His parents were free blacks and owned a farm .
William Reuben Pettiford was born in Granville County , North Carolina on January 20 , 1847 to William and Matilda Pettiford .
William Reuben Pettiford 's parents were free blacks and owned a farm .
William Reuben Pettiford was born in Granville County , North Carolina on January 20 , 1847 to William and Matilda Pettiford .