculosis, informant T. J. Pettit, Dry Ridge, Ky, burial in Jonesville, Ky.

The informant “T. J. Pettit” is very probably her son Thomas Jefferson Pettit. He seems to have mistaken the “name of father” question and replied with his own father’s given and middle name, as other records (e.g., the death certificates of her sons Charles and Jeremiah) are consistent on her maiden name being Callahan.

Grant Co. Marriages Bk 1854-1890, p. 38, lists marriage of James T. Pettit & Amanda J. Calahan on 19 Dec 1861.

1870 census of Grant Co., Ky, Downingsville precinct, enumerated 18 Aug, lists on p. 16 as family #101:
Pettit, Thomas, 40, farmer & carpenter; Amanda, 25; Charles, 8; Virginia, 6; Jeremiah, 4; Thomas, 2. All born in Ky.

1880 census of Grant Co., Ky, district 85, enumerated 24 June, lists on pp. 7-8 as family #50:
Pettit, Jas T., 49, house carpenter; Amanda J., 34, wife; Chas W., 17, son; Virginia L., 16, dau; Jerry P., 13, son; Thos J., 10, son; John M., 5, son; Saml L., 2, son; Chas G., 55, brother. All born Ky Ky Ky.

The next household is his brother William Amos Pettit.

1900 census of Grant Co., Ky, Downingsville precinct, enumerated 14 June, lists on p. 9A as family #151/155:
Pettit, James T., 69, b. July 1830, farmer; Amanda J., wife, 54, b. June 1845, married 38 years, mother of 6 children, 5 living; Beard, George, lodger, 40, birthdate blank, farmer. All born Ky Ky Ky.