Posted on: Pittsylvania Co. Va Queries Board URL: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Va/Pittsylvania?read=214 Surname: Bonham ------------------------- I received this response from Barbara F Bonham this evening for posting the information I found in the History of Pittsylvania County, by Clement (1929). This is an exact quote from the book. Obviously, I did not write this book, I was not born in 1929, but I found the information interesting and thought it may be useful to others. If it is not correct, I am open to suggetions, even from Ms Barbara F Bonham. She did not send information as stated. This is an exact copy of her e-mail: Marilyn, Before posting all that heresay Watson stuff, try looking at the records and see that what was written up in the History of Pittsylvania Co was referring to the son, Thomas, not the father. Never and I repeat never will you find a reference in the records to a Thomas John Watson. They were two distinct different men. One could write and one could not. Please, don't continue the myth....do your research. I sent you enough to dispell the fable. Barbara -- FARTHING/BONHAM/COPLEY/NICHOLS/HARRIS/KENION/SHAW/KING/JOY/JENKINS NODINE/MYERS/BURNS/GREINER/SHELLY/SHARP/DAVIS/RUCKER/MARR/WILLIAMS TERRY/FERGUSON/CRAWFORD/HUNTER/RUSSELL/DeVORE/BROWN/BAKER/BISHOP CAGLE/NIX/MITCHELL/SELF/COZART/SHARP/WALKER/RIGGS/BETTERTON/HUDSON

I too received a chastising message from Barbara regarding the Watson line. It was in regards to another book written in 1925 which may or may not according to her contain correct Watson data. I will not repost to it to this list. However, when any researcher does not agree with another, it should be done in a positive manner. Maryanne and I have been researching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, often the documents and court records contain errors and misspellings, etc. I personally have a very poor penmanship due to an injury to my right hand as a child. I have been harassed by many people especial my family whose hand writing is no better than mine because of it. I have often had someone else write my name down just so I will not be harassed. Just because a person used an "X" on records does not necessarily mean they do not write. I have seen no documentation yet that would prove either way that John or Thomas Watson could not write. And you must also remember that sometimes a "proxy" was used to record legal documents for an individual who was in the fields working and sent someone to record the document for him. As you may know that happened in weddings also. Barbara, if you can assist us in our Watson research and provide sources or copies of the documents you are referring too. I am willing to pay WITHIN REASON for the materials. It is wonderful when someone is willing to share their research and help other researchers know what is what and where to find it. I have "plowed over a lot of unfertile records" to find just a scrap or two of material. So far I have found several of my lines back to the 1700's because I am will to do the research. I have been able in one case to find the ancestors and siblings of my ancestor who died Sept. 26, 1863 as the result of injuries sustained at the Battle of Chicamagua on Sept. 19, 1863. After his wife died at age 43, the details were lost. My father and several of his cousins searched for over 60 years without success (two of them were lawyers) trying to find a lead as to who they were and where they came from. I looked for years myself. Then about a year and a half ago, I decided to use the Internet for a bit of research. I found a new site for the surname I was researching. It proved to be another family but at the bottom of the site it listed other sites with the same surname. There was one new one. I clicked onto the site and in a few minutes was delighted to find a statement which said they were searching for the descendants of my ancestor. who was a brother to their ancestor. After verifying my data with their data, I contacted the researcher. And of the first time since the Civil War the branches were reunited. We are still looking for other cousins in the line. The family is related to Pittsylvaina County VA- The Terry family >David Terry, Thomas Terry and descendants. Other relatives include the Mark and Steward/Stuart Doss family and the Flowers family. I had only started researching on the Internet six months before. Any data found on the Internet or from other researchers I like to verify or prove so my records will be accurate. So please help us in verification or where to find the sources. The intent is not to spread inaccurate data but to provide other researchers with sources of material. If a source is closer to the date and individual lived then I try to find other proof of the material or information. Leota ----- Original Message ----- From: Maryanne Mills <mills@comteck.com> To: <VAPITTSY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 2:19 AM Subject: [VAPITTSY-L] Barbara F Bonham Posted on: Pittsylvania Co. Va Queries Board URL: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Va/Pittsylvania?read=214 Surname: Bonham ------------------------- I received this response from Barbara F Bonham this evening for posting the information I found in the History of Pittsylvania County, by Clement (1929). This is an exact quote from the book. Obviously, I did not write this book, I was not born in 1929, but I found the information interesting and thought it may be useful to others. If it is not correct, I am open to suggetions, even from Ms Barbara F Bonham. She did not send information as stated. This is an exact copy of her e-mail: Marilyn, Before posting all that heresay Watson stuff, try looking at the records and see that what was written up in the History of Pittsylvania Co was referring to the son, Thomas, not the father. Never and I repeat never will you find a reference in the records to a Thomas John Watson. They were two distinct different men. One could write and one could not. Please, don't continue the myth....do your research. I sent you enough to dispell the fable. Barbara -- FARTHING/BONHAM/COPLEY/NICHOLS/HARRIS/KENION/SHAW/KING/JOY/JENKINS NODINE/MYERS/BURNS/GREINER/SHELLY/SHARP/DAVIS/RUCKER/MARR/WILLIAMS TERRY/FERGUSON/CRAWFORD/HUNTER/RUSSELL/DeVORE/BROWN/BAKER/BISHOP CAGLE/NIX/MITCHELL/SELF/COZART/SHARP/WALKER/RIGGS/BETTERTON/HUDSON ==== VAPITTSY Mailing List ==== Whadya mean my grandparents didn't have any kids!?!