Lewis Watkins

Born:

October 10, 1802

Hart County, Kentucky

Died:

October 14, 1849

Howard Cemetery 

Fulton County, Illinois

Parents:

Samuel Watkins and Mary McClure

Marriage One:

Esther Smith

Marriage Two:

Mary Avery 

Children of Lewis Watkins and Esther Smith

Mary Watkins 1824

Rachel Watkins 1826

Naomi Jane Watkins 1831

William Watkins 1832

Warren Watkins 1834

Children of Lewis Watkins and Mary Avery

Matilda A. Watkins 1837

Nancy Elizabeth Watkins 1839

James Watkins 1841

Caroline R. Watkins 1843

Martha Watkins 1847

Lewis Watkins united first to Esther Smith and began creating a family in Kentucky before migrating to Illinois.  This move must have been ca 1830 using his children's listed birthplaces on later census records as a guide.  

The Watkins men of which this blog was initially inspired each had descendants to migrate to the Illinois Territory and westward after first settling in Kentucky.  There is a written history of one such migration that can be read below:

In 1830 or 1831 the exodus was made in true pioneer style. After months of preparation the caravan of covered, ox-driven wagons moved out from Grayson Co, Kentucky bearing the entire families and their possessions of the sons of Jacob Rhoads. Months were required for the trip and many hardships were encountered on the journey. Twelve miles per day was an average gain, owing to bad roads and tired oxen. The Ohio River, as well as many other larger streams, had to be crossed.
The following incident is told by a great grandson of Jacob Rhoads, who made the trip from Kentucky to Illinois:

"The entire party was made up of roughly 150 (or 160) people, 50 of who shared the last name of Rhoads (either by blood or marriage). The journey was slow and tedious. It was very hazardous. Indians were plentiful but friendly. They often gathered about the whites in idle curiosity. One young man in the party had always wanted the thrill of killing an Indian, so one day he heedlessly shot into the band, killing one of their women. Immediately, the whites were surrounded by a large group of warriors who demanded the surrender of the guilty culprit. No appeasement tactics would avail, so the thoughtless youth had to atone for his mistake. His agonizing cries were never to be forgotten as he was literally skinned alive".

Whether Lewis Watkins and his young family were among the Rhoads family removal from Kentucky to Illinois is unknown.  Available records prove Lewis Watkins' parents and the Rhoads family attended The Severns Valley Baptist Church as early as 1802.  It seems right to imagine their travels must've been a treacherous and frightening journey no matter the date.

Another man with the same name, Lewis Watkins, had already migrated to the Illinois Territory sometime after the War of 1812 who also may have had ties to this family.  

You can view each of their census records from 1830 below:

1830 Wayne County, Illinois Federal Census

Males under 5:1

Males 20-29: 1

Females Under 5: 2

Females 5-9: 1

Females 20-29: 1

1830 Sangamon County, Illinois Federal Census

Males 20-29: 1

Females Under 5: 2

Females 20-29: 1

 

In 1820 The Watkins' listed in Illinois were as follows:

Bederly Watkins (Beverly) Sugar Creek Creek, Washington County, Illinois age 26-44

Lewis Watkins Caseys Prairie, Jefferson County, Illinois age 26-44

Absolum Watkins, Hurricane Fork, Bond Illinois age 16-25

Thomas Watkins, Shoal Creek, Washington County, Illinois age 26-44

Samuel Watkins, Gallatin, Illinois age older than 45

William Watkins, Alex Under Campbell, Wayne County, Illinois age 26-44

Henry Watkins, Casey's Prairie, Jefferson County, Illinois age 26-44

NOTE: The Lewis Watkins enumerated in 1820 looks to be a third Lewis Watkins according to the age listed.

 

Illinois County Map from 1830 can be viewed below:

Note: By clicking on the Interactive County Map of Illinois below you can choose any year to see the state's county formation

Interactive County Map of Illinois

The 1840 Federal Census of Fulton County, Illinois 

enumerating Lewis Watkins can be viewed below:

Name:  Lewis Watkins:
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):	Fulton, Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:	2 William and Warren
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:	1 Unknown
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	1 Lewis Watkins
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	2 Matilda and Nancy
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:	3 possibly Mary, Rachel, and Naomi
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1 Mary Avery

The letter below has been copied with no corrections made.  The writer of this letter is Zella "Ella" Myers the granddaughter of Lewis Watkins through daughter Rachel.  Rachel married John Myers in 1844 Fulton County, Illinois.  Zella married Amos Watkins in 1873 Fulton County, Illinois.  Amos was the son of Warren Cash Watkins.  Warren Cash Watkins was the brother of Lewis Watkins.  

"Chicago January 22,1908 

Dear cousin Have hurriedly gleaned my notes for bits of history and have written in a style I have to carry through the chain of events. Hope it will be plain not knowing your desire besides am hurried. Whatever you do not require. Snip it off. Mother is more quite today that sometimes or could not have written a line. Have not looked at my historian work since mother was taken seriously sick in June, Glade you did you did not leave Auntie obituary incorrect. She has a history of which no one should be ashamed Mary Watkins Hendee,s ancestors were among the earliest settlers from 1608 to 1621 who settled in Virginia and Maryland some of whom in 1780 moved to Kentucky near Lexington. Finally settling in art Co. Near Mammoth Cave. Samuel Watkins married Mary McClure and spent their first winter in a fort at Louisville. Kentucky, on account on the extreme hostility of the Indians Mary Watkins was the first white woman to set foot on Kentucky soil.  Lewis Watkins son of Samuel & Mary was born in art County, Kentucky. Lewis married Esther Smith daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Garrison) Smith of Green Co. Kentucky. Lewis And Esther Watkins had six children of whom Mary Watkins (Hendee) was the eldest born at Hart County Kentucky. When Mary was nine years old her parents moved to Wayne Co. Illinois. Later with a number of relatives and others moved to Fulton Co On the way from Wayne County to Fulton. Esther Watkins took cholera and died. She was buried in the Illinois River bottom between Peoria and Pekin. This left the domestic duties and care of four (?) other children to Mary and sister for a time , Later their father married Mary Avery. Uncle Amos and Warren Watkins settled in Woodford County (brother of Lewis.) Uncle Amos being a strong convincing Christian preacher, gathering many hundreds of people into the “fold of Christ” He was a phenomena in the knowledge of the scriptures, knowing the New Testament by heart and was thoroughly versed in the old Bible and its laws. He and Uncle Warren were among the founders of the Christian Church and College of Eureka Illinois. All of the Watkins men were noted for their piety, sterling worth and business integrity. Among the men were many preachers of ability at a time particularly in Kentucky when ‘it tried men’s souls to stand for Christ’ Carrying their Bibles constantly with them about their every day occupations and a moment’s respite from labor immediately Bibles were opened and Eagerly studied. At the age of fourteen Mary made the good confession being immersed by William Howard A Christian Who was also her uncle by marriage, having married her Mother’s sister Cena. Mary continued steadfast is her primitive Christian faith through a long consistent life. Mary married Josiah Hendee of Connecticut. Mary left only one sister who lives in Chicago and three Half Sisters on in Kansas two in Okla. Dear Cousin what a grand reunion will hers and ours on the morning of the resurrection. Such an illustrious company of redeemed. To be admitted into the glories of our Father’s home, and enjoy the Throng of loved ones, seems beyond all we could ask or think. We know not what we shall be, but we know this we shall see Jesus and be like him for we shall see Him as He is. Shall we be there in the great morn and be counted worthy and accepted of him. Ella"

The 1850 Wapello County, Iowa Federal Census enumerates Mary Watkins, widow of Lewis Watkins, living with her father Nicholas Avery.  The 1850 mortality schedule for this county includes the information on the death of Lewis Watkins claiming Lewis was born in Kentucky, his death occurred in October, and that he died of Typhoid Fever.  Lewis Watkins estate was probated January 7, 1850 in the Fulton County, Illinois Courts.    His mortality schedule may have been posted in Iowa due to his widow living there when censused. 

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