Virginia Sanders  Mylius

<gmylius@charter.net>   ·
Birmingham, AL    



Complete notes and sources available upon request.

Watkins Family

My file on the Watkins family is the largest in my database.   Our direct ancestor (my greatx3 grandmother) was Mary Elizabeth Martha Watkins who married Charles DeLaigle in Augusta, GA.      I have met so many lovely people in the course of this research, and I thank each and every one.   Most particularly, I thank Mrs. Eugenia Richards, whose friendship and help made learning more about our shared Watkins’  ancestors such a joy!  


HENRY WATKINS is documented in Henrico County, Virginia, and our immigrant ancestor.   Many sources say Henry was born about 1638 in Wales, possibly in Talgarth, Brecknockshire, South Wales.   He was a Quaker, a member of the Society of Friends, and appears in officials records in Henrico County, VA as early as 1677.   One quote says:   "One of the most interesting families in Virginia from the point of view of economic, social and political development is the distinguished family of which Henry Watkins is the immigrant ancestor."

1677:   assisted Richard Cocke, Col. Ligon, and Gilbert Jones in the survey of “Mawburne Hills,” which he owned.  
1678:   Henry Watkins paid tithes in Varina parish.
1679:  Deed patented for 170 acres of land on the north side of the James River in Henrico County.   Henry Watkins held land in the "Turkey Island" district of eastern Henrico County, north of the James River, when a militia roll was taken in June 1679.
1684:   Fined for continuing in his Quakerism.  
1690:  Purchased 360 acres of land in Varina Parish, Henrico Co, south side of Chickahominy Swamp from Lyonel Morris.  That same year, he bought 60 acres of land adjoining his own land and touching a run of Turkey Island Creek.   
1699:   Subscribed 500 pounds of tobacco towards building the Friends meetinghouse at Curls
1703:   Paid 50 pounds of tobacco towards furnishing the Friends building.  
1704:   Quit Rents of Virginia lists Henry Sr. with 100 acres in Henrico County

His religion, at times, caused him to clash with the ruling authorities in Virginia.  In 1660, the Virginia Assembly passed a strict law against Quakers, who they described as “"... an unreasonable and turbulent sort of people, who daily gather together unlawful assemblies of people, teaching lies, miracles, false visions, prophecies, and doctrines tending to disturb the peace, disorganize Society and destroy the peace, disorganize society and destroy all laws, and government, and religion.”  You’ll find many mentions of Henry Watkins in "Quaker Records of Henrico Monthly Meeting" by F. Edward Wright.  When his wife was assaulted, he refused to prosecute the criminal because the law required actions contrary to the Quaker doctrine.   In 1661 an act was passed that anyone who failed to attend services of the established church for a period of one month would be subject to a fine.   And again in 1666 an act was passed imposing fines on 'refractory persons' for failure to comply with the militia laws and regulations.   In 1684 Henry Watkins was fined by the court for "continuing in his Quakerisms." His fine was later remitted.   Other Quaker families in the area were the Pleasant’s, “Makeney’s,” and the Woodson’s.   

One thing that endears Henry Watkins, to me, is his disbursement of his lands to his children prior to his death.   He mentions his love for his children when he gave land to each of his sons on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp in 1692.   The tradition of primogeniture was still common in the early colonies. However, by making a will you could distribute your property as you saw fit.   Henry went even further than this when he partitioned his land to his sons prior to his death.    I feel it showed a great deal of confidence in the ability and integrity of his sons.  

In January 1691/2,  he gifted, “With love and affection:”

Henry Watkins died 7 Feb 1714/1715 at his plantation near “Malvern Hills,” in Henrico County.   He had made his will in November 1714 it was proved 7 February 1715.    I have never seen a complete copy of his will.   All I know is that it particularly left bequests to his grandson Thomas Watkins, son of Henry:    1 feather bed and bolster, 1 yarn "sett rugg", 1 pair nine quarter blankets, 1 pair sheets.

HENRY married CATHERINE.   Her last name has been assumed to be “Pride.”   Oddly, I have never seen any proof that was her last name.    I also don’t know if she survived Henry.   

Their children were:

1)  Henry (Jr.) WATKINS (b.1660-Henrico County,VA d.1714/1715-Henrico County,VA)
 | sp: Mary CRISPE/CREWS
2)  Elizabeth WATKINS (b.Abt 1669-Henrico County,VA)
 | sp: John BOTTOMS/BOTTOMLEY (b.Abt 1665 m.1692)
3)   Rachel WATKINS (b.Abt 1670-Henrico County,VA d.Bef 1729)
 | sp: Robert (Jr.) (called himself Sr.) WOODSON (b.Abt 1660 m.Abt 1710 d.1729-Henrico County,VA)
4) THOMAS "of Swift Creek" WATKINS * (b.1672-Malvern Hills Plantation,Henrico County,VA d.1760-Cumberland Cty,VA)
 | sp: Elizabeth PRIDE * (b.Abt 1688-Swift Creek,Chesterfield,VA)
5)  Edward WATKINS (b.Abt 1676 d.1771-Cumberland Cty,VA)
 | sp: (unknown-
  | sp: Mary Bishop TAYLOR PENDLETON (m.Abt 1723)
 | sp: (third wife of Edward Watkins-unknown)
6)  Joseph WATKINS (b.Henrico County,VA d.1723-Henrico County,VA)
 | sp: Anne
7) William WATKINS (b.1685/1690-Curles Plantation,Henrico County,VA d.Abt 1781-Cornwall Parish; Charlotte County,VA)
   sp: Martha HERNDON (m.Abt 1726 d.1781)

Note:   I have seen others reference Mary Watkins as a daughter of the elder Henry.   I have also seen her listed as a child of Henry Watkins, Jr.    If anyone has information about Mary, who married Nicholas Hutchins, please contact me!   For now, I list her as a child of Henry, Jr.   As Henry, Jr. was the eldest child, he could have married and had Mary as an elder child, but I have no proof one way or the other.      

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The children of Henry & Catherine Watkins

1)     HENRY WATKINS, JR. was born about 1660; he died in 1715 – in Henrico County, VA.   Henry Watkins, Jr. is often mentioned in "Quaker Records of Henrico Monthly Meeting.”     In 1699 he is listed in an account of society members who contributed to the building of Curles Meeting House.  In Sept. 1701 he witnessed the marriage of Nicholas Hutchins and Mary Watkins (his daughter or his sister?).   In 1703 he witnessed the marriage of Robert Crew and Sarah Crispe.   April 17, 1719.  "John Hughes appointed clerk.  After Tarlton Woodson and Judith Fleming proposed their marriage to the meeting, the meeting discussed whether marriages to first cousins were agreeable according to scripture.  John Pleasants, Joseph Pleasants, Joseph Woodson, Jr., William Porter, Jr., John Crew, HENRY WATKINS, JR., Nick? Hutchins, William Lead voted against it;  and G. R. Ellyson, Robert Hughes, Robert Woodson, Benjamin Woodson, Richard Feris, Edward Mosby, Charles Fleming, John Woodson and John Atkinson were for it."     The will of Henry Watkins Jr.  was dated November 15, 1714, and recorded February 7, 1715.   In it, he left to his wife Mary, the plantation for life; and mentions his sons: John, Benjamin, Joseph and Stephen.   I have never seen a complete copy of his will.    It was witnessed by Robert Woodson, Jr., Thomas Edwards and Allen Tye.     Several of his children were still minors at the time of his death, son Henry (III) had died prior to Henry making his will.  

Henry Watkins, Jr. married Mary “Crispe” or “Crews.”   If anyone has definitive knowledge of Mary’s last name, please let me know!     Mary survived Henry, and after his death she married Edward Mosby on September 10, 1716 at Curles Meeting House.    In August, 1716, Robert Woodson and William Porter were appointed by the Curles Meeting to inquire into the clearness of Edward to marry.  Margaret Porter and Frances Gathright were appointed to visit MARY and inquire into her clearness (the marriage intent of Edward Mosby & Mary Watkins).

Notes on the Descendants of Henry Watkins, Jr.

2)  Elizabeth Watkins is the only daughter of Henry Watkins (Sr.) specifically mentioned in the records of Henrico County, VA as she refused to take the oath of allegiance to the king before the county court.     In "Henry Watkins of Henrico County", by Jane Allen 1985,  is stated:   "His daughter Elizabeth also held his loyalty to his faith. At the age of 16 in April, 1685, she refused "for conscience sake" to swear to a deposition she had made. The Henrico County Court ordered her imprisonment. In June she was again brought to the bar and "still persisting in ye same obstinacy as she pretends out of conscience sake and seconding her request the court have out of their clemency in consideration of her young years remitted her offence and released her of her confinement."    Elizabeth married John Bottomley.   I have very little information about their family, and would appreciate hearing from any descendants.     I have the following list of possible children, but have not researched further for proof.

A)  John (Jr.) BOTTOMLEY
B)   Mary Garrett BOTTOMLEY
C)   Thomas BOTTOMLEY
D)   Mary BOTTOMLEY
E)   Elizabeth BOTTOMLEY
F)   William BOTTOMLEY
G)  Joseph BOTTOMLEY



3)  Rachel Watkins was born about 1670.   I have very little information on Rachel, and would appreciate hearing from any descendants.   Rachel married Robert Woodson (who was actually a “Jr.”, but called himself “Sr.”   He was the son of  Dr. Robert Woodson and Elizabeth Ferris, and Rachel was his 2nd wife.   William & Mary Quarterly states:  "Robert Woodson lived in Henrico County, though he owned lands in Goochland.  In his will he calls himself Robert Woodson, Sr., to distinguish himself from his nephew Robert Woodson Jr.,  His will was made July 6, 1729, and recorded in Henrico court February 1729 (note, should be 1730).    It names sons Stephen (Stephen Woodson, of Henrico, who married Mary Woodson, daughter of Joseph Woodson, and died in 1761); Joseph, to whom land in Goochland; Robert, to whom land in Goochland;  Jonathan; Elizabeth, Sarah, Judith.  According to the "Standard" he had by Sarah Lewis - Stephen, Joseph, who married Elizabeth Mattox; Robert left no issue; Elizabeth, married John Povall; Sarah married Joseph Parsons and Mary died unmarried;  Agnes married Richard Williamson, and by RACHEL WATKINS he had:

A)  Elizabeth Woodson married John Knight;   Through Elizabeth was descended Col. John Hughes Knight, Dr. Lucien Lamar KNIGHT , Historian Emeritus of Georgia, and Brig. Gen. John Thornton Knight.   

Notes on the Descendants of Elizabeth Woodson & John Knight

B)   Judith Woodson married John Cooke, "mother of all the money-making Cooke’s."   I would love to have more information about Judith and John.  




4)  THOMAS WATKINS “of Swift Creek” was born 1672 at Malvern Hills Plantation, Henrico County, VA; died 1760 in Henrico County, VA.    Thomas married Elizabeth Pride, daughter of John.

Thomas Watkins of “Swift Creek”  Will (continued next page)





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