James L. Watkins


James L. Watkins
 Born:
1799 Hardin County, Kentucky
Marriage:
Elizabeth Brunk 
united before 1819 Grayson County, Kentucky
Died:
 1860 - 1870
Grayson County, Kentucky


Elizabeth Brunk was the daughter of
 Christopher Brunk





Known Children of James L. Watkins and Elizabeth Brunk:
Charles Watkins
 Born:
 May 4, 1819
Died:
 September 26, 1886

Joel Watkins
 Born:
 about 1820
Died:
1890-1892

Martha Patsy Watkins
 Born:
 1824
Died:

 Unknown Watkins
(see note below)
  Born:
 1826
Died:
 Unknown


David E. Watkins
 Born:
 about 1827
Died:
1883-1900
 

Eliza J. Watkins
Born:
1829  
Died:
After 1880
Cynthia Ann Watkins
 Born:
 December 1, 1831
Died:
February 15, 1923
Mary Elizabeth Watkins
Born:
 1834
Died:
Unknown
Thompson Watkins
 Born:
 May 1836
Died:
 after 1920 

Emizetta Watkins
 Born:
 1839
Died:
 Before 1900

Vinetta Watkins
 Born:
 1841
 Died:
Unknown

James L. Watkins is enumerated with Elizabeth from 1820 through 1860 in Grayson County, Kentucky.  He created a large family of which descendants are still found living in the county today.  He was a shingle maker by trade.  Research proves after the death of his parents that his older sisters removed to Illinois settling there around 1831. 
 James L. Watkins lived his life, raised a large family, and died in Grayson County, Kentucky.

Note:
Some researchers offer that a daughter named Susan Watkins born about 1826 to be among the children of James L. Watkins and Elizabeth [Brunk] Watkins.   Most believed this Susan Watkins was the wife of John Butts.  On August 09, 2020 the records were offered to give evidence that Susan Watkins that united to John Butts was the daughter of Miles Watkins of Washington County, Kentucky.   This research is ongoing.  



See The 1860 Federal Census for James L. Watkins below:



 Missouri Watkins living with James and Elizabeth in 1860 is not a daughter, but probably a granddaughter.  Missouri is listed as age 11 yet does not appear in the 1850 census record enumerating the family of James L. Watkins.   Research found no discovery of what happens to Missouri after 1860.  Eliza Watkins delivers a daughter naming her America M. Watkins on September 19, 1852 in Grayson County, Kentucky.  The remark section of her birth record offers that America M. Watkins was born "illegitimate".  America M. would have been 8 years old in 1860 and is not enumerated in any other household.   Due to the common occurrence of inaccurate ages given on census records throughout the decades it may be a possibility that Missouri age 11 listed on this 1860 Census Record is actually America M. Watkins daughter of Eliza Watkins.

James L. Watkins is listed as a messenger for Rock Creek Baptist Church in 1839 along with his brother Isaiah Watkins Jr., and C. H. Stuteville. according to the book "Pioneer Baptist Church records of South-Central Kentucky and the upper Cumberland of Tennessee 1799-1899" There were 46 members at that time.




Reference: THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS

Grantee:Watkins, James L Acres: 25 Book: 28 Survey Date: 26 Feb 1847
Acres: 25
Book: 28
Page: 248
Date Survey: 2-26-1847
County: Grayson
Watercourse: Sinking Cr.


James L. Watkins' father Isaiah Watkins was possibly the son of a James Watkins, but not possible to be the son of James Watkins listed on the 1800 Hardin County tax list.  It is more likely that Isaiah Watkins was a brother of that subject.  



By the time the Census was taken in 1820 Rachel Watkins is enumerated as head to a household of 5:
Males 16-18 (1) Isaiah Jr., Females 10-15 (1) 1 Unknown,  Females 16-25 (2) 1 Unknown and Matilda, Females over 45 (1) Rachel
James L. Watkins along with sisters Rachel and Susanna Watkins had married by the year 1820. 
James L. Watkins and Elizabeth Brunk Watkins both die sometime between 1860 and 1870 in Grayson County, Kentucky.  Their final resting places are undiscovered.


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