Thomas H. WATSON (14 May 1812-26 Jul 1880) +
Margaret Mary DAVIS (22 Jul 1815-18 Mar 1853)

Sarah Elizabeth (11 Oct 1835-21 Jul 1934) — m. William Eton DeLong on 18 Oct 1854

George Byron (25 Jan 1838-5 Nov 1920) — m. Martha Elwood on 26 Sep 1857; m. Abigail Miller on 30 Jul 1870

John Isaac (17 Jul 1840-11 Apr 1913) — m. Martha Jane Rollins on 17 Dec 1868; m. Nancy Alice Leek in 191x

William W. (7 Mar 1842-18 Dec 1918) — m. Mary E. Wallace on 18 Mar 1869; m. Sarah E. Hoblet on 11 Feb 1905; m. Emma L. Boltz Knight on 18 Oct 1907

James Thomas (1846-29 Aug 1858)

Mary Vermilla (1848-13 Feb 1875) — m. Lewis Kelley in 186x

Samuel (~1851-????) — m. Sarah J. in 187x

Thomas was born in Virginia. His parents are not definitely known. A source that claims access to records from his family Bible says he was the son of Revolutionary War cavalry soldier George Watson and Margaret Murphy from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, who moved to Robertson County, Tennessee in 1814 and established a plantation there. This page relies on that source for its account of his early years. However, there was another Thomas H. Watson from Virginia of similar age who married one Sally Hardin and settled in Kentucky.

Margaret was born in Ohio. One unsourced account names her parents as Thomas C. Davis and “Indian” Davis, which is not much to go on. She had a younger sister Sarah Ann (1825-3 Sep 1860), who about 1842 married Ephraim Jellison (~1816-185x) from Pennsylvania.

By the early 1830s, for whatever reason, Thomas had traveled north to the Ohio valley. He reportedly married Margaret on 17 Nov 1833, probably near Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. Their first three children were born in Ohio. Of all the Thomas Watsons to appear in the 1840 Ohio census, the one most likely to have been him was the young man in Cincinnati, with a wife in her twenties and a boy and girl under 5. No way to be sure, though. He was living next door to John Watson, a family man in his forties – older brother, father, coincidence, who’s to say? Records for George Watson and Margaret Murphy don’t list a son named John.

In the early 1840s, Thomas moved west to Adams County, Indiana just over the Ohio border, where his and Margaret’s four younger children were later born. The 1850 census showed them in Hartford, Adams County: Thomas (30, laborer) and Mary (26), with children Sarah (14), George (12), William (7), James (4), and Mary (2). It incorrectly listed Thomas as born in Ohio and all the children as born in Indiana. It also omitted son John.

In the early 1850s they moved again, 30-40 miles south to Randolph County. Margaret died there in 1853. She’s buried in Whiteriver Cemetery, Randolph County, Indiana. Son James, who died in 1858, is buried with her.

On 5 Aug 1855, Thomas married Sarah Ann “Ann” Davis Jellison (1825-3 Sep 1860), the widowed sister of his late wife, in Randolph County, Indiana. They had two children:

Margaret A. “Maggie” (1 May 1857-7 Aug 1947) — m. George Riley Spillers on 1 Nov 1884

Martha Mariah (16 May 1859-15 Jan 1897) — m. Louis A. Carter in 1877

In late 1859, Thomas, Ann and their combined families, including Thomas’s son George and his new bride, traveled west to Muscatine County, Iowa for an extended visit with Thomas’s daughter Sarah Watson Delong and her family. Then they moved to Bowling Green, Pettis County, Missouri, where the 1860 census found them: Thomas (46), Ann (34), and children William (17), Robert (14), Lewis (12), Mary (12), Samuel (9), Margaret (3), and Martha (1). Robert and Lewis were Ann’s sons by her previous husband; William, Mary, and Samuel were Thomas’s and Margaret’s children; and Margaret and Martha were Thomas’s and Ann’s children. Okay, but why were all the children listed as born in Iowa? I get the impression that Thomas wasn’t real particular about what he told census-takers.

The family-Bible source says that Thomas planned to move the family further west to Kansas, but changed his mind after Ann’s death on 3 Sep 1860, and instead moved southeast to the area of Dixon, Pulaski County, Missouri. Within a few months of their arrival, Thomas met Eliza Matilda Carter (1838-1881) from Tennessee, younger sister of Clark ancestor Sallie Carter. They married on 7 Feb 1861. They had six children:

Sarah Jane (6 Feb 1863-6 Feb 1863)

Tabitha Elizabeth “Lizzy” (7 Sep 1864-16 Sep 1960) — m. Joseph Carter on 22 Aug 1880; m. Felix Bledsoe in 1910

Nancy E. (~1868-????)

Henry T. (28 Nov 1869-10 Oct 1887)

Manervia Angelina (26 Feb 1872-19 Feb 1942) — m. James Monroe Ragan in 1899

Joseph Marion “Joe” (26 Apr 1874-19 Sep 1954) — m. Eliza Clarinda Keaton in 1896

The 1870 census for Miller Township, Maries County, Missouri listed Thomas (58, although the transcription turns it into 38) and Elisa (32) with children Margaret (14), Martha H. (12), Tabitha E. (7), Nancy E. (3), and H. G. (1). Thomas’s stepson Robert Jellison (1843-????) was listed as “Robb Watson” (27). Also with the family was Elizabeth Carter (78) from Tennessee. This was Elizabeth Howard Carter, Eliza’s mother. She was also the mother of Clark ancestor Sallie Carter, hence grandmother of Clark ancestor Lewis Kelley. Son John Watson (30) and his wife were next door.

The 1880 census for Miller Township listed T. H. Watson (68) and wife Matilda (44) with children Tabitha E. (16), Nancy E. (12), Henry T. (10), Menerva A. (7), and Joseph (5). Also with them were Thomas’s stepson Robert Jellison (34) and a widower named George Murphy (56, from Kentucky) – maybe a relative on Thomas’s mother’s side, if Peggy Murphy was indeed his mother.

Thomas died later that same year. He’s reportedly buried in Fairview Cemetery, Shantytown, Maries County, Missouri, but the exact location of the grave is unknown. Eliza died the following year, and is buried with Thomas, grave location likewise lost.

Children of Thomas and Margaret

Sarah Elizabeth Watson (1835-1934)

Sarah married William DeLong (1822-12 Jul 1899) from West Virginia (Virginia, at the time) in 1854 in Indiana. They moved to Moscow Township, Muscatine County, Iowa soon after, accompanied by William’s sister Harriet. The first four of their ten children were born in Iowa:

James Baxter (1856-19xx)

John W. (~1859-1950) — m. Clara A. Evans

William Henry (9 Oct 1861-14 Sep 1946) — m. Ida Sophia Freberg on 9 Mar 1891; m. Elva Hillman Moon on 27 Dec 1903

George Lewis (~1864-1946) — m. Nannie E. ??? about 1896; m. Elizabeth “Bessie” McNerney in 1904

Mary Ellen (~1868-????)

Thomas Adelbert “Delbert” (20 Jan 1870-12 Sep 1919)

Etta Jane “Jennie” (24 Sep 1872-2 Mar 1962) — m. John H. Murray on 17 Jan 1895; m. William Henry Root in 1915

Matilda “Tillie” (28 Nov 1875-Jun 1963)

Frederick Sherman (Sep 1878-1934) — m. Jennie Maude Riddle in 19xx

Sarah Elizabeth (1881-1940) — m. Robert H. Banner on 22 Jun 1902

William served in the 3rd Iowa Cavalry during the war. After the war, the family moved to Doniphan County, Kansas. William died in 1899, and is buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Troy, Doniphan County. In 1900, Sarah was living with four of her children. In 1910, she was living in Randolph, Riley County, Kansas with Delbert and Matilda. In 1920, she was with James and Matilda in Jackson, Riley County. Sarah died in 1934 and is buried with William.

George Byron Watson (1838-1920)

George married Martha Elwood (1840-30 Mar 1870) on 26 Sep 1857. They settled in Farmland, Monroe Township, Randolph County, Indiana, remaining there after George’s family headed west to Missouri. Known children:

William Henry (~1859-5 May 1928) — m. Mary Maxine Wasson on 31 Dec 1880

Rosetta “Rose” (Aug 1864-18 Jul 1940) — m. Rudolph Charles Litschert about 1881

Flora A. (1867-9 Sep 1944) — m. William Harvey Taylor

Martha died in 1870, and is buried in Cedar Cemetery, Randolph County. George married Abigail Miller (1847-1928) on 30 Jul 1870. From around this time, he ran a grocery store (that twice burned down). He was also postmaster of Farmland, Indiana. Known children with Abigail (Flora’s obituary listed Abigail as her mother, but her year of birth disagrees):

Dollie Arabell (21 Sep 1871-2 Jan 1962) — m. Jeremiah Patrick Cronin on 20 May 1895

Carl W. (11 Apr 1878-Jan 1956) — m. Bertha Jeanetta Smithson on 18 Jun 1899

In 1880, George’s half-sister Margaret (22) was staying with them. In 1900, the household included Abigail’s older sister Ellen and son Carl’s wife Bertha. George died in 1920, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, Randolph County, Indiana. Abigail died in 1928 and is buried with him.

John Isaac Watson (1840-1913)

John volunteered for Company A, 28th Illinois Regiment at Havana, Illinois on 1 Aug 1861. After three years, he re-enlisted. He lost an eye during the war, and was mustered out in 1866. He married Martha Jane Rollins (2 Oct 1842-22 Jan 1906), a grand-daughter of Clark ancestors Levi Carter and Elizabeth Howard, on 17 Dec 1868. They had five children:

Mary Ellen (1874-1960) — m. William “Doc” McGirr about 1893; m. William Albert Wright after 1929

John Wesley (1 May 1876-13 Jun 1946) — m. Naomi Ann Cantriel

William Harvey (5 Feb 1878-10 Jun 1956) — m. Stella M. Jones

James Marion (15 Aug 1880-20 Apr 1950) — m. Lucinda Frances ???

Benjamin F. (~1883-19xx) — m. Alpha Rhea Beatty in 191x

The 1870 census showed them in Miller, Maries County, Missouri next door to John’s father and family, no children yet. The 1880 census showed them in Dry Creek, Maries County with their first three children and some woman named Fanny Gather (33). In 1900, they were in Richwood Township, Maries County. Martha died in 1906. In 1910, John was living with his married daughter Mary in Pulaski County. His youngest son Benjamin was living with his maternal uncle William Rollins. Soon after, John married Nancy Alice Leek (12 Feb 1850-23 Jun 1925), widow of William Goleanor. John died in 1913, and is buried with Martha in Fairview Cemetery, Shantytown, Maries County.

William W. Watson (1842-1918)

William moved to Missouri with the rest of the family. He enlisted during the Civil War, and held the rank of corporal in the 13th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, Company H. After the war, he returned to Randolph County, Indiana, where his older brother George was. He married Mary Etta Wallace (~1848-1901) in 1869. Known children:

George W. (21 Apr 1870-1879)

Maud Estella (1 Jul 1874-1 Apr 1912) — m. Cary T. Heavlin on 13 Jun 1894

Clyde Oral (4 Sep 1879-10 Jan 1973) — m. Lenna B. Reed on 9 May 1906

The 1900 census noted they had two living children, so if there were others born after Clyde, they didn’t survive. Mary died in 1901. In 1905, William married Sarah Elizabeth Pitts Hoblet (1851-1912). In 1907, he married widow Emma Lydia Boltz Knight (1858-1920) from Pennsylvania, whose mother had the fantastic maiden name Schreckengost. William died in 1918. He is buried in Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana.

James Thomas Watson (1846-1858)

James, as noted, died young.

Mary Vermilla Watson (1848-1875)

Mary has her own entry in the family tree.

Samuel Watson (~1851-????)

Samuel, age 19, was living with his sister Mary and her husband in the 1870 census for Union Township, Webster County, Missouri. In the 1870s, he married someone named Sarah J. (~1847-????) from Tennessee. By the 1880 census, he and Sarah were living in Miller, Maries County, Missouri, the same town as his father, and next door to Sarah Jane Kelley Mitchell, his brother-in-law Lewis’s sister. He and his wife Sarah had two children:

G. W. (boy) (1877-????)

Nancy A. (1879-????)

Sarah’s son William Franklin (7, born in Arkansas) was also living with the family in 1880. Can’t trace any of them after that.

Children of Thomas and Ann

Margaret A. Watson (1857-1947)

Maggie, named for her late aunt Margaret Davis, sometimes claimed to be born in Missouri rather than Indiana. In 1880, she was staying with her married half-brother George in Monroe Township, Randolph County, Indiana. She married Indiana farmer George Riley Spillers (Mar 1856-27 Mar 1928) on 1 Nov 1884, and they remained in Monroe Township. George came with a son, Ernest, from a previous marriage, but he and Maggie had no children together.

After George died in 1928, Maggie lived with her stepson Ernest. Maggie died in 1947, and is buried with George in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, Randolph County, Indiana.

Martha Mariah Watson (1859-1897)

Martha claimed to be born in Missouri. She married Louis Alexander Carter (23 Jul 1860-12 Sep 1932) from Tennessee in 1877, and had eleven children. I have names for nine:

Sarah/Rosette (1878-????)

Emma Althea (9 Jun 1879-19 May 1948) — m. George Riley Duncan on 11 Oct 1896

Margaret A. (15 Mar 1881-2 Jan 1950) — m. Amos Noah Duncan on 22 Feb 1898

Mollie Lucinda (10 Sep 1883-1 Oct 1959) — m. James Wilbert Duncan on 17 Apr 1898

Laura (Jun 1888-19xx)

Elizabeth “Bessie” (6 Apr 1890-14 Mar 1974) — ?m.? William Bryant; m. Luther Martin Brown in 1934

Thomas John (20 Mar 1892-18 Jan 1980) — m. Gertrude Lucille Lowry

Lucille (~1893-19xx)

Peter Noah “Pete” (26 Jul 1894-24 Apr 1974) — m. Dora Grisham on 29 Sep 1919

Martha died in 1897, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Shantytown, Maries County, Missouri. In 1899, Louis married Mary Elizabeth Keaton (1869-1941), and went on to have six more children. Louis died in 1932 and is buried with Martha.

Children of Thomas and Eliza

Sarah Jane Watson (1863-1863)

Sarah died the day she was born.

Tabitha Elizabeth “Lizzy” Watson (1864-1960)

Tabitha married Joseph C. Carter, Sr. (17 Jul 1861-3 Nov 1907), her first cousin once removed, on 22 Aug 1880. They lived in Poplar Bluff, Butler County. Known children:

William (Jul 1885-19xx)

Maude May (28 Aug 1887-30 Jan 1973) — m. Julius Wilhite on 25 Jan 1906; m. William Ferguson on 12 Jul 1918

Effie (16 Nov 1890-23 Jan 1948) — m. Edward O. Surber

Charles M. (1895-19xx)

Joseph, Jr. (1896-19xx)

Joseph Sr. died in 1907, and is buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Poplar Bluff. Tabitha married Felix Bledsoe (19 Dec 1864-21 Jan 1940) in 1910. She died in 1960, and is buried in Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Nancy E. Watson (~1868-????)

Cannot find Nancy after 1880.

Henry T. Watson (1869-1887)

Henry died in 1887, age 17, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Shantytown, Maries County.

Manervia Angelina Watson (1872-1942)

Manervia married P. F. Kerr on 24 Oct 1896. Don’t know what became of that. She married James Monroe Ragan (14 Mar 1876-4 Sep 1952) in 1899. Known children:

Clara Isabel (26 Nov 1899-17 Apr 1981) — m. William Emmit Nelson in 192x

Walter Clarence (1 Feb 1902-8 Jan 1975) — m. Ola Mae Summers

Flossie M. (15 Dec 1904-29 Jan 1928) — m. Alex George Eckert on 24 Mar 1926

Edna Elizabeth (15 Aug 1907-2 Sep 1988) — m. Garrett Charles Dickens on 30 Jun 1926

Beda Helen (22 Jan 1912-13 Dec 1993) — m. Raymond Levi Nelson in 1931

Roy Miller (4 Dec 1913-8 Aug 1997) — m. Margaret F. ??? in 193x; m. Ara Delvene Bates on 25 Aug 1979

In the 1900 census, they were living with Monroe’s mother and younger siblings in Dry Creek & Spring Creek Townships, Maries County. By 1910 they had a place to themselves in Dry Creek. In 1920 and 1930 they were in Union, Pulaski County. By 1940, with all the children gone, they had moved to Bonhomme Township in St. Louis County. Manervia died in 1942, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery back in Shantytown. Monroe died in 1952 and is buried with her.

Joseph Marion “Joe” Watson (1874-1954)

Joe married Eliza Clarinda “Liza” Keaton (23 Sep 1877-6 Mar 1966) in 1896. They remained in Maries County, and had 13 children:

James Emmitt (23 Jul 1897-22 Oct 1967) — m. Flora Pear Bryant on 17 Nov 1920; m. May Russ on 22 Jun 1935; m. Narcie Holt on 27 Mar 1943

Cora Alice (15 Nov 1899-3 Jul 1941) — m. Earnest Emory Brown in 1919

William Claude (12 Jan 1901-22 Jul 1962) — m. Emma Bacon on 27 Mar 1927

Leonard Franklin (14 Feb 1903-7 Jan 1987) — m. Viola Duncan on 3 Jun 1925

George Rollegh (22 Mar 1904-9 Sep 1980) — m. Effie Corline Perry in 1925

Engra Emiline (3 Jul 1905-4 Jul 1990) — m. Walker William Allen in 1923

Tabitha Ellen (6 Apr 1907-10 Sep 1990) — m. Henry George Schance in 1925

Clemence Monroe (20 Oct 1908-28 Nov 1994) — m. Alma G. Bridges

Walter Hadley (25 Oct 1910-12 Dec 1936) — m. Ethelene America Robertson

Charles Leslie (12 May 1912-23 Sep 1966) — m. Genevieve Gertrude O’Halloran in 1935

Oma Ethel (23 Sep 1914-23 Oct 1972) — m. Evey Hackler

Homer Edward (4 May 1916-12 Aug 1974) — m. Dorothy Maxine Van Meter in 1950

Alma (7 Jul 1920-18 Aug 1920)

Joe died in 1954. He’s buried in Clifty Cemetery, Maries County.

Links

The Jellison Angle

The Other Thomas Watson

This might have been the real son of George Watson and Margaret Murphy, which would leave our Thomas Watson with unknown parents. One account says he died in Williamson County, Illinois, where some of his presumed siblings settled.