Back to Newsletters

The Watts On-line
Issue No. 45
June 5, 1998


I can tell summer is almost here. The contributions have been slim. If you have some time in the next couple weeks, please sort through your research and forward it on for the rest of us to view. I am also in the process of indexing the newsletters and hope to have it completed by the end of the summer. This should make it easier to see what kinds of records have been covered in which states. It will also make it easier to sort the various Watts lines and maybe make a few more connections.

Contents
1. Members Lines
2. George and Mary Ann Dawson Watts
3. Bible Record of son of Hugh Watts of Jones County Georgia
4. Ship Records on Website
5. Geographic Names Information System for Watts: Mississippi & Kentucky
6. Frank Overton Watts
7. Will of Thomas Watts of Culpeper County, Virginia
********************************************
Members Lines

From: dwhooper@swbell.net (David W.Hooper)

I am David W. Hooper,
I have absolutely nothing on my Watts Lines, There are two, they may or they may not be
related. However I do think they are.

My gggg-grandmother was Frances Watts, b. earlly 1760's Hanover Co., Va. d. aft. 1830
Bond Co., Ill. she married 1783, Va. Williamson Plant.
In 1787 Williamson Plant bought land in Anson Co., NC, the transaction was witnessed by
Malachi Watts and Thomas Rushing.
I do not know if Malachi was related to Frances.

Williamson Plants mother was Elizabeth Watts, b. ?, d. ?, she married John Plant Jr. b.
1739 Caroline Co., Va. d. aft. 1794 Hanover Co., Va. or Newberry Co., SC.
That is all I know of Elizabeth.
I have the Plants back several more generations but have never been able to tie
Elizabeth or Frances to a family.
I feel helpless and I am sorry I have no more to offer.

I am interested in the disks on the back issues of the newsletter. Just tell me where to send my money. $5.00 per disk??

Thank you Lori,
David

Those interested in back issues 1-35, which includes all of 1996 and 1997 in Microsoft Word Format, can sent to the following address:
Lori Watts Linnell
808 E. Harvard Avenue
Gilbert, Arizona 85234


From: Lwattsjr@aol.com

I have a problem going up my Watts line beyond my g-grandfather. Some one told me you were an expert in genealogy - and I don't seem to be able to get much info on the www. Maybe I will learn in time. This g-grandfather lived in Amherst County, Virginia, and was married to a Mary Anne Rucker Watts, and they are well documented in the Rucker Family History, which was printed in 1936. I just cant find the parents of old Robert W. Can you help?

Thanks for your reply, Lawrence A. Watts, Jr., Greenville, N. C.
Fax # (252)754-2828

From: joe@lottfamily.com (Joseph Lott)

Here is an ancestor outline showing my connection to the Watts family:

1. Joseph Nathaniel Lott, born May 18, 1950 in Columbia, Marion Co, MS.
He was the son of 2. Alton Demus Lott and Sarah Kathleen Hudson.

2. Alton Demus Lott, born March 08, 1907 in Rocky Branch, Marion Co, MS;
died December 28, 1954 in Columbia, Marion Co, MS. He was the son of 3.
Ira Samuel Lott and Susan A. Hartfield. He married Sarah Kathleen Hudson
on November 16, 1943 in Forrest Co, MS.

3. Ira Samuel Lott, born December 17, 1862 in Marion Co, MS; died 1959.
He was the son of 4. Nathan Lott and Eliza Powell. He married Susan A.
Hartfield on October 04, 1884 in Marion Co, MS.

4. Nathan Lott, born November 26, 1825 in Marion Co, MS; died June 13,
1898 in Marion Co, MS. He was the son of Joshua Lott and 5. Catherine
Lott. He married Eliza Powell.

5. Catherine Lott, born Abt. 1801 in GA; died September 12, 1884 in
Marion Co, MS. She was the daughter of Nathan Lott and 6. Dicey Watts.
She had a child with Joshua Lott.

6. Dicey Watts, born 1781 in NC; died Aft. 1860 in MS. She was the
daughter of John A. Watts and Judith (Rawls?). She married Nathan Lott
Abt. 1800 in Telfair Co, GA.

Regards,

JL

From: hobcawlady@webtv.net (cynthia porcher)

Hi everyone. I'm Cynthia Porcher. Here's what I have on my Watts line.
If anyone has additions or corrections, they are more than welcome to
contact me1

THOMAS WATTS b ca1763, probably in Bedford Co. VA. Came to Anson Co. NC.
Married LAVINIA HUNTLEY b. 1770 NC, d/o THOS HUNTLEY SR and ZILPHA
MEADOR/
MEADOWS.

Their children (all born in Anson Co)
Joel b. ca 1801
Thomas Henry m Ida Rose Hilton
Daniel b 1800 m. Frances Shepherd in NC, d Holmes Co MS
Davis W b 1814 m Mary B. Timmons
Nancy b 1801 m John Shepherd
Mary b ca 1797 m Isaac Lewellen
Sarah "Sallie" b 1807 m George Duren
Zilpha b.1810 m. Thos L. Marsh

Thomas H. Watts and Rose Hilton lived in Chesterfield Co, SC. They are
my GGgrandparents.

Children of Thos and Rose Watts
Annie
Mollie E d. 1924
Jerome D "Rome"
John Dudley d 1929
Gary H
Douglas
Townly Blair (1868-1963)

Townly Blair Watts m. (1) Hennie Evans b.1870, d 1894. d/o Henry H.
Evans b ca 1842 and Queen B Pigg b 1845.
m (2) Ida Allen b 1877, d/o J Frank Allen

Children of Townly and Hennie
Mayme (1892-1960) m Arlie Pigg
Robert Lee (1893-1990)

Townley and Ida Allen had 11 more children.
******

I would very much like to learn the father of my Thomas Watts m. Lavinia Huntley and would also like to learn about the family of Rose Hilton.
None of the Hilton researchers seem to recognize her. She may have come from Lancaster Co.

From: pruffner@erols.com (Pam Ruffner)

I'm looking for information on my 4th great-grandparents, William Lawson Watts and Mary Ann Dillard--both born around 1780 in the Amherst/Nelson/Albemarle areas. I have some information that states that Stephen was William's father and other that states that Thomas was his father. Can you help? William and Mary Ann had James Dillard Watts, my 3rd great-grandfather and husband to Jane Shannon Higginbotham of Amherst. Thanks, Pam Ruffner

(Her line will be printed in the next newsletter. You might also check issue #31 for parts of this line.)
********************************************
George and Mary Ann Dawson Watts

Lori,
Here is an article that was in a Georgia paper about my great great grand parents. I have no idea of the name of the paper or city or county.

"Rev. George Watts and his wife, Mary, departed this life, the former
April 18, the latter May 20, 1881. Both were born in Fairfield District, S. C., the former January 11, 1796, the latter January 29,1806.

They were married (April 4, 1822) in Jasper Co., Ga. They leave several children, among them are the Rev. Wm. M. Watts of the Florida Conference and Rev. John Watts of this State. Some of the children born to them preceeded them to the better land. They joined the M. E. Church 1828 at Poplar Springs in Hall County, Georgia. thus as husband and wife, friends and followers of God, they lived together over fifty years. They have left an influence now felt by acquaintences, friends, and kindred. None who saw them while sick and heard them talk of the home where are no chilling wind, no sickness, sorrow, death and rejoicing while they viewed the promised land from this side but know that the Lord was beside their bed in their sickness. May the blessing of Heaven rest on children and grandchildren and friends and may they all meet in Heaven to part no more.
W. J. Short"

This is a piece that was in a paper of George and Mary Ann Dawson Watts youngest son, David Watts.

>From the Southern Christian Advocate

"Happy Death of a Little boy"

"David Thomas, the youngest child of the Rev. George Watts of Talbot Co. and brother of the Rev. Wm. M. Watts of the Georgia conference, died August 21 1852 after suffering severe afflication for eleven days, yet enduring his afflication with the fortitude and patience of an aged christian. He was only seven years, nine months and twenty one days old. He seemed to be apprised of his encroaching disability as he told his mother that he would never be well. He often expressed a desire to cross the Jordan of death, exclaiming 'Praise, Praise the Lord'. He told one of his sisters he was going away yonder and asked her if she would go with him and being answered "yes" it seemed to add to his joy, and calling his youngest sister to him put his arm that was already cold around her neck, requested ---------------in Heaven. then calling -----------of the family by name and --------bid each farewell. His nature------ failed him so that he could ----friends around, yet it seemed ------Heavenly vision was presented --------. His view for he
said to his mother,-----Look younder, there are two and-------white. He was then asked "where are you going". He answered "to Heaven" with as much composure and confidence as a mature Christian. Thus pass away -------who had been under the influence of religious instruction from his earliest recollection.
A Friend "

Where there are blank spaces someone had put take over the article and I
was unable to read it.

Hope someone out there knows this family. would love to hear from anyone who does.

Merlyn Hollomon Whiting

Contributed by: cjj@mto.infi.net (Judy Johnson)

********************************************
Bible Record of son of Hugh Watts of Jones County Georgia

(1) 1. ???? WATTS
-------------------------------------------
Children: Hugh

(2) 1.1a Hugh WATTS

Birth Date: 30 Oct 1789
Birth Place: Rockingham Co NC
Death Date: 28 Apr 1845

Notes:
This family WATT Bible record DAR Book Historical Collections Georgia Chapters DAR Vol IV Old Bible Records and Land Lottery)
Bible record not clear but these seem to be right children for parents

Spouse: Elizbeth PHILLIPS
Birth Date: 29 May 1792
Death Date: 17 Sep 1822

Marriage Date: 20 Dec 1810

Children: James Madison

Other spouses: Lucy P FINNEY

(3) 1.1a.1 James Madison WATTS
-------------------
Birth Date: 2 Mar 1817


Spouse: Teresa McCRARY

Marriage Date: 16 Jan 1838

Children: Mary Elizabeth
Lucy Marion
Robert Leonidas
James Harvey
Martha Teresa
Virginia Pauline
Emma Eliza
Ida Grace
Claudia John
Placidia Love

(4) 1.1a.1.1 Mary Elizabeth WATTS
-------------------------------------------
Birth Date: 12 Jul 1839

(4) 1.1a.1.2 Lucy Marion WATTS
-------------------------------------------
Birth Date: 17 Aug 1841

(4) 1.1a.1.3 Robert Leonidas WATTS
---------------------------------------------
Birth Date: 4 Aug 1844

Spouse: Mary PHELAN

Marriage Date: 6 Feb 1872

Children: Mary Phelan

(5) 1.1a.1.3.1 Mary Phelan WATTS
--------------------------------------

(4) 1.1a.1.4 James Harvey WATTS
------------------------------------
Birth Date: 8 Aug 1846

(4) 1.1a.1.5 Martha Teresa WATTS
-----------------------------------
Birth Date: 10 Sep 1848

(4) 1.1a.1.6 Virginia Pauline WATTS
------------------------------------
Birth Date: 29 Apr 1850

Spouse: James R RAMSEY
Birth Date: 12 Oct 1886

(4) 1.1a.1.7 Emma Eliza WATTS
-------------------------------------
Birth Date: 14 Aug 1852

Spouse: Judson C WILLIS

Marriage Date: 14 Jan 1836

(4) 1.1a.1.8 Ida Grace WATTS
-------------------------------------
Birth Date: 20 Oct 1854

(4) 1.1a.1.9 Claudia John WATTS
-------------------------------------
Birth Date: 6 Mar 1857

(4) 1.1a.1.10 Placidia Love WATTS
---------------------------
Birth Date: 15 Jun 1865

(2) 1.1b Hugh WATTS*
------------------------
(See above)

Spouse: Lucy P FINNEY - 1562
Birth Date: 4 Sep 1804
Death Date: 16 Dec 1881

Marriage Date: 23 Jan 1823
Marriage Place: Jones Co Ga

Other spouses: Elizbeth PHILLIPS

Contributed by Barbara Waldrop User181801@aol.com

********************************************
Ship Records on Website

This was sent to me by a researcher of another line. I thought you might enjoy checking into it. Lori

Ships to America
http://www.primenet.com/~langford/gen_page.htm

Ships Lists
http://www.primenet.com/~langford/ships/shiplist.htm#ships

Passenger Lists by Year
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/shipindx.htm

Locating Ships Passenger Lists
http://www.familytreemaker.com/8_mgpal.html

Emigration Ships Lists and Resources
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5978/Emigration.html

Hamburg Passenger Lists 1850 - 1934
http://www.genealogy.com/gene/www/emig/ham_pass.html

FAQs About Immigration and Immigrants
http://www.cimorelli.com/pie/faq/emigfaqi.htm

Most of these lists can only be searched by ship, and then scrolling through
the list to find your ancestors. Also, several have links to other sites.
********************************************
Geographic Names Information System for Watts
For detailed maps of these places below please go to: http://www-nmd.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html

Mississippi

Feature Name County Type Place

Watts Bayou Hancock Stream Bay Saint Louis
Watts Box (historical) Covington locale Sumrall
Watts Cemetery Covington cemetery Sanford
Watts Cemetery Covington cemetery Williamsburg
Watts Cemetery Lamar cemetery Improve
Watts Cemetery Marion cemetery Improve
Watts Creek Clarke stream De Soto
Watts Field Bolivar airport Round Lake
Watts Hollow Jefferson Davis valley Prentiss West
Watts Lake Madison lake Way
Watts School Lamar school Improve
(historical)

Kentucky

Watts Breathitt pop place Haddix
Watts Branch McCreary stream Bell Farm
Watts Branch Shelby stream Waddy
Watts Cemetery Boone cemetery Burlington
Watts Chapel Lincoln church Brodhead
Watts Creek Bell stream Varilla
Watts Creek Harlan steam Wallins Creek
Watts Creek Whitley steam Wofford
Watts Fork Knot stream Hindman
Watts Fork School Knot school Hindman
Watts Mountain McCreary summit Bell Farm
Watts Run Anderson stream Chaplin
Watts Station Hickman locale Dublin
********************************************

Frank Overton Watts

Frank was born 14 Nov 1867 and died 5 Nov 1946. He was a banker. Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Frank was the son of Thomas Lacey and Ruth (Caldwell) Watts. As a youth Frank moved with his parents to Union City, Tennessee. He received his education there and started in business as a clerk in a drug store. He joined the First National Bank of Union City and became cashier by the age of twenty-one. Watts was elected president of that bank and remained there until 1912 when he moved to St. Louis. Watts accepted employment as vice-president of the Third National Bank, and a year later became the institution's president. He soon effected a consolidation of the Third National with the St. Louis Union Bank and the Mechanics American National Bank to form the First National Bank of St. Louis. Watts became president of the newly formed institution. It was the largest national bank west of the Mississippi. In 1928 he became chairman of the board, and in 1942 Watts retired but remained as honorary chairman of the board. Watts was a director of the First Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis from 1914 until 1919, and he served a member of the federal advisory council of the St. Louis Union Trust Company, the American Central Insurance Company, the Maryland Casualty Company, Southwestern Bell telephone Company, and the Chicago Eastern and Illinois Railroad Company. In 1894 Watts married Helen Moore, and they had three children: Helen Moore, Lawson M., and Frank Overton Watts.

The Watts Family, American Genealogical Research Institute, Heritage Press, Inc. Washington, D.C., 1975, pa. 75-76.
********************************************
Will of Thomas Watts of Culpeper County, Virginia

1746 Dec 22 - Will made in Culpeper Co., VA and proved March 15, 1749 (Will Book A, pa. 10)

In the name of God, Amen; I THOMAS WATTS of St. Thomas Parish in Culpeper County, planter, being in sound and perfect health of mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty God for the same, and calling to mind the mortality of mankind and that it is appointed for all en once to die, and as touching such worldly estate which it has pleased God to bless e with, I do hereby make an ordain this my last will and testament allowing this and only this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking, disallowing and disannulling all former wills, testaments or bequests, and allowing none but this my last will as in manner following:

Imprimis: I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God that gave it me, and my body to the earth to be buried a the discretion of my executors.

Item: I will and desire that my beloved wife ESTHER shall live on the plantation I now live on, if she shall be the longest liver, and have 100 acres of land adjoining with timber and wood for the use of the plantation for an during the time of her widowhood and no longer, and at the time of her death or day of marriage that the said plantation to return to them as shall be hereafter mentioned.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son EDWARD WATTS the plantation he now lives on with a tract of land thereto belonging estimated at 200 acres to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son JOHN WATTS the plantation he now is possessed with the lands bounded accordingly estimated 200 acres be the same more or less, to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my son BENJAMIN WATTS the plantation commonly called the schoolhouse with the tract of land bounded on JAS. BARBOUR and JOHN WATTS, so up to the Great Branch, including the land between them bound, and BLAN BALLARD'S line estimated 200 acres more or less to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my son THOMAS WATTS the plantation known by the name of JOHN STONE'S plantation with the tract of land adjoining there to containing by estimation 185 acres be the same more or less, and bounded on BLAND BALLARDS line, JAS. BARBOUR'S line and DIXON'S line to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my son JACOB WATTS a tract of land containing by estimation 150 acres be the same more or less, and bounded between BLAND BALLARD and BENJAMIN WATTS, to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my daughter SARAH WATTS a tract of land containing by estimation 150 acres be the same more or less, and bounded between JAMES BARBOUR'S, JOSEPH ROGERS, DIXON'S line to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath after my decease and the decease or day of marriage of my wife ESTHER the above mentioned plantation I now live on with 100 acres of land thereunto adjoining an bounded on the River and running to BENJAIN CAVE'S line on the River, thence along Captain BENJAMIN CAVE'S line to my back line so far as to included 100 acres which said plantation and land I give to my son WILLIAM WATTS, after my decease or day of marriage of my wife to him an his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter ESTHER WATTS a tract of land containing by estimation 100 acres and bounded between the land belonging to the MANOR plantation and JOHN WATTS land to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I will and devise that after my decease my still shall be the use of my wife ESTHER during her widowhood, and all y children in general, that is to say my son EDWARD, my daughter ANN, my son JOHN, my daughter ELIZABETH, my son BENJAMIN, my son THOMAS, my daughter SARAH, my son JACOB, my daughter ESTHER, my daughter MARY, my son WILLIAM, my daughter FRANKY, which said still shall be to their use an if any benefit or income shall accrue by the said still, the same shall be equally divided among my above mentioned wife and children should, and if my wife should either die or any of the above said children should die then the still shall be amongst the remainder of my children an the income of the said still shall be equally divided between such of my above mentioned children as shall remain alive.

Item: I constitute an appoint my beloved sons JOHN WATTS and BENJAMIN WATTS to be my said executors of this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

THOMAS WATTS
X (his seal)

Signed, sealed published and pronounced in the presence of

ROBERT SHERMAN
WILLIAM TWYMAN
GEORGE TWYMAN

At a court held for the County of Culpeper Thursday the 10th day of March, 1749, this last will and testament of THOMAS WATTS dec. was this day exhibited into court by JOHN WATTS and BENJAIN WATTS, the executors therein ??? , And at a court continued and held for the said county on Friday the 16th March 1749, EDWARD WATTS the heir-at-law of the deceased appeared in court an declared he had no objection to make against the proof of the said will, whereupon the court proceeded to examine the witnesses upon their oath, to-wit: ROBERT SHERMAN, WILLIAM TWYMAN and GEORGE TWYMAM whose depositions and hereto announced an ordered to be recorded with the said will an on the motion of the said executors, certificate is granted the for obtaining probate thereof in due form, they having sworn to the same and given security in the penalty of 1000 pounds according to law.

ROGER DIXON, clerk.
********************************************
Watts’ On-Line:  compiled from e-mail and other sources
Distributed by Lori Watts Linnell     lwlinnell@aol.com

Wattsline.org
Copyright © 2003.  All rights reserved.