Bernard Watkins (1810 - 1882)

Born 13 Feb 1810 in Loudoun Co, VA

Husband of Charlotte M. Littleton — married 4 Sep 1834 in Loudoun Co, Shelbourne Parish, VA

Descendants

Died 31 Mar 1882 at age 72 in Red Oak, Montgomery Co, IA

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Biography

Both Bernard Watkins and Charlotte Littleton were probably born and grew up in Loudoun County, Virginia (about 40 miles nw of Washington DC in what is known today as Virginia's "horse country.") The area then and now was a rural setting of rolling hills and beautiful oak, maple and other deciduous trees that produce a riot of color every autumn. Leesburg, the county seat, was a commercial crossroads between the Shenandoah Valley farmers and the merchants in Alexandria and Georgetown. The area attracted many ethnic groups over the years including English, German, Scots-Irish and Quakers.

Bernard was the one of four children and the only son born to William and Ann Watkins. Though there are no birth records to be found, the evidence for his parents comes from a Hampshire Count, VA/WV lawsuit over land belonging to William Watkins, then deceased. Bernard's father died in 1815, when Bernard was only 5. His mother, Ann, whose maiden name we do not know, was left a widow with 4 young children but remarried 10 years later. Neither the 1820 or 1830 census records for Ann Watkins or Dan Brown show a son of Bernard’s age, leaving us to wonder if he was living with a guardian during this time.

There were several Littleton families in Loudoun Co, but to date, we have not been able to determine who the parents of Charlotte Littleton were. I have corresponded with Terry Littleton, a descendant of John Wesley Littleton, the man who served as bondsman for her wedding. He has not been able to determine his father either. Given the closeness of their birth dates, it appears that Charlotte, John Wesley and Lorenzo Littleton were siblings. They all moved to Ohio, Lorenzo to Knox Co then on to Warren Co, IL as did Bernard and Charlotte Watkins.

No original marriage records for Bernard and Charlotte have been found though the marriage is recorded in two published sources by Wertz, and Vogt & Kethley. These sources tell us that Bernard Watkins and Charlotte Littleton got a bond to marry on Sept 1 1834 in Leesburg, VA (Loudoun County in north central Virginia.) A John W. Littleton served as bondsman and attested to their ages. Bondsmen were usually relatives or at least close friends, but at this point we do not know the relationship of John W. Littleton--was a Charlotte's father, brother??? The couple married three days later on Sept 4, 1834 in the Shelbourne Parish by Edwin Dorsey, the Methodist Minister. The Watkins would remain staunch Methodists for several generations.

Bernard, his widowed mother and his 3 sisters were living in Loudoun Co, VA in the 1830s when they married their spouses. The spring of 1836, Bernard and his pregrant wife, Charlotte moved to Knox County, OH where their daughter Ann Elizabeth (named Ann after Bernard's mother) was born Aug. 1. It is highly likely they traveled via the National Road from Wheeling to Mt. Vernon, Ohio or possibly by boat on one of the many rivers and canals.

By 1835-36, Bernard's sisters, their husbands and extended families (George Neptune, John Adams, William Davis, and John, Stephen, and Samuel Gaunt/Gant), and their mother and stepfather, Ann and Daniel Brown, removed to Knox Co, Ohio along with a number of other friends and neighbors from Loudoun Co, VA, probably coming together as a group. Brown's children also moved to Knox Co. Bernard's oldest sister Louisa who married George Neptune may have come to Ohio first. (According to census, their daughter was b. in OH ca 1831-32) In 1838 when the Neptunes sold the land they'd inherited from Wm Watkins, they were living in Belmont Co, OH but were listed in Knox Co in 1850 census.

According to the biography of Bernard's nephew, Samuel Orlin Gantt in the Knox Co, OH Centennial Biographical History p. 198 , the Gantt family (and probably the Watkins and other siblings) came to OH in 1836, the journey "made across the mountains through the forests and over the plains with teams in the primitive style of the times, for no railroads had been built."

The Watkins lived in at least two places in Knox Co, first in Morris Twp and were listed in 1840 census and in then Berlin Twp where Bernard was listed as a laborer in 1850 census. Seven of their eight children were born in Knox Co. Most of the Loudoun Co migrants settled near Fredericktown in Berlin Twp and all of Bernard's siblings appeared to have remained there (I found most of their headstones in the cemetery.)

But the Watkins family moved on to western IL in the fall of 1850 settling in Monmouth (county seat) or Lenox Twp, Warren County. I don't know why or with whom Bernard and Charlotte went to Warren Co, IL though I believe some VA-born Littletons were also living in Warren Co. Their youngest child, Charlotte or "Lottie", was born in IL. Many of the older children married in Warren Co, IL. [Note: I've done very little research in Warren Co and need to check census and land records to determine whether or not any other siblings or extended family members moved with them from OH to IL. It is doubtful that they went alone.]

About 1863, their oldest daughter Ann (Mrs. Leander Sickmon) and her family moved to the southwest corner of Iowa -- Montgomery Co, IA. Two years later, son Randolph followed. The rest of the Watkin family stayed in IL until around 1867 when Bernard and Charlotte (then 57 & 56 respectively) too decided to move to Red Oak (county seat of Montgomery Co) where most of their children met and married their spouses.

Not long after, many of the children moved on to take up farm land in Nebraska in the 1870s. Most stayed in Nebraska but the three sons returned to Iowa, Randolph and James to Red Oak, and Will to the area around Des Moines.

According to various obituaries, all of Bernard and Charlotte's children survived into adulthood, though two daughters died before the parents. Both Charlotte and Bernard lived to a ripe old age. Charlotte was a member of Methodist Episcopal Church in Knox Co (1849) and was active in Red Oak church as well. (They were married by a Methodist minister in VA and bondsman was John W. Littleton, perhaps for John Wesley, founder of Methodist Church.) After Bernard's death, Charlotte lived with her son James in Red Oak. (Source: Charlotte's and Ann's obits) but I've been unable to find a death record or headstone for her. Bernard (d 1882) is buried near two of his daughters (Lottie and Ann, both of whom died young) but there was no death record for Bernard recorded in Montgomery Co.

According to census records and Loie Stevens Firkins (granddaughter of Randolph Watkins), Bernard and Charlotte Watkins had the following children: Ann who md. Leander Sickman but died fairly young (44); Jane or "Jennie" who married William L. Gibson (whose gggranddaughter was astronaut Sally Ride); Will Watkins; Mary Jane or "Mollie" who md Civil War vet Sylvester Day; Randolph Watkins; James Heaton Watkins; Sarah or "Sally" who md. Joseph Benz from Germany; and Charlotte or "Lottie" who married another Civil War vet, Wilbur F. Gassner.

Death

31 MAR 1882, Red Oak, Montgomery Co, IA

Headstone in Red Oak Cemetery reads: Bernard Watkins died Mar. 31 1882 aged 72 yrs 1 mo 18 days. Bernard is buried next to daughter, Ann Watkins Sickmon and her husband, Leander Sickmon and two of their sons. Nearby is daughter Lottie Watkins Gassner. Burial of wife Charlotte not yet found.^[1]

Note

Documented information showing Bernard Watkins as a child of William and Ann Watkins includes his marriage record with mother's name as Ann Brown (her 2nd husband being Daniel Brown), Hampshire Co land records showing Bernard as heir to William Watkins, various census records, a few land records and his headstone. No death record found. Have not yet checked all land records in OH, IL or IA or estate records.

Bernard's headstone gives best clue for birth date. Dying Mar. 31 1882 and giving his age as 72 yrs 1 mo 18 days, makes his birthdate Feb 13, 1810. This coincides with the year given in most census records. Census records also confirm that Bernard was born in Virginia, probably in Loudoun County.

Bernard and his 3 sisters are mentioned in an 1829 Hampshire Co, VA/WV court case re: land left to children by their father, William Watkins. The land was sold ca 1834 and Bernard and his wife moved to Knox Co, OH along with his sisters, mother and their husbands. His death year is mentioned in his wife's obituary and confirmed by his headstone in the Red Oak Cemetery. No death record was found in Montgomery Co, IA though he is buried there near his daughters. Location of his wife's grave has not been found to date.

Gantt's trip to OH from VA Stephen Gantt, brother to John Gantt (Bernard's brother in law) was among the Loudoun Co, VA group who migrated to Knox Co, OH ca 1835 with the Watkins' families. His description gives good idea of what it was like for Bernard and Charlotte Watkins when they moved to Knox Co, OH.

From History of Knox Co, by Hill 1882. GANTT, STEPHEN H., Hilliar township, farmer, born in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 16, 1818. His ancestors were Virginians. His father had been a soldier in the War of 1812, and served for some time in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 1835 the parents, Samuel and Mary Gantt, nee Andrews, came to Ohio, and settled in Morris township, where they remained about seven years, then came to Hilliar township, and settled near where their son Stephen now resides, and where they spent their lives, being respected and honored citizens. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living.

The subject of this short sketch remained at home until he was about twenty-two years of age. In 1840 he came to where he now resides, and which was some time before his parents came.

There was no improvement, woods covered the land, and Mr. Gantt was compelled to do like the early pioneers, build his cabin first for a habitation, and then clear the land of the "giant oaks." He remained in his cabin for about twelve years, enjoying his life as well as ever he did, happy and contented with the result of his labor. He then built his present substantial and comfortable dwelling. He started in life poor, but by industry he has made for himself a competence.

Documentation for Bernard Watkins "Index to Loudoun Co. Deed Books A-Z, 1757-1800" by Pat Duncan: Bk: 3 W:270 Date: 20 Jul 1831 RtCt: 9 Aug 1831 Daniel BROWN of Ldn to Mahlon CRAVEN of Ldn. Trust for debt to Bernard WATKINS of Ldn using farm and household items. Delv. pr order 25 Mar 1835.

1840 Knox Co, Morris Twp, OH p. 314 (copy in file) Bernard WATKINS 100011-11011

Bernard as head of household of 7 people though none named but him.

Bernard-30, Charlotte-28

a boy and girl under 5 (probably William H.- named for Bernard's father, and Jane R.-3)

a girl 5-10 (probably Ann E.-5, named for Bernard's mother.) Another young man and woman lived with them (the man in his 20s, the woman 15-20)--possibly a siibling and spouse.

1850 census-Knox Co, Berlin Twp, OH p. 18  : 29 July 1850 (copy in file)

Bernard -40 b. VA (1810)-laborer

Charlotte -38 b. VA (1812)

Ann Elizabeth -14 b. OH (1835) - school

Jane R. - 13 b. OH (1836-37) -school

William H. - 10 b. OH (1839-40) - school

Mary J. - 8 b. OH (1841-42) - school

Randolph - 6 b. OH (1843-44) - school

James E. - 4? b. OH (1845-46)

Sarah A. - 1 b. OH (1848-49)

1860 census: Warren Co, IL, Lenox Twp p.640 Heritage Quest. Image 456 437/457? #3098/3113

Bernard Watkins -50 b. VA Farmer $417

Charlott (sic) " -49 b. VA

Anne E. " -25 b. OH

Jane R. -23 b. "

Wm -20 b. "

Mary J. -18 b. "

Randolph -15 b. "

James H. -14 b. "

Sarah A. -11 b. "

Charlotte - 7 b. "

(next door to James Cunningham b. VA)

Charles (25 b. VA) and Adalada (20 b. IL) Littleton (married within last yr.) living with N. Van Sky family, b. VA. He is son of John W. Littleton-decd. N. Vansky is his mother. (is this a nephew of Charlotte?) Also a 9yr old Randolph Vansky.

1870 Red Oak Junction, Montgomery Co, IA census p. 62 B 17 June: #192/195

B. Watkins - 70 Farmer $1,000/800 b. VA (1799-1800) (should be 60)

Charlotte ' - 58 Keeps house b. VA (1811-12)

Molie " - 24 "at home" b. OH (1845-46) MARY

James " - 22 farmer b. OH (1847=48)

Lottie " - 16 "at home" b. IL (1853-54)

Witkins, T. - 22 M Printer b. Wisc. (Wilkins?)

Stewart, H.M - 19 M Printer b. Penn

Nelson, V.S . - 20 M Printer b. Ohio

Newmenger, S. -19 M Printer b. Penn

Brown, G.B. - 22 M Blacksmith, b. IA

Must have been a boardinghouse as they are all listed in same household.

Daughter Ann E. Watkins Sickman living 2 houses down with her family; Sons William and Randolph, daughters Jane and Sarah already married.

1872, Oct 4: Bernard Watkins bought lots 7 & 8 of block 13. The addresses today is 401 E. Corning Red Oak, IA Plat Book :(Bk 4: p. 148)

1880 Montgomery Co, Red Oak, IA Census p. 332

Bernard Watkins -70 b. VA parents b. VA 1809-10) (no occupation listed)

Charlotte " -67 b. VA wife parents b. VA (1812-13)

Jas. H. " -33 b. OH drayman (1846-47)

Leah Gassner -5 b. IA granddaughter (1874-75)

1881, Oct. 22: Randolph Watkins bought west half of lot 5 and all of lot 6 (Bk 8 p. 184)

1883, Mar 23: He bought the other half of lot 5, (Bk 9: p. 24) Today lot 5 has address of 102 W. Hammond and lot 6 is 104 W. Hammond. (Hard to tell when he built a house and just where it was located - on 1 lot or 2.

1885 Iowa State Census, MOntgomery Co, Red Oak 3rd Ward p 249 (Ancestry.com)Dwelling #205 Family #204

JH Watkins-30 single drayman b. OH both parents native born

Charlotte Watkins 72 widowed b. VA " "

1887, Jan 29: James H. Watkins bought lot 3 of block 13 (Bk 12: p. 26) That address today is 406 E. Joy (pretty near "back-to-back" with the lots owned by Bernard)

Marriage

4 SEP 1834 Loudoun Co, Shelbourne Parish, VA

Wertz p. 162- Marriage of Bernard Watkins and Charlotte Littleton: John W. Littleton attests ages and is bondsman. Bond dated 1 Sept 1834 at Leesburg. Married Sept 4 1834, Shelbourne Parish, Edwin Dorsey (Methodist min.) (I have not yet found original records.)

According to Loie Stevens Firkins (granddaughter of Randolph Watkins), Bernard and Charlotte Watkins had following children, listed with their residences: [Note: Loie was not always accurate with names!]

Randolph-Red Oak

Jim- Red Oak

Will Nebraska

Susan (m. Joe Benz) son Claude Benz-Bonnie's cousin, same age- Homestead, Neb [Sarah not Susan in census]

Mabel (m. ---Day) [Census records name her Mary J. Their daughter may have been Mabel] (this is actually daughter of Mary or Molly Watkins who married Sylvester Day. Mabel married ____Albright.)

Coincidentally, members of the Hawkins, Stevens and Watkins families--all of whom lived in Knox County (though in different townships) at the same time--would end up in Red Oak, Iowa where Bernard and Charlotte's granddaughter, Bonnie Watkins, married Harry Stevens, grandson of Ephraim Hawkins and Arnold Stevens, in 1908. It is highly unlikely the Watkins and Stevens knew each other in Ohio.

Sources

Loudoun Co, VA census records Hampshire Co, WV census records

• Source: S4 Abbreviation: Charlotte Watkins Obit Title: Red Oak Express or Sun? Nov 20? 1893

• Source: Wertz, Mary Alice Comp., "Marriages of Loudoun County, VA 1757-1853": Info compiled from Loudon Co Fee Books, Marriage Register, Order Book, Minute Book, Deed books and Parish Registers.

• Source: Vogt, John and Kethley, T. William Jr., Loundon County Marriages 1760-1850. Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Co.

1. ↑ Source: #S4

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Sara Patton for creating WikiTree profile Watkins-1620 through the import of watkins-littleton-kerrihard.ged on Mar 9, 2013.

Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Sara and others.