William Watts^[1]

1743 - 1797  (54 years)

• Name	William Watts
  Birth	1743	, Dinwiddie, Virginia, USA   [2]
  Gender	Male
  Residence	Abt 1797	, Campbell, Virginia, USA
  Probate	19 Dec 1797	, Campbell, Virginia, USA   [3]
  Death	20 Dec 1797	Flat Creek, Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA   [2, 3, 4]
  Burial	Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA   [2]
  Person ID	I46965	Master
  Last Modified	5 Dec 2022

  
  

  Family	Mary Scott,   b. 25 Oct 1758, , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA d. 12 Sep 1836, Flat Creek, Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA (Age 77 years)
  Marriage	1778	, Campbell, Virginia, USA
  Married	, Prince Edward, Virginia, USA   [4]
  Children	1. Martha Watts   d. 1790 + 2. Alice Watts,   b. 1778, , Botetourt, Virginia, USA d. 1 Jan 1867, Flat Creek, Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA (Age 89 years)   3. Elizabeth Brown,   b. 1778, , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA d. 11 May 1843, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, USA (Age 65 years)   4. Edward Watts, Gen,   b. 7 Apr 1779, , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA d. 9 Aug 1859, Oaklands, Roanoke, Virginia, USA (Age 80 years)   5. Ann Maria (Nancy) Watts,   b. 1784, Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA d. 30 Sept 1819, Richmond, Independent Cities, Virginia, USA (Age 35 years) + 6. Mary Watts,   b. 27 Mar 1784, , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA d. 7 Nov 1835, Taylors Creek, Hanover, Virginia, USA (Age 51 years)
  Family ID	F10694	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	8 Dec 2022

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 1743 - , Dinwiddie, Virginia, USA Marriage - 1778 - , Campbell, Virginia, USA Residence - Abt 1797 - , Campbell, Virginia, USA Probate - 19 Dec 1797 - , Campbell, Virginia, USA Death - 20 Dec 1797 - Flat Creek, Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA Burial - - Evington, Campbell, Virginia, USA Married - - , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Notes

  William Watts was born ABT 1740/1743 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia , the son of Arthur Watts of Dinwiddie Co., VA (then Prince George Co.)and his wife, Alice. Arthur Watts was the brother of Col. John Watts of Bedford Co., VA. He married Mary Scott, b. 25 Oct 1758, of Prince Edward County, Virginia . Death: 20 Dec 1797 in "Flat Creek", Campbell County., Virginia Burial: "Flat Creek", Campbell County, Virginia Reference Number: G4.10 Children Elizabeth Watts S b: in , Prince Edward Co., Virginia Mary Watts b: 1774 in , Prince Edward Co., Virginia Edward Watts b: 7 Apr 1779 in , Prince Edward Co., Virginia Alice Watts b: in , Virginia Martha "Patsy" Watts b: in , , Virginia Ann Maria "Nancy"Watts b: ABT 1794 in "Flat Creek", Campbell Co., Virginia (2) 1760: A Colonial soldier. (3e) In 1760, the 2nd VA Regiment was formed, Col. William Byrd commanding, for immediate defense against the Cherokees. William Watts appears in the list of soldiers from the Campbell section of Bedford Co., Capt. John Smith's Co.. (5) William Watts proved services in Col. William BYRD's regiment in the company of Capt. John Smith in the French and Indian War. Services proved in Mecklenburg Co., VA, and he received warrant #751. [NOTE: Another William Watts ? Mecklenburg Co. was formed 1765 from Lunenburg Co., & this William does not seem to be connected there, or with Campbell Co. until much later. s/o Edward Watts /Elizabeth? Edward supposedly died c.1795 in Bedford Co.] (3) 1764: Obtained license to practice law. Qualified the same year to practice in Campbell and Bedford Counties, VA. (7b) 1765: William Watts qualified to practice law in Prince Edward Co., VA Court. (8) A lawyer of some distinction. (7a) 1768, Jun: William Watts was attorney for Thomas Osborne in suit of Thomas Howlett, executor of Thomas Howlett, vs. Thomas Osborne, Prince Edward Co., VA, in which the plaintiff recovered 437.11.11 1/2 pounds from William's client. (7a) 1769, Sep: William Watts and Peter JOHNSTON were appointed by the Prince Edward Co., VA court to notify the Cumberland Co., VA Court of the decision of the Prince Edward Co. Court approving the construction of a bridge across the Appomattox River at Sandy Ford, where a new road crossed the river. (7e) 1770, Aug-1771, Nov: The most persistently sought slave from Prince Edward Co., VA, at least in the public print, was Windsor, a 14 year old slave of William Watts. Windsor had been Watts' body servant and had evidently traveled rather widely with his master, who was a lawyer. The boy was a "sensible and artful fellow, about five feet high, handsome lively look, speaks quick." He was taken up in York Co., jailed in spite of his protest that he was free, but broke out of jail. Watts suspected that he was hidden by his father in New Kent or by someone near Williamsburg, where he was reported as having been seen. Watts also suspected that the boy would try to board ship to escape from Virginia and warned masters of vessels against taking him. He wore a blue broadcloth sleeveless jacket, an Irish linen shirt, and oznaburg breeches. He had evidently carefully planned his escape, for he took with him a brown Holland coat, a blue broadcloth waistcoat, two white linen shirts, two pair of oznaburg breeches, and good shoes and stockings. (6) 1773, 28 Sep: 64 acres surveyed for William Watts in Bristol Parish, swamp and sunken land adjacent to his own land, Dinwiddie Co., VA. [NOTE: This William or his cousin (s/o Thomas of Essex Co.), who was willed land in Dinwiddie in 1767?] (2b) 1774: Received a grant of land in Prince Edward Co., VA. (7d) 1774: William Watts was granted permission by the Prince Edward Co., VA Court to build a mill on Mountain Creek. ------------------ (7f) 1776: William and Edward Watts brought the first blooded horse of which there is record to Prince Edward Co., VA for breeding purposes. Junius, a beautiful bay stallion, belonged to Edward Watts, but was kept by his brother William. Junius' first season in Prince Edward was in 1776, when he was 6 years old. He had been bred by Nathaniel Harrison. His sire was the race-horse Yorick which belonged to Col. Tayloe. The sire of Junius' dam was Othello, described as "as high a bred horse as ever came to America." The fee charged in 1776 was 20s., with a season fee of 40s. In 1777 the season's fee was increased to 3 lbs. and the insurance from 4 to 5 lbs. Good pasturage was provided for mares, although the Watts brothers declined to assume responsibility for those which got away or were stolen. ------------------- (7c,g,p) 1776, 6 May: William Watts and William Booker represented Prince Edward Co., VA at the Virginia Convention which framed the VA Constitution under which the Commonwealth was established, and which formally ended VA's colonial history. (3h,5a) 1776: Represented Prince Edward Co. in the Convention of 1776. (2d,5a) Was a member of the committee to draw a Declaration of Rights, Williamsburg, VA. (2c,5) 1776, 8 May: (2) Furnished supplies to Capt. Morton's Co. (5) William Watts of Prince Edward Co., VA, was paid for supplies this date at Williamsburg. (7h) A Warrant was issued by the Virginia Committee in May 1776 to WilliamWatts for 5.7.4 1/4 lbs. to be paid John Nash for rugs, blankets, and other necessary items furnished Capt. John Morton's Co. (3d) A soldier in the Revolution. [NOTE: Another William Watts?] (7p) 1776, 7 Oct-12 Dec: WilliamWatts and William Booker represented Prince Edward Co. in the VA House of Delegates. (3) 1778. (7i) 1778: William Watts was elected to the vestry of St. Patrick's Parish, Prince Edward Co., VA. (7i) 1781: Inspectors of flour were appointed by the Prince Edward Court. Joel Jackson was inspector at Watts' mill. (7j) 1781, late: A Prince Edward Co., VA petition to the VA General Assembly, requesting that all vestries in the county be dissolved, that elections of new vestries be ordered, and that members of all denominations be eligible for election to the parish vestry, was signed by Thomas Scott, William Watts, Rev. Archibald McRobert, and others. It reveals that the St. Patrick's vestry seems to have lost sight of the religious functions and responsibilities of vestries. The petition was rejected. ------------------------ (7l) 1786, 23 Apr: John Tabb of Amelia Co. wrote to William Watts that "symptoms of the small px on those now under unoculation appear this morning much more favorable than yeserday, and I... begin to expect my wife and her four daughters will have it lightly, the negroes are also greatly better." ------------------------ (3) 1787: Bought land from William Breckinridge, Botetourt Co., VA. He moved his family there. (7n) 1787, 28 Dec: Thomas Madison wrote to William Watts, referring to Watts' being at his seat in Botetourt Co., VA. ----------------------------- (7m) 1789, 25 Jan: John Watts of Prince Edward Co. wrote to William Watts, making mention of William's spectacles. (7k) 1789, 25 Mar: John Watts of Prince Edward Co., VA sold 3 slaves for his brother William Watts: a "wench" (girl), valued at 40 lbs., brought 30 lbs.; a boy about 14 valued at 35 lbs., brought 26.5 lbs.; and a boy about 9 or 10, valued at 30 lbs., brought 22.10 lbs. (2) 1789: Justice of Dinwiddie Co., VA. [NOTE: Another WilliamWatts? Likely s/o Thomas of Essex Co.] ----------------------------- (3) 1795: Being in poor health and finding Botetourt Co. too remote for comfortable living, he bought land in Campbell Co. and moved there. (2) Moved to Campbell Co., VA. (1,4) Of Campbell Co., VA. (7o) WilliamWatts of Campbell Co., VA sold land in Prince Edward Co., VA to Larkin Anderson. [NOTE: Date not given.] ------------------------------------- (7n) 1796, 4 Feb: Thomas Scott wrote to William Watts, addressing him at New London, VA.(Bedford) (3) 1796: Bought from Conrad Speece a tract of land on both sides of Flat Creek. --------------------------------------- (3) 1796: Bought from Christopher Irvine a tract on Flat Creek. The residence built upon it was given the name of Flat Creek. It was near Evington. (8) Nephew Christopher Scott wrote, "Having spoken of the old homestead "Flat Creek" I will state that of all places I have ever seen it was the most delightful for a summers sojourn to one who could relish the charms of refined society in the quiet country residence. It was indeed the site of real refinement without the austentation so common to wealth. The house was frame and most of it but one story. Numerous additions however had from time to time been made to the original building as the family increased in size until it had covered over a large plat of ground. Around it were shrubs and flowers and turf and old Oaks with mounds thrown around their base and benches and swings and every applyanc for the comfortment and amusement of all, and especially for the numerous children who were brought here in the summer season by the coming together of all aunts children and grandchildren once a year. And besides these numerous visitors came (generally family relatives) to spend but an hour or a day but often a week or a month. When we fished in the Creek, shot partridges, bats and squirrels, run foxes, listened to elegant conversation and to the finest strains of vocal and instrumental music, walked, rode, run over the grass plats, played battle door, jumped through the hoop and over the rope, recited speaches and poetry, studied Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Mathematics and Law, and went to Church on Sunday. Such is a faint glance at "Flat Creek" as I saw it in my College days on several visits when the moments seemed to fly." (8) A very proud man and a great aristocrat. (4a) 1797, 19 Dec: (3) "Flat Creek" was willed to his widow. His brother John Watts and brother-in-law Thomas Scott Jr. were appointed executors of his estate. (4a) Of Campbell Co., VA. Wrote his will. Subjects his estate to the payment of his just debts. Directs that his estate shall be kept together for the support and education of his children, that "my negroes and personal estate together with my funded debt be equally divided among all my children, the girls when they arrive at the age of eighteen years or Marry and my son Edward when he arrives to the age of twenty one years." Gives to wife Mary during her natural life the house and plantation whereon I now live with 20 "good Negroes," and after her death he directs the house and plantation be divided among his daughters or sold at the discretion of the executors and the money equally divided among his daughters. Gives to son Edward "all my lands in the County of Bottetourt," but he is not to have possession in less than 14 years from this date. "In case of the death of either of my daughters under the age of 18 years or unmarried," their interest in his estate to be divided equally among his other daughters. Gives to his wife during her life all his household furniture and all the stock that is at present on the plantation on which "I now live in Campbell County." Appoints wife Mary, brother John WWatts, son EdwardWatts, and Thomas T. Scott executors. Wits. Ja. Steptoe, Robert Austin, William Callaway, John CALLAWAY. (8) Left one son and four daughters in entirely independent circumstances - indeed rich. ------------ He died 20 Dec 1797 at "Flat Creek", Campbell County., Virginia and was buried in the family cemetery at "Flat Creek". ------------------------ (4a) 1798, 12 Feb: Will proved by oath of James Steptoe and William Callaway and by the solemn affirmation of John Callaway. On motion of JohnWatts and Thomas T. Scott, certificate is granted them for obtaining probate and giving security. John Watts, Thomas T. . Scott, William Henderson, James SteptoeE, Thomas . Scott and Samuel S. Scott gave bond for 15,000 pounds. (3) His will proved in Campbell Co., VA, 1798. (2) 1798: His widow renounced her rights in his estate and claimed her dower. -------------------------------- (3) "Flat Creek" was acquired by his daughter Alice and her husband Judge Fleming SaundersS. ! Birth: (2,3) 1743. [NOTE: .] (2,3,4) Death: (1) Deceased by the date of his daughter's marriage to Temple Gwathmey, 4 Sep 1811. (2a) Will dtd 19 Dec 1796, proved 12 Feb 1797, Campbell Co., VA. (3) 20 Dec 1797. (3,4) Campbell Co., VA at his home "Flat Creek." (4) 1797. (4a) Will dtd 19 Dec 1797, proved 12 Feb 1798, Campbell Co., VA. (7o) Before 10 Sep 1798. (8) Rather early in life. Burial: (4) "Flat Creek," Campbell Co., VA. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: ! (1) "Marriages and Deaths from Richmond, Virginia Newspapers 1780-1820," VA Genealogical Soc. (1983) p.207. FHL #975.5451 V2md. Cites: (a) "Virginia Patriot," 20 Sep 1811, p.3. (2) "Watts Families of the Southern States," by Charles Brunk Heinemann (Washington D.C., 1934) p.55. FHL #1,429,814, item 10. Cites: (a) Campbell Co., VA Will Book. (b) VA Land Grant 48, p.801. (c) VA State Papers, Vol. 8, p.173. (d) "The Constitutional Conventions of Virginia," by David L. Pulliam, p.16-26. (3) "History of Dinwiddie County, Virginia." Cites: (a) Letitia Watts Sorrell. (b) Miss Mary Saunders, Caryswood, VA. (c) "History of VA Conventions," by Brenaman. (d) "Our Kin," by Ackerly and Parker, p.16. (e) "Campbell Co. Chronicles," by R.H. Early. (f) "History of Dinwiddie Co.," VA Writer's Project, VA Hist. Soc.. (g) Campbell Co., VA records. (h) "History of Prince Edward Co.," by Burrell, p.33. (i) Will. (4) "Dr. Preston W. Brown and Descendants, 1775-1826," by Bayless E. Hardin, "Filson Club History Quarterly" (Frankfort, KY, 1945) p.23-24. FHL #1,481,363, Item 15. Cites: (a) Campbell Co., VA Will Bk 1, p.344. (5) "Southern Watts, Colonial and Revolutionary Soldiers," by C.B. Heinemann, "Tyler's Quarterly Magazine," Vol. 15, No. 1, Jul 1933, p.37,38. Cites (a) Report of the Convention by David L. Pulliam. (6) "Dinwiddie Co., VA Surveyor's Platt Book 1755-1865, State Library & Archives, found in Dinwiddie Co., VA Data 1752-1865," comp. by Thomas P. Hughes, Jr., p.39. FHL #975.5582 D2h. (7) "History of Prince Edward Co., VA," by Herbert Clarence Bradshaw (1955) p.38,51,53,59,84,88-89,92,111-112,114,239-240,272,302,355,358,360,368,686,689. FHL #974.5632 H2b. Cites: (a) Pr. Edward Co., VA Order Bk 4:241,331-334. (b) Pr. Edward Co., VA Order Bk 3:1. (c) "Virginia Colonial Register," 209. (d) Pr. Edward Co., VA Order Bk 5:458. (e) "Virginia Gazette" (Purdie & Dixon): 16 Aug 1770; 8 Nov 1770; 7 Mar 1771; 1 Aug 1771; 7 Nov 1771. (f) "Virginia Gazette" (Purdie): 15 Mar 1776; 7 Feb 1777. (g) Hugh Blair Grigsby, "The Virginia Convention of 1776," p.189,206. (h) Calendar of VA State Papers, 8:171,173,179. (i) Pr. Edward Co., VA Order Bk. 6:4,93,98. (j) Mss. legislative petition, Archives Div., VA St. Library. (k) Mss. letter, John Watts of Prince Edward Co. to William Watts, 25 Mar 1789. Watts Papers, University of VA Library. (l) Mss. letter, John Tabb to William Watts, 23 Apr 1786. Watts Papers. (m) Mss. letter, John Watts, Prince Edward, to William Watts, 25 Jan 1789. Watts Papers. (n) Watts Papers: Letter of Thomas Madison to William Watts, 28 Dec 1787; letter of Thomas Scott to William Watts, 4 Feb 1796. (o) Prince Edward Co., VA Deed Nk 11:166,321. (p) "Register of the General Assembly of Virginia 1776-1918 and of the Constitutional Conventions," by Earl G. Swen and John W. Williams . (8) Family notes made by Christopher C. Scott, 25 Dec 1848-2 Sep 1854, typed by "N.I.H.B.", 1939. Birth: 1743 Dinwiddie County Virginia, USA Death: Dec. 20, 1797 Evington Campbell County Virginia, USA William Watts, who settled in Campbell, was a soldier in Captain John Smith's company of a regiment, raised in 176O by Colonel William Byrd for the immediate defence of the state, and commanded by Byrd. Watts married Mary, the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Tomkies) Scott of Prince Edward county. In 1796 Conrad Speece sold a tract of land on both sides of Flat creek to William Watts, the property which had been purchased of Christopher Irvine in 1790 by Speece. The same year Christopher Irvine (who had then added Clendenning to his name), sold Watts another tract on Flat creek and the residence built upon it was given the name of Flat Creek, which it still retains; dying in 1797, this manor place was willed to his widow, his brother, John Watts and brother-in-law, Thomas T. Scott, being appointed executors of his estate. Alice, daughter of William and Mary S. Watts, married Judge Fleming Saunders, in 1814, and they acquired the Flat creek property, lying near Evington, and it has since been the home of this Saunders family and their descendants. I' Family links: Spouse: Mary Scott Watts (1758 - 1836)* Children: Alice Watts Saunders (1778 - 1867)* Edward Watts (1779 - 1859)* Elizabeth Watts Brown (1781 - 1843)*

  
  

• Sources

  [S761] Yates Publishing, Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Tree. [S751] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S859] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Will Books, 1782-1870; General Index to Will Books, 1782-1947; Author: Virginia. County Court (Campbell County); Probate Place: Campbell, Virginia. [S1162] Ancestry.com, Geneanet Community Trees Index, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). https://gw.geneanet.org/jciaccia?n=watts&oc=&p=william