William Watts (1795 - abt. 1837)

Born 11 Oct 1795 in Bluntisham, Huntingdonshire, England

Descendants

Died about 1837 at about age 41 in Scott Township, Vanderburgh, Indiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Rick Watts [send private message]

Biography

Emigration

Emigration:

Type: 20 pounds given to take family to America

Date: 30 SEP 1830

Place: Bluntisham, England

Notes

(Research from Jeannie Bird):During the time when a William Watts was serving in parish offices, there are meeting notes of February, 1826 saying that "it was agreed to give William Watts Junior of Bluntisham, who purposes to emigrate with his wife and family to America, the sum of ten pounds, provided he can collect a sufficiency besides to pay his expences thither" and this is signed by 12 witnesses; one of whom is William Watts who I assume may be the Senior. However, on the 30th day of September, 1830 there is another entry: "At a vestry holden this 30th day of September 1830, for the purpose of determining whether a sum of money should be paid by the overseer to assist William Watts Labourer, and his family to go to America.......... Resolved that the sum of twenty pounds be placed by the Overseer in the hands of Mr. John Ingle, of Somersham, for that purpose, but that the sum should not be paid to him 'till a receipt be produced from the Captain of the ship in which he and his family are embarked for their passage."

So William Watts, his wife Susan Wooton (have a record of their marriage in Huntingdonshire) and children: Ann, William, Rebecca, Charlotte and Thomas (possibly Susan) received funds to help come over and settled in Scott Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. William died about 1837, intestate, in the same county after having purchased 40 acres of land there(have record). His wife, Susan, remarried Nov. 21, 1837 to George Cawthorn and died Oct. 14, 1878. The land had to be sold to pay debts of the estate and wife, Susan, and John Henson who was a brother-in-law of Susan were appointed administrators but Susan was disqualified as such because she had remarried. The land was sold at auction on the court house steps and it was purchased by Susan's husband, George Cawthorn-(1/3 belonged to Susan and 2/3 belonged to the children). George farmed just 2 or 3 miles from Watts'. The debts were all paid and the remaining proceeds of the 2/3 share were dispensed among the children who are all named in the estate papers.

There are no stones at the cemetery indicated in the cemetery records but I did get photos of Rebecca's and Susan is buried near her with adjoining open areas we think are Susan and George's; all of which are in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, IN. However, no mention is made of where William is buried.

Name: William Watts
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 11 Oct 1795
Christening Place: Bluntisham-cum-Earith, Huntingdon, England
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Death Date:
Name Note:
Race:
Father's Name: William Watts
Father's Birthplace:
Father's Age:
Mother's Name: Elizabeth
Mother's Birthplace:
Mother's Age:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02179-6
System Origin: England-EASy
GS Film number: 1040598
Reference ID: item 4^[1]

Could this be a father or uncle?: Name: William Watts
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 15 Oct 1759
Christening Place: Bluntisham-cum-Earith, Huntingdon, England
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Death Date:
Name Note:
Race:
Father's Name: Thomas Watts
Father's Birthplace:
Father's Age:
Mother's Name: Elizabeth
Mother's Birthplace:
Mother's Age:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02179-6
System Origin: England-EASy
GS Film number: 1040598
Reference ID: item 3^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N8GC-DJC : accessed 10 July 2015), William Watts, 11 Oct 1795; citing Bluntisham, Huntingdon, England, reference item 4; FHL microfilm 1,040,598.
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N8GC-Z5C : accessed 10 July 2015), William Watts, 15 Oct 1759; citing Bluntisham, Huntingdon, England, reference item 3; FHL microfilm 1,040,598.