GOD BLESS AMERICA! fyi... i found these with a "google search": mexican war http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/ http://www.lone-star.net/mall/texasinfo/mexicow.htm http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/MM/qdm2.html British Merchant Service http://www.bartleby.com/266/118.html merchant marines http://www.usmm.org/ black ball line http://www.speakeasy.org/~anitra/chanteys/blackball.html http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/episode1/topic7/e1_t7_s5-bb.html http://pc-78-120.udac.se:8001/WWW/Nautica/Maritime_History/LivMec(1847-05-21).html there are a lot more to be had... he had many adventures!! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynn Pollack 803" <lpollack@sydpcug.org.au> To: <WATSON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 2:11 AM Subject: [WATSON] John Watson Would welcome any suggestions of sources which would help regarding the war between mexico and the United States. the Merchant Service of New York and the Black Ball Line (see references below) Many thanks Lynn in Oz Obituary: "We regret to record the death of an old and respected resident of Balmain., Mr. John Watson of Smith Street. Mr. Watson was born in Gainsbro, Lincolnshire, England in the year of 1818. At the age of 13 he was apprenticed as to an engineer, and afterwards went to sea for many years. He has had many exciting and dangerous experiences, having been wrecked several times, thrown among tribes who were cannibals, taken part in minor wars, was wounded in the war between Mexico and the United States, lying in a dangerous condition for seven months. At one time he was a member of the Merchant Service of New York and also of the well known Black Ball Line. He spent many years whaling, meeting with exciting experiences. Becoming weary of the sea he came to the colonies in 1850 spending a few years upon the station of Sir Joshua Bell in Queensland known as "Jimbour". He came on to Sydney in 1853 and settled in Balmain, which at that time was little better than a scrub. He became associated with ferry business from its infancy, eventually becoming proprietor of the Bald Rock Ferry which was afterwards formed into the company of John Watson & Co. and sold in 1887 to the Balmain Steam Ferry Company. Under his direction several improvements were effected in ferry steamers construction as he aimed always at comfort, speed and cleanliness. In 1865 Mr. Watson visited England taking 3 months each way; on his return he removed from the point (?) of this suburb and went, as many friends told him, into the bush, by building and taking up his residence, in Smith Street. He at one time took a lively interest in local matters and was an alderman of the Borough Council. He was liberal in his views, generous and kind hearted; those who knew him felt the value of his friendship and his pocket was ever open to those in distress. It might be said of him "Friends he had many, enemies he had none". He was a good master, a loving husband and an indulgent father...."