John Watson was born about 1712 in Henrico County, VA and died 3 Feb 1797 In Prince Edward County, VA. He was the son of John Watson 1679-1750 and Sarah Collins 1683-1743. He married Ann Allen 1726-1805.
John and Ann lived near Hampden-Sidney College in Prince Edward County, Virginia.
Will of John Watson Written 3 Feb 1797 Probate 17 June 1805
- to son John one acre of land +/- joining the land he lives on... one negro by name Dick, one negro girl named Aggie and her increase, which he has in his possession, and likewise one negro man Nick
- to son Drury a negro woman named Aggie and her increase, which he has had in his possession for years past and late has placed the said Aggie into the possession of his daughter Susannah
- to Elizabeth Watson, my son Drury's daughter my negro boy named John and one featherbed and furniture
- to Hannah Watson, my son Drury's daughter, negro Phil, Fannie's son
- to Mary Chambers, my son Drury's daughter, 200 acres of land being the land whereon she lives, for her use during life and after her death the said 200 acres of land to her son, Josiah Chambers; one negro woman named Jane and her increase which was lent to Josiah Chambers and by him willed to his children, as they are mentioned in his will
- to daughter Susanna one negro named Peyton which she has in her possession and one negro girl
- to son Samuel one negro woman and her increase and one boy
- to daughter Judity one negro boy and one woman and her increase and one woman named Fanny and her increase and one negro girl and her increase and one other boy
- to son Jesse Watson one negro woman named Lucy and her increase from this date, and likewise John, Tom, Nancy and her increase, likewise Lewis and Lydia and her increase, one boy named Nott which he has in his possession
- to son Josiah two negroes Peter and Hannah and her increase which he has in his possession, and one negro man named Isham
- to son Abner two negroes and likewise Old Dick and likewise Pepesley and her increase and her daughter and her increase; likewise the plantation he now lives on 300 acres, and a cart and yoke of oxen which he now has.
- lends to daughter Judith Nelson one negro girl named Cate, during her (Judith's) life and at her death to be divided with increase among her children.
- my old negro woman Aggie to have liberty to live with which of his children she pleases, but if she should live to get so infirm as not to be able to maintain herself, to be maintained at the equal expense of my children.
- All the residue of his personal estate not here devised to be equally subdivided between his children.
- Estate is not to be appraised, nor executors to be held to give security.
Executors: sons John, Joseph and Jesse Watson - sole executors of this will
Witnesses: Drury Watson, Jr, Allen Chambers, Charles Allen.
Upon the oaths of Drury Watson, Jr and Charles Allen, Jesse and Joseph Watson qualified as executors
Prince Edward County Will Book 3 pg 403
Some of John's children:
Elizabeth Watson was born 1731 in Prince Edward County, Virginia and died 1808 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. She married John Walker who was born 1728 in New Castle County, Delaware and died 1796 in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
1790 Census Rutherford County, NC - John Walker
3 Slaves
Drury Watson was born 1740 in Prince Edward County, Virginia and died 1829 in Belair, Indian Land, Lancaster County, South Carolina. He married Sarah "Sally" Allen who was born 1745 and died 1790.
Drury was known to be a great fiddler and dancer. He lived to be nearly 100 years old. Late in life he lived with his son in law Drury Calhoun near Briary Church in Prince Edward County, VA.
[Notes on Southside Virginia by Mrs A Watson Wolfe, 1977, pgs 187-188]
20 Mar 1805 - Sold Enslaved - Lancaster District, SC Deed Bk F pg 241
"Know ye that I Drury Watson of the State of Virginia Cumberland County hath bargained and sold unto James Morrow of the state and district above mentioned a certain Negro woman named Agg and a boy named London and a child named Ambus, children of said wench for the consideration of 500 dollars cash paid to me in hand to which I do forever quit claim to the said negro wench and children forever...to James Morrow..."
Witnessed 27th day of August 1804.
Witnesses: Eli Crockett, Jonathan Coffey. Signed Drury Watson.
1810 Census Prince Edward Co, VA
11 Slaves
1820 Census Prince Edward Co Va
18 Slaves: 6 M under 14, 2 M 14-25, 2 M 26-44, 3 F under 14, 2 F 14-25, 2 F 26-44. 1 F 45+
1830 Census Prince Edward Co VA
19 Slaves: 3 M under 10, 3 M 10-23, 4 M 24-35, 2 M 55-99, 1 F under 10, 2 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35, 2 F 36-54.
John Watson was born 1743 and died 1828 both in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He married Mary.
Will of John Watson Prince Edward County, VA
Written 15 Apr 1817; Proven 19 May 1828
Inventory submitted to Court 18 Aug 1828
... lend to wife Mary 8 negroes: Nick, Robb, Robin, Vick, Nancy, Molly, Mariah and Louisa... at her death equally dived amongst all my children. Nick is to have choice which of my children he will go to as his master or mistress.
... to dau Betty Ann 3 negroes: Young Fanny, Stephen and Abby and said young Fanny and Abby increase
... to son Drury 3 negroes: Molly daughter of Lucy; Stephen and Lewis Molly's children with increase
... to son Samuel 2 negroes: Jane and John Jackson and Jane's increase; land and plantation whereon I now live lying on Little Buffalo...
... to dau Nancy 5 negroes: Aggy, Billy, Peter, Solomon and Betty with increase
... to dau Mary 3 negroes: Hannah, Hetty and Tom with increase
... to dau Susanah Thorn 5 negroes: Jane, Harry, Fanny, Arups? and Randol with Jane and Fanny's increase
... the land lying on little Roanoak Road which I purchased of Ambrose Nelson I will to be sold...
Executors: sons Drury Watson and Samuel Watson
Witnesses: Abner Watson, John Watson, William Watson
Josiah Watson was born 1759 and died 1827 both in Prince Edward County, Virginia. On 22 Feb 1785 in Cumberland County, Virginia, he married Mary "Polly" Nelson 1762-1837.
Will of Josiah Watson, Prince Edward County, VA
Written 11 Jan 1827
Proved 19 May 1828
Prince Edward County Will Book 7 pg 478
...lend to my beloved wife Polly Watson during her natural life all the land I possess, all plantation utensils including blacksmith tools, all stock of every kind except 3 horses, all corn and bacon I have on hand all drops growing at the time of my death and all my household and kitchen furniture except 4 beds and furniture. 19 Negroes: Peter, Hannah, edy, Judy, Martha, Milly, Parthenia, Sam, Jim, Amy, Jacob, Jack, Morgan, Allen, Phil, Isham, Frank, Mat, Lizzy and Olly.
...to March Edward Andrew H Nelson Watson: Little Peter, Aggy, Caty, Cyrus, Squire all their future increase...
...to daughter Polly N Thackston: Smith, Jerry, Cassandra, Jinny, Nancy, Daughter Cassandra and William,
... to my granddaughter Mary Ann Rebeckah Watson: Meriah, Lucy and Berry,
... to my 3 granddaughters Louisa N Watson, Mary E Watson, and Emelia Ann Watson: Annaky, Phebe, Nick, Selina, Nathan, Rozetter, Louisa and Dick and all their future increase to be equally divided between the three.
... to granddaughter America Jane Green/Greer: Nancy, Silvy, Jack and Ben son of Silvy
...to my granddaughter Eliza Frances Geers: Milly daughter of Nancy
... I give to MEAHN Watcon and Polly N Thackston all the land I possess and all property of every kind after the death of my wife Polly Watson ... except Martha which I give to my granddaughter Mary Ann Rebeckah Watson.
... I give to MEAHN Watson and Polly N Thackston all the negroes John Geers run off to North and South Carolina : Little Indy, Nick, Isabella, Esther, Nancy daughter of Isabella, Dick and Mary and their increase forever.
... Now all the negroes not named in this will I order and direct that my executors ... make a sale of the following slaves: Robin, Susanah, Tiller, Julia, Nelly, Harriott, Isaac for the payment of my just debts...
... I appoint Guardians of my grand children: son in law James Thackston and son M E A H N Watson
Executors: wife Polly Watson, son in law James Thackston, son Mattew Edward Andrew Herculys? Nelson Watson
Witnesses: John Watson, Daniel J McCormick, Samuel Watson
Joseph Watson may have been born in 1764 and did die in 1827. He married Fanny Wade.
Will of Joseph Watson Prince Edward County, VA
Written 1827
Probate 1828
Prince Edward County Will Book 6 pg 426
... to wife Fanny and Sims Allen land I live on...
... to James Allen, brother of Sims, land on south side of road leading from Briery meeting house to Moore's old ordinary
... to Allen Watson 2 negroes
... to Littleberry Watson, son of Samuel, 1 negro
... to Joseph Watson, son of Jesse, the land and plantation on Buffalo I bought of DeGraffenreid and a part of the tract I bought of Charles Price's trustees
...to Joseph Watson, son of Abner, 4 negroes
... to Drury Calhoun, son of Hannah, the daughter of brother Drury, I give legacy...Susan Wade, sister of my wife Fanny Wade
Executors: Drury Watson, Samuel Watson (son of John), and Sims Allen
