Mary Ellen (Davis) Watkins (abt. 1832 - 1894)

Born about 7 Jun 1832 in Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Jan 1894 at about age 61 in Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Biography

Mary was born 7 Jun 1832.^[1][2][3][4] She married John Watkins around 1852. The had six children. Mary died on 3 Jan 1894.^[5][6]

Research Notes

Each census record indicates that she was born in Virginia with two exceptions, (1) the 1850 census has the District of Columbia^[1] although one must remember that Alexandria was part of the District in 1832, and (2) the death registry indicates Burlington, New Jersey.^[7] Of course, death registration is not authoritative for births and in this case it does not seem to be correct for the death showing the day as the 13th rather than the 3rd and the year as 1893 rather than 1894. Clearly, the newspaper obituary is a much better source for the death information and matches what is on the headstone.

Returning to the 1850 census,^[1] it should be noted that this is a reasonable guess and additional work is necessary to validate it. Ideally, a marriage record can be found listing her parents. Alexandria had retro-ceded to Virginia (9 July 1846 and accepted by Virginia on 13 Mar 1847) by 1850, so we can expect that if the marriage had been in Alexandria in would be in the Virginia records although it is possible the couple married in Washington, D.C. or even in Maryland. In any case, they were single when the 1850 census was enumerated and assumedly married at least nine months before the birth of William in Sep 1854 or between 1 May 1850 and 31 Dec 1853.

The maiden name /STEERS/ had been seen linked to FindAGrave but no documentation has been found for that name but the name /DAVIS/ shows on the death certificates of two of the children.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M88L-CGS : 12 April 2016), Mary E Davis in household of Wm A Davis, Alexandria, Alexandria, Virginia, United States; citing family 204, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M417-H6J : 30 December 2015), Mary E Watkins, 1860.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFLT-V6R : 17 October 2014), Mary E Watkins in household of Henry Watkins, Virginia, United States; citing p. 36, family 261, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,144.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC5M-2RR : 11 August 2016), Mary E Watkins in household of John H Watkins, Falls Church, Fairfax, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 37, sheet 323B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1364; FHL microfilm 1,255,364.
5. ↑ Obituary - Alexandria Gazette; 3 January 1894, page 2 Alexandria gazette. (Alexandria, D.C.), 03 Jan. 1894. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

   On January 3d, MARY E. WATKINS, wife of the late John H. Watkins. Funeral from the residence of her son, J. B. Watkins, No. 426 north Columbus street, Friday, Jan. 5th. at 11 o'clock a. m. Friends are invited to attend.

6. ↑ Mary Ellen Steers Watkins, 1894; Burial, Alexandria, Alexandria City, Virginia, United States of America, Washington Street United Methodist Church Cemetery; Find A Grave: Memorial #23400379 "MOTHER / MARY ELLEN WATKINS, / BORN / JUNE 7, 1832, / DIED / JANUARY 3, 1894."
7. ↑

   Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917

   Name	Mary E Watkins
   Birth Date	abt 1838	Birth Place	Burlington, New Jersey
   Death Date	13 Jan 1893	Death Place	Alexandria, Virginia
   Death Age	55	Race	White
   Marital Status	Widowed	Gender	Female
   Spouse Name	Jno. H. Williams	FHL Film Number	2048588

   Wesley E. Pippenger, compiler, Alexandria, Virginia Death Records 1863-1868 (The Gladwin Record) and 1869-1896 (Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publication, 1995); page 321, "WATKINS, Mary E., W. F, 13 JAN 1893, Alex., Bright's disease, 55 y, Burlington Co., N.J., widow Jno. H. Watkins, Benj. Watkins, son. Note: Incorrectly has the year as 1893.'

See also:

Births:

• "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5JK-W44 : 10 March 2018), Mary Ellen in entry for Edgar Willes Watkins, 26 Aug 1857; citing Fairfax Co., Virginia, reference p 20; FHL microfilm 2,046,930.

• "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTH8-X56 : 10 February 2018), Mary Ellen in entry for Edgar Willis Watkins, 26 Aug 1857; citing , reference 2:3N7R542; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5DB-V4S : 5 December 2014), Mary Ellen in entry for Edgar Willis Watkins, 26 Aug 1857; citing Fairfax Co., Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5DB-VFH : 10 February 2018), Mary Ellen Watkins in entry for James M. Watkins, 29 Oct 1855; citing Fairfax Co., Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTH8-D5Q : 10 February 2018), Mary Ellen Watkins in entry for James M. Watkins, 29 Oct 1855; citing , reference 2:3N7QSPP; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5JK-SYJ : 5 December 2014), Mary Ellen Watkins in entry for James M. Watkins, 29 Oct 1855; citing Fairfax Co., Virginia, reference p 11; FHL microfilm 2,046,930.

Marriages:

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRZ2-N8H : 11 February 2018), Mary E. in entry for Edgar W. Watkins and Kate England, 21 Oct 1880; citing Fairfax, Virginia, reference 27 43; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRQH-MHJ : 11 February 2018), Mary E. Watkins in entry for Edgar W. Watkins and Matie E. England, 21 Oct 1880; citing Falls Church, Fairfax, Virginia, reference 150 47; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRVY-WYX : 11 February 2018), Mary E. Watkins in entry for Edgar W. Watkins and Matie E. England, 21 Oct 1880; citing Falls Church, Fairfax, Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR77-RKZ : 11 February 2018), Mary E. in entry for John H. Raines and Martha B. Watkins, 25 Oct 1892; citing Alexandria, Virginia, reference No 2; FHL microfilm 30,205.

Deaths:

• "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X51L-9T3 : 10 March 2018), M. E. Watkins in entry for Jas. M. Watkins, 26 Dec 1855; citing Fairfax, Virginia, reference 000234 #50; FHL microfilm 2,056,980.

• "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5RB-FQR : 11 February 2018), M. E. Watkins in entry for J... M. Watkins, 26 Dec 1855; citing Fairfax, Virginia, reference p 5; FHL microfilm 31,329.

• "District of Columbia Deaths and Burials, 1840-1964," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7BQ-125 : 30 December 2014), Mary E. Davis in entry for Edgar W. Watkins, 02 Nov 1922; citing District Of Columbia, reference 274235; FHL microfilm 2,115,943.

• "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7BQ-7QQ : 3 December 2014), Mary E. Davis in entry for Edgar W. Watkins, 1922.

• "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRQ4-7X4 : 10 March 2018), Mary Watkins in entry for Jno. H. Watkins, 26 Oct 1892; citing Alexandria, Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 2,048,588.

• "Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVR7-82JC : 20 August 2018), Mary E Divis in entry for John B Watkins, 17 May 1920; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing Alexandria, , Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.

• "Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVY2-LL13 : 20 August 2018), Mary Ellen Davis in entry for Martha Bright Powell, 26 Nov 1948; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing Alexandria, , Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.