Francis Watkins

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: Member of the Committee of Safety of Prince Edward county, 1775.

Francis married Agnes Woodson on 11 Jun 1765 in Prince Edward County, VA. Agnes (daughter of Jr. Richard Woodson and Anne Madeline Michaux) was born on 4 Oct 1748; died in Jul 1820 in Henrico County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth Watkins was born on 6 Dec 1769; died in Apr 1832 in Shelby County, KY.
2. Henry Edward Watkins was born on 19 Feb 1782 in Prince Edward County, VA; died on 6 Aug 1856; was buried in Poplar Hill, Prince Edward County, VA.
3. Selina Ann Watkins was born on 6 Jun 1788 in Prince Edward County, VA; died in 1864 in Mecklenberg County, VA.
4. Agnes Woodson Watkins was born on 28 Feb 1774 in Prince Edward County, VA.
5. Frances Anderson Watkins was born on 22 Apr 1790 in Prince Edward County, VA; died in Prince Edward County, VA.
6. Joseph Watkins was born on 1 Apr 1786 in Prince Edward County, VA; died in Goochland County, Virginia, USA.
7. Jr. Francis Watkins was born on 17 Mar 1776 in Prince Edward County, VA; died in Alabama, USA.
8. Benjamin Watkins was born about 1780 in Prince Edward County, VA; died in 1816 in Goochland County, Virginia, USA.
9. Richard Watkins was born on 1 Mar 1768; died in Tennessee.

Notes:

Thomas was afterwards known as "Thomas Watkins of Chickahominy." In 1899, a small paper-covered pamphlet was printed in Henderson, NC bearing the title: "A catalogue of the Descendants of THOMAS WATKINS of Chickahominy, Va." by Francis N. Watkins of Prince Edward Co, VA. The author printed it for circulation among friends. Francis wrote that Thomas "resided near Bottom's Bridge...my limited knowledge of him was derived from the late Mr. Leigh". Leigh recalled "I have heard very full accounts from my mother...that he was a man of the highest respectability from every point of view, & in particular, a man of the most indefatigible industry. He reared a large family of children with limited means... I have seen his will, & find evidence of a very affectionate regard among the children for the wishes of their father, & of their great integrity.

Birth:
"Chickahominy", Henrico Co., VA

Thomas married Frances Ann Anderson in 1733 in Henrico County, Virginia, USA. Frances was born about 1715 in Chesterfield County, VA; died about 1783 in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Elizabeth Pride. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: The Curd Family in America, The Tuttle Publishing Co.

Henry Watkins of Henrico Co., Va, presumably the immigrant ancestor was b. in 1638. He was a Quaker and member of the Society of Friends, a fact that caused him at times to clash with the ruling authorities in Virginia. In the list of heads of families in Henrico County, 1679, he is listed as head of family with three tithables and shown as living in the vicinity of Turkey Island. In 1679 he received a patent for 170 acres of land on the north side of James River in Henrico Co. adjoining land of John Lewis, Mr. Cocke, and Mr. Beauchamp, and touching the 'three runs' of Turkey Island Creek (patent book 7, p. 17). In July 1690 he purchased of Lyonel Morris 360 acres of land in varina parish, Henrico Co., on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, and in October of the same year he patented 60 acres of land "adjoining his own land and touching a run of Turkey Island Creek." In 1699 he subscribed 500 pounds of tobacco towards building the Friends meetinghouse at Curls and in 1703 he paid 50 pounds of tobacco towards finishing the building. He was the father of at least seven childred and in 1692 deeded his land in Henrico to his five sons. To William, Joseph and Edward he deeded each 120 acres of land on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, to Henry the 'track of land on which his father then lived" acreage not given, and to Thomas 200 acres on the 'three runs.' We quote from William Clayton Torrence, "Beginnings of the Families of Henrico," as follows:

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.

1704 Quit Rents of Virginia lists Henry Sr. with 100 acres in Henrico County.

Henry married Katherine Pride. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]