Thomas Watkins (abt. 1789 - abt. 1820)

Born about 30 Sep 1789 in Wales

Husband of Mary E (Williams) Harrison — married 11 Dec 1812 in Alexandria, District of Columbia, United States

Descendants

Died about 7 Jan 1820 at about age 30 in West End, Fairfax, Virginia, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Thomas Watkins migrated from Wales to Virginia.

Thomas Watkins was born in Wales.

Thomas was born in Wales.^[1]. He married Mary Williams, daughter of Josiah Williams, in 1812^[2][3][4]. They lived in Alexandria, Va on the east side of Henry St between Prince and Duke St. Thomas died in 1820. His widow remarried to John Harrison.

Research Notes

Some family records imply that his parents migrated circa 1780 and that Thomas was born about five years after their arrival. This would place his birth year around 1785. His brother David was born in Wales around 1780, so just before the voyage to America. A birth in America would contradict the 1880 census of his son David.

Thomas Watkins is mentioned in a Chancery court case^[5] and in the death registration of son Thomas J. Watkins.^[6]

1. Birth
   1. Date of Birth: This has not been confirmed.
      1. Unconfirmed: 30 Sep 1789
      2. Obviously, he would have been older than 13 and likely older than 25. With the first born child born in 1812, If we can assume that he was 25 +/- five years in 1812, that would put his birth in the range of 1782 to 1792.
      3. Of course, we cannot exclude the possibility that he was an old man when he married in 1812 nor do we know if that was his first marriage.
   2. Place of Birth:
      1. Virginia: The 1880 census for John Henry Watkins supports this.^[7]
      2. Wales: The 1880 census for David Griffith Watkins supports this.^[8]
         
         
         
2. Death:
   1. We know he was alive on 1 May 1819.
   2. His wife remarried 28 Sep 1820 at a time when divorce was rare so probably before then (also, no known children after 1818).
   3. 1820 Watkins died intestate; his administration was presented Feb 23 (Alexandria Will Book 2:350).^[9]
   4. Unconfirmed: 7 Jan 1820 in Fairfax, VA
   5. 1821-1823 Fairfax (now Arlington) County Chancery Cause #1823-006 William Robinson v David Watkins Admr etc. Page 6 states that David Watkins, brother of the deceased, was guardian ad litem of David G Watkins - Thomas Watkins, John H Watkins, & James M Watkins infant children of Thomas Watkins decd -

Sources

1. ↑ Birth place per son David's, 1880 census information:
   "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC5M-RQF : 11 August 2016), David G Watkins, Falls Church, Fairfax, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 37, sheet 319A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1364; FHL microfilm 1,255,364.
2. ↑

   Washington, D.C., Compiled Marriages, 1801-1825

   Name	Thomas Watkins	Spouse	Mary Williams
   Marriage Date	12 Dec 1812	Marriage Location	Alexandria, District of Columbia

3. ↑ Dodd, Jordan R, et. al.. Early American Marriages: Washington D.C. to 1825. Bountiful, UT, USA: Precision Indexing Publishers, 19xx.
4. ↑ T. Michael Miller, compiler, Alexandria & Alexandria (Arlington) County, Virginia: minister returns & marriage bonds 1801-1852 (n.p.: Heritage Books, Inc., 1987); page 162. "Thomas & Mary Williams, Dec. 11, 1812 - bdsm: Thomas Watkins, Jacob Heineman."
5. ↑ John H. Watkins v. Mary E. Watkins, etc.; Index #1873-019; Case #CFF102 S; page 2 refers to Mary Williams intermarried with Thomas Watkins; having children: David G. Watkins, Thomas J. Watkins, John H. Watkins, James M. Watkins; page 3 refers to Thomas's widow, Mary, remarried to ___ Harrison; Mary Williams Watkins Harrisons' father's name is given on page 4.
6. ↑ "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5RB-6LJ : 12 December 2014), Thos. Watkins in entry for Thos. J. Watkins, 24 Oct 1858; citing Fairfax, Virginia, reference p 10; FHL microfilm 31,329.
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC5M-2R5 : 11 August 2016), 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.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC5M-RQF : 11 August 2016), David G Watkins, Falls Church, Fairfax, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 37, sheet 319A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1364; FHL microfilm 1,255,364.
9. ↑ James Madison University Archeological Research Center, The Phase III Mitigation of the Bontz Site (44AX103) and the United States Miitary Railroad Station (44AX105) Located on the South Side of Duke Street (Route 236) in the City of Alexandria, Virginia; Appendices; page 333.

See also:

Chancery Case

Acknowledgements

• Watkins-5134 was created 20 Nov 2016 by Thomas Anderson. Watkins-5240 was created 19 Dec 2016 by Audrey McGlynn. Watkins-5240 was merged into Watkins-5134 on 20 Dec 2016