Individual Details
Jonathan Watkins
(1758 - 8 Dec 1843)
The area where Jonathan first settled was originally Middleton Township, Washington Co., Ohio. He is listed there in the 1800 federal census, and in 1803 in the state census. In 1805 this area became Athens Co., Athens Township.
After a few years, in 1803, he moved farther north in Athens Co. to what is today Trimble Township. An early story of this area recounts how Jonathan Watkins was a blacksmith, but like most of the early settlers, occasionally engaged in hunting. He shot a buffalo soon after settling in Trimble, and broke its fore leg. He pursued the animal, thus crippled, from Green's run in Trimble Township, across Wolf plains, and over the Hockhocking some distance, but failed to capture it (Walker, 523).
He served as a justice of the peace in 1808. He served as a trustee of Athens Township in the Dec. term, 1809 and in the Aug. term, 1811. In 1824, his wife Elizabeth died at 52 years old. She was buried in a small country cemetery 1 mile north of Millfield.
Walker's History continues, "In 1825 Jonathan Watkins built a mill at the village first known as Oxford, but since called Trimble. It was at first only a saw mill, but after two or three years, a grist mill was connected to it. This mill continued to be the principal one in the township till 1865, when it was destroyed by fire."
Jonathan married Mrs. Deborah Dennis in 1826, the widow of Joseph Dennis.
In 1831 and 1837, Jonathan served as a Trimble Township trustee. Trimble Township had formed in the late 1820's, with the first election of officers in 1827.
Jonathan applied for a pension for his service in the American Revolution on May 9, 1833, which he received. His will was written in 1842 and entered into the court records in February 1844. He probably died late 1843 or early 1844.
( The above notes are from research by Clyde Hood )
Notes -
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Matthew's father was Jonathon Watkins who served in the Revolutionary War in the infantry and on a privateer (licensed pirate) ship. His service is well documented. "
per Robert Haag
~~~~~~~~~~~
Jonathan Watkins - Pennsylvania; Privateer
Born 1761 Died 1844
Married 1st Elizabeth Hanning
Married 2nd Deborah Dennis (widow)
There is other data in "The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy Vol.
4. Check Athens Co., OH
Jonathan Watkins, Sr. born 1761 near Valley Forge, PA.
Died 1844, Athens Co., OH. Father Wilbert Watkins. Do not know the name
of Wilberts wife. Jonathan had a second wife by the name of Deborah
Dennis. His first wife was Elizabeth Hanning born 1772. Died 21 Aug 1824
in OH. Buried in old burying ground 1 mile north of Milfield, OH.
Children: Mary, b. 5 Oct 1792 in PA, died 8 Jun 1852, Athens, OH. Buried
Concord Cem. Athens, OH, married 1810 in OH; Elizabeth b. PA, married
Samuel Hutchinson in OH; Anna, born before 1800, married a Cousins man, in
OH; Matthew, born before 1800, married Lucy Alderman on 10 April 1817,
Ames Tw, Athens, OH; Jonathan Jr., born Feb 1800 in OH, married Betsy
Newton after 1818; Elisha Watkins, born 1806 in OH married Margaret
Phillips, 26 May 1830; James born 3 Jan 1808.
Excerpt from letter written in 1922 by Thomas H. Blakemore to his cousin Maud:
....The next day I went to the Post-Dispatch to see Wm. Kelsoe and he seemed to be much entertained with my account of our trip especially the part relating to you and your brood. He knew your father well. He told me that our great-grand-father's name was Jonathon Watkins, that he had several brothers (I think I can remember you grandfather speaking of his Uncle Enoch Watkins) and that he had married a German woman, by whom several boys and girls were born. I think the Uncle Enoch was one of his sons. He was in the Revolutionary War and died at the age of 103 and was buried in Athens Co...
Events
Families
Spouse | Mrs. Deborah Dennis (widow) (1760 - 1844) |
Spouse | Elizabeth Haning (1772 - 1824) |
Child | Mary "Polly" Watkins (1792 - 1852) |
Child | Daniel Watkins (1794 - 1831) |
Child | Matthew Watkins (1795 - 1868) |
Child | Margaret Watkins (1798 - ) |
Child | Jonathan Jr. Watkins (1800 - 1861) |
Child | Elijah Watkins (1803 - 1877) |
Child | Elizabeth "Betsey" Watkins (1805 - ) |
Child | Elisha Watkins (1806 - 1876) |
Child | Anna Watkins (1808 - ) |
Child | Isaac Watkins (1809 - 1845) |
Child | James Watkins (1811 - ) |
Child | Joseph Watkins (1814 - ) |
Child | Thankful Watkins (1820 - ) |
Spouse | Martha A Elliot (1758 - 1789) |
Child | Abigail Watkins (1786 - ) |
Father | Wilbert Watkins ( - 1775) |
Notes
Birth
1761 is the birthdate given by D. Bott and Pension. 1758 is calculated from age of death being 85 on Watkins family tree.Military
Jonathan enlisted in January 1778 with the Pennsylvania Troops on the American side in the Revolutionary War. He was living at the time near Valley Forge, his birthplace. On May 9, 1833, Jonathan applied for and did receive a pension for his service.DAR Patriot List Index 1966 Page 721. Also his pension record #S17761
(Darlene Bott
Census (family)
1800 & 1803 Residents (free males over 21) of the area that would become Athens Co., Ohio.Middletown Township
1800
Watkins, Jonathan
Watkins, Benjamin
1803
Watkins, Benjamin
Watkins, David
Watkins, Ephraim
Watkins, Jonathan
Census (family)
Watkins, Jonathon 211301 12101 04002 boys under 10, Joseph (6) James (9)
1 boy 10-16, Isaac (11)
1 man 16-18, ?Elisha (14)
3 men 16-26, Elijah (17) Jonathan Jr (20) ?
1 man 45+, Jonathan (62)
1 girl under 10, Thankful (infant)
2 girls 10-16, Anne (12) Elizabeth (15)
1 woman 16-26, Margaret (22)
1 woman 45+, Elizabeth (~48)
Mary married in 1810, Matthew married in 1817, Daniel is next door.
Marriage
by Elizabeth LaBozettaCensus (family)
Jonathan Watkins1 male 15-20 (either Joseph 16, or James 19)
1 male 60-70 (Jonathan 72)
1 female 10-15 (Thankful 10)
1 female 25-30 (Anne 24)
1 female 60-70 (Deborah)
Census (family)
Jonathan Watkins1 male 80-90 (Jonathan 82)
1 female 70-80 (Deborah)
Will
Court of Common Pleas, February Term A.D. 1844The last Will and Testament of Jonathan Watkins late of Athens County deceased, was this day brought before the Court was proved by the oaths of Samuel Carter 2nd and Benjamin Brown the subscribing witnesses thereto, whose examinations were reduced to writing. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Jonathan Watkins at the time of executing said Will, was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraints. It is ordered that the Said Will and the proof so reduced to writing, be recorded. And it is further ordered that letters Testamentary be granted to A. P. Brown, the Executor named in said Will who thereupon gave bond with David Richmond and Leonidas Sewett security to the acceptance of the Court in the penal sum of $600 conditioned according to law. And it is further ordered that Alanson Courtney, Benjamin M. Brown and John Smith appraise the personal property of said deceased.
Will
I, Jonathan Watkins of the Township of Dover in the County of Athens and State of Ohio do make and publish this to be my last Will and Testament. I give and bequeath to A. P. Brown of Athens of said County all my Estate both Real and personal in trust for the uses and purposes following, to wit:
1st. That the said Trustee shall from the proceeds of the same pay all my just debts, funeral charges and the expenses of administration.
2nd. That he shall permit my beloved Wife Deborah Watkins to have, use and enjoy the house and ground of Lot of about 13 acres where we now reside, set off to her as Dower from the Estate of her former husband Joseph Dennis deceased and all my household and farming utensils without Sale unless necessary for the payments of debts and as much money or other property as may be necessary for her comfortable support during her natural life.
3rd. That he shall keep at interest all moneys arising from the sale of property or collection of debts and not required for the purposes above mentioned and that at her death he shall pay over to my Daughters Elizabeth Hutchinson and Ann Cousins any moneys or property which may remain in his hands after the payments and uses above provided in equal amounts.
I hereby constitute and appoint the said A.P. Brown Executor of this my Last Will and Testament with full power to sell and convey Real and personal Estate should the same be necessary.
In testimony whereof shown hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of August A.D. 1842.
Jonathan Watkins seal
in presence of us Witnesses
Benjamin Brown
Samuel Carter 2nd
Samuel Carter 2nd and Benjamin Brown make oath and say that Jonathan Watkins, The Testator, signed the paper writing now produced in Court in their presence, that the said Testator, signed the paper writing now produced in Court in their presence, that the said testator declared the same to be his last will and Testament, that he was of lawful age, of sound disposing mind and memory and under no restraint. And that they signed the same as witnesses at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other.
Taken and reduced to writing
in Open Court
Samuel Carter 2nd
B. Brown
Death
Darlene Bott's info has 1844.Endnotes
1. Bott, Darlene., Emailed Watkins data. (Darlene Bott
2. Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications, p. 611. Watkins, Jonathan, Pennsylvania, Privateer S17761. (National Genealogical Society, 1976. source courtsey of Clyde Hood, Overland Park, KS).
3. Watkins, William H., b. Nov 17, 1920, 75 yrs., Handdrawn Watkins Family Tree Chart beginning with Jonathan Watkins b. 1758, outlining his son Elisha's descendants. The source listed for the older names and dates was the "Watkins Family Bible in the possession of Wilbert Watkins when he lived on the farm". (Sylvania, Ohio: William H. Watkins, (1995). Copy found in the Athens Historical Library by Robert Haag's sister. Mailed to me by Robert July 22, 2002.).
4. Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications, p. 611. Watkins, Jonathan, Pennsylvania, Privateer S17761. (National Genealogical Society, 1976. source courtsey of Clyde Hood, Overland Park, KS).
5. Watkins, William H., b. Nov 17, 1920, 75 yrs., Handdrawn Watkins Family Tree Chart beginning with Jonathan Watkins b. 1758, outlining his son Elisha's descendants. The source listed for the older names and dates was the "Watkins Family Bible in the possession of Wilbert Watkins when he lived on the farm". (Sylvania, Ohio: William H. Watkins, (1995). Copy found in the Athens Historical Library by Robert Haag's sister. Mailed to me by Robert July 22, 2002.).
6. Watkins, William H., b. Nov 17, 1920, 75 yrs., Handdrawn Watkins Family Tree Chart beginning with Jonathan Watkins b. 1758, outlining his son Elisha's descendants. The source listed for the older names and dates was the "Watkins Family Bible in the possession of Wilbert Watkins when he lived on the farm". (Sylvania, Ohio: William H. Watkins, (1995). Copy found in the Athens Historical Library by Robert Haag's sister. Mailed to me by Robert July 22, 2002.).
7. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1820 > Ohio > ATHENS > DOVER Series: M33 Roll: 86 Page: 72 .
8. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1830 > OHIO > ATHENS > DOVER Series: M19 Roll: 126 Page: 239.
9. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1840 > OHIO > ATHENS > DOVER Series: M704 Roll: 377 Page: 403 .
10. Athens County, Ohio, Will Book 4, pp. 107-108 (research courtesy of Clyde Hood).
11. Bott, Darlene., Emailed Watkins data. (Darlene Bott
12. Watkins, William H., b. Nov 17, 1920, 75 yrs., Handdrawn Watkins Family Tree Chart beginning with Jonathan Watkins b. 1758, outlining his son Elisha's descendants. The source listed for the older names and dates was the "Watkins Family Bible in the possession of Wilbert Watkins when he lived on the farm". (Sylvania, Ohio: William H. Watkins, (1995). Copy found in the Athens Historical Library by Robert Haag's sister. Mailed to me by Robert July 22, 2002.).