Isabella Lacey of NY and her Mississippi connections

Isabella was born in 1812 to Rev William B Lacey, DD and his wife Hannah Stafford in Albany, NY; she was the oldest of 6. In 1831 she married Rufus Wheeler Peckham, the youngest son of RI natives Peleg Peckham and Desire Wheeler who had moved to Albany County, NY by the time of his birth in 1809. Rufus, like many in his family, was a lawyer, District Attorney, Judge and Congressional Representative for New York. Isabella died at the young age of 36, leaving her husband with 3 boys. She would not live to see the youngest, named for his father, be appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court by President Grover Cleveland in 1895.

Isabella’s mother was born in Albany where she died in 1831, the year Isabella married. Her father remarried the following year, adding 4 more children to the family and by 1840 they had relocated to Louisiana. It seems that the family shifted back and forth between Louisiana and Mississippi over the years.

All of Isabella’s siblings moved south with their father and stepmother. Her brother George had begun his law studies with her husband Rufus Wheeler Peckham in New York. He continued in Louisiana and was admitted to the bar in Baton Rouge.

Another Wheeler Watson 1836-1839

My 5th great grandfather Wheeler Watson 1772-1846 was the first person in the family with that name -- Wheeler having been his mother's maiden name. I have found quite a few of his descendants and nephews who carry the name as well. 

It was only last weekend that I stumbled upon a previously unknown grandson named Wheeler Watson who lived briefly from 1836 to 1839. The only son of John 1808-1891 and his wife Marcy, the boy's name was engraved on his parents' burial monument at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. The cemetery opened in 1863 and the office records indicated that this was a cenotaph, the boy's remains had not been transferred to Woodlawn. Looking further I did find a record of his burial in Prattsville, Greene County, where his father and uncle Zadock Pratt operated a large and successful leather tannery.

Others were:

Wheeler Watson Dwight 1845-1846 grandson
     born to daughter Rebecca and her husband Lyman

Wheeler Watson 1834-1907 grandnephew
      born to Samuel & Sarah, nephew via his brother Thomas


Several nephews descended from his brother John 1768-1829:

Wheeler Clay Watson 1913-1998
     son of Thomas and wife Nina
     he and wife

Wheeler Rufus Watson 1847-1911
     son of Asa and wife Tenie
     he and wife Alice had a son Wheeler 1887-1916

Wheeler Watson Pulliam 1900 - 1982
     son of Caledonia Watson & James Pulliam

Next perhaps I'll trace the numerous Rufus Watsons in this family line.

    

   

Thomas Watson Family of Rensselaerville

Until recently I was not even aware of Thomas, older brother of my ancestor Wheeler -- both had migrated from Newport, RI to this small village in Albany County, NY.  I learned that Thomas was a lawyer (possibly the first in the village), a land owner and that he died in 1813 at age 43, leaving a wife named Sally and some children. That's about all I knew ... not what he died of, where he was buried, what had drawn him away from Rhode Island. I still don't know all the answers.

However, luckily Thomas, his wife and many other members of their families were members of the local Presbyterian Church headed by Rev Samuel Fuller who kept good records. The local historical society has possession of the Rev's record book which has been transcribed and is held at two libraries in New York State. These records have been the key to unlocking Thomas' story.

Using this document and other resources I have learned that:

- Thomas bought lot 286 in Rensselaerville in 1792 
- He was initially living with his younger brothers Rufus and Wheeler
- in 1803 he married Sarah "Sally" Jenkins, daughter of Samuel the area's first settler
- They had 3 sons: John Jenkins, Rufus W and Samuel Squire
- Sally married widower Roger Metcalf in 1818 and moved to his home in Cooperstown, New York where Thomas'  older sister Desire and her husband Peleg Peckham were living. She lived until 1852 and died in Geneseo.

Other than knowing that Thomas was a lawyer, a profession followed successfully by son Rufus, I am still searching for information on his life, cause of death and the life of sons John and Samuel. The search continues.

Watson burials in Rensselaerville, NY

I knew that a number of Watsons from Rhode Island were early settlers of this small village in Albany County, NY. Burials for the following family members in the Rensselaerville Cemetery are listed on findagrave. Every one of the entries includes a photograph. Thanks to the contributors!! I have added dates and parentage, if known. I suspect that many other Watsons are buried either in this cemetery or nearby but do not yet have confirmation.


Almira Ann Watson Conkling 
     1810-1865
     wife of David 
     daughter of Rufus Watson & Mercy Stanton of RI

 Mary O Watson Pulman
     1840-1906
     wife of George
     daughter of Stephen Watson & Harriet Norton

Bridget Watson
     1775-1849 with photo (no birth year)
     2nd wife of Josiah, so she was Watson Watson
     daughter of John Watson & Desire Wheeler of RI

Byron J Watson
     1847-1927
     unmarried -- name was John Byron
     son of Naaman Watson & Sarah Wightman

Darwin W Watson
     1844-1927
     husband of Ella William
     son of Naaman Watson & Sarah Wightman


Ella Williams Watson
     1848-1927
     wife of Darwin Watson
     parents unknown


Dr Eva J Watson
     1878-1907
     unmarried physician, died in Pennsylvania
     1902 graduate of Women's Med College, Phila
     daughter of James M Watson & Joanna White

Harriet Norton Watson
     1818-1880
     with of Stephen Watson
     parents unknown

James Madison Watson
     1841-1917
     husband of Joanna White
     son of Stephen Watson & Harriet Norton

Jason Watson
     1811-1817 with photo
     son of Josiah Watson & Bridget Watson of RI

Joanna N White Watson
     1847-1927
     wife of James M Watson
     daughter of Sidney White & ?

Josiah Watson
     1762-1844
     husband Mary Beach & Bridget Watson
     son of Stephen Watson & Abigail Arnold of RI
     
 Louise W Watson
     1844-1944
     unmarried, died in Cortlandt NY
     daughter of Darwin Watson & Ella Williams

Stephen Watson
     1811-1869
     husband of Harriet Norton
     parents not fully confirmed as yet

Sarah L Watson White
     1837-1911
     wife of Franklin White
     daughter of Naaman Watson & Sarah Wightman








    

Who were the parents of Rufus Watson of Catskill ?

Rufus 1806-1876 was a well-known and respected lawyer in Catskill, New York in Greene County. In the 1855 NY census, he reported that he as born in Albany County, not far away.  He married Elizabeth Botsford in her home state of Connecticut in 1838 and they raised 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Emma. Rufus died in 1876 and is buried in the Catskill Village Cemetery.  Elizabeth outlived him by 39 years.

Rufus was a name long used in the Rhode Island Watson line of my ancestors, so I wondered if or where this Rufus might fit in.  Numerous of the Watson siblings relocated from Newport, RI to Rensselaerville, NY (Albany County) in about 1800. One of them was my 5^th great grandfather, Wheeler Watson (1772-1846) and his brothers Thomas b 1770 and Rufus b 1774 (as well as several sisters).

Without finding any records to substantiate or refute the parentage of Rufus 1806, I tried to piece together the possibility that he may have been the son of Rufus 1774 or Thomas.  Since Rufus was born in 1806 (according to his gravestone and census records), his father should be listed in the 1810 census with at least one son under the age of 10.  In checking Rufus 1774, he lists 2 young daughters, but no son of the right age. Thomas, however, is listed with 3 boys under the age of 10 … so, possibly one of them could be my target Rufus. 

Very little is known of Thomas who died in 1813. I found one news item regarding his probate that listed a surviving wife Sally and heirs. No further details.  I did not find Sally as head of household in 1820, so am unsure what happened or who else was in her household.  

If you know, would you drop me a line?  I would love to find Thomas and Sally’s family and determine if Rufus was their son or not.

Marriage and Death of Mercy Watson

Mercy was the youngest daughter of John Watson and Desire Wheeler, born in Rhode Island in 1776. Although I do not yet have definitive proof, I think that she lived in Rensselaerville, Albany County, NY in the early 1800s as did a number of her siblings:  Wheeler, Rufus, Thomas, Desire and Bridget. Desire was married to Peleg Peckham and Bridget was married to Josiah Watson.

And I believe that she was the first wife of Connecticut born Ezra Lester (1772-1863) a farmer and leather tanner in Rensselaerville. It is known and documented that Ezra married Harriet Fuller, daughter of the Rev Samuel Fuller, in 1817.

 The following leads me to my conclusion.

Rev Fuller was the minister in Renssealerville and his published records include the following:
 

Death p 73 1807 - Nov 22, Rufus Peckham,son of Peleg Peckham,aged 16, (lived near Ezra Lester, Mrs. Peckham & Mrs. Lester were sisters. Their brothers were Rufus & Wheeler Watson. Bridget, 2nd wife of Josiah Watson, was their sister.

So, in 1807 "Mrs Lester" was a Watson sister. The only known daughter in the family whose marriage was not known was Mercy. ... but perhaps there was another daughter!

I searched for a newspaper death notice or a cemetery listing for Mercy without luck. No marriage reference was found on familysearch.  I do not have access to a copy of Rev Fuller's records, so I could not check there (but am preparing a research request for one of the 2 libraries known to have a copy). Where else could I look?

Stephen VanRensselaer Watson

Stephen was born June 13, 1817 to RI natives Rufus Watson and Mercy Stanton in their adopted home of Rensselaerville, Albany County, NY.  In 1841 he married his 2^nd cousin Julia Watson, daughter of Elisha Watson Jr and Ann Cole.  ( Stephen’s brother Robert Dunbar Watson married Julia’s sister Laura.) Julia died in 1845 at the age of 23 leaving Stephen with 2 children under the age of 3, Stanton and Julia.

In 1847 Stephen married Charlotte Amelia Sherman, 10 years his junior, daughter of Pardon Sherman and Anna Margaret VanDalsem.  Together they had 4 children:  Rufus, Anna Margaret, Jeannie and Gertrude.  In 1850, he lost his first born son, Stanton, at the age of 8 and in 1871 daughter Julia died in a terrible railway disaster with her husband Arthur W Pease.

Stephen had relocated to Buffalo in the 1840s where he ventured into real estate, built one of the largest and most prominent grain elevators in 1862, was a founder and president of the Buffalo street railroad, a founder of the Erie Savings Bank and Manufacturers & Traders Trust company.  IN 1870 he built an impressive mansion for his family at 388 Delaware Avenue (now the Buffalo Club), although he lost it a few years before his death due to financial difficulties.

Stephen was also philanthropic and fostered the institution that became the Buffalo Public Library.  His wife Charlotte commissioned two impressive stained glass windows by John LaFarge for Trinity Church, opposite their home, one in memory of their daughter Julia lost tragically in a train disaster.  Charlotte outlived Stephen by 20 years.

A recap of Stephen’s children:

            Stanton, died age 8

            Julia married Arthur Pease, died 1871, one daughter

            Rufus, died age 2

            Anna married Samuel S Spaulding, died 1924, 4 children

            Jeannie married Porter Norton, died 1922, 2 children

            Gertrude, unmarried, died 1938

            

Stephen was named in honor of Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764-1839), Lt Governor of New York, statesman, soldier, and heir to one of the largest estates in the New York region encompassing Albany County where the Watsons settled. Check his Wikipedia entry for interesting information regarding early patroon land ownership.

Watson siblings in Rensselaerville early 1800s

I knew that RI native Wheeler Watson and his wife Sarah Taylor Peckham moved to this village in Albany County, NY soon after their 1799 marriage and that Wheeler’s brother Rufus was there with wife Mercy Stanton and their sister Desire lived there with husband Peleg Peckham.

However, during a recent review of the 1800, 1810, 1820 census records I was surprised to find 6 or more Watson families listed in Rensselaerville (and more in nearby hamlets like Berne). I reviewed all the names and then did some additional research learning that Thomas was another brother and there may have been additional married sisters in the village. This time period is intriguing, but frustrating, as records are not easily available.

The Watson households in 1800 Rensselaerville:

            Wheeler         4         

            Josiah              3

            Benjamin        8

            Thomas          9         

            Hezekiah        8

            Stephen          5

And Peleg Peckham 8

Rufus Watson  was not listed until 1810

Missing: Louisa Watson, widow of James D Fisher

Louisa was born to Josiah and Bridget Watson about 1808 in Rensselaerville, Albany, NY. In 1841 she married James D Fisher, a widower who died the following year.  A newspaper item regarding the settlement of James' estate listed her as Louisa W Fisher of Rennsselaerville in 1843.

I have not been able to find her in later census or newspaper records. Did she remarry?  Move? Die?

Her father died in 1844, brother Thomas died in 1845, mother died in 1849. Until today I thought the only immediate family member living as of 1850 was her half-brother, Arthur B Watson who lived in Otsego County, NY.  But I just received her father Josiah's will and found 5 children named (and I assume they are listed in birth order): Arnold B, William, James, Louisa Fisher, and Thomas. I found that William was a banker who lived in Albany where he died in 1857, leaving a wife and 2 children..  James has not yet been found.

If you know anything of Louisa, please drop me a note as I attempt to fill in all the empty boxes on my ever expanding Watson chart.

The Watson brothers married the Clay sisters

Wheeler Rufus Watson and Henry Duke Watson were sons of Asa Watson (1812-1886) and Ede Tennessee Taylor (1824-1888) born in 1847 and 1850 respectively.

Alice Clay and her younger sister Fannie Lou were two of the three children born to Thomas Franklin Clay (1825-1856) and Caledonia Ann Oliver (1826-1904).

In 1871 Wheeler (1847-1911) and Alice (1949-1916) married and raised a family of seven children: Asa, Caledonia, Alice, Lydia, Fannie, Thomas and Wheeler. Nine years later Henry (1850-1911) and Fannie (1854-1913) married and raised two sons: Henry D and Julian M.

In the oft-repeated Watson tradition, most of the children were named for family members. It even seems that Julian M was named in honor of Wheeler and Henry’s oldest sister Julia who first married Peyton Manning.

What happened to George W Watson born 1783 ?

George was the youngest child of John Watson and Desire Wheeler, born 16 Dec 1783 in South Kingstown, RI.  He was named in the 1791 will of his paternal grandfather along with his brothers Wheeler, Rufus and Thomas.  Those brothers all relocated to Rensselaerville, Albany County, NY.  It seems that George remained in RI where he died at a young age.

Several genealogy compilations (The Hazard Family of RI by Caroline Robinson and The American Family of John Watson by George Davis) show George married to Susannah Watson, daughter of Elisha and his wife Susannah Perry. The Watson book also lists 3 possible children without any dates:  Elvira/Ellen, George T and Susan.

I have been unable to find any record of this marriage, the birth of any children, the death/burial of George or his wife.  I have searched:  newspapers, familysearch, RI vital records, findagrave, RI Cemetery transcription project.  I don’t know where else to turn.  It seems that George and his wife died very young, potentially leaving small children. 

Assuming the 1810 census record found for George W Watson in South Kingstown is him, he was with a younger wife and possibly 2 young daughters plus numerous others in their household.  George (27) matches up with a male 26-44 and Susannah (21) fits in the 16-25 category.  Perhaps the daughters were the 2 females under age 10 with son George not yet born.  The Watson genealogy lists Susannah's death date as 17 July 1815 (on p26). That would possibly lead to the birth of son George 1810-1815, but no match has been found in available records.

Wheeler was my 6^th great grandfather and I’m trying to traces all his siblings. George has proven to be a challenge. If you have any information or other suggestions, please contact me.