Watson Family in New Hampshire

This genealogy of the Watson family comes from genealogy research compiled and published in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Each generation is shown in parentheses ( ). Begin with one individual and continue that line through the furthest generation currently known before starting a new descendancy for the next sibling. This method keeps each family group intact, while presenting the families of siblings separately but under the same generational number.

Several Watsons came to this country prior to 1650. Tradition has it that they were brothers, or near relatives, but the only fact in corroboration of this is the circumstantial evidence of similarity of family names, which was maintained for two or three generations, and some of them to the present time. It is said that they came from England, and it is known that Robert, who settled in Windsor, Connecticut, in 1632, was a bellfounder from London. John owned an estate in Roxbury, Massachusetts, as early as 1638. Thomas was admitted to the church in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1639. Another John was in Hartford, Connecticut, as early as 1644. Nicodemus sailed from England for Virginia in 1635.

Jonathan Watson of South Hampton

(I) John Watson

John Watson, the ancestor of this line, resided in Salisbury, Massachusetts, and on March 22, 1687-88, married Ruth Griffin. He died April 25, 1710. He and his wife were signers of the Bradford Petition. Their children, born in Salisbury, were:

1. Abraham Watson.
2. John Watson.
3. Ebenezer Watson.
4. Hannah Watson.
5. Jonathan Watson.
6. Ruth Watson.

(II) Jonathan Watson

Jonathan Watson, son of John and Ruth (Griffin) Watson, was born October 12, 1696. When the town of South Hampton, New Hampshire was incorporated in 1742, it was constituted from a part of Amesbury and Salisbury, Massachusetts, and in the transaction Jonathan’s estate and that of several others were included in the new town, so that during the remainder of his life he was a citizen of the town of South Hampton, New Hampshire. His occupation was that of a cooper. He saw considerable service as a soldier. In 1724 he served in Captain Samuel Wheelwright’s company, in an expedition against the Indians in Maine; in 1745 he served in Captain Ladd’s company, Colonel Moore’s regiment, in the expedition against Louisburg. He was for many years a prominent citizen of South Hampton, taking an active part in the affairs of the town, particularly in the religious controversies of the time with respect to church affairs in that section of the state, as is shown by the numerous documents and petitions now on file in the state department. He married, in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Eleanor Flanders, born January 19, 1701-02, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Colby) Flanders. Their children were:

1. Nicodemus Watson.
2. Zebediah Watson.
3. Daniel Watson.
4. Peletiah Watson.
5. Parmenas Watson, removed to Warner, New Hampshire. Harriman says in his History of Warner that “Parmenas Watson settled in Joppa, near the Clarks. There is no house now standing on the place which he occupied, but a barn remains. The present Joppa school-house is very near the site of the house in which he lived and died. He was one of the first deacons of the Congregational church, and he frequently served as selectman of the town. He was the father of Jonathan, and the grandfather of Capt. Cyrus.”
6. John Watson.

It is said by some of their descendants that there were also an Obediah, a Nathaniel, a Benjamin, and perhaps others. Of the first six we have authentic records, with their family histories.

(III) Nicodemus Watson

The parentage and line of Nicodemus is in disupte in the historical manuscripts. Stearns Genealogy of New Hampshire shows him as the son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Flanders) Watson; Stearns compilation in the History of Littleton claims he was the son of Parmenus and Mary (Flanders) Watson, and brother to Dea. Parmenus Watson of Dover; and Noyes Memorial of Hampstead shows him as the son of John and Ruth (Jameson) Watson.

Nicodemus Watson, son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Flanders) Watson, was born about 1725, probably, and died in Weare, New Hampshire, in 1812. He settled in Hampstead, New Hampshire, where he resided until a short time before the Revolution, when he removed to Weare. His occupation was farming, and he was one of the citizens of the town who, in 1776, signed the New Hampshire Declaration of Independence, known as the “Association Test.” Evidently he was one of the more prominent citizens of the town. In 1782 he was elected one of a committee of five to report upon a “form of government.” He married (published January 16, 1750, marriage recorded, 1754), Elizabeth Harriman, born August 8, 1732, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Simonds) Harriman, and a descendant of Leonard Harriman, who emigrated from Rowley, Yorkshire county, England, to Salem, Massachusetts, 1638. The children of Nicodemus and Elizabeth (Harriman) Watson, all born in Hampstead, New Hampshire, were:

1. Daniel Watson, born February 16, 1755 in Hampstead, baptized at the Hampstead First Congregation Church in January 1756. Daniel lived in Joppa, New Hampshire. Capt. George Watson was his son, and the sons of George were Alfred, Daniel, George, and perhaps others.
2. Abijah Watson, born February 22, 1757 in Hampstead^[1]Published town records has this name as Abigail, baptized at the Hampstead First Congregation Church in September 1758. Abijah lived in the corner of Salisbury. He was a farmer and a minister. His sons were Elder Joseph, who had a home near Bradford pond, Nicodemus, Abijah, David, and Jonathan.
3. Caleb Watson.
4. Ithamar Watson, born May 6, 1763 in Hampstead, baptized at the Hampstead First Congregation Church July 24, 1763.

(IV) Caleb Watson

Caleb Watson, son of Nicodemus and Elizabeth (Harriman) Watson. The published records of his birth and baptism conflict, town records show he was born in Hampstead, New Hampshire, November 15, 1761, however, church records show he was baptized May 5, 1761, at the Hampstead First Congregational Church; died April 28, 1832, at Salisbury, New Hampshire ^[2]History of Littleton says Weare. In 1778 he removed with his family from Weare to Salisbury where he built a log house and endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life; and developed a valuable farm, and became a trusted citizen of the locality. His chief business was farming, but he was a natural mechanic, and was skilled in the making of cart wheels, ox yokes, barrels, boots and shoes, and other necessaries of life. He was for many years a deacon in the Freewill Baptist Church. He served as a soldier in the Revolution, in “Capt. Samuel Runnels’ Company of Foot from the State of New Hampshire now in the service of the United States of America Stationed on the Western frontiers under the command of Majr. Whitcomb,” and also served as a soldier in 1780 in the Coos country. He married, December 1, 1781, Lydia, daughter of Thomas Howlet, of Hillsborough, New Hampshire. She was born November 23, 1761, died March 20, 1842. Thomas Howlet was one of the earlier settlers of Henniker, New Hampshire, having come from Massachusetts in 1766. He was a man of some prominence in town affairs. The children of Caleb and Lydia (Howlet) Watson were:

1. Thomas Watson.
2. Ithamar Watson.
3. Caleb Watson.
4. Lydia Watson.
5. Safford Watson.
6. Moses Watson.
7. Alice Watson.
8. Hannah Watson.
9. Mark K Watson.

(V) Ithamar Watson

Ithamar Watson, son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Howlet) Watson, was born in Weare, New Hampshire, September 7, 1784, died in Salisbury, New Hampshire, November 2, 1855. He was a school teacher, mechanic, and later a farmer. He made wool carding machines, spinning jennies, etc., and was said to be a master workman. In the War of 1812 he was captain of a company of minute men, and for some years of the Blackwater militia company at Salisbury. His fine physique and military bearing well fitted him for a commander. He resided in Salisbury from his marriage until 1820, when he removed to Orford, New Hampshire, and the following year to Corinth, Vermont. In 1828 he returned to Salisbury. For many years he was master of the Warner, New Hampshire, Lodge of Masons. On December 25, 1807, he married Dolly (Dorothy) Thurston, born October 4, 1784, daughter of Stephen and Keziah (Cheney) Thurston, of Rowley, Massachusetts. She was fifth in descent from Daniel Thurston, who emigrated from England to New England about 1650. She died June 6, 1859. Their children were:

1. Henry Lyman Watson.
2. Malinda Cheney Watson, born in Salisbury, June 8, 1816; married Tenney Hardy.
3. Joseph Warren Watson, born in Corinth, Vermont, June 10, 1823, died October 10, 1824.
4. Porter Baldwin Watson.

(VI) Henry Lyman Watson

Henry Lyman Watson, son of Ithamar and Dolly (Thurston) Watson, born in Salisbury, February 10, 1811; married first, June 4, 1840, Ronanna Hugh, daughter of Jesse Hugh, born in Maidstone, Vermont, January 1816, died in Guildhall, Vermont, Dec. 7, 1850, Methodist, married second, January 1, 1852, Mary Jane Hardy, daughter of Thaddeus Hardy born in Warner, May 5, 1813, died in Littleton August 4, 1884, Universalist. He was educated in Salisbury and Andover, Massachusetts, Academies; Woodstock Medical College, from which he graduated June 4, 1838, and attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College. He commenced the practice of medicine, regular school, in Stewartstown, New Hampshire, where he remained a short time, then moved to Northumberland, New Hampshire, and later to Guildhall, Vermont. In the last two towns he practised about 20 years. He then moved to Newbury, Vermont, and practised about eight years, then came to Littleton where he practised until near the time of his death, which occurred, February 19, 1891. Congregational, Democrat, Regimental Surgeon in Vermont Militia. Representative for Guildhall, Vermont, 1856-7. State Senator for Essex Co., Vermont, 1852-3. Postmaster in Guildhall, Vermont Board of Health, 1875-6-7-8. Appointed Postmaster of Littleton Oct. 28, 1868. A. F. and A. M., Burns Lodge. Ch., by wife Ronanna, born in Guildhall, Vermont, —

1. Henry Porter, born June 8, 1844; married Oct. 23, 1867, Evaline Marshall. Physician, resided in Manchester.
2. Ellen Melinda, born December 18, 1847; married Franklin S. Leach of Littleton.
3. Mary, born Dec. 18, 1848, died in Guildhall, Vermont, April 21, 1850.

(VI) Porter Baldwin Watson

Porter Baldwin Watson, son of Ithamar and Dolly (Thurston) Watson, was born in Corinth, Vermont, July 13, 1825, and died in Littleton, New Hampshire, January 22, 1894. He settled in Salisbury, New Hampshire, and was a farmer by occupation. He was one of the selectmen of that town in 1858-60, and representative to the legislature in 1862-63. In 1864 he removed to Newbury, Vermont, and in 1869 to Littleton, New Hampshire, where for a few years he was actively engaged in the manufacture of leather and gloves. In 1883-85 he was treasurer of Grafton county, declining a renomination. In 1889 he was selectman and overseer of the poor; was an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Unitarian Church. Married, October 17, 1848, Luvia Ellen Ladd, of Lunenburg, Vermont, born November 25, 1830, daughter of Pascal P. and Catherine (Rice) Ladd, being seventh in line of descent from Daniel Ladd, who emigrated from England to New England in the “Mary and John of London,” and took the oath of allegiance, March 24, 1633-34, and who became one of the original settlers of Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was a soldier in the Narragansett war. The children of Porter Baldwin and Luvia Ellen (Ladd) Watson were:

1. Irving Allison Watson.
2. Idella Watson, born in Salisbury, May 14, 1851; married Otis Oraman Streeter of Littleton.
3. Walter Warren Watson, born in Salisbury, February 9, 1853; married September 12, 1877, Ada P. Hatch. Painter, resided in Boston, Massachusetts.
4. Fred Watson, born in Salisbury, February 26, 1855; died Salisbury, November 3, 1858.
5. Alice May Watson, born in Salisbury, February 17, 1858; married William F. Andrus of Littleton.
6. Fred Alland Watson.
7. Angie Belle Watson, born in Salisbury, November 17, 1802; married John D. Bridge of Littleton.
8. Minnie Candace Watson, born Newbury, Vermont, February 28, 1866; married November 4, 1885, Stephen Everett Richardson, hotel clerk, New York City. Capt. S. of V., 1885. I. O. O. F., N. G. She died in Littleton October 25, 1887.
9. Albert Ladd Watson, born in Littleton April 21, 1874; married November 18, 1895, Hattie Wiggett. Printer.

(VII) Irvin Allison Watson

Irvin Allison Watson, son of Porter Baldwin and Luvia Ellen (Ladd) Watson, was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, September 6, 1849. He received a preliminary education in the common schools of New Hampshire, and at the Newbury (Vermont) Seminary and Collegiate Institute; commenced the study of medicine in 1868; attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College, and at the medical department of the University of Vermont, and was graduated M. D. from the latter institution in 1871, receiving from Dartmouth College the degree A. M. in 1885. Immediately after graduating in medicine, Dr. Watson commenced practice at Groveton (Northumberland), New Hampshire, remaining there ten years. During his residence in that town he was several years superintendent of schools; was twice, in 1879 and 1881, elected to the state legislature; and was surgeon to the Grand Trunk Railway. He was largely instrumental in securing the passage of the act creating the state board of health, was appointed one of its members, and at its organization in September, 1881, was elected secretary and executive officer of the board. In October of that year he removed to Concord, where he has since resided, still holding the office of secretary and executive officer of the state board of health.

In 1889 the state board of health was also created a state board of lunacy, and the executive work of the latter board has also devolved upon Dr. Watson. He is registrar of the vital statistics of the state; has been president of the state board of cattle commissioners since its organization in 1891; was five times elected secretary of the American Public Health Association, holding the office continuously from 1883 to 1897, when he resigned on account of other duties; was vice-president of the Conference of State and Provincial Board of Health of North America in 1894, and president of the same in 1903; is a permanent member of the American Medical Association; honorary member of the Academia Nacional de Medicina de Mexico; was assistant secretary-general of the First Pan-American Medical Congress; member of the Societe Francaise D’Hygiene of Paris; of the Medico-Legal Society of New York; of the New Hampshire Medical Society, of which he was president in 1903; of the Centre District (New Hampshire) Medical Society, and of numerous other organizations. He is also a registered pharmacist in the state of New Hampshire.

December 12, 1884, he was appointed surgeon, with rank of major, of the Third Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard; May 20, 1889, was promoted medical director, with rank of lieutenant-colonel, of the First Brigade, New Hampshire Guard, resigning the commission in 1894. Dr. Watson has compiled and edited the reports of the state board of health, and of the department of vital statistics since 1881; the report of the state commissioners of lunacy since 1890; the reports and papers of the American Public Health Association from 1883 to 1897 — a total of over fifty volumes. He is the author of numerous papers and articles published in these reports and in the various sanitary and medical journals of the country, and editor and compiler of “Physicians and Surgeons of America,” 850 pages, illustrated, 1896. In 1891-92 Dr. Watson traveled extensively in Mexico and Central America. He is a Knight Templar.

Married, April 17, 1872, Lena Allen, daughter of Gilman and Philena (Allen) Farr, of Littleton, New Hampshire. She was born, January 8, 1849, and died January 30, 1901. Has one child:

1. Bertha May Watson, born in Northumberland, February 2, 1880.

(VII) Fred Alland Watson

Fred Alland Watson, son of Porter Baldwin, born in Salisbury August 23, 1860; married June 15, 1883, Ellen J. Ide, daughter of Joseph Ide of Littleton, born in Waterford, Vermont, March 3, 1862. He resided in Littleton from 1869 to 1885, and after 1894. Merchant. Democrat. A. F. and A. M., Burns Lodge. No children.

(V) Caleb Watson

Caleb Watson (2), third son and child of Caleb and Lydia (Howlet) Watson, was born in Weare, New Hampshire, February 8, 1787. He moved to Warner, New Hampshire, where he conducted the carriage business. In 1820 he removed to Salisbury, New Hampshire, where he died April 12, 1860. He married, November 24, 1814, Rachel, daughter of John and Molly (Gordon) Couch. She died July 9, 1863. Their children were:

1. Harriet Byron Watson.
2. Sophronia Evans Watson.
3. Ithamar Howlet Watson.
4. Louisa Jane Watson.
5. John Couch Watson.
6. Lucinda Hayes Watson.
7. Livonia Watson.

(VI) John Couch Watson

John Couch Watson, second son and fifth child of Caleb and Rachel (Couch) Watson, was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, May 13, 1828. He was educated in the common schools. In his youth he learned the carpenter’s trade, and he followed that and farming all his life. In politics he was a Republican. He married Hannah A. Morrill, daughter of James Moore and Deborah (Woodman) Morrill, of Warner, New Hampshire. John C. Watson died April 22, 1890, and his wife died March 10, 1902. Their children were:

1. Clarence Herbert Watson.
2. Mary E. Watson, born July 12, 1854.
3. Alma E. Watson, June 6, 1861.
4. William W. Watson, May 31, 1864.

(VII) Clarence Herbert Watson

Clarence Herbert Watson, eldest son and child of John Couch and Hannah A. (Morrill) Watson, was born April 27, 1856, in Warner, New Hampshire. He was educated in the common schools of Warner. He first went to farming on his father’s farm; in 1893, the year of his marriage, came to the hundred acre farm, where he now lives. He carries on a successful dairy business, and is also engaged in lumbering. In politics he is a Republican, and was elected selectman in 1906. He belongs to Warner Grange, No. 90, and attends the Congregational Church. January 26, 1893, he married Mrs. Mary Bates Morrill, daughter of John and Ann Elizabeth (Thompson) Bates, of Wilmot, New Hampshire.

Daniel Watson of Meredith

(I) Daniel Watson

Daniel Watson was born and died in Meredith, New Hampshire, where he had a farm of one hundred acres, and was all his life engaged in agriculture. His children were:

1. Job Watson.
2. John Watson.
3. Winthrop Watson.
4. Sally Watson.
5. Mary Watson.

(II) Job Watson

Job Watson, son of Daniel Watson, was born in Meredith, New Hampshire, January 2, 1781, and died in Gilford, New Hampshire, in 1839, aged fifty-eight years. He had a farm of one hundred acres, was a stock raiser of note, and took a just pride in the cattle he raised. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church, and in politics a follower and admirer of General Jackson and Thomas Jefferson. He married, February 2, 1812, Elizabeth Fiske, who was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1793, and died in Gilford, February 9, 1857, aged sixty-four years. Thirteen children were born of this union, three of whom died in infancy, the other ten living to attain more than sixty years each. The children were:

1. Eliza Watson.
2. Samuel Watson.
3. Mercy Fiske Watson.
4. Sarah Ann Watson.
5. Nancy Watson.
6. Mary Jane Watson.
7. David Watson.
8. John, Elizabeth Watson.
9. Laura Watson.
10. William W. Watson (twin).
11. Samuel Orrin Watson (twin).
12. Charles Watson.

Chaplin Watson was a successful Congregational minister who filled pastorates in Peabody, Dover, Wareham, Malden and Lynn.

(III) William Warren Watson

William Warren Watson, eleventh child and fourth son of Job and Elizabeth (Fiske) Watson, was born in Gilford, New Hampshire, July 20, 1833, and was educated in the district schools of Gilford and at the Laconia Academy. Soon after attaining his majority he went to New York City, where he was employed two years in the manufacture of bolts in the shop of C. H. Emerson Screw Bolt Company. Since that time he has resided in Gilford where he has a farm of three hundred acres, and besides carrying on that does a large lumber business. He has built a large residence, and in summer accommodates a number of persons who seek health and recreation amid the picturesque scenery of the region of Lake Winnipesaukee. He is a Republican, has held local offices and is a Free Will Baptist in religion. He married, 1866, Mary E. Emerson, who was born in Hebron, daughter of Charles H. Emerson. They have seven children, all of Gilford:

1. Nellie Watson, married Fred Potter.
2. Charles Henry Watson, married Clara Gove.
3. Winnie Watson, who died at twenty-two years of age.
4. Abbie Watson, married Frank Smith.
5. Nathaniel Watson, who died young.
6. John William Watson, who died at the age of twenty-one.
7. Alice Watson, who married George Lamprey.

Source

Harriman, Walter, The history of Warner, New Hampshire, for one hundred and forty-four years, from 1735 to 1879, Concord, N.H. : The Republican press association, 1879.

Jackson, James R., editor; Furber, George C.; Stearns, Ezra S., History of Littleton, New Hampshire, vol. III, Cambridge, Mass. : Pub. for the town by the University Press, 1905.

Noyes, Harriette Eliza, A memorial of the town of Hampstead, New Hampshire. Historic and genealogic sketches, vol. 1, Boston, G. B. Reed, 1903.

Stearns, Ezra S., Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, 4 vols., New York : Lewis Publishing Co., 1908.