Thomas watkins (B: around 1740 D: 1809 Mecklenburg va, age 69) Married to Elizabeth
Download 8.44 Mb.
|
VIRGINIA At the start of the United States, Virginia had the largest population of any state. In 1790, nearly one out of every 5 Americans was a Virginian. There were 13 states. Four of the first five presidents were Virginians - Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. In 1775, 40% of the people in Virginia were slaves. Tennessee was the 16th state added in 1796. Prior to this Tennessee was considered part of North Carolina. Mississippi was the 20th state added in 1817. MECKLENBURG COUNTY VIRGINIA The county is located in the Piedmont plateau region located between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Mountains, approximately half-way between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic coast, on the North Carolina state line. The land is gently rolling and on the lower eastern end of the county is the only mountain in Mecklenburg. The mountain has been known by various names over the years, one which happens to be Watkins’ Mountain. During this time period, the land was new and fertile as compared to the worn soil of the eastern Tidewater sections of Virginia. Mecklenburg is in the area of what is called Southside Virginia. The plantation system was at its zenith in Southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. There were visits, leisure, fox hunts, and horse races. The Southside was famed for the horses bred and raced there. Possessions of Thomas Watkins Jr. sold at Estate Sale To give an idea of the possessions of the typical farming family of this time period, below is an account of the sale of the Estate of Thomas Watkins Jr. after his death. Apparently the practice of the time was to have an estate sale even if the family bought these items back. Notice that the list shows 3 bedsteads which is the framing without mattress. I doubt they would give up their valuable feather beds even at an estate sale. Thomas Jr. mentions in his will that when the crops come in a friend should be paid 24 pounds (English money) still owed for two feather beds that he had also traded two horse colts. Items listed at estate sale: 1 bay mare colt, 1 sorrel mare colt, 1 bay filly, 2 young steers, 2 heifers, 6 cows and 6 yearling calves, 7 head sheep, 9 hogs and 10 shoats (young pigs), 1 saddle, 1 ox cart, 2 pair harness and iron traces (used with horse/ox cart), 4 axes, 2 grubbing- 2 weeding-2 hilling- and 5 plough hoes, 1 hand saw, 1 drawing knife, 1 pair wedges, 3 raw hides, 2 stack oats, 2 stacks fodder(dried hay or feed, for cattle and other livestock), 2 spinning wheels-1 flax wheel (Flax Linen is stronger than cotton, and is used to make Lace and other fine fabrics). -3 tows and 3 pair (weaving) cards(for spinning thread or yarn), 1 Loom (used to weave cloth),1 pine table, 6 chairs, 4 sitting chairs, 1 Cupboard (wooden storage cabinet), 1 corner cupboard, 2 chest, 3 bedstead and furniture, 2 large pots, 1 churn and tub, 1 brass skillet, 3 flat irons, 1 looking glass, 1 pewter dish, 1 bath basin, 2 tin pans, 1 butter pot, 1 box knives and forks, 2 dozen plates, mugs, cups and saucers, 1 decanter, 2 tumblers, 1 frying pan, 2 pails, 2 butter pots, 1 spice mortar and pestle (spice grinder), 1 coffee mill (wheel or crank coffee grinder), 1 Dutch oven (usually cast iron) cooking pot Colonists counted their money by the English system of pounds, shillings, and pence — twelve pence (pennies) per shilling, and twenty shillings per pound. Formally, pounds were referred to as pounds sterling, because a monetary pound was originally worth one pound of sterling silver. Some items in estate of Thomas Watkins SR and values: 1 Negro man Andrew 140 pounds 5 shillings 1 Negro boy Willie 69 pounds 1 Negro boy Abraham 61 pounds 16 shillings 1 Negro woman Rhoda 42 pounds 18 shillings 1 Negro woman Phyllis 42 pounds 6 shillings 1 bay mare 15 pounds 1 shilling 1 pair iron Traces (used with horse cart) 13 pounds 1 shilling 1 Bed & furniture 9 pounds 1 Cow and yearling 3 pounds 1 bull 2 pounds 9 shillings 5 large shoats (young pigs) 2 pounds 10 Geese 1 pound 3 hilling hoes 5 shillings 1 pence 1 coffee mill (wheel or crank coffee grinder) 8 shillings 1 pole ax (an ax having a hammer face opposite the blade) 5 shillings 1 Cotton Wheel (for spinning thread or yarn) 2 shillings 4 pence 1 Looking Glass 3 shillings 2 pence 1 spice mortar & pestle (spice grinder) 3 shilling 9 pence 1 Dutch oven (usually cast iron) cooking pot 2 shillings
“Very begining at a Walnut Tree just below the Mill House door thence a direct line to a red oak in the church yard on the road thence along said main Road to Greenwoods line thence along said line to Graves line thence along Graves line to Joseph Watkins own line thence along his line to Haleys line thence to the Mill Pond Creek thence down the pond creek on the s’d side to the walnut tree on the north side of the Mill Tail including the mill and one acre of Land on the south side ot the creek” A “Mill Tail” is defined as the water which flows from a mill wheel after turning it, or the channel in which the water flows. Thomas mentions the Mill House Door so there would have been a building structure with the mill. 
Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia TRANSPORTATION In Mecklenburg County during this time period the chief means of transportation was by horse, wagon, and carriage or by boat. The roads were dirt and often muddy. It was not until 1833 that a stage coach line opened in the city of Boydton in Mecklenburg. Resident Eating Habits in Mecklenburg VA Late Eighteenth Century 
Description of Mecklenburg County VA prior to Revolutionary War 
Below are descendents of Thomas Watkins Jr (1764-1801) and Eleanor Farrar (pictures found on internet) Thomas Watkins (son of Thomas Jr and Eleanor) married Mary Northington 1819 in Mecklenburg VA and moved to Granville NC (which borders Mecklenburg VA). Children of Thomas and Mary Watkins: John A.; George W.; Thomas; Emma W. Daniel; Mary W. Hart. Thomas and Mary were the grandparents of John Norman Watkins, below.   
John Norman Watkins 1870-1952) Elizabeth Frances Hart Watkins (1873-1942) Elizabeth F. "Lizzie" HART was born ABT 1873 in Granville County, NC. She married John Norman WATKINS 1893 
Typical Home (Built circa 1790) Mecklenburg The usual home was the story and half building having two rooms and a central passage on the ground floor and one or two rooms in the loft. These homes were about twenty by forty feet long, with an enclosed staircase and chimneys at the gable ends (some with dormers). 
“Mecklenburg Celebrated for Raising Fine Horses” The bloodlines of the horses below associated with Mecklenburg are maintained just as is being done with the Watkins ancestry. Mecklenburg VA was an early horse-breeding and racing region in America. Racing was important to the lives of the people in Mecklenburg. Race day was a day of socializing, gambling, eating and heavy drinking. Races would continue for 3 or 4 days. The county had numerous quarter mile, mile and four mile tracks. Both the towns of Christiansville and Boydton had oval race tracks with “rails, infield and grandstands”. The Quarter Horse is truly an American breed of horse. It was created to compete in quarter mile racing, one of the earliest forms of horse racing in America. The founding stallion was a Thoroughbred named “Janus”, imported to America in 1756. John Willis of Brunswick County (Mecklenburg) VA had purchased Janus as a stud horse and brought him to his plantation. Thus the Janus blood and legend came to Southside Virginia. Another outstanding horse was Goode’s Babram, an inbred Janus, was known as “the fastest quarter horse of the day”. He died during a match race with Juniper (also sired by Janus) for 500 Spanish dollars over the famous “Lewis Race Paths” in Mecklenburg Va in 1789. Goode’s Babram was well ahead when he crossed his front legs, fell and broke his neck. Black-and-All-Black, of obvious color, was the property of Sir Peyton Skipwith of Mecklenburg VA (owner of Prestwould Plantation) until sold for 500,000 pounds of tobacco-thus proving the stallion’s value. During the Revolutionary War, British Lt. Colonel Tarleton “liberated” the stallion only to have General Lafayette of the American army recapture him. John “Race Horse” Goode who lived in Mecklenburg was the owner of celebrated race horses “Paddy Whack” and “Goode’s Old Twigg” and possibly the last owner of “Janus”. John Chesterfield Goode , the son of Thomas and nephew of John Sr(owner of “Goode’s Brimmer”) (all were Virginia breeders and racers of thoroughbreds), maintained a race course on his “Inglewood Plantation” in Mecklenburg. The “Sir Archy” strain predominated in his horses. In 1839 a show advertised as “the first ever thorough-bred exhibition ever had in the United States” was even reported on in a New York newspaper stating “probably there never was a more splendid exhibition of colts, as regards form, size and blood-like appearance”. Tax records show that Thomas Watkins Sr owned 10 horses. While unable to verify if he bred or raced his horses, it was not uncommon for even men of average means to do so in this time period. One such man of modest means was David Dardin of Mecklenburg owner of a noted race horse “Romulus”. In 1781 General Nathaniel Greene of the Continental army needed horses and sent an officer to Mecklenburg to impress a supply of horses for the army, one of which happened to be Romulus. It was not until 1832 that the children of Dardin received compensation from the US government for the horse. “Romulus” 
“Polly Williams - A Race Horse Mystery” 
REVOLUTIONARY WAR: Numerous taxes were placed on the citizens on Virginia for the War. One tax was for Beef on the Hoof. Every freeholder was taxed 300 hundred pounds of beef. If more than 300 pounds was impressed a certificate was issued which became a public claim against the government for later payment. Certificates were also issued for horses, guns and other items impressed for use by the army. Other taxes were collected in the form of grain, tobacco, pork, clothing etc. Thomas Watkins Sr made a public claim for 225 cwt Beef for Continental Use recorded in Mecklenburg Order Book 5 page 146 dated 5/14/1782 and he was listed as a Patriot. While it is not believed any of this Watkins family served in the Virginia Rev. War military, the Watkins children being too young, they were in considerable danger during the war. The danger was increased as they lived only a few miles from Taylor’s Ferry where the Continental Army maintained troops and a Magazine (major supply and storage depot). This was a critical point of operations during the Revolutionary War as most supplies and troops to the Southern army passed through this point to cross the Roanoke River into North Carolina. The magazine was maintained almost like a fort with detachments of Militia guarding the supplies. Examination of British Army correspondence between Cornwallis and Tarleton reveals that they debated the benefit of attacking Taylor's Ferry, but considered it too well defended by the Mecklenburg Militia. Richard and Mary Yancey were neighbors of and owned land adjacent to Thomas Watkins and had seven sons who served in Revolutionary War. Lewis was a private in the 8th Virginia Regiment and is thought to have been killed in action in 1777. Absalom was a private in the 14th Virginia Regiment in 1777 and 10th Virginia Regiment 1779. Hezekiah was a member of Caldwell's Rangers in South Carolina in 1775. Joseph was a Quartermaster Sergeant in 1779, 3rd Regiment under Towles in South Carolina. Zachariah's military record suggests he was a surveyor. Charles Yancey 1777 9th North Carolina Continental Regiment Richard Yancey 1769 Private in Robert Harris Co. Granville NC Other neighbors who owned land adjacent to Thomas Watkins were Revolutionary War Soldiers – Captain Elijah Graves and Captain Thomas Greenwood. Thomas Watkins Sr appointed his good friend Captain James Hunt as executor to his will. Soldier in Revolutionary War-Jonathan Jackson (father of Corbin Jackson that married Martha Watkins –daughter of Joseph Watkins) Enlisted in VA for service in Revolutionary War Sept 1775. Fought in The Battle of Great Bridge December 9, 1775. Discharged August 1776. In the year 1780 was called out under orders of Col. John A. Washington of Westmoreland as a Militia to guard the Banks of the Potomac River, were continually reconstituting the shores for a term of nearly one year. In 1781 drafted in the services under Cap. Edwards, marched to the Rappahannock River thence joined the main army commanded by Col. William Nelson, from thence marched on to Gloucester-Town and remained there until the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis which ended the Revolutionary War. Great Bridge was the first decisive battle fought in the South. Volunteer soldiers and militia had withstood a cannon supported attack by some of the finest professional soldiers in the world and virtually annihilated them. The complete defeat of the British in the Virginia Colony at the Battle of Great Bridge, 7 months before the writing of the Declaration of Independence, was at the time called the Second Battle of Bunker's Hill. It resulted in the capture of Norfolk by the Americans and ended the rule of the British in Virginia.
Parents: John Baynes Sr and Mary (Yancey) Baynes - Married abt 1755 North Carolina. Brothers: Thornton,William,James and Phillip Baynes Sisters: Mary and Nancy Baynes Son Elsworth Baynes (Born 1783 VA) Daughter Sarah Baynes (Born 1786 VA). 
SOLDIER IN REVOLUTIONARY WAR – JOHN BAYNES John Baynes Jr married to Susanna Watkins 1782 VA. John Baynes enlisted in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, in 1779. He served 21 months. He was in the Battle of Camden South Carolina August 1780. The Battle of Camden is portrayed in the 2000 movie “The Patriot” watched in dismay (by actors Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger) from the window of the abandoned plantation. The battle was a rout as shown in the movie. Victor: British Lt. General Charles Earl Cornwallis Defeated: Continental Maj. General Horatio Gates Casualties: The British lost 324 killed and wounded. The American casualties were 1,000 killed and wounded and 1,000 lost as prisoners.   
Pictures from movie showing clothing styles of the time SOLDIER IN REVOLUTIONARY WAR - COLONEL THOMAS FARRAR Thomas Watkins Jr (1764-1801) married Eleanor Farrar (1772-) (8 Nov 1790 Mecklenburg County VA) Parents of Eleanor Farrar: Colonel Thomas Farrar (1726-1809) and Elizabeth Howard (1736- ). Before the war Thomas Farrar and his brother, George Farrar Jr., moved from Chesterfield Co. to Lunenburg Co. Virginia, which later became Mecklenburg Co., to join their uncle Field Jefferson (1702-1765). Thomas Farrar's first cousin, Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of USA), wrote the Declaration of Independence and was one of it signers July 4, 1776. The Daughters of the American Revolution show that Thomas Farrar served as a Major during the Revolution and lists him as a Patriot. The Governor commissioned him a Lt. Col. in 1802. Other records refer to him as Col. Thomas Farrar. Lieutenant-Colonel Farrar's mother was Judith Jefferson, sister of the father of Thomas Jefferson, president of the United States." Thomas Farrar died at his son Abner's home on August 20, 1809. His obituary appeared in the Georgia Express Newspaper of Athens, Georgia on September 9, 1809, and the Augusta, Georgia Chronicle on October 9, 1809. It stated that he was a first cousin of President Thomas Jefferson. (On file at the University of Georgia Library)
Taylors Ferry Road to the ferry passed out of Boydton, Virginia directly south. The ferry site was only a few miles downriver from where the Dan joins the Roanoke River. This ferry was on the main road from Petersburg VA to Hillsboro NC and was the principal road used for military travel North South in the Revolutionary War period. Numerous supplies and troops passed through this point going to North and South Carolina crossing the Roanoke River at Taylor's Ferry. During the Revolutionary War, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson ordered that no Virginia wagons were to cross the Roanoke River south of Taylor's ferry for fear that they would not be returned. Horses for the army were pastured here and a magazine was built for the accumulation of military stores. When General Gates army marched south under instructions from George Washington after the disasters at Charleston and Savannah, Gates found that the ferry boats across the Roanoke could not carry his 12 pound cannons, so these were left and built into the defenses of Taylor’s Ferry. Examination of British Army correspondence between Cornwallis and Tarleton reveals that they debated the benefit of attacking Taylor's Ferry, but considered it too well defended by the Mecklenburg militia to risk the action. The Fortunate Surveying of the Dan River “The Race to the Dan”  
General Greene Crossing the Dan RiverWhen General Nathaniel Greene was chosen by George Washington to replace General Gates, Greene stopped at Taylors Ferry and selected Lt. Col. Edward Carrington( who was stationed at Taylor's Ferry which was located near present-day Clarksville, Virginia) to examine the navigation of the Dan River. Orders were issued to Colonel Carrington "to explore the Dan, Yadkin and Catawba, and make himself thoroughly acquainted with the streams into which they discharged themselves." Not knowing it at the time, Greene's fortunate order to survey the river would later save the entire Southern Army. “The British were beaten before the Battle of Yorktown”. The Crossing of the Dan can be described as the beginning of the end for the British Lt. General Charles Cornwallis led British army. The contest was not a battle, but a race! Lord Cornwallis had to catch General Nathanael Greene before he could cross the Dan River in Virginia to re-supply. "No operation during the war more attracted the public attention than this did." If Greene's army were to be destroyed, the South would have inevitably become members of the British Empire. The Retreat Begins at Cowpens Battlefield then the Race Begins at Guilford Court House and Ends with the Crossing of the Dan River. Note: The crossing of the Dan River occurred 14 Feb 1781 at Boyd's Ferry and Irwin's Ferry, located farther west on the Dan River, community of South Boston, Halifax County VA , 21 miles from the home of Thomas Watkins and Family Clarksville, Mecklenburg Co VA. The homefolks welcomed the ragged hard-bitten soldiers as heroes. Those unlikely-looking men had kept Lord Cornwallis and his mighty legion from their door. The grateful patriots brought food, spirits, warm clothing and medicine to honor these men who with superhuman will had dragged themselves 80 miles to cross the river, outfoxing their enemy. Eight hundred men from Halifax and surrounding counties (Mecklenburg) joined the 1,428 members of the American Army. The troops were soon fed and given moral support by the towns people, and militia volunteers came forward to join his army. During their stay, about 1500 to 1800 local militia came out to defend the town. After new recruits almost doubled the size of Greene's army, he fought Cornwallis at Guilford 15 March 1781, which is near what is now Greensboro, North Carolina. Cornwallis claimed victory, but lost many men, especially officers, and exhausted his supplies. He was never able again to mount an effective offense. "This American retreat, which extended across the breadth of North Carolina into Virginia, is considered one of the masterful military achievements of all time." MECKLENBURG ORDER BOOK - There were several court orders concerning Thomas Watkins. On June 13, 1768, the suit between Alexanded Boyd, Plaintiff and Thomas Watkins Defendant - In Case - was dismissed. (M.O.B. 2, p.9) On December 6, 1768, Thomas Watkins instituted a suit against William Davis, defendant - In Trespass, Assult & Battery. The trial was referred to the next court. (Ibid., p. 209) On March 13, 1770, the court ordered that the Petition of James Parks against Thomas Watkins for 1 pound, 12 shillings, 9 pence due by account be dismissed and the petitioner pay to the defendant his costs. (Ibid., p. 357) Thomas Watkins was ordered to pay to John Watkins 65 pounds of tobacco for three days' attendance as a eitness for him at the suit of James Parks. (Ibid., p.359) On the same day, in the Trespass, Assault & Batery case against William Davis, the difference was referred to the determination of Thomas Anderson, Reachens Bream, John Lynch, and Thomas Eastland. They decided that the defendant, William Davis, was to pay to Thomas Watkins 5 pounds and costs. The court ordered Thomas Watkins to pay John Watkins 25 pounds of tobacco for one days' attendance as a witness against William Davis. (Ibid., pp. 358, 362) ON June 11, 1770, John Watkins entered a petition against William Daniel for 2 pounds due by note. The defendant did not appear. The Court ordered that the petitioner recover against the defendant 2 pounds plus costs. (Ibid., p. 419) By deed of trust, Thomas Watkins conveyed to McCall Elliott & Co., on June 15, 1773, a negro boy named Abram and 450 acres. This was to secure a debt of 102 pounds, 12 shillings. (M.D.B. 4, p. 197) Watkins had completely discharged and paid the debt to McCall Elliott & Co. by March 12, 1804 when the company, by Thomas Gholson, Jr., their attorney in fact, released the said negro and the said tract of land to the said Thomas Watkins. The deed was witnessed by T. Vaughn and record on March 14, 1804. (M.D.B. 11, p. 538) Note: The release of this lien was needed for Thomas Watkins to sell this land in April 1804. He had probably paid off this debt long before this time. On August 13, 1782, Elizabeth Watkins, plaintiff, brought suit against William Willis, defendant, for Trespass, Assault & Battery. On September 9 the court ordered that a deposition of Spenceer Pescot, a witness in North Carolina, be taken; and on December 10, 1782, the court ordered that the deposition of Francis Hower, another witness in North Carolina, be taken. (M.O.B. 5, pp. 187, 210, 254) The suit of Spencer Pescot, Plaintiff, against Thomas Watkins, defendant, abated by the death of the plaintiff. (M.O.B. 5, p. 476) The suit of Elizabeth Watkins vs. William Willis continued through Order Book 6. Beginning with Thomas Watkins in 1765 through the 1820 census, our Watkins families were the only Watkins living in Mecklenburg VA. With the exception of John Watkins, who was probably the brother of Thomas Watkins? And the Mary Watkins below: A Mary Watkins died before September 10, 1782, and it is possible that she was the mother of Thomas Watkins or other close relative. She left a will, for John Almond was called her executor. (If she had not left a will, the court would have appointed an administrator.) No record of the will has been found. On September 10, 1782, John Almond, executor of Mary Watkins deceased, plaintiff, brought suit against Thomas Watkins, defendant - In Chancery. "On the motion of the plaintiff time is allowed him till next court to consider the defendant's answer now filed." (M.O.B. 5, pp. 217, 461, 474) Apparently the executor was satisfied with Thomas Watkins' reply, as no other reference to the suit was found. John Baynes Revolutionary War Document 
Follow up on this John Baynes and Andrew Knight withessed the will of Thomas Watkins Jr in 1801 Absolam Yancy Security. Son of Richard and Mary (Neighbors)Could Absolam be husband of Mary Watkins? Nancy Witherson witness who is this nancy? Thomas Faleconer Joseph Towns security who is this Thomas Yancy (son of Tom) bought items at estate sale Not Related: 2)James Watkins: Born 1748 Prince Edward, Virginia. Married 1st Ann Miller (about 1750 Millers Ferry, Prince Edward, Virginia - about 1788 Mecklenburg, Virginia) in 1775 Halifax, Virginia. Children with Ann Miller: Micajoh Watkins (1781 - 1850/1860 Independence, Arkansas), Sarah Sally Watkins (1776 - ????), John Watkins (1778 - ????), Elizabeth Watkins (1782 - ???? Yancyville, Caswell, North Carolina), Ann Watkins (1784 - after 1850 Robertson, Tennessee, Mary Polly Watkins (1786 - ???? North Carolina).
Children with Ann Nuckells: Nancy Watkins (1792 Mecklenburg, Virginia - May 23,1872 Leatherwood, Henry, Virginia), Martha Watkins (1790 Mecklenburg, Virginia - 1843 Pittsylvania, Virginia). Married 3rd Frances Chiles Smith (about 1752 Prince Edward, Virginia> - ????). James died 1841 in Henry, Virginia. THE UPPER ROAD The Upper Road branched off from the King's Highway at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and went southwest through Hillsboro, Salisbury, and Charlotte in North Carolina, then on to Spartanburg and Greenville in South Carolina. The road generally followed the old Occaneechee Path which went from Bermuda Hundred on the James River, and Old Fort Henry (now Petersburg) southwest to the Indian trading town of the Occaneechi which existed by 1675 on an island in the Roanoke River at about the location of today's Clarksville, Virginia, close to the present Virginia and North Carolina state line. From that location the trading trail went both north and south. The Trading Path divided at the Trading Ford of the Yadkin River, one branch turning toward Charlotte, the other through Salisbury to Island Ford on the Catawba, to the north of present Lake Norman. DeSoto and his cavaliers were perhaps the first white men to use portions of the great Occaneechi Path (1540). Some of the people associated with Fort Henry were Col. Abraham Wood, Thomas Batts, Robert Fallam, James Needham, Gabriel Arthur, and John Lederer. From 1700-1750, active trading was carried on by white emigrants with Indian villages. After 1740, the proprietary governor of the Granville District began to issue grants to Quakers and others from the tidewater counties of North Carolina and Virginia, attracting them into the northern half of North Carolina. By 1750, the Upper Road became an important wagon route for southbound migrations into that portion of North Carolina. During the Revolutionary War, the road was used extensively for troop movements in the South--relating to the battles at Guilford Courthouse, King's Mountain, and Cowpens.  Beauford Hayes, born in Kentucky to William and Nancy Hayes, Beauford Rutherford HayesBirth
13 April 1834 in Taylor CO, KY Death 28 Oct 1889 in Portis, Osborne, Kansas, USA grandson nancy watkins  Download 8.44 Mb. Share with your friends:
|