U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Watson, Rawley (1809-1889) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 683-684, RAWLEY WATSON. The Watson family is an old one. Those of Preston county are descendants of William Watson, who came from eastern Virginia in 1790, and patented 300 acres at Masontown. Tradition states that the cabin stood on the "Hartley Green," the name by which the village site was known prior to 1856. William Watson's son, William, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was father of the late Thomas Watson, for many years Justice of the Peace and father of John W. Watson, Circuit Clerk at this time. William Watson, Jr., had a son, Rawley, who was born June 5th, 1809, on the old homestead, and died at the home of his son James F. Watson, April 25, 1889. He married Miss Sarah Ann Whip of Loudoun county, Virginia, who bore him nine children, who in order of their ages are: Mrs. William F. Menear, of Kingwood; Sanford, of Valley District; George W., of Kingwood District; Daniel G., of Reedsville, and Mack, of Masontown; Edmund H., who lives in Barbour county; Orval and Mason of Reedsville, and James Flanagan of the Valley. Rawley Watson is spoken of as a good, kind-hearted, genial and honest man, a good citizen, and was well and most favorably known. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Although often asked to take office he never would accept one. Sanford Watson, a man much like his father, a genial, kind-hearted and honest man, was born on the old homestead farm, April 26, 1841. He was raised a farmer, and although a leading citizen and a very popular man, he would never accept a public office, but confined his attention to farming and stock raising of which he has made a success. He erected a large and commodious barn and other buildings, and deals somewhat extensively in all kinds of blooded stock. His house was built in 1873. At the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Watson responded to the call of his country by enlisting in the Third West Virginia Infantry. His first service was in the engagement with the Confederates at Philippi, West Virginia. His regiment was then mounted, and there- after known as the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry. In all he served three years, entering his regiment as Corporal of Company C, and mustered out as Sergeant of the Company. On November 14, 1867, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Kate Hartley of Masontown. The children of this union were: (1). Lloyd Watson, who was born January 25, 1868, is now employed by the Government as a surveyor in Montana. (2) Callie, born September 10, 1867, married to Robert B. Brown, a carpenter of Masontown. (3) Walter B., a merchant in Masontown, born August, 1871. (4) Ernest, born May 31, 1876. He is a farmer and was married to Jessie Robey and lives on the old homestead. Their children are Glenn and Catherine. (5) Olive, born October 14, 1878. She married Harry Poland, October 2, 1908, and is the mother of two children, Lois and Thurston. (6) Lulu, born December 30, 1880, was married to James C. Gibson, September 14, 1906. Mr. Gibson is a lumber merchant. Their child is named Mary Cramer Virginia Gibson. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------