Individual Details
William Benjaman Wordsworth Watkins
(4 Feb 1851 - 14 Aug 1915)
William Benjamin Worth Watkins, born Feb 14 1851 near Grantsville, Georgia – the 4th of 8 children. The family moved to Navarro county, TX in 1854. After completing his education he taught school for a few years. He married Adelaide Forsyth Dec 24, 1874 – she was almost 15! Adelaide is the daughter of Dr. Chesley Page Forsyth and Lucy Jane Jordan Loving (Megginson Loving’s daughter) – who Charlotte remembered as a cigar-smoking snuff chewing granny who told wild tales to kids about moving west in a covered wagon. WBW was sent by his father-in-law to St. Louis Univ. to “read medicine” at the "Eclectic Medical College", and graduated in 1880 and returned home; later he also was a dentist. WBW lived at 317 market St in St. Louis while Adelaide stayed with her parents on the farm in rocky Branch. In 1880 he also graduated from the Homopathic School of Midwifery in St Louis, and attended lectures at the Tulane University in New Orleans. In 1887 the Doctor located in Eureka, Navarro county, Texas, where he had a large practice. In addition he was engaged in farming, stock-raising and merchandising, and owned 100 acres of fine land with over 100 head of cattle.
While WBW studied, Adelaide stayed with her parents on the old farm in Rocky Branch (Daingerfield P.O; in recent times farmed by LJ Forsyth, now a trust for maintenance of the family Cemetery). They had 3 children – Willie Bula born Sept 14, 1879 at LJ’s place. She became a good pianist, and she and Uncle Charlie Forsyth played at local dances in 1898 to 1900. Willie married Bennett Richard Stringfellow Aug 5 1900 and had 4 children: Ella Volu 9/10/01, Charlotte Bula 2/19/05, William Earl 5/13/07 and Coye Alice 1/25/13. Willie died 11/2/14.
WBW opposed Willie’s marriage to “Pop”, and stayed away from Willie’s family for several years. He is reputed to have proscribed hydro-therapy for Coye’s polio – which is now widely accepted.
Margaret Ellen Coffee (Granny, Pop’s mom) moved in after Willie died (early 1915) and raised Willie’s children; “Pop” married again (after kids left home) but the second wife is generally unknown. I (Roger Stafford) remember Granny working in the garden in Donnellson – wearing an old bonnet and long dress.
WBW is also listed in the history of Navarro, Henderson and Anderson counties.
While WBW studied, Adelaide stayed with her parents on the old farm in Rocky Branch (Daingerfield P.O; in recent times farmed by LJ Forsyth, now a trust for maintenance of the family Cemetery). They had 3 children – Willie Bula born Sept 14, 1879 at LJ’s place. She became a good pianist, and she and Uncle Charlie Forsyth played at local dances in 1898 to 1900. Willie married Bennett Richard Stringfellow Aug 5 1900 and had 4 children: Ella Volu 9/10/01, Charlotte Bula 2/19/05, William Earl 5/13/07 and Coye Alice 1/25/13. Willie died 11/2/14.
WBW opposed Willie’s marriage to “Pop”, and stayed away from Willie’s family for several years. He is reputed to have proscribed hydro-therapy for Coye’s polio – which is now widely accepted.
Margaret Ellen Coffee (Granny, Pop’s mom) moved in after Willie died (early 1915) and raised Willie’s children; “Pop” married again (after kids left home) but the second wife is generally unknown. I (Roger Stafford) remember Granny working in the garden in Donnellson – wearing an old bonnet and long dress.
WBW is also listed in the history of Navarro, Henderson and Anderson counties.
Events
| Birth | 4 Feb 1851 | Grantsville, GA | |||
| Marriage | 24 Dec 1874 | Adelaide "Addie" Forsyth |  | ||
| Death | 14 Aug 1915 | Morris County, TX | |||
| Burial | Spring Hill Cemetery, Morris County, TX |
Families
| Spouse | Adelaide "Addie" Forsyth (1860 - 1883) |
| Child | Willie Bula Watkins (1879 - 1914) |
| Father | James Ransom Watkins (1823 - 1893) |
| Mother | Mary Jane Turner (1828 - 1889) |
Endnotes
1. Records of Sandra Forsyth..