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James Walter Watkins (abt. 1795 - aft. 1870)

James [uncertain] Walter Watkins
Born about in South Carolina, United Statesmap
Son of and
Brother of , and
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Father of , and
Died after after about age 75 in Alabama, United Statesmap [uncertain]
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Profile last modified | Created 9 Mar 2021
This page has been accessed 221 times.
The Marriage Date is a rough estimate. See the text for details.

Contents

Biography

James Walter Watkins was born about 1795 in South Carolina;[1] he was the son of James Sanders Watkins and Sarah (LNU) Watkins.[2][3]

Possible 1st wife - see Research Notes (Allie Crutchfield)

On 15 Jul 1826 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama,[2] Walter Watkins, one of the heirs of James Watkins, agreed to sell land to Sarah Watkins (widow of James Watkins, deceased). The other heirs were recorded as: Azariah Watkins, Hezekiah Watkins, John White (via his wife, Elizabeth (Watkins) White), and James Ray (via his late wife, Lucinda (Watkins) Ray). Note - the compilers of these records, Jones & Gandrud, opine that Azariah Watkins and Hezekiah Watkins were the same person, based upon the signatures. The significance of this record is that it indicates that Walter Watkins was the son of James & Sarah Watkins; and it records at least some of Walter's siblings. [See Research Notes below for full text of the synopsis by Jones & Gandrud.]

In Nov 1826,[4] Walter Watkins was 1 of 13 witnesses who testified in a legal case (Thomas J. Still vs. John Daniel) heard by the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court. The significance of this record is that it indicates that Walter Watkins was living in or near Tuscaloosa County, Alabama at this date.

On 15 Feb 1827 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama,[5] Walter Watkins, along with John Emerson, witnessed a marriage contract between James Emerson and Sarah Watkins. In the marriage contract is the condition: "Both wish property to go to own children." [Note - this marriage contract may be for Walter's widowed mother, Sarah Watkins, who was marrying her 2nd husband, James Emerson.

By at least 1829,[1] Walter Watkins married Sarah Unknown. The marriage date is estimated based on the age of their oldest child, Calvin W. Watkins, reported in the 1850 census. However, the 1840 census[6] indicates probably additional children born circa 1820.

1830 - see Research Notes below

On 1 Dec 1838 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama,[7] Mrs. Elizabeth Brown signed her last will, and in her will, she appointed Walter Watkins and William Brown as co-executors of her will. The will was probated on 16 Oct 1840. The will was also witnessed by, amongst others, James M. Watkins.

In 1840,[6] Walter Watkins was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama as head of household with the following persons (age range in years)[possible names]: a) males - 1 (10 - 15) [Calvin W. Watkins], 1 (15 - 20), 1 (20 - 30), 1 (40 - 50) [Walter Watkins]; b) females - 1 (<5), 1 (10 - 15) [Martha Ann Watkins], 3 (15 - 20), 1 (30 - 40) [Sarah Watkins].

In 1850,[1] [8] Walter Watkins (age 55, born South Carolina) was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama with his wife, Sarah Watkins (age 55, born in North Carolina), and his 3 Watkins children, all born in Alabama (age, sex): i) Calvin W. (21, M), ii) Sarah (20, F), iii) Martha A. (18, F). Walter's occupation was a farmer, and he owned real estate valued at $600. Calvin's occupation was also a farmer. [Note - the transcription & indexing of "Walter" Watkins is different on FamilySearch (i.e., "Nathan") versus Ancestry.com (i.e., "Walter"). My opinion is that the Ancestry.com indexing is correct; there are a wealth of data for James Walter Watkins in Tuscaloosa, but none for "Nathan" Watkins, with the exception of the FamilySearch transcription of the 1850 census.Hiestand-529 19:49, 29 September 2021 (UTC)]

In 1860,[9] Walter Watkins (age 64, white, born South Carolina) was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama as head of household. There were no other family members associated with him, and the 1860 census did not ask about marital status. His occupation was a farmer, and he owned real estate values at $1,600 and had personal estate valued at $1,931.

On 1 Aug 1860,[10] Walter Watkins provided information about his farm in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, as follows: Land (Acres) - Improved (40), Unimproved (590), Cash Value of Farm ($1500); Value of Farm Implements ($25); Livestock (#) - horses (1), mules (0), milch cows (2), working oxen (0), other cattle (4), sheep (3), swine (3), Livestock value ($184); Produce - "Indian corn" (100 bushels), cotton (1 bale), wools (20 lbs.).

In 1866,[11] Walter Wadkins [sic] was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama as head of and sole member of his household.

In 1867 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama,[12] Walter Watkins registered to vote in Precinct 10, Election District 23.

On 8 Jul 1870,[13] Walter Watkins was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama and reported information on his farm. Notably, the reported number of acres was substantial reduced compared to 1860,[10] as was the reported value of his farm.

Research Notes

  • possible 1st wife - a genealogy of Cherokee Indians includes a marriage between Allie Crutchfield and Walter Watkins.[14] According to this genealogy,[15] Allie's parents were John Crutchfield and Emma Gibbs (2nd wife). Allie was 1 of 13 children of John Crutchfield with 10 half-siblings and 3 siblings (Minnie A. and Orah G. Crutchfield). No vital information is provided stating when or where Allie was born, married, & died. I've been unable to locate any primary sources to support or refute this putative relationship. Hiestand-529 20:03, 28 May 2022 (UTC)
  • 15 Jul 1826 - full text of the synopsis by Jones & Gandrud of a land transaction by the heirs of James Watkins, deceased:[2]
"Watkins, James deceased, representatives of, to John W. White. Signed by James Watkins, Azariah Watkins, and Sarah Watkins, James Ray in right of wife, John Andrews in right of wife. (NOTE: James Watkins written 'Walter Watkins' the second time.) 16 Mar 1826. Book E, page 74. Later signed: Walter Watkins, Azariah Watkins, Hezekiah Watkins, John White and wife Elizabeth, James Ray, late his wife Lucinda Watkins. The above heirs sell land to Sarah Watkins, widow of James Watkins, deceased. 15 Jul 1826. Book E, page 75. NOTE: both Lucinda Ray and Elizabeth White sign, also Azekiah Watkins. It is evident that Hezekiah Watkins and Azariah Watkins are the same, as the last time only "Azekiah" signs."
  • 1830 possible census - In 1830,[16] Waller [sic] Watkins was living in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama as head of household, which included (age range): a) males - 2 (<5), 1 (5 - 9), 1 (10 - 14), 1 (30 - 39); b) females - 2 (< 5), 1 (5 - 9), 1 (10 - 14), 1 (30 - 39). It is unclear whether this is actually the census record for James Walter Watkins of this WikiTree profile. Hiestand-529 20:03, 28 May 2022 (UTC)

From the Pioneers of Tuscaloosa County:[3]

  • Walter Watkins - "He was born ca. 1795 in South Carolina, the son of James Sanders and Sarah Watkins of Autauga Co., Al. He is listed p.676 of the 1830 Tuscaloosa Co., A1 . Census age 30-40 with a wife the same age, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 5-10, 2 males 0-5, 2 females 0-5, 1 female 5-10 and 1 female 10-15. The 1850 Census of Tuscaloosa lists the following in his household: Calvin born ca. 1829, Sarah born ca. 1830 and Martha born ca. 1832. Other brothers and sisters of Walter were: James, Azariah, Lucinda who married James Ray 18 November 1824 and Elizabeth who married John White. Refer to Gandrud's Alabama Records, Volume 7."

Other genealogy websites, including Family Search and Ancestry, list additional children for Walter & Sarah Watkins including the following:

  1. James Madison Watkins 1813–1881
  2. Jesse F Watkins 1820–Deceased
  3. Walter Childs Watkins 1822–1893
  4. Martha Ann Watkins 1825–1891
  5. Emerson Watkins 1830–Deceased

Although these people clearly lived, it has not yet been possible to unambiguously show that they were children of Walter & Sarah Watkins.Hiestand-529 18:32, 30 October 2021 (UTC)

Caution: there is a "James M. Wadkins" who was in the Eastern Division, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama in 1860 and farming; the information about his farm was recorded in the 1860 non-population census.[17] Walter Watkin's farm was recorded in the "Western" Division, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.[10] Hiestand-529 20:51, 29 September 2021 (UTC)

James M. Watkins also registered to vote in 1867 in Tuscaloosa County.[18] Hiestand-529 20:51, 29 September 2021 (UTC)

Land Grants in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Walter Watkins purchased 7 land grants in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, as follows:[19]

AccessionNamesDateDoc #StateMeridianTwp - RngAliquotsSec. #County
AL0710__.406WATKINS, WALTER7/15/18253982ALHuntsville022S - 009WW½SW¼19Tuscaloosa
AL2690__.085WATKINS, WALTER7/10/184423778ALHuntsville020S - 011WSW¼SE¼14Tuscaloosa
AL2810__.435WATKINS, WALTER6/1/185830945ALHuntsville020S - 011WNW¼SE¼14Tuscaloosa
020S - 011WNE¼NW¼24Tuscaloosa
020S - 011WSE¼SW¼13Tuscaloosa
AL2820__.263WATKINS, WALTER6/1/185831361ALHuntsville020S - 011WNE¼SW¼13Tuscaloosa
020S - 011WNE¼NE¼23Tuscaloosa
AL2810__.438WATKINS, WALTER C6/1/185830949ALHuntsville020S - 011WNW¼NE¼23Tuscaloosa
AL2820__.235WATKINS, WALTER C6/1/185831324ALHuntsville020S - 011WNE¼NW¼23Tuscaloosa
AL2890__.216WATKINS, WALTER C6/1/185835151ALHuntsville020S - 011WNW¼NW¼23Tuscaloosa

Some of these parcels of land abutted, or were very close to, land warrants purchased by his son, Calvin Watts Watkins.


Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6PCF-DF?cc=1401638&wc=95RV-N3D%3A1031324201%2C1032368201%2C1032368202 : 9 April 2016), Alabama > Tuscaloosa > Tuscaloosa county > image 198 of 255; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jones, Kathleen Paul, and Gandrud, Pauline Jones, compilers, "Alabama Records, Volume VII" , Huntsville, Alabama, 1932, images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C957-H9BT-P?i=86&cat=366715); accessed 1 Jun 2022, citing image #87 of 948, page 52, entry for James Watkins, deceased; Original data: Book E, page 75
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tuscaloosa Genealogical Society, "The Pioneers of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama - Prior to 1830", Herff Jones Division, Montgomery, Alabama, 1981, download available (http://www.seventhfloorrecords.com/Pioneers%20of%20Tuscaloosa%20County%20Alabama%20Low%20Resolution-OCR.pdf); accessed 10 Apr 2022, citing page 474, entry for Walter Watkins
  4. ↑ Tuscaloosa Genealogical Society (http://www.seventhfloorrecords.com/), "Circuit Court Judgments 1826-1828", Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, digitized and available online (http://seventhfloorrecords.com/images/1826-105/1826105_0052.JPG); accessed 30 Oct 2021, citing 7th Floor Records Project - Bound Records, Volume 1826-105, page
  5. ↑ Jones, Kathleen Paul, and Gandrud, Pauline Jones, compilers, "Alabama Records, Volume III" , Huntsville, Alabama, 1932, images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C957-H9NW-R?i=247&cat=366715); accessed 1 Jun 2022, citing image #248 of 721, page 38, marriage contract between James Emerson and Sarah Watkins, witnessed by Walter Watkins and John Emerson
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYN-SN3K?cc=1786457&wc=31SV-82S%3A1588665921%2C1588666011%2C1588665902 : 24 August 2015), Alabama > Tuscaloosa > Not Stated > image 107 of 128; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); accessed 28 Sep 2021, entry for Walter Watkins
  7. ↑ Jones, Kathleen Paul, and Gandrud, Pauline Jones, compilers, "Alabama Records, Volume II" , Huntsville, Alabama, 1932, images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C957-H9NK-Z?i=170&cat=366715); accessed 1 Jun 2022, citing image #171 of 721, page 83, synopsis of last will of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown
  8. ↑ "United States Census, 1850", database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8054/images/4191541-00203); accessed 28 Sep 2021; citing: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; entry for "Walter" Watkins
  9. ↑ "United States Census, 1860," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBJ-96WK?cc=1473181&wc=7QJZ-GTB%3A1589422203%2C1589422631%2C1592313352 : 24 March 2017), Alabama > Tuscaloosa > Tuscaloosa Western Divison > image 23 of 135; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880", database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1276/images/32786_1220706416_0008-00806); accessed 28 Sep 2021, citing: Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Western Division, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Archive Collection Number: M279; Roll: 27; Page: 15; Line: 1; Schedule Type: Agriculture; entry for Walter Watkins
  11. ↑ "Alabama State Census, 1866," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9GTP-9TCV?cc=1915987 : 19 May 2014), > image 1 of 1; Department of Archives and History, Montgomery; entry for Walter Wadkins
  12. ↑ "Alabama, U.S., Voter Registration, 1867", database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60968/images/41897_b219809-00031); accessed 28 Sep 2021, citing Alabama 1867 Voter Registration Records Database. Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama; entry for Walter Watkins
  13. ↑ "U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880", database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1276/images/32786_1220706416_0011-01012); accessed 28 Sep 2021, citing: Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Precinct 10, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Archive Collection Number: M279; Roll: 27; Page: 21; Line: 1; Schedule Type: Agriculture; entry for Walter Watkins
  14. ↑ Star, Emmet. "History of the Cherokee Indians and their legends and folk lore", The Warden Company, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,1921; available online, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/historyofcheroke00lcstar/page/450/mode/2up?q=%22allie+crutchfield%22); accessed 28 May 2022, citing Chapter XIX Continuation of Old Families, page 450, entry for Allie Crutchfield and Walter Watkins; transciption available online: "Genealogy of the Cherokee 'Halfbreed' Family", database, Access Genealogy (https://accessgenealogy.com/native/genealogy-of-the-cherokee-halfbreed-family.htm/2); accessed 28 May 2022, citing entry for Allie Crutchfield and Walter Watkins
  15. ↑ Star, op. cit., pages 448 - 450)
  16. ↑ "1830 United States Federal Census", database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8058/images/4409667_00650); accessed 28 May 2022, citing Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Census Place: Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Series: M19; Roll: 3; Page: 339; Family History Library Film: 0002330
  17. ↑ "U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880", database with images, Ancestry.com (); accessed 28 Sep 2021, citing Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Archive Collection Number: M279; Roll: 27; Page: 9; Line: 1; Schedule Type: Agriculture; entry for James M. Wadkins
  18. ↑ Ancestry.com, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60968/images/41897_b219809-00060); accessed 28 sep 2021, entry for James M. Watkins
  19. ↑ "General Land Office Records", database with images, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior (https://glorecords.blm.gov/results/default.aspx?searchCriteria=type=patent|st=AL|cty=125|ln=watkins|fn=walter|sp=true|sw=true|sadv=false); accessed 28 Sep 2021, search for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, entry for Walter Watkins

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