Pettit, Charles, 1736-1806

Charles Pettit (1736 – September 4, 1806) was an American lawyer, merchant, and politician from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He served as a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Confederation Congress from 1785 to 1787.

Born near Amwell in Hunterdon County in the Province of New Jersey, Pettit received an English education. In 1767 Pettit accepted the first of many public service positions as a deputy surrogate for the province to assist his brother-in-law, Joseph Reed, who was Secretary. When Reed resigned in 1769, Pettit was appointed as the colony's secretary. After studying with an established firm, Pettit was admitted to the bar in 1770. In 1773 he was selected as a member of the Governor's Council. Pettit served as a personal secretary to Governor William Franklin from 1772 to 1774, and moved to South Amboy, New Jersey. As the Revolution neared, he resigned his post. He returned to it in 1776 when appointed as secretary to the revolutionary governor, William Livingston. From 1776 to 1778 Pettit held the office of provincial secretary.

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