A colonial family, shown in black and white, shaking hands with a modern family in full color in a sunlit forest

You are invited to the

Pettit Family
Heritage Reunion

Two and a half centuries later, the family of Joshua and Rachel Pettit meets again — together for the first time since the Revolutionary War.

When
WhereSpartanburg, South Carolina

RSVPFind your branch

Where it all began

Joshua & Rachel Pettit

Every one of us traces back to one couple: Joshua Pettit, born in 1734, and his wife Rachel.

Together they raised a large family in back country South Carolina including five sons — Henry, Joshua Jr., Benjamin, John and Nathan. After the Revolutionary War, the family scattered. Over the next two and a half centuries those five sons became five great branches, filled with people spread across the country. Most of us have never met the cousins on the other lines.

On April 10, 2027, we're changing that. For the first time since the Revolutionary War, the descendants of Joshua and Rachel are coming home. The descendants of the Pettit clans will unite on their ancestral homeland — to share a meal, swap stories, compete in fun games for family bragging rights, and honor the people who started it all.

Come be a part of this once in a lifetime gathering that your family will remember for generations! Your ancestors are calling!

All descendants welcome

Who is this reunion for?

This isn't your typical family reunion. It's a heritage reunion for every descendant of Joshua and Rachel Pettit. Most of us have never met, but we all share the same roots, so come meet the cousins you never knew you had.

Bring the kids, too. They'll have a blast with games and new cousins. They'll also hear the story of where they come from, in a way they'll remember for years to come.

What you'll receive

  • A 2027 Pettit Family Heritage Reunion commemorative coin — an instant heirloom.
  • A family history book specific to you, covering your branch all the way back to the 1700s.
  • Instant, unrestricted access to the Pettit family tree online.

The five clans

Which branch are you?

Every descendant belongs to one of five clans, named for the son of Joshua and Rachel you descend from. At the reunion you'll wear your clan's color, sit with your cousins, and pull for your branch in the tug of war.

Illustrated portrait representing Henry Pettit
Clan Henry

Henry Pettit · b. 1763

Eldest son. Revolutionary War veteran.

OxbloodRead Henry's story
Illustrated portrait representing Joshua Pettit Jr.
Clan Joshua Jr.

Joshua Pettit Jr. · b. c. 1765

Second son. Iron worker.

NavyRead Joshua Jr.'s story
Illustrated portrait representing Benjamin Pettit
Clan Benjamin

Benjamin Pettit · b. 1769

Third son. Plantation owner.

Forest greenRead Benjamin's story
Illustrated portrait representing John Pettit
Clan John

John Pettit · b. 1771

Fourth son. Pioneer.

GoldRead John's story
Illustrated portrait representing Nathan Pettit
Clan Nathan

Nathan Pettit · b. 1775

Youngest son. Miller.

PlumRead Nathan's story

Not sure which clan you're in?

  1. Start with yourself and work backward — parent, grandparent, great-grandparent — following the line that carries the Pettit connection (it may pass through a mother or grandmother).
  2. Keep going until you reach a son of Joshua and Rachel: Henry, Joshua Jr., Benjamin, John or Nathan. That's your clan.
  3. Look yourself up on the Pettit family tree, or just tell us what you know when you RSVP — we'll help you find your place.

Descend from more than one son? Lucky you — pick the clan you'd like to stand with.

Saturday, April 10, 2027

The day's schedule

Times are placeholders and will be confirmed closer to the date.

  1. 9:00 AM

    Arrival & check-in

    Pick up your name tag and clan color, find your branch's table, and meet your cousins.

  2. 10:00 AM

    Welcome

    Opening words and a roll call of the five clans.

  3. 10:30 AM

    Family history talk

    A fun, family-friendly look at Joshua and Rachel, their five sons, and where the branches went.

  4. 11:30 AM

    Games & the great tug of war

    Lawn games for all ages, capped by the clan-vs-clan tug of war championship.

  5. 12:30 PM

    Catered picnic lunch

    Sit down together for a catered family picnic.

  6. 2:00 PM

    Family photos

    Photos by clan, then the whole family together.

  7. 3:00 PM

    Memorial service

    A short service of remembrance at the old family cemetery.

  8. 4:30 PM

    Farewells

    Last stories, addresses swapped, and plans for next time.

What we'll do

A day for the whole family

Catered picnic
A catered lunch served picnic-style — bring a lawn chair and an appetite.
Clan vs. clan tug of war
Five clans, one rope, eternal bragging rights. Plus lawn games for kids and grown-ups alike.
Family history talk
The story of Joshua, Rachel and their sons — told to be fun for all ages, with time for your own stories too.
Memorial service
A gathering of remembrance at the old family cemetery to honor those who came before us.

Getting there

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Reunion venue

[Venue name]
[Street address]
Spartanburg, SC [ZIP]

[Map / directions link]

Family cemetery

[Cemetery name & location]

[Directions from the venue · parking · walking terrain]

Travel & lodging

  • Nearest airport: Greenville-Spartanburg International (GSP).
  • Hotels: [Suggested hotels / room block details]
  • Parking: [Parking details]

Will you be there?

RSVP

Let us know you're coming, how many are in your party, and which clan you belong to (or what you know of your line, if you're not sure). It helps us plan food, name tags and tug of war teams.

Please respond by [RSVP deadline].

RSVP now

Placeholder: RSVP form link coming soon. Cost per person: [TBD].

Good questions

Frequently asked

Questions?

Contact the reunion committee

[Organizer name(s)]

[Email address] · [Phone number]