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Have a great Fourth of July weekend. We have some great contributions this month. One of them could be worth some money to you! Larwence Watts is offering a reward for some very special names! I look forward to seeing what you all have to contribute next month. Lori CONTENTS 1. Members Lines 2. Queries 3. Reward 4. Edward Watts of Virginia Ancestry and Lineage 5. Watts Family Papers – Bedford Co. VA 6. Download Personal Ancestral File 4.0 FREE ******************************************** MEMBERS LINESFrom: G MO LK@aol.com I recently found the name of my ggrandfathers' sister, and a clue as to the birthplace of my ggrandfather. Perhaps someone else is working on this WATT(S) line (?) 1.Unknown WATTS + unknown spouse ,born est 1800-1810 , possibly KY or TN > IL 2. Mary Catherine WATTS b May 4 1830, Logan, Franklin Co. IL. (died Feb 21 1862, Logan, Franklin Co IL, age 32) married Joseph DRENNAN, Sept 27 1849, Chatham, Sangamon Co IL ( 8 known children) 3. Thomas Andrew DRENNAN, June 28, 1850 3. John Franklin DRENNAN, March 30 1852 3. James Madison DRENNAN, 1854 3. William Francis DRENNAN , June 6 1856 3 Ruth Belle DRENNAN , Feb 18 1858 3 Elisha DRENNAN, Aug 5 1859 3. Peter Cartwright DRENNAN, Nov 7 1861 3 Joseph Elton DRENNAN, Feb 12 1862 ( Joseph Elton DRENNAN, was born Feb 12, 1862, a week before the death of his mother ,Mary Catherine (WATTS) DRENNAN. Her husband , Joseph, died in 1866 ,age 38, I don't know who raised the other children ,but Joseph Elton was raised by his Uncle James WATTS ,and taken, with his family , by wagon train, to Kansas , when he was young.) 2. James WATTS, (b. est 1825 -1830) KY or IL ? ( his father was possibly in TN ) married; #1.Lurinna Caroline ROBB,Oct 9, 1850 in Waynesville, DeWitt Co. IL (she born March 24 1828 , Maury Co .TN. and died 1896, Oklahoma,age 68) 3. James WATTS Jr. b est 1852 , died as infant, DeWitt Co IL. 3. Mary Louisa WATTS, b Feb 13 1855, DeWitt Co. IL (died Aug 20, 1949, NE ) married Thomas ALLEN, 1874, six known children, (he died in OK) 3. Elizabeth WATTS, b. April 3 1865, DeWitt Co IL (died 1956, KS)) married Alansan Lant BELL, Oct 1883, KS) eight children. James WATTS married # 2. Alwilda BARRETT (abt 1897-1900) in Fredrick, OK ? James WATTS died abt 1910, Frederick, OK. Would like to find the parents of Mary Catherine WATTS, and James WATTS , who were most likely b in 1830s..IL? and any other siblings? Connecting Surnames; ALLEN, BARRETT, BELL, BULL, CLOYD, CONK, DRENNAN, LARUE, ROBB, ROBISON, Beth From: MARLR43@aol.comMY WATTS LINE Hello I am searching for my Watts Roots but I am not having much luck. My gggrandfather was Samuel Watts. I have no birth date but as far as my family can tell it had to be around 1840' to 1850's. Samuel was married to Tillie Dressler. I know that they lived in either Perry, Juniata or Snyder counties in PA. My great grandfather was James A. Watts born 7-20-1871 died 4-27-24 he married Annie A Benner. 3-9-1856 died 4-27-1950. I thought it strange that they both died on the same date but different years but this is correct. We just checked it when we were back home a few weeks ago. Other than these dates I have my grandmother who was James and Annies parents and the names of the brother and sisters. No one in my family knows much else about the Watts Line. If there is someone out there who can help I will gladly exchange anything I find with you. Thanks in advance. Mary Roeder. Buffalo NY QUERIESFrom: screendo@lincoln.midcoast.com (ann hart) Lori, I am in need of info on Elizabeth Watson born 1760 whose mother was Susannah Watts and dad, william Watson, can you post a query for me on your newsletter? Thanks also, how do I get to the web site to post this? Thanks ann hart I believe it to be VA. Thank you so much, ann hart From: forester@snowhill.com (Jerrold Forester) My mat. gr.gr.grandmother was Elizabeth Watts sister of Gov. Tom Watts of Ala. Their father was John Hughes A. Watts. Elizabeth married John A. Womack. Do these fit into your data base? If so would like to share info. I can go forward not backward in time. ******************************************** REWARDFrom: Lwattsjr@aol.com I will give a prize of $300 to anyone who can find the names of the mother and father of Robert White Watts (b-1811?), (Amherst County, Virginia, that was married to Mary Ann Rucker December 1835) and of course give them to me. Thanks, Lawrence A. Watts, Jr., Greenville, N. C. ******************************************** EDWARD WATTS OF VIRGINIA LINAGE AND ANCESTORY(Below Wade Watts has send a letter that will create discussion. Many of you are descended from Edward Watts of Virginia. I would greatly appreciate it if you would forward any discussion or theories concerning this line and the following letter to me. I would like to print it for all to take part. Maybe we can sort some of this out. ) Lori Dear Lori, I have been a subscriber for about a year (but trying to research the family for about 20 years), here's my Watts lineage (attached). I will be sending, today or tomorrow, a copy of a letter I wrote to a cousin in 1995. You might possibly want to use parts or all of it in the newsletter. It will be controversial since it goes counter to the belief of many of the subscribers, but there seems to have been no progress on this line in years and I think its time to think of other approaches to the investigation. Wade R. Watts, St. Louis, MO Edward Watts d. 1690, Stafford Co. VA= ? = 2. ca. Anne _____ Mathews widow of Stafford VA wills Edward Watts d. aft. , vicinity of Spotsylvania Co. VA= ? William Watts, Sr = probably Ann______ Willliam Watts, Jr , d. Woodford Co. KY,1796 =Elizabeth Peter Watts, b. 1756, Culpeper VA, d. Shelby Co. KY 1833=Margaret Fisher 1784 Lincoln Co. KY George Washington Watts, b.1805 Mercer Co KY, d. 1857 wp St. Charles Co MO=1. Martha (Patsy) Mathews. =2. Paulina Farrel John Martin Watts John Lonly Watts Wade Riley Watts Here's the letter that I spoke of re: Edward Watts. There are some variations which are probably just as valid, but all of them are just as valid as Heinemman's lineage--if not more so. I fully expect to take a lot of grief from this, but I think it's time to explore other possibilities. WWatts, St. LouisApril 24, 1995 Dear Jack: As we have discussed before, three of the sons of Peter Watts came to Missouri. William came first and resided in St. Charles Co. He died there in 1817. George Washington Watts and his brother Simeon R. Watts came about 1830 and also took up residence in St. Charles Co. As I promised, this letter will concentrate on George W. Watts and also on the antecedents of Peter Watts. I'll start with George W. Watts' will which I've retyped because it was so hard to read. * * * County of St. Charles, State of Missouri Know all men by these presents that I, George W. Watts, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me in manner and form following (that is to say) First--I will that all of my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Perlina Watts and her heirs, namely--Sarah, Margaret John Martin, George Ella, Simeon Richard Watts, all of the Real Estate and personal property accruing to me in consequence of the death of three of my children, by my first wife Martha Watts or otherwise belonging to me, To have and to hold forever. Thirdly and lastly I thus will my property to my present wife and her heirs because my daughter Martha Frances, by my first wife is otherwise better provided for than I am able to provide for my present wife and her children. In Witness whereof I have herein Set my hand and Seal the 16th day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and fifty Seven. George (his X mark) Watts The above instrument consisting of one Sheet was now here Subscribed by George W. Watts the Testator in the presence of each of us and was at the same time declared by him to be his last will and testament and we at his request Sign our names hereto as attesting Witnesses Robert Haislip James (his X mark) Kirks Residing in the county of St. Charles, State of Missouri - - -
COMMENTS: The will, judging from the misspelled names and the punctuation, appears to have been dictated. The correct names are: Paulina Watts (2nd wife); children by Paulina: Sarah Margaret Watts, John Martin Watts and George Ella Watts. Only one child survived from the marriage of George and Martha (Mathews) Watts, Martha Frances who had inherited from her mother's family. George Watts' son, James P. Watts, died prior to Dec. 27, 1852. He was about 18 years old. The 1840 census shows another female child. According to the will, there must have been one other child born (and deceased) before 1850. There were guardian accounts only for James and Martha in the early 1850's (Ralls Co.). After George's death, Martha attended a private school in St. Charles (guardian account, St. Charles Co.). The fact that the will was "signed by mark" would suggest to some that George couldn't write. However, there are several documents bearing his signature and the writing is the same. It is possible that George was too ill to sign his name to the will. The same was true of his father, Peter Watts of Kentucky; a few documents were signed by mark, but there were more (prior to the time, in later life, that he became almost totally blind) that had his signature. * * * Most of the genealogy of Peter Watts is outlined in Darnell's book, The Forks of Elkhorn Church. According to this book, Peter was the son of William (II) and Elizabeth ( ---- ) Watts who also came to Kentucky from North Carolina. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any documentary evidence of the relationship except that Peter went back to Virginia to act as William’s attorney in selling William’s land in Culpeper county. There was another William (I'll designate him William III) in Mercer county, Kentucky; I believe he was Peter's brother. Another Watts in that county, (probably of the same generation) was Gideon Watts. I don't know Gideon's relationship to Peter and William, but he was probably either a brother or cousin. That he was the black-sheep of the family, there can be no doubt because he always seemed to be in some kind of trouble. The Kentucky Gazette reported that "Gideon Watts is in jail in Danville for stabbing an unknown man to death". A court paper in my possession calls for the arrest of Gideon for assault and battery of various types including biting off of Edward McKinney’s right ear. In another case, he was accused of blasphemy, etc. for exclaiming "Goddamn the rain!" and "Goddamn the cliffs (sic) of Kentucky and the mason that made them!" According to Heinemann, William Watts, Sr. and his wife Elizabeth (Peter’s parents) bought land at Bryant's Station. However, I haven't found this record yet. "The Forks of Elkhorn Church” says William and Elizabeth were buried near Spring Station (Woodford county (?)) and their stones were still readable in the 1920's. William’s (II) father was William (I) who was married to Ann ____. Evidence for this relationship comes from several deeds. William I and William II bought 400 acres on Summerduck Run in the Great Fork of the Rappahanock (in present-day Culpeper co.) from William Hackney (Orange Co. DB 4, p-449). This was recorded in 1741. In a land transfer dated 7/31/1773 and recorded in 1817, Frederick Watts and John Wharton divided the "old William Hackney land", conveyed to William and Ann Watts. John Wharton purchased the moiety of William Watts (Jr.) (Culpeper co. DB II, p.53). The evidence of the relationship of Edward Watts II to William Watts I (referred to in the deeds above as "William Watts, Sr.") is indirect. The will of Robert Watts (Orange co. WB 1, p. 144) mentions his brothers, William and Thomas Watts. All three were sons of Edward Watts II. Thomas is specifically referred to as “the son of Edward Watts" when he received a grant of 250 acres the same date Edward received 900 acres of new land in St. George's Parish. Both men are described as being from Spotsylvania county. The grants were signed by Governor William Gooch and dated 28 Sept 1728. I believe that Edward Watts II died in the Spotsylvania, Orange or Culpeper area sometime in the 1750's. From this point on, I differ a great deal with Heinemann. About 10 years ago, I found the will of Anne ( ---- ) Hubbard Watts McPherson of Stafford co. (Stafford Will Book M). The first child mentioned was Jacob Hubbard, a son by her 1st (?) husband. There were other Watts’ mentioned in the will besides Edward II. I can't determine which, if any, of the children were from the marriage of Edward Watts and Anne ( ---- ) Hubbard, but Thomas was the first Watts named in the will. He was followed by Francis, Anne (granddaughter who was stated to be the daughter of Margaret (Hubbard or Watts) Jones) and Edward, who was the last Watts named. Ann and Edward were only married 1-2 years before Edward died so Ann may not be the mother of any of Edward's children. There was a Jacob Watts, identified as Ann Watts' son, that was mentioned along with Ann in some legal documents. His father might have been Edward; Ann's first husband's name was Jacob Hubbard. This will establishes our Edward (II) as the son of Edward (I) of Stafford who died in 1690. From here on, things get really obscure. There was a Thomas Watts, Jr. in Stafford at this time (1680's) that seemed to be of the same generation as our Edward (I). This Thomas, Jr. was born about 1652 which was shown in a deposition where he testified that he was 34 years old(Stafford Court minute book, 1686). I believe this Thomas to be “our” Edward's brother. They worked together in repairing the court house and perhaps were close to the same age. Thomas Watts, Sr. died in Stafford in 1690 after a long illness. This Thomas was married to Mary (sometimes called Frances) Norgrave, daughter of Capt. John Norgrave, and his wife, Frances ____. It was this Thomas, Sr. which Charles Heinemann stated died in 1674. He had misinterpreted the wording in a lease case as meaning that Thomas, Sr. had been dead 16 years (see later) when instead, the 16 years referred to the term of the lease. This confused everything by putting an extra Thomas on the scene, as though things weren't confused enough. Thomas leased a house and some land to Simon Stacey. This land was originally part of the Norgrave tract. In August, 1689, this house was the scene of some sort of altercation, possibly even involving an attempted sexual attack, between a Christopher Herring and Ann Watts, wife of Edward. Edward and Ann brought suit against Herring who was accused of assaulting Ann ("--- he did kick, beat and evilly intreat (sic) --- ). Again, Heinemann either misread or depended on second party research. He said that Edward and Ann were brought before the court and fined. Actually, Edward and Ann had sued Herring for damages amounting to 10,000 lbs. of tobacco. They won the suit, but the jury only awarded 100 lbs. tobacco damages. They had to pay the jury 72 lbs. tobacco with costs, so they didn't get much out of it. The court entry didn't say that Edward was involved in the fight or even if he was present at the incident. However, I think that it's significant that Ann Watts was present on property owned (although leased to Stacey) by Thomas Watts, Sr. This land was part of the 600 acres left to the heirs of Capt. John Norgrave and in the years to follow, reappears several times in the Stafford courts as various heirs tried to obtain a share of this property, Thomas Watts, Sr. had some of the tract by the inheritance of his wife. Mary (Frances) Norgrave and had purchased some of it from William Norgrave, his brother-in-law and the only son of John Norgrave,. The various claims to this land show: 1. That Thomas Watts, Sr. was married to Mary Frances Norgrave. 2. Mary Frances had more than one child and some were still living inthe 1690's. One of these children was probably “our” Edward who died in 1690 and left heirs. 3. Thomas Watts, Jr. ended up in possession of most of the land that his father claimed, so he was probably the oldest son. The above mentioned deposition stated that Thomas Watts, Jr. was 34 years old in 1686. That would put his birthdate at about 1652, which means that his father, Thomas, Sr., would have been born about 1630. I believe that Thomas Watts, the immigrant of 1615, might have been the father of Thomas Watts, Sr. of Stafford. Thomas Watts arrived in Virginia in 1615 aboard "The Treasurer". In 1623, he was listed as living at Flowerdieu Hundred. By 1624, he evidently moved and was listed as one of three "dwellers" in the muster of Sir George Yeardley at Hog Island. He was evidently a friend of John and Ann Utie and their son, John and wife, Mary, who were also at Hog Island. Thomas witnessed several deeds for the Uties in the York/Charles City County area in 1638-39. Just prior to that time, Thomas was granted 50 acres in Elizabeth City county "for the personal adventure of his now wife Lyddea (sic). The grant was dated May 1636, but the marriage probably took place several years prior to that date as there was usually a considerable lapse of time between importation and the date of the actual land grant.* (see below) After the younger John Utie's death, ca. 1638, Mary Utie was on record in Lower Norfolk/Nansemond area---so was Thomas Watts. (see note 1) Thomas was later listed as deceased in a land transfer record dated December 1654 which referred to the sale of 300 acres in Northumberland by Thomas Watts to Thomas Garrett. Earlier, in 1649, Henry Woodhouse received headrights for importation of Thomas Watts and his wife, Susan. In 1651, Thomas Watts, Jr. of Northumberland received two headrights --- one for Elizabeth Watts and one for Susan Watts (no relationship given in either case). There's no way to prove this, but the scenario could have been: Thomas marries Lydia (---- ) before 1636 (probably about 1630) Thomas, Jr. born sometime around 1632 Lydia dies. Thomas, Sr. marries Susan Thomas, Sr. & Susan move to Lower Norfolk/Nansemond Thomas, Sr. dies and Thomas, Jr. moves to Northumberland. Thomas. Jr. imports his mother, Susan, and sister, Elizabeth Watts. Thomas Watts, Jr marries Mary (Frances) Norgrave. He becomes known as Thomas Watts, Sr. in Stafford. Thomas, Sr. and Mary Frances have Thomas, Jr., Edward and probably others. I admit it's conjecture, and without more records, we'll never know. Perhaps more research in the original grants or Virginia entails will explain the relationships of Thomas, Jr., Elizabeth and Susan Watts. *Heinemann’s proposed immigrant for “our” branch of the family, Edward Watts, would probably have been in Virginia several years before William Wigg received the grant for his importation (1640). Under the headright system, the grantee (the importer who supposedly paid the transportation fees) received 50 acres per importee and collected a group over a period of time before he filed so that the grant could be made as a large, contiguous tract rather than a scattering of 50 acre plots. This would make one wonder why Cornelius Watts's will (also 1640) didn't mention that his son, Edward, was "in Virginia" as he so specifically stated for his son, William. See note 2 . Note 1. In 1642, Richard Bennett arrived in Virginia and settled in Nansemond co. After the death of John Utie, Bennett married Utie's widow, Mary. They were evidently members of the Independent Church of England, a church that was considered nonconformist with the Church of England. I believe that Thomas Watts, the Immigrant, because of his association with the Uties that I discussed earlier, might have been a member also. In 1649, because of their religious differences with the church establishment in Virginia, the group left for Maryland, the area right across from the Northumberland/Stafford area. This corresponds to the same time that Thomas, son of Thomas the immigrant, was moving to Northumberland. Richard Bennett later became governor of Virginia. Note 2. Although Charles Heinemann’s Watts Families Descended From Early Immigrants Who Settled in the Tidewater Counties of Virginia (1940) asserts that our immigrant ancestor was Edward Watts, son of Cornelius Watts of Somerset, England, there is absolutely no evidence that this person was our ancestor. Cornelius mentioned two sons in his 1640 will, William and Edward. William was described as being "in Virginia”. There was no mention of the residence of Edward Watts, to me this infers that William was the only one of the beneficiaries that was out of the country at the time the will was written. There is no evidence that Cornelius’ son, Edward, was one of the Edwards that came to America (Virginia or whatever) or for that matter, ever left England. _________________ Received your packet yesterday. I would be glad to contribute monetarily to the clean-up of Peter's cemetery, but don't have the time right now to go to Kentucky and participate in the actual work. I would worry a bit about straightening his stone because the leaning of the stone has protected the lettering from the elements. I would like for the SAR or DAR or both to place a marker for him. The Kentucky Soc. of the War of 1812 might also if the cemetery can be cleaned up. Sometimes the Boy Scouts take on the physical labor of projects like this to complete Eagle Scout projects. The government would also supply a veterans stone marker, but the recipients must pay for the placement. It would be nice if the original stone could be left as it is and a government marker stone added to the site. I'll enclose a note from my cousin Wanda who lives near Monroe City. I think she's definitely wrong about George W. Watts’ burial in Ariel (no rhyme intended). Contributed by Wade Watts - MERLINESK@aol.com(Thanks Wade)
WATTS FAMILY PAPERS, 1806-1964 The following was taken directly from the web site. You will need to go to the web site to find the actual list or collection. This is a great source for those researching Bedford County, Virginia Watts. There are 376 items in the collection. If any of you actually research these items, please share them with us. Lori http://libweb.sfasu.edu/etrc/collect/manscrpt/Wat5main.htm East Texas research center, Steen Library HISTORY The Watts Family Papers contain original correspondence, land documents, legal and financial papers pertaining to several generations of the Watts family. The geographic range of the collection includes Virginia, Ohio, Mississippi, and Texas, with special emphasis on San Augustine County, Texas. John Watts, a son of Arthur Watts, was born about 1752 in Virginia. A participant in the American Revolution, he enlisted in the Virginia Dragoons as a Cornet on June 17, 1776. By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of Captain. Later he served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Light Dragoons, U.S. Army, from January 8, 1799 until June 8, 1800. According to descendant Jessie Watts Roberts, John Watts was a personal friend of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. John Watts was awarded 4,944 acres in Bedford County, Virginia for his military service. John Watts married Elizabeth(Betsy) Roberts and according to John's will, they had two sons and a daughter still living in 1830: Arthur (1809-1866), William W. Watts (d. ca. 1846), and Elizabeth R. Watts Scott. Another daughter, Sarah C., whose schoolgirl letters written to her between 1807 and 1809 are preserved in the collection, probably died earlier. Most of the Watts Family Papers concern William W. Watts, his wife Mary T. [or L?] Watts, and their children John Leyburn Watts and Sarah C. Watts. The William W. Watts family lived in Liberty, Virginia; Delaware Springs, Ohio; and Columbus, Mississippi. William W. Watts traveled frequently to arrange for the collection of debts, in and out of court, for which he received a commission. Most of his correspondence relates to financial matters, with occasional references to political and religious developments. There are also a number of letters from his wife, Mary, the bulk of which were written between 1868 and 1883 from "Elmwood" in Lexington, Virginia. William W. Watts' son John Leyburn Watts was born about 1824 in Virginia. He married Mary Frances Garner (b. 1837; d. 1896) and they moved to San Augustine by 1853, where they remained for the rest of their lives and had a farm. According to census records, they had at least four sons and three daughters. In 1855 John was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshall by Marshall Ben McCulloch. The collection also contains teaching certificates authorizing John to teach second grade in San Augustine County in 1881 and 1882. The most notable items in the collection from an historical perspective are the letters of James Pinckney Henderson, dating from 1843 to 1857. As a lawyer friend residing in San Augustine, Henderson advised William W. Watts about the debt collection business. At least three of the letters relate to Henderson's initially secret mission to negotiate a treaty of annexation between the United States and Texas in 1844. The mission failed when the Senate of the United States rejected the treaty, but Texas entered the union under more favorable terms of a joint resolution of the U.S. Senate and Congress the following year. Henderson became the first Governor of Texas, inaugurated in February 1846. Sample of Inventory Folder 1: Correspondence of James Pinckney Henderson, 1843 re: financial and legal matters concerning the Watts family. Handwritten. 2 items. ******************************************** DOWNLOAD PERSONAL ANCESTRAL FILE 4.0 FREEThe following was posted by Milicent Craig of the “Dalton Genealogical Society” . I thought I would share what she found with you. I have not downloaded this myself. Lori Beginning Monday morning, June 28--just five weeks after the launch of its top-rated new Internet genealogy service--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is offering free downloads of Personal Ancestral File® 4.0, a new Windows®-based version of its popular genealogical management program for home computers. The new software program is available free of charge via the Internet at: >http://www.familysearch.org Personal Ancestral File 4.0 does not provide genealogical data. Instead, the program helps users organize their family history records. It can produce, in automated or manual form, records for personal family histories, charts, and logs to help users in their search for missing ancestors. It also includes new multimedia features and enhances the more popular features of version 3.0. System Requirements: Windows 95, 98, or NT IBM compatible 486/66 processor (Pentium® recommended) 16_32 MB memory 20MB hard disk space 256-color display adapter supporting 640x480 screen resolution (but optimized for 800x600) Internet access (if downloading from Internet) CD-ROM (not available until sometime in early 2000) Personal Ancestral File 4.0 will also be available on CD-ROM for a nominal price in early 2000. Users will be able to purchase it from the Church's distribution centers worldwide. ******************************************* Watts’ Online:
compiled from E-mail and other sources.
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