Thomas of Chickahominy Swamp Watkins^[1]

Abt 1714 - 1783  (~ 69 years)

• Name	Thomas of Chickahominy Swamp Watkins
  Born	Abt 1714	Henrico Co., Virginia
  Gender	Male
  Died	Nov 1783	Henrico Co., Virginia
  Person ID	I16361	My Reynolds Line
  Last Modified	15 Apr 2017

  
  

  Father	Thomas of Swift Creek Watkins,   b. 1672, Malvern Hills Plantation, Henrico Co., Virginia ,   d. 25 Jun 1760, Henrico Co., Virginia  (Age 88 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth Pride,   b. Est 1687, Henrico Co., Virginia ,   d. Aft 1681, Henrico Co., Virginia
  Married	Thomas and Elizabeth had the following eight children: A) Susannah WATKINS (b.1700/1706-Henrico County,VA d.Aft 1760-Powhatan Co,VA) | sp: Joseph (son of Benjamin) WOODSON B) Jean/Jane WATKINS (b.1708-Henrico County,VA d.2 Dec 1777-Goochland County,VA) | sp: Benjamin (son of Henry) WATKINS of "Jenitoe" (b.1698-Henrico County,VA m.1726 d.17 Sep 1753-Goochland County,VA) C) Mary (dau of Thomas "Swift Creek") WATKINS (b.1710-Swift Creek,Henrico County,VA d.13 Feb 1778-Goochland County,VA) | sp: Robert WOODSON (m.Abt 1724) D) . Elizabeth WATKINS (b.1712 d.1802-Cumberland County,VA) | sp: Benjamin WOODSON | sp: William S. (son of James & Margaret Vivion) DANIEL (b.1714 d.1775-Cumberland County,VA) E) THOMAS "Chickahominy" WATKINS * (b.Abt 1714-Henrico County,VA d.Nov 1783-Henrico County,VA) | sp: FRANCES ANDERSON * (b.Abt 1715-Henrico County,VA d.Aft 1750) F) . Joel (1st) WATKINS (b.1716-Henrico County,VA d.27 Jan 1776-Prince Edward County,VA) | sp: Rhoda GRESHAM (b.Abt 1735 m.15 Jul 1752) G) Stephen WATKINS (b.1720-Swift Creek,Henrico,Virginia. d.1755-Amelia Co.,Virginia) | sp: Mary CHRISTIAN (m.Abt 1745d.Amelia Co.,Virginia) H) Benjamin (son of Thomas "Swift Creek") WATKINS (b.1725-Henrico County,VA d.12 Feb 1781-Chesterfield County,VA) sp: Elizabeth CARY (m.25 Oct 1755 d.Jul 1801)
  Family ID	F5966	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Frances Anne Anderson,   b. 1715,   d. 1783, Henrico Co., Virginia Colony  (Age 68 years)
  Children	+ 1. Francis of Poplar Hill Watkins, Sr.,   b. 15 Jul 1745, Henrico Co., Virginia ,   d. 1826, Poplar Hill, Prince Edward Co., Virginia  (Age 80 years) + 2. Lt. Col. Joel Watkins,   b. Abt 1750, Henrico, Virginia Colony ,   d. 1829, Henrico, Virginia  (Age ~ 79 years) + 3. Thomas Watkins, Jr.,   b. Abt 1738, Powhatan Co., Virginia ,   d. 1778, Henrico Co., Virginia  (Age ~ 40 years) + 4. Elizabeth Anne 'Betsey Anne' Watkins,   b. 31 Jul 1738, Henrico Co., Virginia Colony ,   d. 14 May 1834, Smith Co., Tennessee  (Age 95 years)   5. Sarah 'Sallie' Watkins,   b. Abt 1748, Chickahominy, Hanover Co., Virginia ,   d. 1786, Alabama  (Age ~ 38 years)
  Last Modified	2 Apr 2019
  Family ID	F5756	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  We know Henry Watkins, Jr. died at that time. My reason for stating that Henry died in 1691 is from the application of Miss Jamie HESS who gave the following lineage as a Daughter of the Pilgrims (apparently providing proofs of the same): I. HENRY WATKINS (1) born in Wales, 1600, was Burgess of Henrico Co, VA, 1623, listed as dead same year, References provided: Copies with applications of family records, wills and deeds filed with application. Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619-1658 II. HENRY WATKINS (1637-will 1691) III. HENRY WATKINS (1660-1714) m. 1680 Mary ----- IV. THOMAS WATKINS (1691-1760. wife unknown V. BENJAMIN WATKINS ( __ - WILL 1753); married Jane Watkins (___-will 1778) VI. LYDIA WATKINS (1759- __) married JOHN JOHNSON (1738-1827) VII. JANE JOHNSON (177201846) married HENSON JOHNSON (1763-1827) [which was child of Lydia & John?!] VIII. ELIZABETH JOHNSON (1808-1857) married 1826 JOHN LEMON (1804-1881) IX. MARTHA EMELINE LEMON (1842-1918) married GEORGE PHILIP HESS (1836-1897) X. EDWARD DANIEL HESS (1862-1897) m. 1892 THEODOCIA MILLER (1873-1941) XI. Miss JAMIE HESS, 5825 ½ Victor Street, Dallas, TX, recorded 1952 in Texas. I do believe we can safely state that Henry died at his plantation near ?Malvern Hills,? in Henrico County. I have never seen a copy of his will. All I know is that it particularly left bequests to his grandson Thomas Watkins, son of Henry: 1 feather bed and bolster, 1 yarn "sett rugg", 1 pair nine quarter blankets, 1 pair sheets. HENRY married CATHERINE. Her last name has been assumed to be ?Pride.? Oddly, I have never seen any proof that was her last name. I also don?t know if she survived Henry. Catherine is ?infamous? in her own way, and since it?s important to provide all information, good and bad, there is the following: KATHERINE WATKINS' CASE, 1681. - Henrico County Deed Book, 1677-1692, 192-195 The examination of Katherine Watkins, the wife of Henry Watkins of Henrico County in Virginia had and taken this 13 of September 1681 before us William Byrd and John Farrar two of his Majesties Justices of the County aforesaid as followeth (vizt.) The said Katherine aforesaid on her Oath and examination deposeth, That on fryday being in the Month of August aboute five weeks since, the said Katherine mett with John Long (A Mulatto Belonging to Capt. Thomas Cocke) at or neare the pyney slash betweene the aforesaid Cokes and Henry Watkins house, and at the same tyme and place, the said John threw the said Katherine downe (He starting from behind a tree) and stopped her Mouth with a handkerchief, and tooke up the said Katherines Coates [i.e., petticoats], and putt his yard into her and ravished her; Upon which she the said Katherine Cryed out (as she deposeth) and afterwards (being rexuced by another Negroe of the said Cockes named Jack White) she departed home, and the said John departed to his Masters likewise, or that way; after which abuse she the said Katherine declares that her husband, inclinable to the Quakers, and therefore would not prosecute, and she being sicke and her Children likewise, she therefore did not make her complaint before she went to Lt. Col. Farrass, which was yesterday, morning, and this day in the morning she went to William Randolphs' and found him not at home. But at night met with the gentlemen Justices aforesaid at the house of the aforesaid Cocke in Henrico County in Virginia aforeaid before whom she hath made this complaint upon oath . . . (my note: and here we get the other side of the story:) The deposition of John Aust aged 32 yeares or thereabouts Deposeth, that on fryday being the twelvth of August or thereabouts he came to the house of Mr. Thomas Cocke, and soe went into his Orchard where his servants were a cutting downe weeds, whoe asked the deponent to stay and drinke, soe the deponent stayed and dranke syder with them, and Jacke a Mulatto of the said Thomas Cocke went in to draw syder, and he stay'd something long whereupon the deponent followed him and coming to the doore where the syder was, heard Katherine the wife of henry Watkins say (Lord) Jacke what makes thee refreaine our house that you come not oftner, for come when thou wilt thou shalt be as well come as any of My owne Children, and soe she tooke him aobut the necke and Kissed him, and Jacke went out and drawed Syder, and she said Jack wilt thout not drinke to me, who sayd yes if you will goe out where our Cupp is, and a little after she came out, where the said Thomas Cockes negroes were a drinking and there dranke cupp for cupp with them (as others there did) and as she sett Negroe dirke passing by her she tooke up the taile of his shirt (saying) Dirke thou wilt have a good long thing, and soe did several tymes as he past by her; after this she went into the roome where the syder was and then came out agine, and between the two houses she mett Mulatto Jacke a going to draw more syder and putt her hand on his codpiece, at which he smil'd, and went on his way and drew syder and she came againe into the company but stay'd not long but went out to drinking with two of the said Thomas Cockes Negroes by the garden pale, And a while after she tooke Mingoe one of the said Cocke's Negroes about the Necke and fling on the bedd and Kissed him and putt her hand into his Codpeice, Awhile after Mulatto Jacke went into the Fish roome and she followed him, but what they did there this deponent knoweth not for it being near night this deponent left her and the Negroes together, (He thinking her to be much in drinke) and soe this deponent went home about one houre by sunn . . . ---------------- "In 1679 he received a patent for 170 acres of land on the north side of James River in Henrico Co. adjoining land of John Lewis, Mr. Cocke, and Mr. Beauchamp, and touching the 'three runs' of Turkey Island Creek." So, (Capt. Thomas) Cocke, was indeed a neighbor, and apparently the owner of the slaves involved in this case with Katherine Watkins. Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Henrico County, Goochland ... By Louise Pledge Heath Foley: HALCOAT PRIDE was living in Goochland County, February 1724, when Thomas Locket had 900 acres on north side of Appomattock River, adjacent to Halcoat Pride, on the south side the main Butterwood Creek, along with Samuel Hancock and Arthur Moseley. JOHN PRIDE, 400 acres (N.L.), HENRICO COUNTY on the main branch of Swift Creek, above the Beaver Ponds, crossing Genetoe Br., 9 July 1724, pg 6 40 Shill. James Akin, 100 acres, Goochland County, north side of Appamattock River, adjacent HALCOATE PRIDE and Thomas Locket, on east side of a branch of Butterwood Creek, Arthur Moseley, on south side of a branch of Swift Creek, and JOHN PRIDE'S LINE, 26 June 1731, p. 195, 5 lbs money. Joseph Baugh, 400 acres, Goochland County, on south side of Swift Creek, adj. JOHN PRIDE and Thomas Baugh, 17 Sept 1731, pg. 369, 40 shillings. Lineage: Kit #139661 Henry Watkins (Immigrant), b 1638 Talgat, Wales, d 1715 Malvern Hills, Henrico Co, VA Thomas Watkins (of Swift Creek),b 1678 d 1760 Henrico Co, VA ... (md. Catherine Pride) Thomas Watkins Jr. (of Chickahominy), b 1714, d 1783 Swift Creek, Henrico Co, VA, Nov ? ... (md. Frances Anderson) Francis Watkins, b 1745 July 15, d 1826 Henrico Co., VA, May 1 ... (md. Ann Agnes Woodson) Henry Edward Watkins, b 1782 Feb 19, d 1856 Prince Edward Co, VA, Sept 6 ... (md. Agnes Woodson Venable) Francis Nathaniel Watkins, b 1812 Aug ?, d 1885 Prince Edward Co, VA, Sept 5 ... (md. Martha Ann Scott) Asa Dickenson Watkins b 1856 Jun 8, d 1938 Prince Edward Co, VA, Apr 14 ... (md. Ann Eliza Forbes) William Forbes Watkins, b 1887 Jun 17, d 1955 Farmville, VA, Feb 22 ... (md. Susan Stevens) William F. Watkins, b 1926 Millen, GA, Apr 4, d 2012 ... (md. Norma L. Soyars)

  
  

• Sources

  [S107] Family Histories, http://oursoutherncousins.com/watkins4.html. Thomas Watkins of ?Chickahominy? was born about 1714 and died Nov 1783 in Henrico Co, VA. It is thanks to the original 1852 work of Francis N. Watkins of Prince Edward County, Virginia, that so much is known about Thomas. Francis Watkins? work, entitled ?A Catalogue of the Descendants of Thomas Watkins of Chickahominy, VA? is one of earliest known examples of Virginia family histories written before the War. As cousin Eugenia says, it might not be 100% correct, but you can credit him with being one of those who started our modern genealogy work in the U.S.! The Catalogue is invaluable to those of us descended from this line. I won?t repeat, here, all that Francis says about Thomas, but it is transcribed in it?s entirety in the notes attached. Thomas Watkins lived on Swift Creek, Cumberland County, VA (part that was later cut off to form Powhatan Co.). He is said to have been the eldest son of Thomas Watkins ?of Swift Creek,? (the older children being daughters). ?Thomas farmed his father's land in southeastern Henrico County and he reached out for new lands in what are now Charlotte and Prince Edward Counties.? In 1735: Thos. Watkins, of Henrico parish, lands joined those of Joseph Woodson, Wm. Porter, Sr., Col. Harrison, Wm. Lewis, Thos. Binford, Edward Mosby and George Freeman, and were on the Chickahominy swamp. In 1746, Thomas and "Frances his wife" sold some land in Henrico County. In 1752, "Thomas Watkins Junr." bought 773 acres "on south side of Chickahominy Swamp." In 1768 he, with others, appointed to select a new site for Curl's Church - (St. John's Register). In the same year he was a vestryman of St. John's Church, Henrico. He would remain on that land in northeastern Henrico County close to the Bottom's Bridge crossing of the Chickahominy for the rest of his life.? The following quote, to me, seems to sum up Thomas Watkins: "Of Thomas Watkins, of Chickahominy," said Mr. Leigh, "I have heard very full accounts from my mother and from my uncle Thomas, both of whom knew him very well; he was a man of the highest respectability in every point of view, and in particular, a man of the most indefatigable industry. He reared a large family of children (four sons and seven daughters), with limited means, and when they entered upon the active duties of life, he seems to have made but little, if any advancements, to his sons at least, leaving them, either from necessity or prudential considerations, to depend mainly on their own energy and resources. I have seen his will, and find among the papers of his executors, in relation to its execution, evidences of a very affectionate regard among the children for the wishes of the father, and of their great integrity. There is a codicil attached to his will, in which he designed to devise real and personal estate, of a value I infer, equal to my bequest in the will to persons not members of his family. There was no proof of the execution of the writing, purporting to be a codicil to the will, and it never went to record. By the operation of the then existing law, the old man died intestate as to the property mentioned in the codicil, and the real estate descended to the eldest son, Henry, and the personal assets, by virtue of the will, went to the brothers and sisters. The sons, daughters, and sons-in-law appear to have been anxious to carry out the old gentleman's wishes, although it deprived them of interest of some value to them. There being infants interested (the children of Thomas Jr., who had died) some difficulties occurred in carrying out the intentions of the testator. The children not only relinquished to the intended beneficiaries their right and title to the property in questions, but made liberal contributions to the intended devisees." Thomas ?Chickahominy? Watkins married Frances Anderson (born about 1715, death date not known, but after 1750) the daughter of Henry Anderson and Prudence Stratton. Henry Anderson mentions his daughter, Frances Anderson, in his will which was proven in 1734, so Frances married Thomas Watkins after that date, (the exact date of their marriage is unknown). Also, the exact dates of birth for most of their children are not known, but they were obviously married after 1734/35, and their children began arriving by the late 1730?s. Thomas Watkins and Frances Anderson had the following children: 1) Henry WATKINS (4th of the name) (b.Aft 1735-Prince Edward County,VA d.Abt 1798) | sp: Temperance HUGHES of Chesterfield, VA (b.1739 m.28 Jan 1760 d.Bef 1798) 2) Elizabeth (Betsey) WATKINS (b.Abt 1739 d.Bef 1783) | sp: Nathaniel MASSIE 3) Col. JOEL WATKINS (b.Abt 1737-Henrico County,VA d.2 Jan 1820-Charlotte County,VA) | sp: Agnes (dau of Joseph & Agnes) MORTON (b.26 Feb 1747-Charlotte County,VA d.1814-Henrico County,VA) 4) THOMAS * WATKINS (called "Jr.) (b.Abt 1738/1741-Powhatan Co,VA d.1778-Henrico County,Virginia) | sp: Sarah "Sally" * WALTON (sister of signer) (b.1746-Swift Creek,Goochland/Cumberland County,VA m.8 Feb 1762 d.20 Nov 1805-Kentucky) 5) Susan (Susanna) WATKINS (b.Abt 1744-Henrico County,VA d.Abt 1814-Charlotte County,Virginia) | sp: Col. William MORTON (b.27 Nov 1743-Charlotte County,Virginia m.29 Oct 1764 d.29 Nov 1820-Charlotte County,Virginia) 6) Mary WATKINS (b.Abt 1742) | sp: Stephen, Jr. PANKEY (b.1742/1752 m.4 Jun 1788 d.1 Dec 1799-Campbell Co.,KY) 7) Nancy WATKINS (b.Abt 1743) | sp: Smith BLAKEY of Henrico Co., VA 8) Jane WATKINS (b.Abt 1744) | sp: Charles HUNDLEY 9) Francis WATKINS (Sr.)of Poplar Hill (b.15 Jul 1745-Henrico County,VA d.1826-"Poplar Hill" Prince Edward County,VA) | sp: Agnes (dau of Richard & Ann Michaux) WOODSON (b.4 Oct 1748-"Poplar Hill",Henrico co.,VA m.9 Jan 1765 d.Jul 1820-Henrico County,VA) 10) Prudence WATKINS (b.Abt 1745) | sp: William ROYSTER of Goochland (VA) 11) Sally WATKINS (b.Abt 1748 d.Abt 1765-Charlotte County,VA) [S84] Rootsweb, http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=tsmith&id=I154488. "Chickahominy Tom" married Frances Anderson, daughter of Henry andPrudence (Stratton) Anderson of Wintopock Creek in what is nowChesterfield County. Thomas farmed his father's land in southeastern Henrico County and hereached out for new lands in what are now Charlotte and Prince EdwardCounties. In 1746, Thomas and "Frances his wife" sold some land inHenrico County. In 1752, "Thomas Watkins Junr." bought 773 acres "onsouth side of Chickahominy Swamp." He would remain on that land innortheastern Henrico County close to the Bottom's Bridge crossing of theChickahominy for the rest of his life,... [S100] Internet Source, http://genealogytrails.com/vir/halifax/historyhalifaxbook_families.html. LEIGH. The tradition is that Benjamin Watkins (the youngest brother of Thos. Watkins of Chickahominy), the first clerk of Chesterfield county, an office he held to the end of his life, and a man of genius, though with little education in the schools, cultivated his excellent understanding assiduously and was regarded as an excellent scholar. However much he cultivated his "excellent understanding," he did not comprehend that the course of true love is not to be thwarted even if the parent did not relish the idea of his daughter marrying a poor English clergyman. The Hon. Benjamin refused to accept the situation until the congregation of the Rev. William Leigh took the matter in hand and built a home and furnished it for the happy young couple; so in spite of father and fate, they started on life?s highway happy and unfettered with life?s financial cares. The Rev. William Leigh was a royal character, with lion-hearted antecedents, and not to be downed, as his father-in-law soon learned, and repenting him of his course, did the proper thing by his son-in-law and beloved daughter, and all the ambition he could ever have had for his daughter culminated in his two grandsons, Benjamin Watkins Leigh and his brother, Judge William Leigh, who lived in Halifax county. It was said of him that for almost a quarter of a century in which he had been the judge of the Halifax court he had discharged each and every duty with a fidelity and ability equal to any other man in Virginia, and had won by universal consent the title of a "just and upright judge." He was the friend and adviser of John Randolph of Roanoke, and the sole executor by his will of 1821, and he, with Henry St. George Tucker, were the final executors by the will of 1832. No character stands out more clearly in this county for acumen, probity and pureness than that of Judge William Leigh, and his descendants would do well to honor his memory by emulating his virtues, for we shall not see his like again. Two daughters of Thomas Watkins married the two Leighs. Mary Selden Watkins married Benjamin Watkins Leigh (his first wife), and Rebecca Watkins married William Leigh. Their sister, Hannah Cary Watkins, married Dr. John Barksdale, of Halifax. Their children were (1) Thomas W. Barksdale, (2) Alice S. Barksdale, (3) Benjamin Watkins Leigh Barksdale, and (4) Rebecca Barksdale.