The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-08-09
William S. PettigTeW.
AMBASSADOR OF CHRIST AND BELOVED
MAN OF GOD.

SOuth-A Man In Whom Ihere was no
Guile.
Rev. William Shepard Pettigrew
was born in Tyrrell county October
9th, 1918, and died at his home in
Ridgeway, n, C., July 9th, 1900, in
the SIND year of his age.
He was ordained deacon January
31st, 1869. and priest June 18th, 1870.
Served the church OF St. David's,
Washington county, from February
18th. to July LIST. 1869. Rector OF
the Church OF the Holy Innocents,
Henderson, January 14th, 1870, to
October 9Th, 1878 Rector St. Johns
church, WILLIAMSBURG, February 18th,
1870, and Of the Church of the Good
Shepherd, Ridgeway, March 3lst,
1878, and the Mission at Middleburg
1884, continuing in these charges
until his death.
Mr.. Pettigrcw was taken sick Mon
day night and suffered greatly until
81 O'Clock Friday morning, July II.
when he passed away. The announce
ment OF his death caused pain and
surprise to his numerous friends here
and elsewhere. Only few days be-
fore he was in Henderson apparently
in the enjoyment of his accustomed
health and cheerful spirits.
The funeral took place at 1 O'Clock
Saturday afternoon. The services
were conducted by the Rev. Messrs.
+. w. billiard, of Oxford, 3. S. Bran
son, of Warrenton, A. b. Hunter and
|. Mex. Pittinger, of Raleigh, and j.
f. Ingle, of Henderson. The Church
of the Good Shepherd was filled with
friends of the aged Rector, whose re-
mains were laid to rest in the church
yard.
A pure, sanity man is no more on
this earth, knightly, chivalrous
soul has entered upon higher life
beyond. Truly may it be said that
the life of one Of the noblest speci
mems Of Gods creation ended when
he died.
Col. X. b. Crcccy. of the Elizabeth
City Economist, an intimate acquaint-
ance and lifelong friend of Mr.. Pet
tigrew, writes about him as follows:
1t is with unfeigned sadness We take up
our pencil to chronicle the decease of this
most remarkable man, a Christian and
courtly gentleman OF the old school,
our schooiboy and lifelong friend, and
| one OF the few left of our very intimate
friends outside our domestic circle, on
this side the narrow divide that sep
nrates time and eternity.
William Pot tIrrpW Wnl rpn1r ~ bal -
man himself and of n most remarkable
family. We think the most remarkable
family we haveknOwn in North Carolina.
| If blood tells it surely has told in the
Pettigrew line.
Charles Pettigrew, the founder of the
family in our State, the great and good
man who rocked the cradle Of the Angeli-
can Church in our State, and whose God
illness. rising above set and denOmina-
ton, was bounded only by humanity,
was the first BishOp-rlect of the Diocese
of North Carolina. Ebpnezer Pettigrew
his son, was one CT the best farmers in
North Carolina a member of Congress by
the unanimous choice of his county con-
stituents, and voluntarily retired from
political life because he thought "a men,
Der OF Congress and II Christian gentle
man were Incompatible Johnston Pet
tigrew, II born genius, distinguished in
student, literary, civil and military life,
who at II, graduated first ut the Univer-
sity in a class OF which Matt Ransom
was II member, who was highest in COM
mand when he led his CarOIinians in the
charge on Cemetery Ridge and would
have planted his victorious flags in the
Federal lines and made Gettysburg bear
another record, had he been properly
sustained by Pickett, fell at Falling
Waters and left name that is a precious
heritage to every son of the old North
State Charles Pettigrew, the second,
was less distinguished in the worlds eye.
probably because hewu the victim of an
insatiate disease for many years of his
life, but to those who knew and loved
him, he was the kind and true friend, the
wise counselor, the conscientious, cult
waited and Christian gentleman. For
many years of his life, during his Univer-
sity life and for years after. he was our
loved and trusted friend, and we never
had one that was truer.
Rev. William S. Pettigrew, our lately
deceased friend, was our friend by in
heritance, in the school days of the Uni
versity. He came there after Charles,
and finding us intimate companions, he
naturally adopted our relation, and we
maintained it until it closed with his de-
parture last week, and it is now great
qualification to us that his devoted
nieces, who cared for him in his old age
and closed his dying eyes, recognized our
connection and notified us OF his death
at the same time with the absent menl-
bers of his family.
He retained his finely formed mental
organism to the last. He was remark
able man. Pure as an angel. Conscien-
tious as IA saint. Lion hearted as a hero.
He would have died at the stake for
principle. He would have followed a call
OF duty to the lannon's mouth. He was
sensitive 20 honor and would have felt a
stain worse than wound. He loved his
family next to his religion, and he treas
ured it's history, traditions and memories
like the vestal Virgins the sacred fire
DIR. kingsbury, in the Wilmington
Messenger. speaks of him as lone of
the purest, most exalted, noblest of
men," and says:
Rev. William Shepard Pettigrew we
knew we'll and greatly esteemed him. He
was a sincere Christian, a most faithful
minister of Christ, OF broad evangelical
views and sweetest character and noblest
aspirations. lie was greatly admired
and loved. He had spent some thirty or
more OF his last years in the Oxford and
Henderson section, and we believe he was
revered and honored by all the people.
He was born in Tyrell county in 1918.
His grandfather was the first Episcopal
bishop ever elected in North Carolina,
but he died before he was consecrated
His father was a member OF the United
States House OF Representatives. Hon.
Ebenezer Pettigrew He was brother
OF the very able and admirable Brig
Gen. j. Johnston Pettigrew, who was
one OF North Cardinals greatest offer
ings upon the altar of Southern indie
pendence. With truth We can say that
we have never known but few we would
rank as OF the same goodly company as
this departed minister
The sweet remembrance Of the Just
Shall flourish when he sleeps In dust. !"
He left relatives in this city who enter
int O the sOrrOW of others that this good