WATSON FAMILY REUNION John Watson I: 1752-1823 REUNION 2005 – The John Watson I Reunion will be held July 9, 2005 in Greenville SC. Place – White Oak Baptist Church,1805 Wade Hampton Blvd., McCarter Fellowship Hall, Greenville, SC 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a m. – Set-up 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a m. – Visit, share and research 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p m. – Meeting 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p m. – Lunch Buffet catered by Henry’s Smokehouse 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p m. – Pictures and clean-up Hotel – La Quinta Inn & Suites, 65 Orchard Park Dr., Greenville SC, Non-Smoking Suites – $69 and $96 864-233-8018 ask for the Watson Reunion. Reservations need to be made by June 29th !!!! REUNION 2004 – On Friday, July 9, at Stax’s Omega 11 cousins met at 7:00 p.m. for dinner and conversation. The following attended – Jane & Justin Chandler, Ann & Harmon Jones, Dorothy & Chuck Douglas, Dennis Watson, Susan Finlay, Kenley & Carolyn Hawkins and Frank Hawkins. This informal gathering was a wonderful way to get to know more about each other and also an opportunity for some that can’t come to the Reunion the following day. On Saturday, July 10, at the Sears Shelter 39 cousins met for our 2004 Watson Reunion. The following attended - Jane & David Chandler, Ann & Harmon Jones, Dorothy, Chuck, Jimmy, Laurie, Samuel, William & James Douglas, Dennis Watson, Susan Finlay, Kenley & Frank Hawkins, June Watson, Jim & Gloe Watson, Heather Boyles, Doris Bramlett, Georgianne Cobb, Reba Lindsay, Jane Morlan, Charles Watson, Jim & Frances Carroll, Mildred Cox, Curtis & Ellen Davis, Ruth & Don Hutchinson, Martha Patterson, Lynn Lenning, Sara & Reggie Freeman, Charlie Watson, Janice Cox, Boyd & Margaret Gaskin. We had cousins from SC, TN, GA & WV. There were many displays and books around the room of our family history and many pictures. Everyone enjoyed talking and exchanging information and stories. Charles Watson led our meeting, Ann Jones distributed the 2003 minutes, which were approved, Susan Finlay gave a cemetery committee report and June Watson gave the treasurers report. Our program was provided by Jim Carroll on the “Ghosts of the Lynn Walker House”. Everyone went outside for a group picture. For lunch barbecue was enjoyed, but enjoyed most of all were the desserts provided by many of our cousins. Some interesting family tidbits shared at the reunion - – Samuel Douglas had his picture in Sport Illustrated with Lance Armstrong, and this same picture was on the front page of newspapers all over the US and even some foreign newspapers. We all enjoyed hearing his father Jimmy Douglas tell about this. Dorothy Douglas reported to the group that her Uncle Reuben John Watson was a U. S. Marshall !!! The following were elected officers – President – Secretary – Charles Watson Ann Jones 17 N. Harbor Dr. 4878 Old Kinneys School Road Greenville SC 29611 Springfield, TN 37172 864-361-1617 615-384-7334 Treasurer – Reunion Chairperson – Cemetery Chairperson – June Watson Jane Chandler Susan Finlay 100 Gosnell Dr. PO Box 81 308 Lyons Dr. Travelers Rest, SC 29690 Simpsonville, SC 29681 Simpsonville, SC 29681 864-834-3883 864-963-8117 864-963-3309 G_rammyJane@aol.com_ (mailto:GrammyJane@aol.com) _Susan17177@aol.com_ (mailto:Susan17177@aol.com) Cemetery Chairperson Report – It has been a long time coming, but we have very exciting news on our application to the DAR for a replacement marker for the Samuel Walker gravesite on Pelham Road in Greenville. I have received word from Morn Lindsey, Registrar of the Behethland Butler DAR Chapter, that our application has been approved. A dedication ceremony has been planned for Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 at the gravesite. We hope to have as many Walker descendants in attendance as possible. The DAR must order the marker by early June in order for the proofs to be returned, approved by the DAR and the order completed in time for the ceremony. I hope to have more definite information on the details of the ceremony to share with you at the Reunion in July. The following wording for the marker has been approved by the DAR. Our thanks must go to Jimmy Greene for proving Samuel's service and his rank as Captain. Revolutionary War Soldier Samuel Walker Capt.-SC Under Maj. Dillard, Cols. Kilgore, Oneal, and Petty Born 1750-Died 1826 Greenville Co., SC Marker placed by Behethland Butler Chapter, NSDAR 22 Oct. 2005 . So, please make plans now to attend the DAR ceremony in October as we can all be very proud of our ancestor Captain Samuel Walker, and proud of all of our efforts to preserve our family history for future generations. Remember all of you who are descendants of James WATSON B: 5-5-1785 – D: 10-30-1865 + Mary Polly WALKER B: 5-22-1783 - D: 1-7-1862 are also descendants of Samuel WALKER B: 7-9-1750 - D: 9-19-1826 + Phebe GREEN B: 12-13-1750 - D: 6-18-1829 A cleanup of the Walker/Watson cemetery will be planned for early fall as I am sure there will be Walker descendants at the DAR ceremony who will also wish to visit the Walker/Watson cemetery. We will discuss this at the reunion and select a date for the cleanup. The clean-up for this past spring was rained out so we need as many of you that can come help to do so. The survey recommends placing the Walker/Watson cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places and I am working on the application. The paperwork has been sent in and is being reviewed by the SC State Preservation Society who, if they feel it is merited, will nominate the cemetery to the National Register of Historic Places. Then paperwork has to be filled out and turned in to the National Park Service who makes those decisions. Our cemetery fund contains $673.81 at this time, having received $108.00 in donations at last year’s reunion as well as several donations after the reunion. We hope you will all be generous with your contributions towards this worthwhile effort as we have the additional cost of the base as well as the reception after the ceremony. In addition, we have the ongoing expenses associated with our upkeep of the Walker/Watson cemetery and other cemetery projects that may come up. Donations to the cemetery fund can be made at the reunion, sent in with your reservations or sent directly to me at my address above. Your “Cousin” Susan Finlay Reunion Chairperson Report - Susan Finlay and I had the pleasure of attending a reunion on October 17, 2004 of the Descendants of Walter Alvis Clark,Sr. and Mary Brannon Watson held at the Double Springs Baptist Church, Taylors, SC. We met many “new” cousins from the John Watson II line and boy could they sure could cook, everyone brought food and it was so delicious. Frank Hawkins does an excellent job getting this reunion together each year. Janice Cox hosted a Brannon Reunion on May 21, 2005 with 48 in attendance at the Carolina Golf at Botany Woods, Greenville, SC. Many of the descendants of Augustus George Brannon and Mary Elizabeth Steadman were represented. They had plenty of great food...pot luck.. Everyone enjoyed meeting each other and reuniting after many years. The cousins brought family heirlooms and pictures that were enjoyed by all. 2005 WATSON/WATSON REUNION IN ARIZONA will be held October 22, 2005 4-8 pm at the home of: Darrell & Nancy (Watson) O'Neal 6607 N. 62nd Avenue, Glendale, AZ. 85301 -(623) 847-3451 - Nancyann1230@aol.com Contact Nancy or Troy Watson, Jr., at _twatsonjr@juno.com_ (mailto:twatsonjr@juno.com) The John Watson I reunion will be held July 8, 2006, and July 14, 2007. So mark your calendars! Remember always the second Saturday in July. (Unless we vote to change the dates at the reunion, think about this! ) If you are not a member of the John Watson I website on MyFamily.com and would like an invitation to join please send me your e-mail. I also maintain a list of “cousins” that receive e-mails from me during the year, let me know if you would like to be added to this list for updates. Have you ever wondered just how you are related to someone??? My database of John Watson I Descendants contains over 10,000 individuals and my database of Samuel Walker’s Descendants contains over 12,000 individuals. Please contact me and I will be glad to look up any questions that you may have. Your “Cousin” Jane Chandler Anniversaries – – Jasper “Jack” N. Watson Jr. and Mary Morgan Watson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Friday, August 13, 2004, with a reception at Saluda Shoals hosted by their children and grandchildren. They were married August 15, 1954, at First Baptist Church in Brevard, N.C. Jack and Mary have lived in the Irmo community for over 34 years and are appreciative of their family and friends who have supported and encouraged them. Jack is retired from the insurance industry and various business ventures. He also served as an administrative assistant to a South Carolina Congressman. Mary, a devoted mother and homemaker, also taught school. She retired from teaching after over 28 years of service. They have three children: Rebecca Ann Watson Renner married to Richard G. Renner Jr. of Irmo, the Rev. Dr. Jack N. Watson married to Leslie Carol Roberson Watson of Cary, N.C., and Thomas M. Watson of Irmo. They have 8 grandchildren: Richie, Katie, Matt, Christopher, Hannah, Morgan, Shana and Elena. Congratulations from your family. They love you very much. Weddings – Amy Carolyn Kemp and Bryan Brockman were married November 13, 2004 in Marietta, GA. Amy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William (Bill) Jeffery Kemp. Marianne Shockley Stephens and Robert (Robby) Robinette were married on February 12, 2005. Marianne is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hattaway Shockley. Mary Peyton Davis and Stephen Kenneth Wall were married February 26, 2005, in Columbia. Mary Peyton is the daughter of Mrs. Janet R. Sheridan and Mr. Harry W. Davis Jr. Ashley Marie Watson and Justin Michael Thompson were married on March 3, 2005, in Charleston, SC Ashley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas (Tom) Watson, Jr. Engagements – William Thomas (Tommy) Watson, III and Christina Robinette Pearson are engaged to be married on July 30, 2005. in Anderson, SC. Tommy is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas (Tom) Watson, Jr. Movie Star News – Katie Wray Karelson daughter of Mark and Kim Shockley Karelson appeared in the HBO movie WARM SPRINGS that aired in May 2005. An inspiring true story that follows Franklin Delano Roosevelt as he seeks out a "miracle" cure for his polio in the backwoods of rural Georgia. Katie is one of the children at a Warm Springs school visited by FDR. New Additions to our “Clan” - Born Julie Morgan Vandiver October 7, 2004 Cecilia Grace Smith January 9, 2005 Tyler Aiden Shubzda October 24, 2004 Gabriella (Gabby) Maher Quincey October 25, 2004 Charles Samuel Moon November 19, 2004 Phillip Barrett Hight, Jr. June 3, 2004 Aliyah Lake March 22, 2004 Charles Christopher Igel, Jr. February 4, 2004 Michael Joseph Swartz Sep 07, 2003 Our Sympathies to the Families of – Born Death William Henry McMakin January 30, 1917 May 12, 2005 Barbara Ann Phillips Cathcart May 9, 1937 May 10, 2005 William (Bill) Mauldin, Raines, Jr. May 21, 1921 May 8, 2005 Hugh Thomas (Uncle Doc) Barton January 1, 1926 May 2, 2005 Mary Garrison Johnson September 18, 1910 April 21, 2005 Agnes Marie Jones Greene August 22, 1930 April 19, 2005 William (Billy) Joe Ross May 8, 1967 April 13, 2005 Hazel Corene Jones Hines August 25, 1922 April 4, 2005 E. C. (Rat) Cooper November 3, 1915 March 21, 2005 Joe Melvin Shockley, Sr. January 16, 1906 March 18, 2005 David Junior Cannon May 26, 1926 March 17, 2005 Harriette Watson McGraw Loy May 20, 1924 February 21, 2005 Raymond George League November 29, 1920 February 2, 2005 Hollan Worden Hines June 13, 1919 January 20, 2005 Herbert Smith Garrison April 19, 1920 December 30, 2004 Thomas Jackson (Jack) Douglas December 14, 1926 December 16, 2004 Charles Dalton Greene May 26, 1931 November 13, 2004 Sara Ann Copeland Fuller November 15, 1932 November 11, 2004 Walter Ray Shockley August 19, 1924 November 3, 2004 Eli Austin Ward April 1, 1921 October 29, 2004 Mary Frances Ashmore Walters September 23, 1924 October 26, 2004 Leila Hawkins Vaughn January 22, 1917 October 6, 2004 Ammon Matthew Limbaugh, Jr. December 24, 1927 October 1, 2004 James Clyde Johnson July 23, 1936 September 27, 2004 Sarah Catherine Austin Watson November 2, 1911 September 6, 2004 Archie Paul Watson April 4, 1915 August 30, 2004 Warren Martin Hunt October 29, 1927 August 13, 2004 Peggy Ann Shell Moore June 26, 1923 August 13, 2004 Margaret Earle Loftis Barton July 13, 1925 August 2, 2004 Linda Lee Hunt McNaughton February 16, 1950 July 25, 2004 Helen Powe Lupo Thompson January 20, 1915 July 25, 2004 Clinton Wade (Bill) Copeland November 17, 1923 July 18, 2004 Berry (Billie) French Hines September 4, 1925 June 19, 2004 Lola Mae Wickliffe Amick September 3, 1907 June 5, 2004 Clarence William Greene August 7, 1920 June 4, 2004 Lillian Mae Nanney Wilkins Jan 04, 1912 Oct 31, 2003 WATSON FAMILY REUNION 2005 WHEN: Saturday, July 9, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. WHERE: White Oak Baptist Church., 1805 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville SC COST: $12.00 per person Share this with all our “cousins” and inform us of any changes of address, births, deaths, marriages or “new” cousins to be added. Don’t forget to bring pictures, items and stories to share. Thanks in advance to all that help clean-up and bring desserts !!!! Please send your reservations by July 2, 2005 to: Jane Chandler Phone # (864) 963-8117 PO Box 81 Simpsonville, SC 29681 E-Mail - GrammyJane@aol.com ______________________________________________________________________________ ____________ RESERVATION FORM NAME ___________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ __ E-MAIL ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________________ I plan to attend the reunion ______________ YES _______________ NO Please reserve ___________ place (s) for ________________________________________________________ Check is enclosed _________________ or pay at the door ____________________ I can bring a dessert ______________________ YES ______________________ NO We will meet at Stax’s Omega on Friday night, July 8 at 7:00 for dinner and visiting. Please let me know if you will be joining us there ____________ YES _____________ NO