===================================================================== Match: Bowles Source: PALAWREN-L@rootsweb.com From: "Janet" <watsonje@comcast.net> Subject: Watsons from Nesahnnock I thought some of you might like this information about the Watson brothers who were original settlars in Neshannock in the early 1800's. If anyone has connections or additional information let me know. I am descended from a brother of William and Lot, but my primary interest in genealogy is researching this family. Descendents of William Watson William Watson (James Riddle) Notes on William Watson: "Lot and William Watson, brothers from Centre County, settled in this (Neshannock) township about 1806-1808 on lots 1854 and 1855. William built a large stone house about 1810-1812, and Lot put up a good brick residence some years later upon his farm adjoining on the south. For some years after their arrival they lived in log cabins. They were both out in the War of 1812. Both the Watsons raised large and respectable families." [i] William married a sister of Alexander Johnston, husband of his sister Margaret.[ii] Children of William Watson and (unknown) Johnston are[iii]: Nancy (Piles) Catherine Watson Margaret Watson Mary Watson Johnston Watson More about Johnston Watson: "Johnston Watson, son of William Watson, started a pottery on his farm near the United Presbyterian Church about 1825, before his marriage."[iv] James Watson More about James Watson: James Watson was the schoolteacher in Neshannock Township in 1826.[v] Lot Watson More about Lot Watson: "Lot Watson, son of William, held a state appointment on the Philadelphia and Columbia Railway in 1856." William Watson Descendents of Lot Watson Lot Watson (James Riddle) was born about 1786. He died in 1863 at the age of 77. He married (1) Margaret Cunningham, of Neshannock Township and following her death married (2) Margaret Houston, daughter of Colonel Houston, an officer in the Revolutionary War.[ix] Notes for Lot Watson: He "was educated in the common schools of Penn Valley and in 1805 settled on the farm, now owned by his son (Hiram), which he cleared and put in a high state of cultivation. The farm contains 157 acres.it is situated about 3 miles north of New Castle. (Lot) fought in the War of 1812. He was a Whig in his politics, and served the township of which he was a citizen as a school director, auditor, assessor, as well as several minor capacities.In his religious leanings he was a United Presbyterian."[x] From a 1863 Obituary for Lot Watson: "Died at his residence in New Castle, on the 1st inst., Lot Watson, Sen., in the 77th year of his age. Mr. Watson was one of the early settlers of this county, having removed from Center County to Neshannock Township in the year 1804. He continued to occupy the farm on which he first settled, down to last spring, when he removed to New Castle. Among his neighbors he was always esteemed for his integrity, and the kindness and sympathy manifested by him to the sick or afflicted. He always had the confidence of the people, and had a prominent position in the township. At an early age he became connected with the A.R. Presbyterian Church, and down to the time of decease, was a consistent lover of Jesus; his joy in health, and his stay and support in the hour of sickness and death. A large number of descendents and many friends mourned his loss, but not without hope."[xi] Children of Lot Watson and Margaret Cunningham are[xii]: James Watson Isabel Watson William Watson Samuel Watson Children of Lot Watson and Margaret Houston are: Hiram Watson Harriet Watson (Fisher) Nancy Watson Dixon Watson John Watson Margaret Watson (McCreary) Lot Watson Thomas Watson Sarah Watson (Garrett) Julia Watson (Boyd) Elizabeth Watson (Love) Third Generation Hiram Watson (Lot, James Riddle) born October 13, 1822. Married in 1850 to Rebecca Gibson. Notes on Hiram Watson: Hiram Watson attended school and worked on the farm till he was twenty-eight years old, and then left home, but still followed the same occupation of farming. In 1863, he returned to the paternal estate, which he purchased at that time, and has since been very successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a Republican in his politics, and has held the offices of school director, assessor, supervisor, and took the census of the town in 1880. The children of Hiram Watson and Rebecca Gibson are[xiii]: Harriet Jenevra Watson, married (1) Oscar Hazen (2) James Martin Margaret Watson, married Frank Maitland of Youngstown, Ohio William A. Watson, married Edith Mitchell Sarah Watson Thomas Watson, married Alfretta Bowles Alice Watson, married Charles Donaldson Harry I. Watson Rebecca B. Watson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [i] History of Neshannock Township [ii] Margaret Watson Johnston descendent, The Watson Family [iii] Last Will and Testament of William Watson [iv] History of Neshannock Township [v] Ibid [vi] Margaret Watson Johnston descendent, The Watson Family [vii] 1850 Census, Pennsylvania, Harris Township [viii] Margaret Watson Johnston descendent, The Watson Family [ix] Hiram Watson, Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897 [x] Ibid. [xi] Obituary of Lot Watson, Unknown 1863 PA newspaper, possibly November issue of the Courant [xii] Hiram Watson, Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897 [xiii] Hiram Watson, Biographical Sketches of the Leading Citizens of Lawrence County Pennsylvania, 1897 =====================================================================