The names Pettway and Pettaway are very common here in Dallas and Wilcox County, AL. The Pett(a)ways are mostly the descendants of slaves who lived in and around Gees Bend (now Boykin), AL. The Gees Bend plantation once owned by the Gee bothers was sold to Mark Pettway who was originally from North Carolina.

Here's a link to Pettway's will. Hope it sheds some light on your research.

http://www.prairiebluff.com/algenweb/wilcox/pettwaywill.html

B.J. Smothers