Jerry and Linda Butler

Pettigrew Family

In 1821 or 1822, James M. and Corry Pettigrew of Armagh county, Ireland, immigrated to America. They located in SC.contracting for canals and ditches. They then went to Alabama and engaged in merchandising until 1825. Then they came to Tennessee, locating in Perryville. About this time, a half brother, George B. Pettigrew came from Ireland and entered into partnership with them, locating a branch store at Beardstown, Perry Co. James M. also located a branch store at Oak Grove and they operated other stores at Decaturville, Decatur County, and at Spring Creek, Madison County.
James M. took over the business at Oak Grove and remained there until his death. He never married.
George, the half brother, was born June 13,1807, and August 12, 1830, he married Elizabeth Adamson, also a native of Ireland. He died October 29, 1859, and she January 15, 1871. They were the parents of 7 children , 5 of whom died in infancy. One son, James A. enlisted as a private in Company G., 20th Regiment Mounted Confederate Infantry. He became captain of his company and was wounded at Shiloh and Hoover's Gap. He was taken prisoner where he remained until January 6, 1864. The 2nd, George B enlisted as a private in Company G., 20th Regiment Mounted Confederate Infantry. George B. was promoted to 2nd Lt. before his death at Fishing Creek, KY.
Corry was born May 30, 1800. He managed the mercantile at Perryvillle. April 2, 1840, he married Mary A. Douglass, daughter of Joseph S. Douglass of Decatur County. To them were born 2 children: Thomas Jefferson and James K. Polk, both of whom enlisted in the CSA under General Cheatham, August 1861. Thomas J. was wounded several times and taken prisoner, but escaped. Since the war he has been engaged in the mercantile business. He married January 7, 1869, to Cordelia Welch, daughter of Henry Welch. She died in February, 1880, leaving 4 children : Mary E., Corry H., Martha A., and Elizabeth K.
James K. was promoted to become captain of his company. He was wounded at Shiloh. James was born June 13, 1844, and January 25, 1871, he married Margie A. Sherdon, a daughter of Daniel B. Sheardon, of Pennsylvania. She was born March 12, 1852, and became the mother of 4 children : Carrie P., Lucy B., Magie M., and Lena H.
Thomas and James were both Democrats and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.