Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Pettit, Charles W February 5, 1904
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Suzy Fleming wardflemin@aol.com March 15, 2013, 6:59 am

Norfolk Dispatch, 6 Feb 1904
"TWO PROMINENT CITIZENS DEAD - FORMER MAYOR PETTIT PASSED AWAY LAST NIGHT - 
FUNERAL TOMORROW - ACTIVE AND HONORABLE CAREER CLOSED. - The funeral of the 
Rev. Charles W. Pettit will be held in the Cumberland Street Methodist church 
tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Rev. Dr. C. M. Baine will conduct the 
services.

Mr. Pettit's rapid decline toward the end was noted in yesterday's Dispatch. 
He passed away at 7 o'clock last night. 

Mr. Pettit was born at Alexandria, Va., December 8, 1836. He was the son of 
William and Mary Pettit, who moved to Portsmouth in 1847. Mr. Pettit was 
educated in the public schools of Portsmouth and afterwards learned the boiler-
maker's trade. After his conversion, he studied for the ministry in his spare 
moments and was received into the 
Methodist Protestant conference. Prior to the Civil War he filled appointments 
at Abingdon and Boykins, Va., and on the Mecklenburg and Southampton circuits, 
and his final charge was at the old Methodist Protestant church in this city, 
which he filled until the church was merged into the Methodist Episcopal 
church, South. He then became a member of the old Cumberland Street church, 
but retaining his eldership, and preached in many of the churches in this 
section from time to time. 

On the death of his father in 1870, Mr. Pettit assumed charge of estate, and 
the old firm of Godwin & Pettit was changed to Pettit & Godwin. The 
partnership continued for about six months, when Mr. Pettit established the 
present Elizabeth Iron Works. 

Mr. Pettit was an active member of the Cumberland Street church and for a 
number of years held the office of steward. He was also superintendant of the 
Sunday school for many years. He was not only loved by his own denomination 
but by other denominations as well. 

In the inner circle of the home his life was seen at its best. He was a 
devoted and affectionate husband, and an indulgent and loving father. Mr. 
Pettit married Miss Melissa D. Benson, of Norfolk county in 1866, who with 
nine children survive him. They are: Mr. William J. Pettit, of Suffolk; Mr. 
Chas. L. Pettit and Mr. W. Percy Pettit, of Norfolk; Mrs. W. P. Dodson, Mrs. 
W. C. Cobb, Mrs. W. M. Jones, Jr., Mrs. J. W. Martin, Mrs. A. Brooke Taylor 
and Miss Aileen Pettit; one brother, Mr. William L. Pettit, of Baltimore, and 
two nephews, Mr. Charles A. McLean and Mr. George T. McLean, of Portsmouth; 
four nieces, Mrs. A. J. Roach, Mrs. W. R. Taylor, Mrs. D. P. Dempsey and Miss 
Fannie McLean. He has a number of nieces and nephews in Richmond, Baltimore, 
Washington and Portsmouth, and is the brother-in-law of Messrs. R. H. McLean, 
of Portsmouth, J. H. Dodson, of Baltimore. 

During the prohibition campaign of 1894, Mr. Pettit was the candidate for 
mayor of Norfolk, and was elected by a large majority. Mr. Pettit was a member 
of the Blue Lodge of Masons, Royal Arch Chapter, and a Knight Templar, and was 
also high in the ranks of Odd Fellowship, being a member of the grand lodge of 
Virginia, and a past grand chaplain. He was a member of Harmony Lodge, of this 
city, and had been a past grand for a number of years. 

The following resolutions were offered by Councilman Old at the meeting of the 
councils last night and were unanimously adopted: 

"Whereas, we have heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon. C. W. 
Pettit, who was the honored and respected mayor of our city for the years 
1894 - 1896; "Therefore, be it resolved, that our body tender our sympathy to 
his family at this time of their distress at their irreparable loss; that we 
attend his funeral in a body; that a copy of these resolutions be sent to his 
family."


Additional Comments:
Elmwood

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