Watkins Family, pg 5

Watkins Crest Mary Eliz. MARTHA WATKINS DeLaigle, and her headstone Gen. Louis D. Watkins (Union) Virginia DeLaigle Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins Jackson Jeanne McClure Sanders& Helen Jackson McClure and Virginia Sanders

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Watkins Family, continued (page 5)

The Children of Thomas Watkins “of Swift Creek” and Elizabeth Pride (continued)

8) Benjamin Watkins, born about 1725, was the youngest child of Thomas Watkins & Elizabeth [Pride]. He died 12 Feb 1781 in Chesterfield County, VA. He was the first clerk of Chesterfield County, which office he held until his death. The Catalogue states the following about Benjamin: ‘He was also the surveyor of the county, and surveyed the lots and streets in the town of Manchester. Judge Fleming describes him as a "gentleman well skilled in his office, and of undoubted integrity." He presented the County of Chesterfield in the Colonial Assemblies on the several occasions, and was a member of the Convention of 1776. He was a zealous supporter of the rights of the colonies against usurpations attempted under George III, and corresponded on matters relative to the resistance of the colonies with Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and other leading patriots of the day. He was regarded as a man of ability, and was highly esteemed for his great industry, integrity and benevolence. He was trained in the Secretary's office at Williamsburg.” Francis Watkins knew some of Benjamin Watkins’ descendants personally, and stated that they were “often mentioned with affectionate regard.” Benjamin was left bequests in his father’s will (see notes of Thomas Watkins).

Benjamin married Elizabeth Cary, 25 Oct 1755 in Warwick Co., VA, a daughter of Major Miles Cary, of Peartree Hall, Warwick County, Virginia, and they resided in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Notes about the Descendants of Benjamin WATKINS

Benjamin and Elizabeth had the following 13 children (at least 3 died young):

A)   Hannah WATKINS (b.7 Feb 1757)
| sp: William (Sr.) FINNEY
| sp: John WALKER (m.(bond) Nov 1789)
B)   Benjamin (Jr) WATKINS (b.29 Nov 1758 d.6/29/1759?) (died an infant)
C)   Thomas WATKINS (b.4 Sep 1760 d.4 Jan 1812)
| sp: Rebecca (dau of Rev. Miles) SELDEN (m.(bond) Oct 1783)
D)   Elizabeth WATKINS (b.10 Dec 1762 d.5 Jan 1802)
| sp: Rev. William LEIGH of Chesterfield (b.1748 d.1787)
| sp: Benjamin THWEATT
E)   Miles Cary WATKINS (b.20 Dec 1764 d.19 Jul 1765) (died a baby)
F)   Benjamin (II) WATKINS (b.8 Jun 1766 d.27 Feb 1786)
G)   Frances WATKINS (note: there is confusion about Frances.   I have seen it stated that she married William FINNEY/FINNIE of Amelia Co., VA.    The same William Finney who married her sister, Hannah??)
H)   Richard WATKINS (b.8 Aug 1768 d.4 Jan 1803)
I)    Rebecca WATKINS (b.7 Aug 1770 d.4 Jan 1833)
| sp: Baldwin PEARCE
J)   Mary WATKINS (b.25 May 1772 d.25 Feb 1832)
K)   Susan/Susannah WATKINS (b.23 Mar 1774 d.11 Mar 1832)
| sp: Dr. Henry Wilson LOCKETT of Powhatan
L)    Anne WATKINS (b.7 Oct 1776 d.29 Mar 1796)
M)   Jane WATKINS (b.28 Feb 1779 d.11 May 1779) (died an infant)
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The Children of Thomas “Chickahominy” Watkins and Frances Anderson

The children of Thomas & Frances are recounted in "A CATALOGUE of the Descendants of THOMAS WATKINS of Chicahomony, VA. Who was the Common Ancestor of Many of the Families of the Name in Prince Edward, Charlotte, and Chesterfield Counties, VA.", by Francis N. Watkins, (Written 1852) Prince Edward County, VA." 1899 Atlas Printing Company, Henderson, SC.

1) Henry Watkins (I call him 4th of the name), born about 1735; died about 1797, was the eldest child of Thomas “of Chickahominy.” The Catalogue states of Henry: “He married Temperance Hughes, of Chesterfield, the near relative of the Jessie Hughes who married a daughter of the late Capt. Hez{?} Morton, of Prince Edward (County). He removed at an early period after his marriage, or about that time, to Prince Edward, and located himself on the head waters of Bush River, residing at the death, at the present residence (in 1852) of the widow of the late Henry N. Watkins. He also owned a farm near Prince Edward C. H. He was a plain, unpretending man, greatly respected and beloved, especially by his kinsmen; that he was a great favorite with them is shown by the fact that so many of his relatives are named after him. He was distinguished for his industry and for his benevolence, and without being parsimonious, he practiced, both from principle and necessity, great economy. My mother tells me he was regarded as the "model husband" of his day, and his neighbors used to say 'that his wife's death caused his own." He died about the year 1798. He raised a large family of children, who, with their descendants, are mentioned in the catalogue. One of them, Thomas Watkins, deserved most "honorable mention." His father determined to give him the advantages of the education afforded by the best schools of the period of his youth, and although the Revolutionary war presented the full executive of his purposes in this respect, he received more cultivation than was usually bestowed on the sons of planters. In 1780'82 Thomas Watkins made an earnest appeal to the patriotism of his neighbors and youthful companions, to render their aid in achieving the liberties of their country. By his successful efforts a troop of volunteer cavalry was organized in Prince Edward [county], and he was elected its captain. He offered his company to Gen. Lee, and desired to be received into his "Legion"; his troop presenting a rather plain and unattractive appearance his application was refused; subsequent events proved that Gen. Lee had acted unwisely, and when the General afterwards requested that the Prince Edward troop should join him, Capt. Watkins indignantly refused to acquiesce in the proposition. He served under Gen. Greene, and at Guilford C. H. in March 1781, was distinguished for his bravery. I have heard often of the gallantry of this company on the occasion, and authentic anecdotes have been preserved of their bold, daring captain, who was often seen on the field, inspiring, by his conduct and his words, with courage, the spirits of a disheartened soldiery, and in {__?__} combat he won laurels. Col. Washington wrote Capt Watkins a letter, after the action at Guilford, in which the conduct of the Prince Edward troop and their commanding officer were highly commended. After the close of the war, Col. Watkins (for he was made a colonel of militia, lived in Prince Edward, at the plantation afterwards owned by his son, Dr. S. V. Watkins. He rendered much useful service to his country as a Justice of the Peace and as a good citizen. During his last illness he revealed a fact which had caused him much unhappiness, but which he had until then concealed from his friends. He stated that in a {__?__} charge at Guilford, in a personal encounter with a British officer, the latter asked for "quarter," but, in his impetuosity, the Colonel stated that he killed his adversary. The event, he added, had caused him much unhappiness from its occurrence to the end of his life. He died about 1797."

FOOTNOTE: "Our Uncle Henry is not the only one of that name who hopes to be remembered as a model husband. If meek and becoming submission, to home authority, and love and admiration of their wives constitute any claim of that title, there are many fine specimens of such character among the race, and I feel fully authorized to refer to several of my kinsmen and, if modesty allowed me, to him who [pens] these lines as proof positive of what I've said; I doubt not that some of my bachelor friends will thank me for perpetuating the memory of this excellent family virtue; I am sure I shall have rendered them [some] service if I shall, by this means, promote their interests, which the ladies who appear heretofore to be rather insensible to their merits in this regard."

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Will of Henry Watkins, Prince Edward CO, VA, June 1798, Jan 1799, mentions: Son, Robert Watkins. Grandson Henry Anderson Watkins, son of my son Thos, dec'd, grandson Joel Watkins, son of my son Robert, daus Frances Walton, Mary Cocke, Pattey Nance. Son-in-law Richard Cocke. Granddaughter Pattey Hughes Watkins, Temperance Watkins, Harriet Nance, Frances Thomas Watkins. Wit: Nathaniel Jackson, Noble Ladd, Geo. Blakey.

Henry Watkins married Temperance Hughes 28 Jan 1760 in Cumberland County, VA. She was the daughter of Robert Hughes and Martha Morton.    They had the following children:

A)    Robert WATKINS (d.By 1804)
| sp: Frances "Fanny" - (dau of Col. Wm) MORTON (m.24 Feb 1785)
B)    Col. Thomas WATKINS of Prince Edward (b.1761-Prince Edward County,VA d.1797)
| sp: Betsey Ann VENABLE (b.18 Dec 1760-"Slate Hill," Prince Edward Co.,VA m.4 Jul 1782 d.3 Dec 1826-Virginia)
C)    Martha "Patsy" Hughes WATKINS
| sp: Frederick P. NANTZ of Kentucky (b.1 Feb 1761 m.18 Jun 1787 d.14 Jul 1835-Washington County,KY)
D)    Mary "Polly" WATKINS
| sp: Richard Henry COCKE of Kentucky (m.6 Dec 1797)
E)    Frances W. WATKINS
   sp: Gen. Matthew WALTON Congressman of KY (b.Abt 1754-VA m.25 Jan 1791 d.18 Jan 1819-Springfield,Washington Co.,KY)
   sp: Hon./Gov. J. POPE of KY

Notes about the descendants of Henry WATKINS & Temperance HUGHES

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2)   Elizabeth Watkins was born about 1739.   The Catalogue states: “" BETSEY WATKINS is supposed to have been the oldest of the daughters. She died before her father and was not known to any of the present generation.   All I have been able to learn of her history from any of her descendants is, that she married Nathaniel Massie of Goodchland, a most respected gentleman of high character, who manifested in the early and eventful period of his country's history, great patriotism.   He held an office in the Revolutionary army, ranking as Colonel. Sons of his descendants have attained eminence in Ohio and the West."

Betsey married Nathaniel MASSIE.    This is all I know of their descendants.

1. Elizabeth (Betsey) WATKINS (b.Abt 1739 d.Bef 1783)
sp: Nathaniel MASSIE
|-2. Mary MASSIE
| sp: James ROBARDS of Goochland (VA)
| +-3. Col. William ROBARDS
|    sp: Ann SATTERWHITE of Granville, NC
|     |-4. Mary A. ROBARDS
|     | sp: Thomas MILLER
|     |-4. Thomas ROBARDS
|     |-4. William ROBARDS of Goochland (VA)
|     | sp: Susan A. (dau. of Dr. Joseph Watkins) WATKINS
|     |-4. George ROBARDS of Alabama
|     | sp: Selina A. LOCKETT   (daughter of Col. S. Lockett)
  |     |-4. Col. Horace L. ROBARDS of Sallsbury, NC
|     | sp: Bettie Jane (daughter of Dr. J. Watkins) WATKINS
|     |-4. Dr. Henry ROBARDS of North Carolina
|     +-4. Jane ROBARDS
|       sp: Stephen S. ROYSTER
|-2. Nathaniel (Jr.) MASSIE of Ohio
|-2. Henry MASSIE of Kentucky
| sp: Helen BULLETT
+-2. Constance MASSIE
   sp: Thomas MILLER of Goochland (VA)
    |-3. William MILLER
    | sp: Lucy WOODSON
    |-3. Betsey W. MILLER
    | sp: Dr. Joseph WATKINS of Ben Lomond
    |-3. Dr. Nathaniel M. MILLER
    | sp: Mary CHRISTIAN
    |-3. Thomas MILLER
    | sp: Mary A. ROBARDS
    |-3. Henry M. MILLER of North Carolina
    | sp: Isabella HINTON
    |-3. Dr. H. Jones MILLER of Richmond, VA
    | sp: Minvera CHRISTIAN
    +-3. Frederick MILLER of Buckingham
      sp: Susan HOLEMAN
      sp: Louisa GUERRANT
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3) Col. Joel Watkins was born about 1737 in Henrico County, VA; died 2 Jan 1820 in Charlotte County, VA.

Joel married Agnes Morton in 1741, the daughter of Joseph Morton & Agnes Woodson, and they moved to Charlotte County where their home, called "Woodfork", was a few miles above the Charlotte County Court House. This section later became Prince Edward County. There are many references to Joel in Bradshaw's History of Prince Edward County. He was a Justice for several terms, the Sheriff in 1762-3, and a Col. in the Militia in 1761. McAllister lists him as a Col. in the Revolution. He was a member of the House of Delegates in 1781. Bradshaw gives an account of an attempt at growing hemp by several people, and Joel Watkins manufactured 1344 pounds of hemp in 1762. Joel was one of the original trustees of Hampden-Sydney College.

From the Catalogue: “ JOEL WATKINS of Woodfork, Charlotte, was the third son of Thomas of Chickahominy, and probably was younger than one or more of his sisters. He removed from Henrico to Charlotte when a young man, at the persuasion of his brother-in-law, Col. William MORTON, herein often mentioned. He married AGNES MORTON, sister of Colonel Morton.   His residence was a few miles north of Charlotte C(ourt) H(ouse), at Woodfork.   He died about the year----. Few men appear to have been more beloved than this excellent old man. "I never knew him," said Mr. Leigh, "and I am very sorry for it, for, according to my information, he was the very best man that ever lived in this world."   He was remarkable, says another who knew him well, "for plainness, benevolence, and integrity, a pattern of industry, one of the kindest of friends---the friend of the friendless, one who comforted the widow in affliction, the father to the orphan, a friend to the poor, the adviser of youth, without an enemy, and his death mourned by all."   *** "He would court the company of youth." *** "I have heard him compared to the father of his country."    Another styled him the "great peacemaker."   There was one virtue for which he and his brother Francis were noted, and which deserves mention, I refer to their purity of character as exhibited by a cordial disgust at hearing vulgar and unchaste conversation. Their kindness and politeness might sometimes prevent apparent rudeness to the retailers of such remarks but they gave no sign of encouragement to the conversation; and Col. Joel Watkins would start off to light his pipe.    Among the papers of the Hon. John RANDOLPH was found a MS written by himself, of which the following is a copy: "On Sunday, the 2nd day of January, departed this life, at an advanced age, beloved, honored and lamented by all who knew him, Col Joel Watkins, of the county of Charlotte and State of Virginia.   Without shining abilities or the advantages of an education, by plain, straightforward industry, under the guidance of old-fashioned honesty and practical good sense, he accumulated an ample fortune, in which, it is firmly believed, and there was not one dirty shilling.   These fruits of his own labors he distributed with a promptitude and liberality seldom equaled, but never surpassed, in suitable provision to his children at their entrance into life, and on every deserving object of private benevolence or public spirit; reserving to himself the means of a generous but unostentatious hospitality. Nor was he liberal of his money only.   His time, his trouble were never withheld on the bench or in his neighborhood, when they could be usefully employed. If, as we are assured, that peacemakers are blessed, who shall feel stronger assurance of bliss, than must have smoothed this old man's passage to an unknown world."

And a wonderful quote:   “Col. Joel Watkins inspired some of the loftiest prose that I have encountered. He was called "a pattern of industry", compared to the Father of his country, and called a great peace maker. Dupuy quotes Mr. John Randolph of Roanoke: "On Sunday, the second of January, departed this life Col. Joel Watkins, beloved, honored and lamented by all who knew him. Without shining abilities or the advantages of an education, by plain, straightforward industry, under the guidance of Old Fashion honesty and practical good sense, he accumulated an ample fortune, in which it is believed that there was not one dirty shilling." The feeling about him seemed to be summed up in one eulogy about him which I read. It simply stated that he was the "best man who ever lived in this world."

Joel Watkins and his children continued on the Next Page