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James Johnston Pettigrew, #UNC Class of 1849. Born 1828 to Ebenezer and Ann Shepard Pettigrew. Pettigrew Hall on UNC’s campus is named for him (building adjacent to where #SilentSam stood). His family’s involvement in the slave trade is deep and well-documented. #samsreckoning
James Johnston’s grandfather Charles was an Anglican minister in Edenton, N.C. Finding it difficult to make ends meet as a religious leader, he decided to start a plantation. In 1778 Charles married Mary Blount, a wealthy heiress, and received 9 slaves and land from her family.
Three of Charles’ parishioners started the Lake Company, land venture to buy up 100,000 acres of swamps around Lake Phelps and convert to usable land. To do this they needed (free) labor. They sailed a slave ship from Boston to Africa, captured 100 people, transported back to NC.
The enslaved were put to work digging a six mile canal from Lake Phelps to the Scuppernong River, in order to drain the swamp and make the land usable for rice cultivation. This work lasted two years. Many slaves died - malaria, cholera, snake bites, accident and injury.
Charles acquired lands from his Lake Company friends. “They have generously given me by Deed of Gift every privilege I could wish, to me, my heirs & assigns forever.” He established Bonarva. Charles also traveled to Haiti during this period to enslave others for his labor force.
Charles stubbornly fought against environment around his plantation, risking the lives and health of enslaved. Lake often flooded, canals failed. Most dangerous task was clearing canal debris. When not in crop season, he forced enslaved to clear timber and do other dangerous work
Swamp land caused malaria outbreaks. Position off canals made it difficult to get supplies. Without medical training, Charles experimented with variety of treatments on the enslaved. In letters he called himself “a quack.” Forced enslaved women to nurse very ill white neighbors.
Letters document capture and punishment of enslaved men who tried to escape Pettigrew plantations. Pompey and Charles, valuable "drivers" to Charles both escaped and were recaptured. They were put in irons and Pettigrew ordered George (another enslaved driver) to whip them.
Charles and Mary had two sons, John and Ebenezer. John died in 1799. Mary died in childbirth in 1786. Charles remarried in 1795, to Mary Lockhart. Eventually started second plantation, Belgrade, in nearby Washington Co. He owned at least 34 slaves at his death in 1807.
Charles participated in the first efforts to establish the University of North Carolina. He also served on its first Board of Trustees. His son Ebenezer Pettigrew attended the first session (1795) of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
James Johnston’s father Ebenezer inherited 25 enslaved persons from his father Charles' estate, and took over Bonarva and Belgrade. In the 1840s, he started a third plantation, Magnolia. In 1815 he married his cousin Ann (Nancy) Blount Shepard.
Ann refused to live in the swamps, so they lived apart. Ebenezer could not adjust to town life. Ann died in 1830. Her family took the children. Essentially a recluse he focused on increasing his wealth. In 1815 he owned 700 acres, enslaved 17. By 1840: 8,500 acres, enslaved 54.
Eventually Ebenezer's son Charles Lockhart Pettigrew took over Bonarva, and son William Shepard Pettigrew took over Belgrade. Charles L. listed on 1850 census with 90 slaves, ages 2 months to 80 years old; brother William S. listed as slaver of 39, ages 9 months to 67 years old.
Ebenezer convinced by friends to run for US Congress. Served only one term 1835-1837, his cold disposition clashed with Washington and he returned to his plantation.
Ebenezer had more than 90 slaves at the time of his death in 1848.
Ebenezer had more than 90 slaves at the time of his death in 1848.
Ebenezer's letters have been published. They frequently mention the enslaved. Examples: 1821 - Ebenezer assists friend in recapturing Steven and Anthoney (escaped on Christmas); 1836 - Arthur accused of stealing hogs, chased into swamp; 1822 - death of enslaved child Edmond
1838 - hires out Cambridge and Emanuel; 1836 - runaway Jess seen by brother-in-law, orders sheriff to re-capture; 1822 - death of James; 1839 - “I sold man Cambridge, Emanuel I still keep”; 1837 - “your man Gabe has become quite incorrigable & was sent to me...to be ironed”;
1836 - Pompey, Jerry and Harry have worked hard enough to earn shoes; 1830 “Lidia had a daughter”; 1819- “I have purchased a negroe woman & child…she is 23 years of age and pretty...Torn has taken a great liking to her...I had to give him a floging on Sunday last.”
James Johnston Pettigrew used his wealth and privilege towards intellectual pursuits, unlike his brothers. Free time due to exploited enslaved labor allowed him to study & play: learned 6 languages, studied music, boxing, fencing, traveled Europe. A family friend gave him $50k.
During Civil War, James Johnston Pettigrew forced an enslaved man named Peter to serve him as a “body servant.” When Pettigrew was mortally wounded, J.J.’s brother William obtained a special pass to cross enemy lines to re-capture Peter, as seen in this letter. 
The cult of James Johnston Pettigrew is strong. He may be the most memorialized Confederate North Carolinian of all. Within 6 months of his death a “Pettigrew Monument Association” was established by the NC Gen. Assembly to erect a monument at the Capitol. Apparently never built.
Raleigh chapter (#95) of United Daughters of the Confederacy is named for James Johnston, as is Camp #1401 of Sons of Confederate Veterans in Lenoir, NC. Also Pettigrew State Park, a monument at the site of his death in WV erected by NC UDC, and a WWII ship... all named for him.
After the Civil War, after losing their enslaved labor, and with other post-War economic, political and cultural changes, the Pettigrews’ wealth and stature was diminished - they accumulated debt. By the end of the 19th century the family had pulled up stakes and left the region.
