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I (Marty Grant) don't know how I'm related to John Watson, but I believe he is somehow related to my ancestor Joseph Watson (c1825) also of Onslow County.
John Watson was born ca 1809/10 (per 1850 and 1860 census), presumably in Onslow County, North Carolina, though it is quite possible he was born elsewhere. He lived in the Swansboro area of Onslow County later on, so he may have been born in that area.
I don't know who John's parents are. William Watson (1765/74) is the strongest suspect, and I feel he is indeed John's father, but I've not found any direct evidence, but circumstantially he fits very well (see my commentary below in the 1820 census section). One clue to his ancestry is that John had an "Aunt Mary Arnold" (as mentioned in an 1857 deed).
For the 1810 census, John would have been less than a year old, (if born yet), so if listed, he should be enumerated in the "under 10" age group. There were only two Watson households in Onslow that year, Asa Watson (c1787) who had no apparent sons yet, and William Watson (1765/74), who had two sons "under 10". Since John named his oldest known son "William" perhaps this is his father. I'm working on the assumption that John Watson was born and raised in Onslow County. There were lots of other possible matches in nearby counties.
For the 1820 census, John Watson would have been about 9 or 10 years old, so he could be enumerated in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1804/10), or in the "under 10" category (born ca 1810/20). Asa Watson (c1787) was still there in 1820, and had one son "under 10", though he is already identified as someone else. William Watson was listed, but I don't know if it is the same William, for only one male is listed, and he is in the age 10-15 category (born ca 1804/10), and no older male is listed, so unless this is an error, that male 10-15 would be William himself. However, if we assume this is an error, then this male 10-15 would be a son, and William himself would be older, thus making this 10-15 year old a possible match for John Watson. There is some supporting evidence that this William Watson household is the one containing John Watson (c1810), mainly in that William's next door neighbor in 1820 was Reuben Arnold. Reading below you will note that Reuben Arnold was an adjoining land owner to John Watson also (per 1837 deed) and also witnessed an 1829 deed of John Watson. All this makes me believe William Watson is the prime suspect to be John's father since they had the same neighbor in Reuben Arnold. Also note that David (or Daniel) S. Sanders was a neighbor to William Watson, and he was the bondsman for John's marriage in 1831.
On 21 Feb 1829 Brice Burns and wife Sarah deeded 100 acres to John Watson for $50. The land was described as the same granted to Edward Massey in 1799 at Stephen Hawkins Corner. Witnesses were J. M. Provow and Reuben Arnold (who was William Watson's neighbor in 1820). (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 17 page 208, from Records of Onslow County, North Carolina, Vol II by Zae Harget Gwynn).
For the 1830 census, John Watson would have been about 20 years old, so he could be enumerated in the 20-29 age group (born ca 1800/10) or possibly in the 15-19 group (born ca 1810/15). Asa Watson (c1787) and an apparent widow Dorcas Watson (1790/1800) were the only Watsons in Onslow that year, and neither had an apparent son in his 20's, but Asa did have one 15-19, but he is already identified as someone else. It is possible John was living with another family at this time. He could have been in school or working and living with someone else.
On 20 Feb 1831, John Watson obtained a marriage bond in Onslow County to marry Adeline Howard. Daniel (or David) S. Sanders was bondsman. Adeline was born ca 1819/20 (per 1850 and 1860 census) which means she was only 11 when the marriage bond was made, so something must be off here somewhere. I don't know who Adeline's parents were. There were several Howards listed on the 1830 Onslow census.
On 2 Jan 1837, John Watson and Ezekiah Jones witnessed a deed from Redding Bridger to James Canaday. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 22 page 438, from Records of Onslow County, North Carolina, Vol II by Zae Harget Gwynn).
On 14 Feb 1837, Zadock M. Marcey sold land to John Watson for $30, being all of his right in land of his father Edward Marcey, adjoining Abraham Burnass, Levi Newbold, Reuben Arnold and Edward S. Jones. Witnessed by James Wade. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 22 page 313, from Records of Onslow County, North Carolina, Vol II by Zae Harget Gwynn).
John Watson was listed on the 1840 census in Onslow County. Solomon G. Howard was just a few houses away, perhaps a relative of Adeline's. No Watsons were nearby.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Onslow Co, NC pg 152 John Watson 1100010000000-2201000000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) John WATSON (1809/10) 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) William WATSON (1833/34) son 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) John WATSON (1838/39) son 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Adeline HOWARD Watson (1819/20) wife 2 Female(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Elizabeth WATSON (1834/35) daughter Daughter? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850 2 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Rebecca WATSON (1836/37) daughter Fanny WATSON (1840/41) daughter
On 23 Dec 1847, John Watson was deeded land by Daniel Ambrose and David W. Timmons, Executors of William P. Ferrand, deceased, of Carteret County, for $25 for 100 acres. Witnessed by J. N. Sanders. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 26 Page 127, Abstracted from original deed book).
On 17 Mar 1848, John Watson deeded 100 acres to William Watson, John Watson, Henry Watson and Edward Watson, all of Onslow, sons of Said John Watson "for love and affection", on the north side of Queens Creek, granted by patent to Edward Marcy 26 Nov 1779, being Lot # 4 of the Division of Edward Marcy, deceased. Witnessed by W. Ferrand. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 26 Page 118, Abstracted from original deed book).
John Watson and family were listed on the 1850 census in Onslow in Swansboro District. They were not near any other Watson families, though Elizabeth, widow of Jeremiah Watson was just a couple of pages away in the same district. Although her name is clearly given as "Adeline" on other records, here, Mrs. Watson was listed as "Emaline".
1850 ONSLOW CO, NC Page 127 House/Family # 586/ 586 -- SWANSBORO Twp WATSON JOHN 40 M W FARMER 250 NC 1809/1810 WATSON EMALINE 30 F W NC 1819/1820 WATSON WILLIAM 16 M W FARMER NC 1833/1834 WATSON ELIZABETH 15 F W NC 1834/1835 WATSON REBECCA 13 F W NC 1836/1837 WATSON JOHN 11 M W NC 1838/1839 WATSON FANNY 9 F W NC 1840/1841 WATSON HENRY 7 M W NC 1842/1843 WATSON EDWARD 6 M W NC 1843/1844 WATSON CAROLINE 4 F W NC 1845/1846 WATSON GEORGE 3 M W NC 1846/1847 WATSON DANIEL 0 M W 7/12 NC 1849/1850 BAKER WILLIAM 45 M W NC 1804/1805
On 8 Aug 1851, John Watson deeded 208 acres to C. B. Glover for 50 cents (cheap land!) described as being on Queens Creek. Witnessed by D. J. Weeks, and C. H. Barnum. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 27 Page 5, Abstracted from original deed book).
On 10 Oct 1857, John Watson deeded 50 acres to William P. Watson and John D. Watson (his sons) for $100 on east side of Yewpon Branch, "land from my dear Aunt Mary Arnold, deceased". Witnessed by Francis Bell. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 28Page 178, Abstracted from original deed book).
John Watson was listed on the 1860 census in Onslow, still in Swansboro District. No other Watson families were nearby.
1860 ONSLOW CO, NC Page 147B House/Family # 935/ 935 -- SWANSBORO Twp SWANSBORO P.O. WATSON JOHN 50 M W FARM LABOR NC 1809/1810 WATSON ADELINE 40 F W DOMESTIC NC 1819/1820 WATSON WILLIAM P 25 M W FARMER 1500/500 NC 1834/1835 WATSON ELIZABETH 23 F W NC 1836/1837 WATSON REBECCA 21 F W NC 1838/1839 WATSON HENRY 17 M W FARM LABOR NC 1842/1843 WATSON CAROLINE 12 F W NC 1847/1848 WATSON EDWARD 10 M W NC 1849/1850 WATSON GEORGE 9 M W NC 1850/1851 WATSON DANIEL 7 M W NC 1852/1853 WATSON MARY 6 F W NC 1853/1854
John Watson apparently was dead by 1868, for that is the date on his Estate File. I have not examined this record yet, but it may contain some valuable information, in fact, there seem to be two files for him with the same date. (Onslow County Loose Estates - John Watson - 1868 - North Carolina Archives).
Adeline was listed as head of household on the 1870 census, still in Swansboro Township.
1870 ONSLOW CO, NC Page 67 House/Family # 55/ 55--SWANSBORO Twp SWANSBORO P.O. WATSON ADELINE 50 F W 260 NC 1819/1820 WATSON BETSY 25 F W NO OCUPATION NC 1844/1845 WATSON DANIEL 20 M W FARM LABORER NC 1849/1850
I didn't find Adeline on the 1880 census, so she may have been dead by then.
John Watson and Adeline Howard had at least 11 children, all proven by the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census. Some are also proven by an 1849 deed where John Watson deeded land to several of his sons. I don't have a lot of additional data on these children yet. See the register report for what data I do have.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. John1 Watson, born 1809/10 in NC; died 1868 in Onslow Co, NC. He married on 20 Feb 1831 in Onslow Co, NC Adeline Howard, born 1819/20 in NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.
Children of John Watson and Adeline Howard were as follows:
+ 2 i William P2 Watson, born 1833/34 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1886 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Catherine Burns.
3 ii Elizabeth2 Watson, born 1834/35 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 8 Jul 1852 in Onslow Co, NC William Howland.
+ 4 iii Rebecca2 Watson, born 1836/37 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married John Canady.
5 iv John D2 Watson, born 1838/39 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1857 in Onslow Co, NC.
6 v Fanny2 Watson, born 1840/41 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1859 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 17 Mar 1859 in Onslow Co, NC Simeon Willis.
7 vi Henry F2 Watson, born 1842/43 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1866. He married on 3 Apr 1866 in Onslow Co, NC Caroline Piner.
8 vii Edward2 Watson, born 1843/44 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.
+ 9 viii Caroline2 Watson, born 1845/46 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1870/80 in Onslow Co, NC. She married Everett Riggs.
10 ix George2 Watson, born 1846/47 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.
+ 11 x Daniel2 Watson, born 1849 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Laura (---).
12 xi Mary2 Watson, born 1853/54 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.
Generation 2
2. William P2 Watson (John1), born 1833/34 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1886 in Onslow Co, NC. He married on 5 May 1864 in Onslow Co, NC Catherine Burns, born 1845/46 in Onslow Co, NC.
Children of William P Watson and Catherine Burns were as follows:
13 i Josie3 Watson, born 1873/74 in Onslow Co, NC.
14 ii Willie3 Watson, born 1877/78 in Onslow Co, NC.
15 iii (---)3 Watson, born 1880 in Onslow Co, NC.
4. Rebecca2 Watson (John1), born 1836/37 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 21 Dec 1866 in Onslow Co, NC John Canady, born 1846/47 in Onslow Co, NC.
Children of Rebecca Watson and John Canady were as follows:
16 i Laura3 Canady, born Dec 1869 in Onslow Co, NC.
9. Caroline2 Watson (John1), born 1845/46 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1870/80 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 28 Jan 1867 in Onslow Co, NC Everett Riggs, born 1836/37 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC.
Children of Caroline Watson and Everett Riggs were as follows:
17 i Ora3 Riggs, born 1866/67 in Onslow Co, NC.
18 ii Emma3 Riggs, born 1868/69 in Onslow Co, NC.
11. Daniel2 Watson (John1), born 1849 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married in 1870/78 in Onslow Co, NC Laura (---), born 1853/54 in Onslow Co, NC.
Children of Daniel Watson and Laura (---) were as follows:
19 i Bertha3 Watson, born 1877/78 in Onslow Co, NC.
20 ii John3 Watson, born 1880 in Onslow Co, NC.