Biography of John Marion Watson (Dec 30, 1829 - Dec 12, 1904)
By
Don Watson Jr - Dec 31, 1999
John Marion Watson was
born December 30, 1829 in Dyer County, Tennessee, the son of Beverly
B. Watson and Sally Locke. Beverly and Sally had in all, nine children;
Robert L., Francis Ann, John Marion, Rebecca Jane, Sarah Angelina,
R. R., V. L., Mary E., and B. B. Sally (Locke) Watson
died between 1844 and 1850. On March 4, 1850, Beverly B. Watson married
Nancy Ellen Page. Beverly and Nancy produced three children; Haywood,
Lidia J., and James H. Nancy had died by July 1859 according to
her father John Page's probate records in Caldwell County,
Texas. Her inheritance from his estate was passed to her surviving children,
Lidia J. and James H. Watson. Haywood apparently died young.
On December 6, 1865, Beverly B. Watson married a third time,
to the widow Luisa Ashley. Together, they produced a son
Alvin Watson. It is not certain what happened to that marriage,
but the 1870 U.S. census for Gibson County, Tennessee has Luisa and Beverly
living in separate households. Beverly B. Watson died between
1870 and 1873. Beverly was a teacher, preacher and farmer. His name, Beverly
has been handed down through many of both his and his brothers descendant
families. It is not known exactly what the middle initial "B" stood for,
but it is believed by this researcher to stand for BROWN. It is believed
that Beverly B. Watson might have been named for a close
family associate by the name of Beverly Brown. At least
two Watson descendants that inherited the name Beverly, were named Beverly
Brown Watson and another Beverly Brown Young.
Nothing currently is known of John Marion Watson's life growing up in Tennessee. He last appears in Tennessee U.S. census of 1850 for Dyer County as the oldest son living in the household of Beverly B. Watson. Exactly when and why John left Tennessee for Texas is not known, but he probably either came with or soon followed his new "step-mother", Nancy Ellen Page's family to Caldwell County, Texas. John was closely associated with the Page family in Texas. According to Blanco County Chronicles by John Speer, we know that in 1854 John M. Watson taught the first school at Pittsburg in what is now Blanco County. According to Speer, the first settlers arrived in the "Blanco Valley" in the spring of 1853. Whether John Watson was one of these settlers is still to be determined, however, John was an instrumental and prominent pioneer of Blanco County.
A thorough history of Blanco County is not possible here, but to put more of John M. Watson's life into perspective, one needs to know something of the history of Blanco County.
The spring of 1853 found the following people settling what was then known as the Blanco valley; one Captain Callahan and Eli Clement Hines, Billie Trainer and Hugh McLauren. Hugh McLauren had married the widow of John Page, father of Nancy Ellen Page. One W. S. Johnson, a possible relative of John M. Watson's future wife, settled just northwest of town. That same year, a Mr. Woodson Blassingame bought some land from Captain Callahan and settled along the Blanco river. Sometime in early 1854, Rev. Daniel Rawls organized the first Methodist church. Others settled during this time period as well, but these are included here as their paths all crossed John Watson's at one time or another in his life. The first of these events is recounted here:
*****
Captain James Hughes Callahan was born near Marion, Georgia
in 1814 and came to Texas in 1835 as third sergeant in Captain James
C. Winn's company of Georgia Battalion. He was taken prisoner at
Coleto at the surrender of Fannin but escaped the massacre at Goliad on account
of being a mechanic, whose services were needed by the Mexicans. After his
release he settled first at Gonzales and later at Seguin. In 1841, he was
married to Sarah Medissa Day. A great part of Callahan's
life in Texas was spent in military service of the Republic and the State.
In 1855 he led the Callahan Expedition, composed of three companies of Rangers
sent in pursuit of Lipan-Apache and Kickapoo Indians; he followed them into
Mexico and took the town of Piedras Negras, which was burned upon his departure.
Thus Callahan was a respected and honored figure during his day.
While in service, Callahan had hired young Luther Blassingame to work on his farm near Blanco. In early 1856, upon his return from service, Callahan and Blassingame had some "disagreements" and Blassingame was discharged. This subsequently caused many hard feelings between the two families. On one occasion, the senior Blassingame, Woodson, made some unjust and damaging remarks about Callahan's family in the hearing of two neighbors, Eli Clement Hines and W.S. Johnson. Hines thought it best not to tell Captain Callahan what had been said, but Johnson came to a different conclusion and told Callahan of the comments made by Blassingame. Callahan being incensed, went to consult with his friend Clement Hines who responded "Yes, Captain, Blassingame said, in my hearing, just what Johnson told you, but I did not intend to tell you now." Callahan said, "Well Clem, you and Johnson must go with me to see Blassingame about this." On the way to the Blassingames', it was agreed that the matter should be talked over in a friendly manner. As they rode up to the yard gate, they hailed; Mrs. Blassingame answered the call and Captain Callahan asked if Mr. Blassengame was home. Immediately they were fired upon by Woodson Blassingame, his wife and son Calvin. Callahan was killed instantly. Johnson returned fire without effect, and he too was soon killed. Hines' horse became frightened and turned to run, when two shots were fired at him, one breaking his arm and the other passing through his throat. The uncontrollable horse did not stop until he reached home, passing John M. Watson on the road, who tried in vain to check him. Following the wounded man home, Watson helped him from his horse and bandaged his wounds.
A warrant was issued out, and the Blassingames were arrested by John Watson alone. At first, the Blassingames were disposed to fight, and had Watson taken a posse with him, no doubt the Blassingames would have fought to the bitter end. But the coolness of the officer and the confidence in his assurance that they should have a fair trial at law, induced the Blassingame's to surrender. They were taken under strong guard to the Justice of the Peace on the Little Blanco.
While this was going on, the news of the murders began to get around and excitement was intense. Callahan's popularity and fame generated response back at Seguin and San Marcos, and old comrades and relatives began to gather in Blanco. Friends and family of Johnson and the kindhearted, hospitable Clement Hines were gathering as well. Watson, being called off to Lockhart on important business, related to a Mr. Lange, the Justice of the Peace, privately that the friends of the murdered men were so excited that he feared for the safety of the prisoners, and he felt special precautions should be made for their protection. Lange did not believe there was any danger but did put a strong guard around the prisoners, there being no jail at the time. About midnight, the guard was run over and thrust aside by a large party of armed men reported at a hundred strong. The Blassingames were immediately shot to death, their bodies taken near their home and buried.
Callahan and Johnson were buried in an area now known as the Blanco Cemetery, the first being laid to rest there. Hines recovered but was crippled for life. Mrs. Callahan died soon after from the shock and grief. A large number of persons were indicted for the murder of the Blassingames and were kept in court for years, but all were finally acquitted. Callahan County, Texas was named for Captain James Hughes Callahan. Thus ended one of the darkest pages in Blanco County history.
(Related from accounts in Heritage of Blanco County, Texas, Curtis Media Corporation, 1987; A History of Blanco County by John Speer, edited by Henry C. Armbruster, Pemberton Press, 1965; and The Handbook of Texas Vol. 1)
*****
Shortly after this incident, John M. Watson's future father-in-law, the Reverend Samuel Johnson and much of his extended family moved to the area and eventually helped to organize a new county in 1858, that of Blanco. In 1860 there was a general election and the following were elected county officials:
Col. Thomas Durham, Chief Justice
John B. Tennyson, District Clerk
Samuel Johnson, County Clerk
William Hamilton, Sheriff
John M. Watson, County Surveyor
J. W. Hermann, Assessor and Collector
W.A. Blackwell, Treasurer
William M. Trainer, County Commissioner
Jacob Watson, County Commissioner
Edward Kreugnor, County Commissioner
It was reportedly a pretty hot contest
with the opposing candidates leaving and heading up Salt River. John M. Watson
served as County surveyor through 1884, losing only one term, but winning
it back the next election. It is reported in Texas State records that John
M. Watson probably surveyed in excess of half of Blanco County alone. When
Kendall County was formed out of part of Blanco County, John M. Watson surveyed
the entire new county line. As well as being a surveyor, John Watson and
John Speer were partners as General Land Agents. Ads for
"Speers & Watson--General Land Agents; John W. Speers John M. Watson"
can be found in newspapers of the day.
This same year [1858], County Treasurer Blackwell, by order of the County
Court, sold off a number of town lots to raise money to build a courthouse.
Several of these lots were purchased and owned for some time by John M. Watson.
Judge A.V. Gates, son-in-law to Rev. Samuel Johnson, brother-in-law
to John M. Watson, built the courthouse for the sum of $600. A Masonic Lodge
known as Twin Sisters Lodge, No.216 had been organized on Curry's Creek in
1856. This Lodge was now moved to the second story of the new county courthouse.
John M. Watson later served four terms as Master of the Lodge.
Civilization may have been coming to central Texas, however, times were still quite difficult. Just the year before, on June 24, 1859, a "Petition of Citizens of Blanco County to Governor H.R. Runnels" requested that the Governor raise a company of Rangers "for the purpose of scouring the country between here & the Perdenales." in response to several Indian raids that had occurred in the days before. Of the many citizens that signed the petition were Rev. Daniel Rawls, A. V. Gates, and John M. Watson. The citizens must have felt their plea was falling on deaf ears as they added this post script to their petition; "If you see fit not to comply with the within petition, please be so kind as to recommend to us the best method of protection for our frontier." By May of 1861, John M. Watson was serving in Captain William A. Blackwell's Rangers scouting the territory for any signs of Indians.
To gather a vivid picture of the times, I would like to relate an observation made by John Speers of that time, transcribed from Blanco County Chronicles by John W. Speers:
*****
I hope our young ladies will not think that at that time we were a rough,
uncouth, hoosierish set. Not a bit of it, for even in that day the ladies
were well read up on "Godey" and "Madam Demorest," and this writer saw ladies
dressed in that most bewitching of all dresses, the full Bloomer style. The
men as a general thing, did not put on much style: hickory shirts with woolen
over shirt, jeans-breeches with buck of goat skin leggings, a six-shooter
and butcher knife hung by a broad belt around the waist, and large jiggling
spurs. The Sunday dress was about the same with the exception of a calico
shirt instead of the hickory. Very few had overcoats, but used their camp
blankets instead. All carried six-shooters, from the cowboy to the minister;
and, strange to say, there were very few personal difficulties and no quarrels,
for a quarrel between well armed men meant blood.
*****
The Watson Family Notes indicate that in 1855 "John Marion
Watson married Serena A. Johnson Dansbee at Brenham,
Texas and had nine children." Actually, Serena married
Samuel H. Dansbee in Brenham, Texas on October 20, 1853 and produced
one daughter, Gertrude, born February 22, 1855. Samuel
Dansbee died before seeing his daughter born. Serena
then relocated to the town of Pittsburg in then Comal County along with her
parents, Rev. Samuel and Hannah Johnson, and several siblings
and "in-laws" about 1856. On August 17, 1857 Serena
married John M. Watson in Comal County by the Rev.
Daniel Rawls. It is not known if Gertrude was ever given
the Watson name, but she was raised lovingly by John as his own daughter.
In addition, John and Serena had many children of their own:
Mary Lou and Jack reportedly died as infants during a flu epidemic in the 1870's. Fanny Kate also died about this time, possibly of flu as well.
In February of 1862, Col. George H. Sweet came up from San Antonio recruiting for the Confederate Army. Many Blanco County citizens joined his Cavalry including Rev. Samuel Johnson, who became Chaplain of Sweet's Regiment. A few months later, a regiment of infantry was being raised in San Antonio and John M. Watson enlisted in Company 1 of Col. Lucket's regiment. John served as 1st Lieutenant under Captain David Trainer. The Watson Family Notes indicate that Watson served in Hood's Texas Brigade. However, according to John M. Watson's military record, he served as 1st Lieutenant under Captain David Trainer in Walker's Texas Division commanded by Major General John G. Walker.
Walker's Texas Division was the largest unit of Texans in the war and made a reputation for long, forced marches from one threatened point to another in Arkansas and Louisiana and earned from the Union troops the complimentary nickname of "Walker's Greyhounds". Stephen Powers, an Ohio journalist once queried, "Where do they acquire these extraordinary powers of endurance, if not in their manifold journeyings beside their oxen?" The fighting was often fierce in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and Walker's Texas Division played a conspicuous part in four hard fought battles: Milliken's Bend, Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill in Louisiana, and Jenkins' Ferry in Arkansas.
One soldier, Adam Quincy Clements of Temple, Texas and his brother Bird served under Lt. John M. Watson in Captain Trainer's Company. Adam Clements happened to maintain a journal of his service in the war. In a manuscript of Adam Quincy Clements compiled by Anice Vance, a Clements descendant, Anice abstracts high points from Adams' journal. The following incident at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry is related in this manuscript:
*****
The battle lasted half a day and was bloody as both sides suffered considerable
losses. It was in this battle and at this time which Adam and his brother,
Bird, and their Captain Watson were fighting side by side
in the front ranks when a bullet from the enemy struck Adam in the hip, shattering
the leg bone near the joint. The field doctor examined Adam's wound and declared
that it was of no use to search for the bullet because Adam could not live
anyway. Brother Bird was told to stay with Adam, but when his unit fell back
into place, Bird and Captain Watson carried Adam and placed him by a stream
of good water, gave him a tin cup and left him there to his fate as they
rejoined the troops to continue the fight.
Later that night, litter bearers moved Adam to a nearby church converted to a makeshift hospital. A few days later, surgeons informed Adam that his leg would have to be amputated at once or die. "Then I'll die with my leg on my body." protested Adam. As surgeons began to approach Adam, they met a stinging glare from steel blue eyes, the point of a knife held firmly in unusually large hands, and heard Adam say "I'll kill the first man that attempts to cut my leg off!" The surgeons left yelling "You'll die in about three weeks!" A few days later, a Dr. Harrison, after examining Adam's wounds declared "This man has been badly neglected." Dr. Harrison was able to save Adam's leg and Adam began to convalesce.
Adam's brother Bird meanwhile, had returned home unharmed but grieving. Bird had brought home the terrible news of Adam's wounds and how he'd been laid by the stream to die. When Bird and Captain Watson saw each other they talked about poor Adam's misfortune and how much they missed him.
After being hospitalized for ten months, Adam decide to strike out for home. It was a hard journey with his still healing leg 5" shorter than when he left for the war. One month later, 7 months after the war had ended, Adam Clements sat on his horse, crutch across the front of his saddle in front of his parents home. It was a joyous day in the Clement's home.
*****
Many years later, Adam had a cousin Jim J. Bishop who owned
a drugstore in Killeen, Texas from 1901 to 1906. In 1958 Jim wrote a book
titled The Clements Book. In this book he relates this story:
*****
About 1904 or 1905 while the writer (Jim Bishop) was conducting a drug store in Killeen, Texas, a man named "Watson" frequently came to the store to pass the time away. One day Mr. Watson said to me, "I knew two brothers, Bird and Adam Clements. They were in my Company during the Civil War. They were as fine a specimens of physical manhood as ever went to war and as brave as they make them. Adam was killed at the battle of Jenkin's Ferry." I told him Adam was not dead--that he lived about 15 miles from Killeen and that he visited me occasionally. Captain Watson was so suprised he could hardly believe me. Captain Watson said, "I have believed for 40 years that Adam died from the wound he received at Jenkin's Ferry."
A few weeks later the two men met in my drug store. They embraced each other like long lost brothers while tears streamed down their cheeks.
*****
Jim Bishop actually dates this encounter as 1905. Since John Watson died
in December of 1904, I wanted to clear up this date error. I have personally
spoken to Anice Vance, Jim's Cousin and writer of the Adam Quincy Clements
manuscript, who informs me that Jim was recollecting an event nearly 50 years
later. As to John's rank of Captain, John M. Watson had received a field
promotion to Captain during the battle of Jenkins Ferry.
In November of 1871, Serena's daughter Gertrude married her cousin Rector C. Hope. Rector was the son of Serena's sister Emily F. (Johnson) and Richard Hope. Together, Gertrude and Rector had four children; Annie, Samuel Richard, Beverly Emmett, and Bula. Bula died at the age of six months. In 1883, Gertrude died leaving three young children and a husband. It is not yet known what happened to Rector, but in November of 1885, John M. Watson was "appointed guardian of the Estate of Annie Hope, aged 8 years, Richard Hope, aged 6 years, and Emmett Hope aged 4 years…and it further appearing that nobody contested said application". It is not known yet if Rector C. Hope was in ill-health or maybe bad financial straits or what, but he lived on until 1912. Before the "guardianship" and settlement of the Estate was completed in April of 1886, the young Samuel Richard Hope had died leaving only his two siblings, Annie and Beverly Emmett to be raised by their grandparents, John M. Watson and Serena.
The post Civil War years were quite tough. As earlier mentioned, John lost at least two children to the flu epidemic and another at an early age. Blanco County experienced some severe droughts during the 1880's. There is an inscription that reportedly dates to the late 1800's found carved over the doorway of an old deserted cabin in the northern part of the county:
"250 miles to the nearest Post Office, 100 miles to wood, 20 miles to water, and 6" to Hell. God bless our home. Gone to live with wifes folks."
By the 1880's, for whatever reason, John
and Serena had begun to sell off their considerable holdings of land and
property; some to their children and some to whom ever. In 1877, they sold
320 acres to Serena's daughter Gertrude and her husband Rector C. Hope for
"the sum of three hundred dollars in hand paid". Many other properties were
sold until by 1887 no further holdings exist on the tax roles for John or
Serena Watson in Blanco County.
About this time John moved his family north through Burnet County...long
enough for son Emmett to meet and marry Ada Rachel
Thomas...then on to Bell County at Bottoms, near Troy. The 1900
census shows John and Serena living on a small rented farm with daughters
Angelina and Annie Lula; their grand-daughter
Annie Hope, daughter of Gertrude and Rector Hope; and one
Caleb Smith, a wage hand. This same year John applied for
and received a small pension for his service in the Civil War. His pension
application indicates that he had lived in Bottoms eight years. He lists
his occupation as "surveyor but not able now", and bad physical condition
due to "exposure, old age and defective eyesight". He lists his assets as
"No real estate. Two horses worth $100. Two cows worth $50." He had conveyed
no property of value in the previous two years, had no income and declared
himself "in actual want, and destitute of property and means of subsistence."
A Dr. J.M. Woodson found him suffering from glaucoma. John
M. Watson's pension application was witnessed by his old friend and business
partner, John Speer and wife Louisa.
On December 12, 1904, at the age of 75, John Marion Watson died. His obituary in the Killeen Herald indicates that he had suffered many years with a "virulent form of cancer". He was buried with full Masonic honors in the Killeen City Cemetery.
In 1906, Serena A. Watson
applied for and received a widows pension for her husband John's service
in the Civil War. Her son Arthur Granville Watson and one
Levi Anderson witnessed her application. Two Blanco County
residents that had served under Watson in the war, B. W. Palmer
and I.L. Pruitt gave interrogatories attesting to John's
service in the war. Serena died December 29, 1908 and is buried beside her
husband at the Killeen City Cemetery.
What I have learned so far of John M. Watson is impressive. He certainly
was a pioneer in the truest sense. He was a rugged, self-sufficient individual
with a sense of community, duty, and of family.
Don C. Watson, Jr.
Great-great-grandson of John M. Watson
© 1997, 1998, updated 1999
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