GEORGE PETTIGREW
Descendants: Mollie Pettigrew Woessner
George Pettigrew was born in Hempstead County, Arkansas, afterwards named Pettigrew County. His father was John Pettigrew and his other, Sarah Beard. George Pettigrew came to Corpus Christi in the late 50's. While on a trip to Mexico, he met and married Marie Antonia Famaz in Santa Monica, Mexico. George Pettigrew came back to Corpus Christi with his wife, who was born in Monclova, Mexico, in 1865. They lived in the original Pettigrew home, which is located where the Plaza Hotel now stands. The Pettigrews owned large holdings where the oil wells are being developed near Corpus Christi.
The children of George and Marie Pettigrew were: Richard Pettigrew, born 1867; Mollie Pettigrew Woessner, born 1869; Ophelia Pettigrew Martin, born 1872; Addie Pettigrew Moss, born 1875. George Pettigrew, first husband, died in 1875 and was buried in Corpus Christi. He was a stockman and ranchman. Mrs. Marie Pettigrew married the second time one William G. Rhew. Their children were James Rhew, born in 1880; George Rhew, born in 1883; Mamie Rhew, born in 1889; Peter Rhew, born in 1886. Mamie Rhew married Dooley.
Children of Ophelia Pettigrew Martin were George, Batty and Jim Martin. Children of Addie Pettigrew Moss: Thelma Moss, Eleta Moss, McCagg, Mary Adeline Moss Shellback; Arthur R. Dooley, son of Mamie Rhew Dooley; George Rhew, deceased, no children; Jim Rhew, deceased, one son, Weldon J. Rhew.
George Pettigrew’s family had in their possession pictures of the noted Generals Taylor, Lee and Jackson.
Mrs. Mollie Woessner’s aunt, Ellen Pettigrew Lawrence, wife of Dr. Lawrence of Corpus Christi, was a beautiful woman and a fine portrait of her hung in the Lawrence home. The sisters of Mrs. Woessner living in Beaumont are Mrs. Martin, wife of Dr. Martin, and Mrs. Dooley.
The Pettigrew daughters were educated in the Incarnate Word Convent in Corpus Christi. Their mother, Mrs. Marie Pettigrew Rhew, died in Beaumont, Texas, in 1913 and was buried in Corpus Christi.
Mrs. Pettigrew was very beautiful, and so eager to learn th English language that she went to school the whole first year of her married life. She was gifted in hand sewing and embroidery. Transplanted from her native land and confronted with an alien language and an unknown people and customs, her courage and fortitude must have been sorely tried at times. Novelty in all that she saw and the methods of life she met on every hand must have puzzled her greatly. — Ref. Times, Mar. 31, 1936.
Source:
DeGarmo, Mrs. Frank. Pathfinders of Texas, 1836-1846. Austin: Press of Von Boeckmann-Jones, co., 1951.
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales
MARIE ANTONIA FAMAZ PETTIGREW