Career
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. 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. Pettit was the tenth president of the Virginia State Bar Association, for the term of 1897-1898.
In 1901-1902, Pettit was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention, including a stint as temporary chairman.
