Historical Rosters Database

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William Griffin Pettigrew

Roster ID 1486
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:William
Middle Name:Griffin
Last Name:Pettigrew
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1864
Biography & Genealogy:William Griffin Pettigrew, Class of 1864: Genealogy: Born- March 11, 1843 at "Melrose" in Botetourt Co. Va. Father- Mathew W. Pettigrew; Mother- Pauline Newell. Pat. Grandfather- Thomas Pettigrew; Pat. Grandmother- Nancy Ward. Mat. Grandfather- Thomas Newell; Mat. Grandmother- Mary [maiden name unknown]. Married- Lina Thomas also of Botetourt Co. Va. Children- 1- Douglas Backers Pettigrew; 2- William Griffin Pettigrew, (Jr.). VMI Record: Entered VMI- July 20, 1860; Resigned Apr. 19, 1862 at parents request. Civil War Record: Before enlisting, served as Drill Master for VMI Corps of Cadets while stationed in Richmond, Va. in Spring of 1861; Enlisted in Richmond, Va. Aug. 23, 1862 in Co. C. 19th Va. Battalion Heavy Artilery; Appointed Ordance Sgt. that same day; Promoted to Sgt. Maj. Sept. 21, 1862; Elected 2nd Lieut. Dec. 9, 1863; Listed A.W.O.L in fall of 1864; Present in arrest Jan.- Feb. 1865. No further record found. Careers: Railroader; Merchant. Died- April 15, 1902.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516