Virginia Sanders  Mylius

<gmylius@charter.net>   ·
Birmingham, AL    



Complete notes and sources available upon request.

Watkins Family, continued  (page 11)

The children of Thomas Watkins & Sarah “Sally” Walton - (continued)

5)  Dr. Anderson Watkins of Augusta, GA was born 28 Aug 1773 in Henrico Co., Virginia.  Henry Watkins, of Prince Edward Co., VA (his uncle) was appointed his guardian after the death of father Thomas in 1783.   He received his medical training under the tutelage of Dr. Smelt, but I know nothing else about that.   A memorial piece about him stated that he came from Virginia  to Augusta after completing his education, a few years prior to his marriage.    Anderson married Catherine EVE on 26 Jan 1804, daughter of Oswell Eve and Aphra Ann Pritchard, in Augusta, GA.   Anderson was appointed the guardian for at least some of his brother Robert’s children, after Robert died in 1805.  We know he was the legal guardian of nephews Thomas & Claiborne, and he most probably was for George and John Robert, as well.  In 1820, there were 5 living in his household, but he and Catherine never had any children.   Catherine Eve was born 12 Mar 1787, died about 1869.   She remarried after Anderson’s death, Robert Campbell, but they had no children either.   Her sister, Emma Eve Smith, wrote a lovely account of Catherine in her Journal, which I will gladly share with anyone who is interested.    

Dr. Anderson Watkins must have been a remarkable man. The  success of the many civic and business activities he was involved in, and the trust placed in him by his numerous friends and relatives, reflect this fact.   Anderson has been one of my favorite relatives to learn about.  

· 1804:   Anderson was appointed administrator of his nephew Thomas Camber Walton’s estate.  Thomas died at the age of 27, in Dec. 1803.    (Thomas was son of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence)

· 1805:  Appointed one of the administrators of his brother, Robert Watkins’, estate.  Elizabeth Martha Walton Watkins, Robert’s widow, was the other administrator.    Elizabeth died in 1809, and Anderson continued to assist his nephews with the estate, called “Rosney,” which included 1700 acres of land outside the city of Augusta.   

· Nov 1820.  Miss Mary Hornby one of the children of Thos. Hornby chooses Dr. Anderson Watkins, guardian, and he was appt. guardian for Ann, Henrietta, and Emma Hornby, minors of said Thos. Hornby.

· 1825, Anderson Watkins was the executor named in the will of Eleanor HORNBY.  In her will she names many nieces and nephews, among them was Leonidas Watkins Groves, her grand nephew.  

· By Feb 1802,  had opened an apothecary’s shop above the City Hotel in Augusta, GA.   

· By 1806, was advertising the lease of “the elegant plantation, commonly called “The Richmond Baths.”  The property included furnished dwelling house, horses, cattle, and crops.  

· By 1819, he was a Trustee of the Richmond Academy, a position he continued to hold until his death.

· In 1822, Anderson was the First President of the Augusta Medical Society.  The Augusta Chronicle and Georgia Advertiser ran the notice of the incorporation of "The Medical Society of Augusta, Georgia," on Nov. 27, with Anderson Watkins, President; Alexander Cunningham, Vice President; Milton Antony, Thomas Wray, William Savage, William T. Young, Dont Dent, B.D. Thompson, and Thomas H.M. Fendall as founding members.

· He was instrumental in the establishment of the Medical Academy of Georgia in Augusta, which was established by an act of the State of Georgia in 1828.   

· When he died in 1828, his medical practice was assumed by Dr. Milton Antony, and it is stated that the practice was so large it exceeded Dr. Antony’s ability to attend it.   

"To my God the great Father of the universe I humbly offer up and commit my Soul, with a hope of pardon and forgiveness beyond this life through the interception and atonement of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom to know is deemed a privilege, and when known devolves an imperative duty, on all suitable occasions, publicly to acknowledge.    I thank my God and Creator for having placed me in an enlightened Gospel land and age, and for having enlightened my heart and understanding to see and bear testimony to the important truths contained in the holy _____ as revealed and sacred word of God.   I thank him moreover, for having granted me health and this length of years; it having pleased him ______ me with a portion of worldly goods, and knowing as I do, the frail uncertainty of human life, and the certainty of death, I, ANDERSON WATKINS of the County of Richmond and State of Georgia, being now in tolerable health and possession of my usual portion of mental faculty, unimpaired by age or disease, Do make this my Last Will and Testament.   

"When I am dead, I trust my friends will commit my body decently to the earth.  It is my will and desire that my just debts, if any, should be ascertained and paid without delay.  

"I give and bequeath to my Executors hereafter named ____ thousand dollars in trust for the use and benefit of NANCY HUNSTER, a free woman of color, formerly of this place, but now of Huntsville, Alabama, and her assigns forever, at the discretion of my said Executors hereafter named.

"Item:   I give and bequeath to my beloved wife CATHARINE WATKINS one-half of my estate both real and personal, after deducting and providing the foregoing request, to her and her heirs and assigns forever, giving her over a choice the property at a fair valuation and not hereafter specifically _____.   

"tem:   I give and bequeath to my Executors hereafter named, Five thousand dollars in money to be invested in a house and lot in the City of Augusta and also Shares of the Capital Stock of the Bank of Augusta, also the following Negro slaves, viz, Winny, Sarah, Jerry, Rosana, together with present and future issue of Sarah, also Caroline and her future issue and also a tract of Land in 3rd District Dooly County, drawn by my late nephew, LEONIDAS WATKINS, in ____ for the use and benefit of my niece EVELINA S. WALTON, wife and intermarried with (Robert) WALTON, and the children of said Evalina S. Walton, share and share alike.  Hereby authorizing my said Executors hereafter named to appoint an ____trustee, with the consent and approbation of my niece Evalina S. Walton, ____ and manage the foregoing request should they or either of them decline to____.

"Item:   I give and bequeath to the wardens and vestrymen of St. Paul's Church, City of Augusta for the time being and their successors in office, all the debts due me of every description by that church supposed to amount to about one thousand dollars, also Fifty shares of the Capital Stock of the Bank of Augusta in annual dividends, to be applied to the support of an Episcopal clergyman whilst officiating in said St. Paul's Church, but when not needed in that way to be applied to the use and benefit of a free school in the City of Augusta.    

"Item:  I give and bequeath to the managers of the free school society, City of Augusta, for the time being, and their successors in office, Fifth Shares of the Capital Stock, Bank of Augusta, the semi-annual dividends alone to be drawn out and applied for the support of said free school forever, whilst continued in operation, but when not continued, to revert to my Executors hereafter named to be applied to any other suitable institution at the discretion of my said Executors hereafter named.  

"Item:  I give and bequeath to my Executors hereafter named Fifty-Shares of Capital stock Bank of Augusta, in trust for the use and benefit of my nephew GEORGE CLAIBORNE WATKINS, son of my deceased brother Isaac Watkins, the sum annual dividends of which alone to be applied to the education and support of my said Nephew, until he shall arrive to the age of Twenty-one years, after which he is to be invested with control of said stock and its proceeds.  

"Item:  It is my Will and desire that the residue of my Estate both real and personal, after complying with the foregoing and subsequent bequests be equally divided between the children of my brother, GEORGE WATKINS;  the children of my sister, POLLY HUGHES NUCKOLS of Kentucky, and the children of my deceased brother of Arkansas Territory, ISAAC WATKINS, share and share alike to them and their heirs and assigns forever.   

Item:  I give and bequeath to my _____ Executors hereafter named Five Hundred Dollars each to be set apart out of my estate before making a final distribution thereof to be applied to their own use, and which I beg they will accept of as a small compensation for their trouble in carrying into effect this my last Will and Testament.  

"Lastly:  I do hereby appoint my trusty and worthy friends, JOHN BONES, WILLIAM SMITH, and PAUL F. EVE, the sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby resting them with full power to sell and dispose of my estate, both real and personal at their discretion in order to afford a facility in dividing and distributing my said estate, as fully as I myself could do were I in life.

"In testimony whereof I the aforesaid ANDERSON WATKINS doth hereunto affix my hand and seal to this my last Will and Testament at Augusta this second day of June, 1828.     (signed) Anderson Watkins

(Signed in the presence of)  Augustus Moore, Thos. Cumming,  Charles A. Crawford

His will was probated Friday the 24th day of October, 1828.  

Note:  The wishes of Dr. Anderson WATKINS with regard to a school were carried out.   In a history of Augusta is stated:   "Among the benevolent institutions of Augusta ought not to be forgotten its "Poor School," which has been supported a number of years by private liberality, and has now one hundred pupils.  Lately it has become a fortunate legatee:  Dr. ANDERSON WATKINS, well known as a gentleman of great benevolence, has bequeathed to it $5,000, and Mr. Campbell a similar sum."

OBITUARY for ANDERSON WATKINS:  

“The lamented death of our respected fellow citizen, Dr. ANDERSON WATKINS, has left a chasm in this community which will long remain, ere it is filled by worth so distinguished.  He was a native of Virginia, and came to this place before he arrived to the age of manhood, and commenced the study of Medicine under the late Dr. Smelt.—Possessing a sound judgment, and a mind formed for action he was soon found at the head of the profession to which he belonged.  From no duties, however arduous, was he know to shrink –constant in his attention to every branch of his profession for more than 20 years, he acquired a reputation and fortune, which but few attain.

“An ardent admirer of the pursuits of agriculture, a great proportion of his time, for the last few years, was devoted to improvements in farming, intended more as a stimulant to others, than a profit to himself.  In the dispensations of his wealth, the orphan and widow were kindly provided for, and to such of his immediate connections, his liberality was conspicuous—and in all enterprise in which the public welfare was concerned, his course was always energetic and liberal.  Far distant from home (but fortunately under the roof of an only sister) where he arrived but two days previous, he was attacked with fever, with which he was confined for the long period of thirty days, which he bore with great patience and Christian resignation.  A true believer in Jesus, death brought no terrors; his endeared wife and kind friends, who watched his last moments, were assured by him of his happiness:  “I am happy—let that console you,” were his last words.”



6)   Mary “Polly” Hughes Watkins, (born 22 July 1775 in VA- died 15 Sep 1830 in Scott Co., KY), was the only daughter of Thomas & Sarah Walton Watkins.   Polly and her younger brother Isaac were the children who accompanied their mother Sally, and her new husband - Rev. Joshua Morris, when they left Virginia and settled in Kentucky in 1788.    There, on 11 Mar 1790 in Louisville, KY,  Polly married Lewis Nuckols (4 Jun 1766 in VA-28 Feb 1834 in KY).  Polly was not yet 15, and their first child was born nine months - and a day, later!   Information about their home is provided below.  Her brother, Dr. Anderson Watkins, died at their home in Kentucky in 1828.    I’m afraid I know little else about Mary and Lewis Nuckols, other the information below about their descendants.  If anyone has further information to add, please contact me!  


1. Mary "Polly" Hughes WATKINS (b.22 Jul 1775-Virginia d.15 Sep 1830-Scott County,KY)
sp: Lewis NUCKOLS (b.4 Jun 1766-Louisa County,VA m.11 Mar 1790 d.28 Feb 1834-Fayette County,KY)
 |-2. Dr. George W. NUCKOLS (b.12 Dec 1790 d.6 Apr 1864)
 | sp: Lucinda THURSTON (b.30 Jan 1794 m.8 Jan 1817 d.1845)
 |  |-3. J. W. NUCKOLS
 |  |-3. Mary W. NUCKOLS
 |  | sp: Alexander William OFFUTT
 | sp: Mary A. GIBSON (m.12 Jul 1847)
 |-2. Samuel V. NUCKOLS (b.1 Feb 1793 d.24 Dec 1870-Versailles,Woodford County,Kentucky)
 | sp: Mary Crockett CARLYLE (b.12 Mar 1793 m.22 Dec 1813 d.23 Mar 1876)
 |  |-3. George C. NUCKOLS (b.13 Dec 1814-Woodford County,KY)
 |  |-3. Claiborne Watkins NUCKOLS (b.25 Jun 1817-Woodford County,KY)
 |  | sp: Jane DEDMAN
 |  |  |-4. Margaret Carlyle NUCKOLS (b.2 Dec 1861-Versailles,Woodford County,Kentucky d.20 Apr 1934-Madison Co,Richmond,KY)
 |  |  | sp: Robert Curtis STOCKTON
 |  |  |-4. George W. NUCKOLS C.S.A. (d.Camp Butler,Civil War)
 |  |  |-4. Samuel Claiborne NUCKOLS (b.14 Oct 1846-Woodford County,KY d.12 Aug 1922-Woodford County,KY)
 |  |  | sp: Lewella WASSON
 |  |  |-4. Lewis D. NUCKOLS
 |  |  |-4. Charles NUCKOLS (b.20 Aug 1850-Woodford County,KY d.Versailles,Woodford County,Kentucky)
 |  |  | sp: Elizabeth "Bettie" HURST
 |  |  |-4. William NUCKOLS (b.1852-Woodford County,KY d.Apr 1866-Woodford County,KY)
 |  |  |-4. Henry Thomas NUCKOLS (b.1856 d.7 Oct 1910-Deer Lodge,Anaconda,MT)
 |  |  | sp: Jennie Hagan HUNTER
 |  |  +-4. James NUCKOLS
 |  |-3. Robert NUCKOLS
 |  |-3. Maria Louisa NUCKOLS (b.25 Feb 1824-Woodford County,KY d.14 Dec 1865-Davenport,IA)
 |  | sp: Thomas Jefferson ILES
 |  +-3. John M. NUCKOLS
 |    sp: Ann JACKSON
 |-2. Robert Warfield NUCKOLS (b.27 Jan 1803 d.7 Mar 1826-Scott County,KY)
 |-2. Mary Hughes NUCKOLS (b.7 Oct 1804 d.1 Jun 1829)
 |-2. Nancy NUCKOLS (b.2 Dec 1791 d.12 Jun 1812)
 |-2. Lewis (Jr.) NUCKOLS (b.13 Apr 1795 d.10 Oct 1840)
 |-2. Milton Blakely NUCKOLS (b.20 Oct 1796 d.25 Jan 1830)
 | sp: Margaret GLASS
 |-2. Sally Walton NUCKOLS (b.25 Jun 1798)
 |-2. Anderson W. NUCKOLS (b.3 Feb 1800 d.8 Aug 1843)
 |-2. Teresa NUCKOLS (b.13 Aug 1801)
 |-2. Milo Claiborne NUCKOLS (b.7 Oct 1806 d.25 Mar 1884)
 |-2. Elizabeth Ann Yancy NUCKOLS (b.5 Jan 1811 d.1860)
 | sp: Leland WILHOLT (b.15 Jun 1804 d.22 Nov 1878-Scott County,KY)
 +-2. Louisa Emerine NUCKOLS (b.11 Jun 1813)
   sp: Newton PAYNE
    +-3. Louisa (died an infant) PAYNE (b.13 Nov 1828-Scott County,KY d.11 Jul 1829-Georgetown,Scott County,KY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From "A History of Scott County, As Told By Selected Buildings", by Ann Bolton Blevins, page 137--

"Lewis Nuckols House--Beginning in 1797 Lewis Nuckols began accumulating property in the Bethel community. His first purchase of 110 acres from James Lindsay was augmented by acquisitions from John White, James Trotter, Jacob Creath, George Taylor, and Jesse and Isaac Beauchamp prior to a survey made from Nuckols in 1817.  Lewis Nuckols probably built the belted three-bay brickhouse about the time he acquired his first tract of land. Like many other houses of its period, it has been altered, especially during the era of romanticism which followed Reconstruction."

The caption under this image said, "Lewis Nuckols house received an unusual entrance around 1870."

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