Pettifield Family of Southwest Louisiana

Annise E. Upchurch

The Pettifield family of southwest Louisiana settled in Iberia Parish in the late 1800’s. The progenitor of the Calcasieu Parish Pettifields was George Emmitt Pettifield, the adopted son of Joseph H. Petifils and Marie Devolin.

Family stories passed down to later generations say his name was George Emmitt Johnson. His mother, having passed away and his father struggling to care for the young son, George Emmitt Johnson became part of Joseph H. Petitfils and his wife Marie Devolin’s family in the late 1800s. The Federal Census of 1900 shows him at age 15 with the Johnson last name and that he is “adopted”. He was born in Jeanerette, LA, south of Iberia, LA.

George E. Pettifield married Annise Eula Upchurch in 1907. Annise was born in Abbeville Parish. Annise’s parents were Charles Burton Upchurch, Jr. and wife Zona Ellen White. Charles B. Upchurch, Jr. was from Alabama while Zona was born in Louisiana. Both died in DeQuincy, LA.

One newspaper reported that George E. Pettifield was killed in a railroad accident near Savoy, LA in 1914. It was later determined that he was badly injured. He was not so fortunate in 1949 when Houston, Texas investigators ruled his death a suicide. Louisiana investigators were of a different opinion and said that he was murdered. The Texas officials would not reopen the case after courts ruled the death a suicide. The body was returned to DeQuincy, LA for burial.

Nine children were born to the marital union of George E. Pettifield and Annise E. Upchurch. It appears that many of the nine children remained in the Calcasieu Parish, married and raised their families there.

In a family book to be published soon, the descendants of George E. Pettifield and Annise E. Upchurch will be listed. Also included are some obituaries and the burial place of many. Moreover, to the extent possible the FindAGrave.com Memorial # where details of their family and references to family members can be found will be part of the family information.

Since George E. Pettifield was adopted, his ancestry cannot be traced back to his Johnson family roots. The ancestry of his wife, Annise E. Upchurch is very different. Her ancestry has been traced back 27 generations to the 1100s.
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If your family roots include a Pettifield or an Upchurch, please notify me to include your family in this book at murphymillerjr@gmail.com. Many photos of this family will be include in the book. 

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