Lt. William Riley Petree
Co E, 4th Alabama "Roddey's" Cavalry, CSA
According to family tradition, Lt. Petree served as the bodyguard for Ms. Emma Samson, the young lady that helped Gen. Forrest locate a river ford, that resulted in the capture of Yankee raiders (Col. Abel Steight's raid). Later he named one of his own daughters, Etta Emaline, after Emma Samson. Lt. Petree, after the war, was a merchant in Belgreen, and elected as Sheriff.
Newspaper Obituary
"William R. Petree was born August 9, 1841 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, died December 19, 1920. He came to Alabama at the age of 19 and one year later cast his lot with the "lost cause" of the South, serving for four
years under Gen. Forest. In the year 1868 he married Miss Mary Bolton of Franklin County. To this union six children were born, five of whom are still living. His first wife died in 1878 and in 1887 he married Mary M. Hall. To this union God gave five children, but saw fit to take one of them back in infancy. This leaves nine children, with his dear wife and one sister to mourn his going.
When quite a young man, Brother Petree joined the M.E. Church South at Old Pleasant Grove, and later moved his membership to Belgreen, where he continued a faithful member until his death. He loved his church and the preacher always found a welcome in the home of Brother Petree. He could not do too much for the unfortunate, and in his business dealings he was never known to push any one to their hurt, but had rather suffer loss himself than that one act of his should cause his fellowman sorrow. He loved mankind far better than he loved dollars. One of his customs was to send a substantial check to our orphanage at Selma every Christmas, and I am sure that those children will miss his going as much as we people of Belgreen.
In 1878 he was elected sheriff of Franklin county and served the county well for four years. After this he was elected county treasurer and filled this office with honor to himself and his county for one term. About this
time he became engaged in the mercantile business here at Belgreen - and continuing actively in same until his death. On the afternoon of December 20, 1920, at 3:30 amidst a host of friends and relatives and under a covering of beautiful floral designs, we laid him to rest to await the resurrection morn. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor after which Major Downs of Sheffield, Ala., one of his comrades of the Civil war, paid him a beautiful tribute. Then, with Masonic honors, we gave his body back to the earth from whence it came. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors."
Children of Lt. William R. Petree:
Children of Mary Bolton (first wife):
Sidney Johnson Petree - born Dec.18?? died in the 1920s
William Petree- born 1870
Sara Etta Petree (Mrs. A. Thompson) born 1872
Walter Petree- born 1875
Florence Petree (Mrs. AW Smith) - born 1881
Bertha Petree (Mrs. Marvin Finch of Buffalo, NY) born 1883
The children of Mary Hall (second wife):
Elizabeth Petree (Mrs. AM Wing)
Martha Petree (Mrs. L.L. James)
John D. Petree (married Mamie Weatherford of Pleasant Site, became Probate Judge)
Charlotte Petree (Mrs. Roy Johns)
Ancestry of Lt. William R. Petree
(source: Martha Lo Petree, 1987)
(**) indicate Lt. Petree's direct lineage
**Johan Jacob Petry 1722-1804 came to U.S. at age 21, PA, appears on List 97B, Palatines importe on ship "Loyal Judith", James Cowery Master, from Rotterdam, qualified 2 Sept (Rupp, 1931). married Ana Eva Kuehlin - 1790 both buried Luthern Church Cemetry, Rural Hall, N. C. settled Germanton, N. C. Ana Eve's headstone is visible. His father - Nicholas, hers Killian. Children of this union are:
Eva Barbara married Wold Adam
*** John Henry married Margaretha M. Zimmerman, b Berks Co., PA 1755-1804
Adam married Rosina Frey, d 1790, dgt Valentine Frey
John b Berks Co., Pa 1756, d before 1804
Maria (Mary) Catharina b 1753, d before 1804
Mary Dorothym married John Kraus d after 1804
Elizabeth Margaretha married Peter Fesler, b 1764, d after 1804
Joananna married John Ferguson
Rebecca married Hammond Morris
Jacob married Sarah Bley
Maria Margaretha b Berks Co., PA 1768 or 69.
***John Henry Petree b 18 Dec 1755-1804 m Margaretha M. Zimmerman b 1759-1844.
Children of this union are:
John b 27 Sept 1780 Catharina m Thomas Tuttle
Solomon m Elizabeth Tuttle
****Henry b 1783-1868 m #1 Rebecca Buchannan #2Sarah Lawson,
Mary Barbara m Meichael Tuttle
Margaret Ann m Henry Frey
Margaret Elizabeth m Lazarus Hawkins
Ann Eva m William Hartman
****Henry Petree m Rebecca Buchannan 1794-1843, divorced 1833 #2 Sarah Lawson. Children of this union are:
*****William Henry b 25 Sept 1815 d 14 Jan 1897 m 12 Oct 1837 Elizabeth Turbyfill
Ezekial m Betty Collins, many Petrees in Forsyth Co (Ga). descended from them.
Margaret M. m - Anderson
Riley Frost m Olethia Helsabeck (Ruth Petrees descendant)
Rebecca m Augustus J. Helsabeck born ca. 1829-1830
Catharine m William Spainhour
Elizabeth m - Doub
******William H. Petree
******William H. Petree b 25 Sept 1815 N. C. d 14 Jan 1897, Pleasant Site, Al m
Elizabeth Turbyfill d 25 Feb 1878, both buried Bonds Cemetary, Al. Children
of this union are:
Margaret C. b Feb 1840 never married
Lt. William Riley Petree b Aug 1841 m Mary E. Bolton 1868 (children: Sidney Johnson,
William B., Sara Etta, Walter, Florence, Bertha)
John Wilson b 15 Oct 1845 m Edy Eliz Patterson 21 Jan 1869
Sarah R. b 1 mar 1845 never married
Alberta b 15 Mar 1847 m unknown
James Henry b 25 Jul 1850 m Margaret N. Bonds 6 Mar 1871, JH d 9 Oct 1931
Potosi, Tx.
Augustus T. b 4 Sept 1852 m Susanna Bonds Nov 1874
Julian b 6 Oct 1838 died infant
Note: After Elizabeth's death, Wm Henry raised adopted son David Jr
.
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Information contributed by
Bill Ellis
, great grandson of Lt. Petree (grandson of daughter, Charlotte Petree.)
Also, information obtained from "Forefathers of Franklin County", by Richie Hester, 1996.
Graphics thanks to
34th Texas "Terrell's" Cavalry.
Background music,
"Rose of Alabamy"
by Barry Taylor.