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William B. Pettit

1825 – 1905

American lawyer

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About William B. Pettit

Lived 1825 – 1905 (aged 79). William B. Pettit was an American lawyer and politician.

William B. Pettit (October 10, 1825 – January 11, 1905) was a Virginia lawyer who served a term as president of The Virginia Bar Association, and was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901.

In 1851, Pettit married Arabella Speairs. During the Civil War, Pettit served in the Confederate Army, as an artillery sergeant in the unit from his home county. A collection of the wartime correspondence between Pettit and his wife has been published.

After the War, Pettit practice law in Fluvanna County. He also "had such a wide law practice at the court of Louisa that his portrait was hung in the courtroom." Pettit was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Fluvanna County in 1874.

Pettit bought "Glen Burnie," now a historic landmark at Palmyra, Virginia, in 1878. In 1901–02, Pettit was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention, including a stint as temporary chairman. "Each member of the convention received a pin oak seedling, and this oak still stands at Glen Burnie."

William and Arabella Pettit, and several of their children, are buried in the cemetery at Glen Burnie.

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Important facts

Birth century
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Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William B. Pettit's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William B. Pettit?

American lawyer (1825–1905)

When was William B. Pettit born?

William B. Pettit was born on 10 October 1825.

When did William B. Pettit die?

William B. Pettit died on 11 January 1905.

What was William B. Pettit's occupation?

William B. Pettit was a lawyer and politician.

What nationality was William B. Pettit?

William B. Pettit was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William B. Pettit

· Wikidata: Q8004838

· DBpedia: William B. Pettit

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William B. Pettit. https://biography.guide/william-b-pettit/

MLA: "William B. Pettit." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-b-pettit/.

Chicago: "William B. Pettit." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-b-pettit/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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