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The Watts On-line
Issue No. 43
May 1, 1998


Another newsletter with lots of information.  If you sent me information and it is not in this newsletter it will be in a future issue of a newsletter.
Thanks for the help in keeping the newsletter a success.

Contents:
1.  Members Lines
2.  Queries
3.  Naming Patterns in Families
4.  Geographic Names Information System in Pennsylvania for Watts
5.  Geographic Names Information System in Maine for Watts
6.  Geographic Names Information System in Ohio for Watts
7.  Celia Watts, MS 1915 [obit]
8.  Extract of WATTS Georgia Marriages 1754-1850 From FTM CD 226, part 2
9.  The Watts Book
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Members Lines

From: cjj@mto.infi.net (Judy Johnson)

I was given your name to get the Watts newsletter, which I would love to get.  My gggf was George Watts DOB 11 May 1796 - DOD 18 april 1881 - who married Mary Ann Dawson DOB 29 January 1806 - DOD 26 May 1881.  They married in Jasper co., Ga. on 4 april 1822.  I do not know what county they died in but they did live in DeKalb co., Ga. for a while as that is where my ggf John W. Watts was born.  George was a Methodist Minister.   John was a Methodist Minister and later in life became a physician. I know of one other brother who was also a Methodist Minister.  I do have some of the descendants of george and Mary Ann if you would like I will be glad to send them to you.  Thanks.
 Merlyn Hollomon Whiting


From: Jamielts@aol.com

           The WATTS I am looking for is  ARMANDY or Amanda WATTS b. June 9.1852 in Georgia ?, married to R.B. Thornton in December 1869, and died in Arkansas  May 27,1915  . I have run into a dead end with thw WATTS line and would appriciate any help.  Jamie

From: CWatts5042@aol.com
Subj: Correction

With new information, I find that my original notes were incorrect. My research goes back to Samuel D. Watts b. So. Car. 1801. Moved to Highland Co. Ohio and died in 1880 there. He had many children named James, Norwood,Manerva,Mary Samuel, Lewis (My line), Martha, Myra, Dora, Thomas. He and his family came to Ohio from So. Car. with the Quakers because of slavery in the South. His father was born in Ireland and I do not know his 1st name.
My name is Charles Watts,CWatts5042@aol.com

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Queries

From: bharris@inetnebr.com (Betty Harris)

My husband descends from the William Watts.  At present I show that Wm Watts who married Mary Burke Smith in 1803 had a daughter, Mary Matilda who m a Mr Pitts.  She was interviewed by someone and I sent a copy of interview to Virginia State Library in case you want to read it.  I have Willliam as III, s/o William II who m Lucy Wood, d/o Joseph Wood and Elizabeth, d/o John Scott.  Willliam II was s/o Thomas III who was s/o Edward III who was s/o Edward II, He was the s/o Edward I and he was s/o William I .  Does anyone else agree with this.  Edward II was the Comeover in 1640 on the 'Expedition.  Mary Watts Pitts remembers her grandparents so I am sure back to them-Obadiah Smith and dau Mary Burke Smith.  I may have an article published on these Smiths in 'Tidewater Virginia ' in future.
Interested in data before Thomas Watts. 
Betty
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NAMING PATTERNS IN FAMILIES.
The "PIONEER GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY" magazine Vol.16,#3, 1997 has the NAMING
PATTERNS IN FAMILIES. Traditional Naming Patterns used in the early days will
often give a clue to identities of relatives:
FIRST SON:  father's father
SECOND SON: mother's father
THIRD SON: after father
FORTH SON: father's oldest brother

FIRST DAUGHTER: mother's mother
SECOND DAUGHTER; father's mother
THIRD DAUGHTER;after mother
FOURTH DAUGHTER; mother's oldest sister

Contributed by artgranny@worldnet.att.net (Phyllis Stovall)

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Geographic Names Information System in Pennsylvania for Watts
For detailed maps of these places below please go to:
http://www-nmd.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html

Feature Name County Type Place

Watts Cemetery Clearfield cemetery Curwensville
Watts Creek Clearfield stream Curwensville
Watts Hill Indiana summit McIntyre
Watts Hill Wayne summit Honesdale
Watts Lake Mercer lake Mercer
Watts School Delaware school Marcus Hook
Watts, Township of Perry civil Duncannon
Wattsburg Erie pop place Wattsburg
Wattsburg, Borough of Erie civil Union City

Geographic Names Information System in Maine for Watts

Feature Name County Type Place

Watts Cove Know bay Tenants Harbor
Watts Cove Washington bay Bois Bubert
Watts Hill Hancock summit Ellsworth
Watts Ledge Cumberland bar Cape Elizabeth
Watts Point Cumberland cape Thomaston
Watts Point Knox cape Thomaston

Geographic Names Information System in Ohio for Watts

Feature Name County Type Place

Watts Run Scioto stream Otway
Wattsville Carroll pop place Bergholz
Wattsville Post office Carroll post office Bergholz  (Historical)
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Celia Watts, MS 1915 [obit]

Old Mississippi Slave Dies At Age 115
  3/4/1915
Meridian Mississippi Advertiser
 
Born in 1800 formerly a slave of the Watts family of Newton County, died here Monday and was buried Tuesday in the family cemetery.

Those who knew the old woman said her memory was good and she often cited tales of long ago. She died at Complete, which was formerly called Rose Hill.  She has lived in Lauderdale County for thirty-five years having come here from Hickory. She is said to have been quite active.

Source:
Tuskegee News Clipping File
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Extract of WATTS Georgia Marriages 1754-1850 From FTM CD 226, part 2

HABERSHAM COUNTY
Watts, Agness  11/11/1822 Ross, Charles 

HALL COUNTY
Watts, Caroline  11/19/1850 Landers, Benjamin M.

HANCOCK COUNTY
Watts, William  12/13/1838 Hall, Nancy 
Watts, Winifred 01/19/1843 Beason, John L.

HARRIS COUNTY
Watts, Barbary  11/29/1832 Mcneil, Larkin 
Watts, Sarah  03/14/1829 Williams, Aaron 
Watts, Thomas  06/15/1840 Harper, Martha Ann

HENRY COUNTY
Watts, Thomas  09/16/1826 Garner, MRS Elizabeth  (Said to be s/o John of Wash.
Co 
Watts, William  08/18/1848 Fogety, Nancy 

JACKSON COUNTY
Watts, Hayden  09/30/1806 Wadsworth, Sue                (s/o Benjamine s/o
Richard Sr)
Watts, Hope  12/28/1809 Mcconnel, Polly                   (s/o Benjamine s/o
Richard Sr)
Watts, Jenny  11/07/1817 Landrum, Larkin 
Watts, Mary Caroline 02/15/1827 Adams, Thomas R. G.
Watts, Moses  08/29/1837 Mcdonald, Susan

JASPER COUNTY
Watts, Amelia  08/28/1821 Dawson, Benjamin
Watts, Daniel  03/18/1830 Heath, Broda 
Watts, John  08/28/1821 Dawson, Sarah 
Watts, John  11/01/1816 Hunt, Sarah

JONES COUNTY
Watts, Becky  01/05/1843 Merritt, Benjamin
Watts, Bleauford 09/28/1848 Horne, Henrietta 
Watts, E.  11/15/1814 Webb, Owen 
Watts, Emily  05/22/1834 Horne, William H.
Watts, Ewell  12/30/1847 Pippins, Nancy 
Watts, Hugh  01/23/1823 Finney, Lucy 
Watts, Isaac  12/03/1824 Champion, Jane              (s/o Jacob/Millie H)
Watts, Jacob  06/07/1838 Bates, Elizabeth             (s/o Jacob/Millie H)
Watts, John P.  12/12/1850 Maddox, Annie S.
Watts, John Y.  01/07/1849 Hadaway, Adeline
Watts, Martha  04/22/1849 Hadaway, Martin
Watts, Martha  12/18/1843 Hodge, Samuel 
Watts, Samuel  01/04/1829 Mullins, Malinda 
Watts, Spencer 04/28/1822 Jones, Dianah 
Watts, Spencer 12/24/1849 Coulter, Mary A.
Watts, William  06/06/1846 Merrett, Matilda 

LAURENS COUNTY
Watts, Elizabeth 02/09/1834 Pope, Frederick 
Watts, Fanny  09/06/1821 Dent, John G.
Watts, Sarah A. 03/04/1846 Hightower, Joshua E.
Watts, William  11/25/1819 Askew, Ann 

LINCOLN COUNTY
Watts, Nancy  01/02/1828 Ison, Jackson

LUMPKIN COUNTY
Watts, Anny  10/17/1847 Lusk, James L. 
Watts, Catherine 06/10/1845 Miller, William
Watts, Jacob  06/24/1841 Watts, Martha 
Watts, Margaret 10/08/1833 Ponder, Isham 
Watts, Martha  06/24/1841 Watts, Jacob 
Watts, William  06/02/1836 Corn, Stacy

MERRIWETHER COUNTY
Watts, Frances  12/29/1831 Mclendon, Freeman
Watts, Thomas  12/23/1841 Mclendon, Mary Ann

MONROE COUNTY
Watts, Cynthia A. 03/09/1845 Fogarty, James M.
Watts, Margaret 02/21/1828 Pool, Robert C. (this is Margaret Garrington Watts
d/o Ludwell)
Watts, Mary E.  01/19/1848 Clark, Edward 
Watts, Pascal M. 04/14/1829 Crowder, Martha F. (s/o Littleberry a/o Thomas of
deed)(mineBGW)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Watts, Benjamin F. 01/17/1833 Bryan, Emeline  (s/o Thomas H probable s/o John
od Wash Co

MORGAN COUNTY
Watts, Ellen  12/22/1817 Hightower, Chairman          (d/o Presley s/o
Thomas/Hannah
Watts, James  12/23/1834 Sheffield, Martha
Watts, Jinney P. 12/24/1824 Warren, Jesse
Watts, Jubial E. 06/01/1824 Stokes, Louisa                (s/o Thomas of deed)
Watts, Ludwell  12/14/1808 Matthews, Elizabeth  (I really need to know who he
is !!!)
Watts, Mahala A. 11/29/1825 Bailey, Henry               (d/o Littleberry s/o
Thomas of deed)
Watts, Nancy  04/04/1815 Whatley, William
Watts, Sarah W. S. 04/29/1823 Morgan, John C.
Watts, Thomas  07/17/1816 Whatley, Hannah

MURRAY COUNTY
Watts, Caroline  09/16/1844 Ledford, Ephraim

OGLTHORPE COUNTY
Watts, Charles  10/01/1798 Watson, Jenney            (s/o Thomas/Hannah)
Watts, Harrison 12/05/1797 Biddle, Mary               (s/o Thomas/ deed)
Watts, Littleberry 08/16/1810 Bailey, Polly           (s/o Thomas / deed) his
2nd marriage
Watts, Pleasant 03/23/1808 Bailey, Elizabeth           (s/o Thomas / deed)
Watts, Thomas  04/14/1796 Morton, Peggy 

PIKE COUNTY
Watts, Christopher C. 04/09/1846 Whatley, Catherine E.

PUTNAM COUNTY
Watts, Joseph H. 10/16/1828 Peters, Holland 
Watts, Maria  12/23/1818 Clements, Allen          (d/o Jeremiah s/o
Thomas/Hannah)

RABUN COUNTY
Watts, Charles  01/13/1848 Ellerd, Lucinda        (s/o Joseph of Rabun)
Watts, James  01/21/1836 Rich, Eliza                 (s/o Joseph of Rabun)
Watts, John  08/08/1839 Jourden, Mary Ann      (s/o Joseph of Rabun)
Watts, Sarah  05/12/1831 White, Robert N.       
Watts, William  05/05/1836 Jones, Sarah            (s/o Joseph/Rabun

TALBOT COUNTY
Watts, Lucinda  01/03/1836 Fleming, Washington

TALIAFERRO COUNTY
Watts, Archibald 09/03/1829 Stevens, Synthia A.     (s/o Archibald s/oThomas/
deed)
Watts, David S. 11/15/1831 Billingslea, Martha B.C.(s/o Archibald s/o Thomas/
deed)
Watts, Mary  03/19/1835 Whitaker, Thomas J.         (d/o Archibald s/o Thomas
/ deed)
Watts, Thomas  08/15/1833 Daniel, Penina                (s/o Archibald s/o
Thomas / deed)

TATNELL COUNTY
Watts, Mary  08/08/1809 Wells, William 

TROUP COUNTY
Watts, George  01/09/1831 Riddle, Elizabeth           (s/o Jacob/Millie H)
Watts, L. Berry  06/01/1842 Randle, Sarah 
Watts, Lucy  10/04/1832 Hallman, Isaac
Watts, Moses  11/22/1833 Raines, Mary Ann T. R.  (s/o Jacob/Millie H)

WALTON COUNTY
Watts, Nancy  01/07/1828 Awtry, William 

WILKES COUNTY
Watts, David  01/06/1813 Darden, Elizabeth
Watts, Elizabeth 09/08/1793 Roberts, Joseph 
There are marriages in Georgia listed under Watt and Wall that I know are
Watts

Submitted by Barbara Waldrop    User181801@aol.com
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The Watts Book
(This was sent by Margaret and has been shared with the Reuben Watts group.  If any of you are interested in the following line you might want to contact John Jamison at    Pinstride@aol.com.)

The title of the book is simply _WATTS_. No date or publisher.

[No page number for acknowledgements.]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A sincere thanks goes out to _all_ who assisted in making this book possible.  A special thanks to George Page, Mable Page Boyd and Milfcord Watts for starting the idea, and for driving many miles and walking over numerous cemeteries - to Delia Watts Dees Hendricks and Sim and Sophia Swilley fcor supplying infcormation they remembered from their elders - tgo Jeanette Campbell Creekmore for working so diligently on the George Watts family who went to the Delta - tgo Floranelle James May for supplying information on the
Lucy Watts line - and to Jan (Mrs. Robert) Boyd for the final typing.
Gladys Page Carter
Mildred M. Watts

HISTORY OF JOHN E. WATTS FAMILY   [p. 1]

From 1785 to 1820 a passport signed by the governor of Georgia was required for all who  would travel through the Creek and Cherokee Indian lands. From the Georgia Archives in Atlanta we have a copy of an application for a group John E. Watts was traveling with to cross these lands on their trek westward.
A copy of this application follows:

Page 56 - Saturday, November 14, 1812
On application --
ORDERED: That a passport be prepared for CAPTAIN JOSIAH WATTS with his wife, four children and sixteen slaves. JOHN E. WATTS and JOSIAH EVANS, all from the County of Washington, in the State to travel through Indian Nations to the Western County - which was presented and signed.

From ages given on census reports, it is estimated John E. Watts was about seventeen or eighteen years of age in 1812. It is further assumed that Josiah Evans was about the same age as john E., and that they and the family of Captain Josiah Watts were all related in some way.

The next account of John E. is taken from the book "Mississippi Territory in the War of 1812" by Mrs. Dunbar Rowland. A list ofc "Carson's Regiment of Mississippi Militia, 1814-1815 lists JOHN E. WATTS, Pvt., JOSIAH WATTS, Capt. and JOSIAH EVANS, Sgt.

From "Mississippi Genealogy and Local History," Volume IV, by Norman Gillis, the Wayne County Tax Lists for 1818 and 1822 lists Jehu and Josiah Watts, evidently jointly owned property. Possibly this is where their families lived during the time they were fighting with Carson's Regiment in 1814-1815 in the War of 1812.

[p. 2]
WAYNE COUNTY CENSUS (MISSISSIPPI) 1820

JEHU WATTS

Male Female
Under 10 1
16-26 1 1

It seems clear that the names Jehu, John, John E. and John Evans Watts are for the same person. This is brought out in census records and later in land transactions studied in Copiah County records.

No account has been found of their travel through the 300 to 400 mile wilderness nor of what route they traveled. The most likely route was "The
Three Chopped Way."

The road traveled by most of the settlers who moved westward from the eastern seaboard through Georgia and Alabama into or through Mississippi was known as "The Three Chopped Way." It was so obscure in the early days that it was necessary to mark it some way so that the traveler would not get lost.  Three slashes were made with an axe – three slashes, along the way on strategically located trees. It was established about 1805, and extended from Milledgeville, the capitol of Georgia, by way of St. Stephens in Alabama, to Natchez. At first it was little more than a bridle path, but in 1807 it was widened into a wagon road. It is said that even this improvement left much to
be desired. It was a bad road and breakdowns were frequent and serious. It was the only direct route from Georgia to the increasingly important town of Natchez, however, and it was soon established as a Post road and mail passed back and forth three times a week.

The road entered Mississippi Territory into what is now Clarke County and either passed through or touched jasper, Smith, Simpson, crossed Pearl River into Lawrence County at Monticello, Copiah or Lincoln, Jefferson or Lincoln, Jefferson or Franklin and into Adams.

[pp. 3-4]
In the "History of Mississippi," Volume II, 1824-1827 by Dunbar Rowland, John E. Watts was County Treasurer of Copiah County. This is verified in Book B -- 34 in Court House at Hazlehurst, Copiah County. It states; John E. Watts was on this day of June, 1825 appointed County Treasurer for Copiah County for the term of 2 years from date of appointment.
Oath, page 35.

The 1830 census ofc Copiah County, Mississippi, shows:
Jehu E. Watts, age between 30 and 40
Wife, age between 15 and 20
3 males under 10
2 females under 10

1840 Copiah County Census
J. U. E. Watts age 40-50
Wife 30-40
1 male 15-20
1 male 5-10
2 females 5-10
1 female Under 5

The 1850 census was the first census to list all names in the household.  At this time all the males were out of the household on the Copiah County census for the family of John E. Watts.

1850 COPIAH COUNTY CENSUS

NAME AGE BORN

John Evans Watts 55 GA
Frances 45 SC
Margaret 22 MS
Lucy 15 MS
Tabitha 11 MS
Mary F. 9 MS
Amanda McVey 25 MS

1860 COPIAH COUNTY CENSUS

John Watts 65 GA
Frances 59 SC
Margaret 35 MS
Tabitha 20 MS
Mary 18 MS
John 12 MS

1870 COPIAH COUNTY CENSUS

Frances Watts 67 SC
Tabitha Smith 27 MS
G. L. Mansfield 22 SC (Farmer)
Mary F. Mansfield 21 MS

From these census reports we know John e. Watts was born in Georgia in 1795.  Also, that his wife's name was Frances, who was born in South Carolina. Many of the people from South Carolina who migrated to the Mississippi Territory came by the way of Georgia and others through Tennessee. We have no way of knowing who Frances was or when she and John E. married. Since their first son, Josiah, was born in 1818 or 1819 we can assume they married about 1817.

Amanda McVey is listed on the 1850 census. It was first thought she might be the daughter of John E. and Frances, who had married and then was divorced. No recordc of this marriage was found.

On October 14, 1854, Amanda McVey married "S. j. M. Bullock in Copiah County.  John Watts was the bondsman.

Amanda and S. J. M. Bullock are buried in the Spring Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Martinsville, Copiah County.
[pp. 7-9]
I. JOSIAH WATTS

The male members of John E. and Frances Watts family were out of the household before the 1850 census, which was the first census to give names of the children. This made the search difficult to establish who the three males were. Some of the older members of the family thought there was an Uncle Joe who went to Louisiana. Also, a brother who moved to the delta and one who stayed in Copiah County.

1870 CLAIBORNE PARISH, LOUISIANA CENSUS

Josiah Watts 51 MS
Eliz. Watts 45 LA
Martha Watts 38 MS) Have not yet determined
Margaret Watts 18 MS) who they are.
Sarah E. Watts 14 LA
Thomas Watts 12 LA
Mary E. Watts 11 LA
James R. Watts 8 LA
Nelleo 3 mos. LA

1880 CLAIBORNE PARISH, LOUISIANA CENSUS

Josiah Watts 62 MS GA GA
Eliz. 56 LA VA NC
J. Cornelius 22 LA LA NC
 (Huckster)
Mary E. Watts 21 LA
James R. Watts 17 LA
Nello O. 9 LA

These census reports established Josiah Watts birth date about 1818 or 1819.  Since we have Jehu and Josiah Watts (ones on the passport) on the Wayne County Tax Lists fcor 1812 -1822, we can assume Jehu's (0r John E's) son Josiah was born in Wayne County.

Positive proof that this Josiah Watts was the son of John e. and Frances Watts is established by the settling of John E. Watts estate.
Copy of this transaction follows:
In consideration of six hundred dollars we convey to James Redus the following described land situated in Copiah County, Mississippi. The E 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of Section 26; and the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 25, in Township 10 North, Range 8 East. Witness our signatures the first day of January, 1884. John Watts, Lucy Myers, Josiah Watts, Tabitha Smith, Margaret Chance and Mary Mansfield.
State of Louisiana
Parish of Claiborne
Before me the undersignd authority, one of the Jusice ofc Peace in and for the Parish of Claiborne, State aforesaid, personally came and appeared Josiah Watts and Margaret Chance who on oath depose and sanction the above signatures as their won and that they signed them fcor the purpose above stated and on said fcirst day of January 1884.
Josiah Watts
Margaret Chance
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 16th day of February, A.D.,
1884.
J. G. Copeland, J.P.
6th Ward Parish of Claiborne

State of Mississippi
Copiah County
Personally appeared before me W. FC. Price, a member of the Board of Supervisors of the aforesaid County. The within names - John Watts, Mary F. Mansfield, Lucy Myers, and Tabitha Smith, who acknowledges that they signed and delivred the foregoing instrument on the day and year therein mentioned.

Given under my hand this 29th day of February, A.D., 1884.

W. T. Price M.B.S.

Filed for record July 27, 1885. 9 A.M.
J. M. Norman   Clerk


We have no proof when Josiah Watts left Copiah County, but since his first child was born (by census) in 1856 and his wife was born in Louisiana, we can assume he went to Louisiana sometime around 1855.

[All the above copied from the book _WATTS_.]

Contributed by   almb@iamerica.net (Margaret Miller)
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Watts’ On-Line:  compiled from e-mail and other sources
Distributed by Lori Watts Linnell   lwlinnell@aol.com

Note: If you are interested in back issues I will send out issues numbers 1-35 (1996 - 1997) on 2 disks in Microsoft Word format for a fee of $5.00 to cover costs.  
Mail to:
808 E. Harvard Ave
Gilbert, Arizona  85234

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