Garrett Zachariah Watts (1756 - 1838)

Born 8 Jan 1756 in Caroline, Virginia, British Colonial America

Husband of Anna (Self) Watts — married 16 Jul 1787 (to 1838) in Anson, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Feb 1838 at age 82 in Perry, Alabama, United States

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Biography

Disputed origins: A claim made by his grandson that he was Cherokee has been debunked; see commentary under Research Notes for more information.

A previous version of this profile attached him as son of George Watts and Frances Woodward, but a combination of documents support that he was actually son of William Watts and his wife Jane:

• William Watts and Jane his wife of Caswell Co, to Joseph Arnett of same 80 acs both sides of main road to Dixe’s Ferry. 14 July 1787.^[1]
• Jane Watts and Garrett Watts, her son, sell to Andrew Arnett 94 acs on Wolf Island and Dobbins Creek at Dixe’s Ferry Road. 13 June 1789. (no other heirs mentioned) ^[2]
• In his pension declaration, Garrett Watts states, "When I was first called into the service, I lived in Person County, North Carolina. The two next times in Caswell County of the same state." ^[3]

Garrett Watts was born in Caroline County Virginia, January 8, 1756. At age 12 (1768) he moved to North Carolina and from there entered the service of the United States. The account of his Revolutionary War service is his own. (See Military Service below.)

He is shown on the Surry County Tax List in 1782 as being single with two horses.

He married Anna Self in (old) Anson County, North Carolina ^[4] and is thought to have had as many as 13 children. Half of them are still unidentified.

Deed transfers in Anson County range from 1790-1797. He bought property adj. Thomas Gaddy on Jan. 27, 1790, property on Glade Lick on Aug. 23, 1795 and was granted property by the State of North Carolina, adj. Robert Rees, Dec. 1795. He sold property on the Pee Dee River Sep. 25, 1792, on Glade Lick, Mar. 31, 1796, and the property on Glade Lick Branch was sold by the county sheriff Jan. 16. 1797.

They were new in Smith's Settlement, Georgia in 1798, along with Jesse Scarborough, Lewis Phebus, Jesse and Willliam Dodd, Peter Baugess, Gideon Canterberry, Lewis, Mastin, and Stephen Williams. We find him next in Pendleton County, S. C. by 1800, and then Jefferson County, Georgia in 1805.

In his Revolutionary War pension application, he states he was next in Bledsoe County, East Tennessee. They then settled in Jefferson County, Alabama, where some of their children were born. Their final years were spent in Perry County, Alabama. They were only there four years when Garrett died. No marker has been found for his burial place.

There are records of a Garrett Watts being granted land in Lincoln County Tennessee, for Revolutionary War service, but have no documentation that it is Garrett Z. Watts.

Excerpt from his Rev War pension application. ^[3]

I was born on the 08 day of January, 1756 in Caroline County in Virginia. At the age of 12, moved to North Carolina where I entered the service of the U.S. My age is recorded in my father's bible which is in possession of some of his descendants I know not. When I was first called, I lived in Casswell County, North Carolina. After the war, I moved to Jefferson City, Georgia, then to Perry City in the State of Alabama where I now live."

Military Service and Records

Below are the compiled Revolutionary War records of Garrett Watts. ^[3]

p. 1. Garett Watts of Tormy county (note: modern day Surry County, North Carolina which lies near the border of Virgina and east Tennessee) in the state of North Carolina who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the first command by Smith. $23.33 annum.

Inscribed in the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of $23.33 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of July 18__

Revolutionary Claim Act July 7, 1832 Recorded in Book C Vol. 8 page 43

p. 2. State of Tennessee, Gibson County

On the 6th day of June 1851, personally appearing before me, Anna Watts, age 84, who being duly sworn according to the law, both on her oath, mark, the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension . . . for the benefit on the widow of Deceased claims that she is the widow of Garrett Watts who was a private in the Revolutionary War. He was in Gates Defeat under General (Francis) Marion (also called the Elusive Swamp Fox). She thinks and in the company of Captain Summons and she was married to the said soldier Garrett Watts on the 16th day of July in the year 1787 and that he died on the 6th day of February, 1838. That she was married to him prior to 1800. She states that her said husband received a certificate from the pension office which has been lost or mislaid. She states that her husband is the identical Garrett Watts who drew a pension until the date of June 7th, 1832 which certificate is on record . . . in the pension office Book E, Vol. 8, pp 2-3. She further states that her name before her marriage was Anna Self. She states that her husband never received from the government but $106. She states that she is still a widow and respectfully asks of the Department that she may receive a certificate authorizing her to draw her pension in the further in Jackson, Tennessee. She makes this declaration of Congress for the Benefit of the Widow of deceased soldiers. Given to . . . subscribe before me this day and year above written in the state I am acquainted with Mrs. Anna Watts that she is still a widow and I believe her said acclamations and that she is of the age above stated.

Dennis Fatum Anna Watts (her mark)

State of Tennessee, Gibson County

Personally appearing before me as an active Justice of the Peace in the said county, Annis Scarbrough and John Scarbough who being duly sworn state that they are acquainted with Mrs. Anna Watts after her marriage with the said Garrett Watts that her name before her marriage was Anna Self that they married and stayed together as man and wife for many years and that the said Garrett Watts died the 6th day of February, 1838 and that she is still a widow.

Sworn before me the day and year stated and I state that I am acquainted with the said Annis and John Scarbough that I believe them in the above affidavit. Dennis Fatum J.P.

State of Tennessee, Gibson County

Be it known that of the 22nd day of March AD 1852 personally appeared before me an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county afore said. Anna Watts age about 56 years and being duly sworn according to the law, declares that she is the widow of Garrett Watts, dead who was a private in the Revolutionary War. She does not know what company of regiment he was in but she has heard him repeatedly speak of being in General Gates Defeat but she thinks he enlisted in the state of Virgina that she was married to Garret Watts on the 16th day of July 1787 in the twentieth year of her age in the County of Anson in the state of North Carolina by one Steven Pace Justice of the Peace and she lived with this Garrett until the day of his death which she thinks occurred on the 6th day of February, 1838 in Perry County, State of Alabama and that she is still a widow, states that her husband Garrett never made application for his pension until he was unable to support himself by reason of old age and infirmity and that after his name was placed on the list of pensioners in the state of Alabama in the pension office, Book E. Vol. 8, pages 2-3, he drew from the government some money. She does not recall how much. She does not think he drew more than $96 for the last three or four years before his death. She states that she does not know what has become of his certificate. She state that she has not made application for the renewal of her husband's pension until now for the reason that she was not advised she was entitled to a pension as the widow of the said Garrett she makes this application for the purpose of obtaining the amount of pension due her said husband up to the time of his death under the Acts 2nd March 1829 and 29th June 1840 and the amount due her as the widow of the said Garrett under the Acts of Congress passed March 3, 1843, June 17, 1844, July 7th, 1838, July 29th 1848 and other acts and resolutions passed for the benefit of the widow of Revolutionary Soldiers. Sworn to and subscribed before me Anna Watts the day and year above written and I mark certified that I believe the facts in the declaration to be true and that she was and that she has or can secure no leen enduce of her.

Dennis Fatum, Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee, Gibson County

Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the county and the state afore said Thomas Evans age about 64 years and being duel sworn states that he was acquainted with the said Garrett Watts for more than thirty years before his death, that he was always known to be the husband of Anna Watts, that they lived together as man and wife, that they raised a family of children and that he said that Anna is still a widow of Garrett Watts and that the said Garrett died in Perry County, Alabama about the year 1838. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 29th day of March, 1852 and I certify that he is credible.

Thomas Evans (his signature)

The State of Alabama, Perry County County Court June 7, AD 1834

On this 6th day of June in the year of our Lord 1834 personally appears before me in open court before Dunklin Sullivan, Judge of the County Court of the county and State afore said now sitting, Garrett Watts, a resident of the County of Perry, and state of Alabama, age 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as here in stated.

To the best of my recollection in the fall of the year 1779, as a private, I entered the service of the United States. It was a company of Cavalry that I first entered under the command of Captain Mines Smith. This company composed a part of a Regiment of Cavalry (the number of which I cannot remember). The major of the regiment was Charles Polk (called Devil Charley), of Mecklenburg, County of North Carolina. The Colonel who commanded this regiment was also called Colonel Smith. I do not know his given name.

I lived in Perry County of North Carolina at that time. I believe it was in October of the year above stated that I enlisted. My time of subscribe was for three months as follows. I well remember that at the time, Lord Rawdon and Cornwallis was said to be in Wilmington and the times had become greatly encouraged down in that quarter. The first proceeded from Perry County to Salem from 10 to 15 miles thence in the direction of Wilmington, a distance of perhaps near two hundred miles. Information was received by our officers from a Colonel Isom and who resided in the neighborhood we passed near Wilmington . . . and we approached the place at which the Tories were assembled by two different mountains and from opposite directions. Whether our arrival was too early or had been suspected by the Tories is uncertain. We found but seven men at the place, all of whom were killed. There was a great multitude of women there. We moved a few miles from that place and encamped during the night, which was dark and rainy. We were attacked suddenly by a large body of Tories and we were engaged for a short time. After the first confusion was over, we were ordered to charge, dark as it was, except the light of the guns, we were successful in driving them back. A few were killed and wounded on both sides. We lost some of our men but successfully recovered most of them next day. We also killed one or two of the enemy next day. This was near a lake which was called Mackamaw, which we swam several times. I think I was now near twenty-three years old.

What I have above stated is the principal part of my service. Our return was by way of Fayetteville, near what was called Cross Creek: At this place we were discharged. It is rather my belief that I had a written discharge. If I had, I have lost it and know not how.

Four or five months after my first term expired, and after I had moved to Caswell County in the same state, I was again called into service as a private, in the North Carolina as a foot soldier. The lieutenant of the company to which I belonged was named Borice, the Captain was named Odense. The name of the Colonel of the regiment I now belonged, I do not know. It marched from the upper part of North Carolina down to Fayetteville. At this place we were put under the command of General Butler. This was a distance of sixty or eighty miles. We were marching to Cantoole in N/S Carolina, by the route of nearly one hundred miles. We here took the command of General (Horatio Gates, also of General Dekalb. Dekalb also had command. He of the regular soldiers. We next marched to Rugeley's Mills (the name of a notorious old Tory Colonel) in South Carolina, a distance of perhaps seventy or eighty miles from Rugeley's Mills to five or six miles further to a place called Suttons, as well as I remember. This was not far from Camden where the British were under Rawdon and Cornwallis.

The two armies came near each other at Suttons about 12 or 1 O'clock in the night. This was the year seventeen hundred eighty. The Pickets fired several rounds before day. I will remember everything that occurred that morning. I remember that I was amongst the worst to the (position) army. That a man named John Limmons was my section leader, that we had orders to wait for the word to commence firing, that the militia was in front and in public condition at that, that they were fatigued. The weather was warm exceptionally. They had been fed a short time previous on molasses entirely. I can state on oath that I believe my gun was the first gun fired not withstanding the orders: for we were close to the (enemy) army, who appeared to maneuver in contempt of us, and I fired without thinking except that I might prevent the man opposite from killing me. The discharge and loud roar soon became general from one end of the lines to the other. Amongst other things, I confess I was amongst the first that fled. The cause of that I cannot tell, except that everyone I saw was about to do the same. It was instantaneous. There was no effect to really know encouragement to fight, officers and Tories in the flight. I threw away my gun, and reflecting, I might be punished for being found without arms. I picked up a drum, which gave forth such sounds when touched by the twigs I cast it away when we had gone. We heard the sounds of guns still, but we knew not why. Had we known, we might have returned. It was that portion of the army commanded by DeKalb fighting still. DeKalb was killed. General Dickson wounded in his neck and a great many killed and wounded even on the first firing. After this defeat, many of the dispersed troops proceeded to Winnsboro in North Carolina. I obtained a furlough from General Dickson and permission to return home a short time. This last term was for the space of three months and truly laborious.

Not long after the defeat of General Gates at Camden, I think nearly three months, General Green, a regular officer came from the North. This is also as well as I remember as I surmise is seventeen hundred and eighty. I entered the service again under Captain Odon (the Col. I think was named Col. Legon) being again drafted under . . . General Green. I was at the Battle of Guilford Court House under General Green. This was fought at some old fields turned out and surrounded by old fences. General Green having divided his army into three divisions. Behind one of these fences, placed first a division of select rifleman. Second the militia were stationed near the woods. Last and still further in this, was to prevent a retreat like General Gates, were placed the regulars. This was a great battle, both sides fought until they were willing to cede, but we had the advantage for the last division was just beginning to bear heavy on them and the British had to give back. These were times of great suffering. We had but little to eat and as little to wear, feeble and worn down.

I was also, during this term of my service, with General Green at the battle of Camden or saw it through carelessness or otherwise, the tired soldiers were suffered to wash at the river Wantenee and in the noon time, a drummer belonging to some of the regiments under General Green deserted, entered Camden and told the British know our condition. They came out upon us and we had to fight hard and fiercely, were compelled to give way.

Shortly after this, my last term of service expended, to the best of my recollection, I served and was subject to constant service for nine months if not more. If I ever had written discharges, I have lost them but my recollection is indistinct as to that. I never did receive the amount of pay I was entitled to. The small amount I did receive was in currency money which turned out to be of no value. I served as a private the whole time. I have no documentary evidence of my service. I know of no person now living whose testimony I can produce or who can testify as to my service. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year afore said. Garett Watts (JB)

To the following interrogations by the War Department the applicant answers as follows.

1. When and in what year were you born?

Answer: I was born on the eighth day of January, 1756, in Caroline County and State of Virginia. At the age of twelve, moved to North Carolina, where I entered the service of the United States.

Research note. It is unlikely that Garrett moved to NC at age 12 by himself. Look at other Watts in NC at the same time.

2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?

Answer: My age is recorded in my father's family Bible which is in the possession of some of his decendents. I know not whom.

3. Where were you living when called into the service? Where have you been since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?

Answer: When I was first called into the service, I lived in Person County, North Carolina. The two next times in Caswell County of the same state. Afterwards, I moved to Jefferson County, Georgia, thence to Pendleton, Bledsoe County, Tennessee. Thence to Jefferson County, thence to Perry County of this state which I now reside.

4. How were you called into service?: Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute, for whom?

Answer: I volunteered the first time in a horse company, afterwards drafted both times.

5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served, Continental and Militia, Regiments as you can recall.

Answer: As a regular officer when I served I mentioned General Sumter Gates, Green, DeKalb, Dickson were regular officers but the others were- I do not know how to designate the regiments particularly the numbers. I can not recollect things. A slight imperfection of my mind, that I belonged to the Fourth of C ---- . I have stated the general circumstances of my service as best as I am able.

6. Did you ever received a discharge from the service? If so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Answer: I think that I received discharges, once from Capt. Oden, the other from Col. Smith. If I did, I have lost them years ago.

7. List the names of persons to whom you are known in you present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services in the Revolution?

Answer: I could state a great many names, but will name a few: Samuel Boydstore, Balem Self, Joseph Evans, Rev. John Craig.

J. B. Nave

Garrett Z. Watts

We, John Craig a clergyman residing in the County of Perry and State of Alabama, and Balam Self (Balam was Ann's cousin, son of Parrish, Vincent's brother) residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Garrett Watts who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration: That we believe him to be seventy-eight years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

His mark X

Balem Self

And the said court do hereby declare thus a pension after the investigation prescribed by the War Department . . . that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he stated. The court further certified that it appears to them that John Craig, who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Perry and State of Alabama and that Balaam Self, who has also signed the same is also a resident of the same county and state and is a honorable person, and entitled to credit.

Dunkin Sullivan, Judge

County Court

Some notes in parenthesis of historical content were added by the transcriber Debra C. Knight. Records found in the National Archives, Laguna Nigel, CA 1999.

I, Jesse B. Nave, Clerk of the County Court of the county of Perry and State of Alabama, do hereby certify that the foregoing pages from one to seven as numbered contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Garrett Watts for pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunder set my hand and seal of office this the sixth day of June, A. D. 1834

Jesse B. Nave

County Court P.

Research Notes

Forget Everything You've Read About Garrett Watts Being Cherokee.

IT'S ALL A LIE.

The claims to Cherokee blood are fraudulent and based solely on illegal land claims made by his grandson William Jefferson Watts (a lawyer) after he illegally settled near Paw Paw Bottom in the Cherokee Nation. ^[5]

There is absolutely nothing in the records to indicate that Garrett ever had anything to do with the Cherokees apart from perhaps fighting them during the Revolution.^{[citation needed]}

According to his Revolutionary War pension application he was born in Caroline Co., Virginia which lies about 500 miles from the border of the old Cherokee Nation. At age 12 his family moved to what is now Surry Co., North Carolina. It is believed that his father was named William Watts and was a member of the large Watts family that lived in the Stafford-Caroline-Culpeper county area of northern Virginia. This Watts family heavily intermarried with a Garrett family and it is thought this is where Garrett Watts got his name.

See top of biography above for additional documentation that supports Garrett being son of William Watts by his wife Jane.

An 1890s lawsuit (which can be accessed online) was filed in the Cherokee Nation by William Jefferson Watts and other members of his family where they claimed to be descended from Interpreter John Watts, through his grandfather Garrett Watts. ^[5] They petitioned for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation and the rights and lands that went it. There was fierce opposition among the Cherokee to this claim, as they insisted that Garrett Watts was a white man and was not a son of Trader John Watts. William Jefferson Watts was a lawyer and fabricated many elaborate stories to support his claims. He also coached many of his white neighbors in what to say to investigators when they came to inquire about what they knew regarding the Cherokee ancestry claims.

" For example, there is this so-called 'proof' --

Deposition of Judge Samuel Adair, in the case of the Watts Family claiming Cherokee Citizenship.

Personally came before me, W.H. Turner, clerk of the Supreme court, Cherokee Nation, Judge Samuel Adair, and on oath makes the following statement to wit:

There was a man passed our house on several occasions, going and coming from Okunnea Station on the border of South Carolina, Old Cherokee Nation, East, who, I was informed was by name Garrett Watts and I heard my father say he was an Indian.

Samuel Adair

Sources

1. ↑ Caswell Co NC Deed Book E, page 198
2. ↑ Caswell Co NC Deed Book F, pages 308-309.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} National Archives and Records Administration. NARA M804. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files. Digitized at Fold3, images begin at: pension
4. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration. NARA M804. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files. Digitized at Fold3 Anna
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Sober, Nancy. The Intruders The Illegal Residents of the Cherokee Nation 1866-1907. Cherokee Books, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 1991. Chapter 4, pp. 64-82.

See also:

• http://www.selfroots.com/watts.htm
• Notes on the court proceedings in Perry County Alabama

Watts, Garrett, aged 78, and a resident of Perry County; private, N.C. Militia; enrolled on July 16, 1834, under act of Congress of June 7, 18:32, payment to date from March 4, 1831; annual allowance, $23.33. Revolutionary Pension Roll, in Vol. xiv, Sen. Doc. 514, 23rd Cong., 1st sess., 1833-34.

Alabama Revolutionary War Soldiers Name: Garrett Watts Age: 78 Res: Perry county Comment: private N. C. Militia; enrolled on July 16, 1834, under act of Congress of June 7, 1832, payment to date from March 4, 1831; annual allowance, $23.33.--Revolutionary Pension Roll, in Vol. xiv, Sen. Doc. 514, 23rd Cong., 1st sess., 1833-34.