Thursday, February 2, 2012

Facts: Nelson Shepherd Watts

Nelson S. Watts

Born about 1810

Husband of Lucinda (Ballard) Watts
Father of Charles Claiborne Watts
Grandfather of Hubert Bennie Watts


Children of Nelson and Lucinda Watts:

Charles Claiborne Watts
Mary A. Watts
Martha Watts
Sarah E. Watts
Thomas N. Watts
Ellen S. Watts
John R. Watts
(source for John R. Watts - 1860 census) 
Lucinda Watts
Samuel N. Watts

(source 1850 census)
(source 1870 census)

1850 Census









Facts: Charles Calvin Watts

Charles Calvin Watts (Sr.)


Born October 21, 1924, in Rockbridge County,  VA
Died March 18, 2010, in Roanoke, VA

Husband of (1) Darys Bernadine (Beamer) Watts
(2) Frances (Bryant) Keith Watts
(3)  Violet May (Saunders) Worley Watts

Children of Calvin and Darys Watts:  
Jerry Allen Watts

Children of Calvin and Frances Watts:
Charles Calvin Watts, Jr.

Occupation:  Farmer

(Cause of death:  Cardiac arrest/cancer)

Laid to Rest at the High Bridge Presbyterian Church






Census Suggestion and Notes....

I have begun to include census images in some of the blogs.  The larger two options are "X-Large" and "Original Size" images.  X-Large isn't quite large enough, but the the original size is FAR too large--and overtakes the menu at the right.  When clicked on, the images pop out and enlarge slightly, but the best option may be to right click, save, and then view (and enlarge) with (Windows) Picture Viewer.  


When the census was taken, an enumerator visited each residence in sequence.  The homeowner (or renter) is listed as the "head of household."  (I have seen females, for example--widows, listed as "head of household.")  Everyone who lived in the home is listed--including boarders and servants.  


The information available on the census may vary by year.  Generally, the age of each person enumerated is listed.  (Children less than a year old are listed in fractions...a 3 month old is listed as 3/12.)  In some years, it asks for the age at which the couple were married.  It lists if the head of household owns or rents the home, and it lists the occupation of each resident.  (Farmer, housewife, in school, etc.)  In some years it asks for the state in which each person was born.  In some years it asks if the person can read or write, and if there has been any military service.  


Note that enumerators wrote names as they heard them.  "Octavia" might become "Octavie" if the person being interviewed pronounced it that way.  




Prior to a specific year, the census was listed by the head of household only.  The family (and other residents) were counted as statistics.  The form asks for the number of each residents who fall into printed categories....like "white females between the ages of 0 and 5."  It will also ask for the number of "Negro females between the ages of 0 and 5."  Etc.


The last year the census images has been made public was for 1930--for privacy reasons.  On April 1, 2012, the government will release the images for 1940.  

John Adam Barger (Sr.)

John Adam Barger (Sr.)

Born  about 1717 in Germany
Died in Gilmore Mills, VA


John Adam Barger

John Adam Barger

Born 1754, in Germany
Died January 1832, in Gilmore Mills, VA
(source:  Rootsweb)

Husband of Mary (unknown) Barger

Married 1775

Laid to Rest:  Presbyterian Cemetery, James River Plantation

Children of Joh Adam Barger and Mary Barger:

William Preston Barger
Nicholas B. Barger
Frederick Henry Barger
John Barger II
George Washington Barger
Adam Barger
Elizabeth Barger
Jacob Barger
Katherine Barger
Peter Barger
David Barger








Mary Ann Shafer

Mary Ann Shafer

Born December 28, 1801, in Rockbridge County, VA
Died May 12, 1887
(Source:  High Bridge Church cemetery record, August, 1928

Wife of William Preston Barger

Laid to rest at High Bridge Presbyterian Church


Children of William Preston Barger:

John Alexander Barger
Mary Ann Barger
Eliza Jane Barger
Nancy Agnes Caskey Barger
Martha Elvina Barger
William Preston Barger, Jr. 
Jacob Barger
Sarah Catherine Barger
Emma Barger
(Source:  Rootsweb)

William Preston Barger

William Preston Barger

Born  April 18, 1794, in Gilmore Mills, VA
(Source:  Rootsweb)
Died  April 3, 1870
(Source:  High Bridge Church cemetery record, August, 1928

Husband of Mary Ann (Shafer) Barger

Laid to rest at High Bridge Presbyterian Church

(Credit to Ms. Johnston via Ancestry.com)




































Death Index of Rockbridge County (includes name of William Preston Barger)
He is listed as 76 years old, a farmer, and the cause of death was "paralysis."


Children of William Preston Barger:

John Alexander Barger
Mary Ann Barger
Eliza Jane Barger
Nancy Agnes Caskey Barger
Martha Elvina Barger
William Preston Barger, Jr. 
Jacob Barger
Sarah Catherine Barger
Emma Barger
(Source:  Rootsweb) 

1860 Census 



1865 IRS Tax Assessment
(Note the items taxed...income, gold watches, carriages, silverware.)
William Barger of Gilmore's Mill is listed on Line #25.

Elizabeth A. Fry Barger

Elizabeth A. (Fry) Barger

Born June 6, 1832, in Rockbridge County, VA
Died May 1, 1883, in Rockbridge County,  VA
(Source:  High Bridge Church Cemetery record--August, 1928 

Wife of John Alexander Barger 

Laid to rest at: High Bridge Presbyterian Church

John Alexander Barger

John Alexander Barger 
Born on February 8, 1826, in Gilmore Mills, VA
Died November 13, 1909, in Gilmore Mills, VA
(Source:  High Bridge Cemetery record, August, 1928

Husband of Elizabeth A. (Fry) Barger 
Married December 15, 1853


    From the book "Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia" published 1884:
    "JOHN A. BARGER- was born on the estate where he now resides near Gilmores Mill, in Rockbridge County, February 8, 1826. His father's parents were German-born, and on coming to this county settled in Pennsylvania for a time, and then emigrated to Virginia, located opposite Gilmores Mill, and raised a family of twelve children. The father of John A., William Barger, married Mary A. Shafer, who was born in this county, and at his death he owned over a thousand acres on James river, on part of which John A, is now living.
    The subject of this sketch is very successful as a grain and grass farmer, having two hundred acres under cultivation and one hundred acres in timber. Near Natural Bridge, December 15, 1853, John A. Barger married Elizabeth Fry, who was born in Rockbridge county, near Buffalo Forge, June 6, 1832. She was a daughter of Matthew and Sarah Fry, both born in this county and now deceased. After nearly thirty years of wedded life Mrs. Elizabeth Barger died on 1st of May 1883. The genealogical record of the children of John A. Barger and wife is:
    M. William, born October 7, 1854, married and living near Gilmores Mill
    Sarah C., born November 13, 1857, died September 1, 1858;
    John J., born June 16, 1859, and
    Mary E., born April 6, 1862, live at home;
    Nannie J. born April 8, 1864, married S. D. Sizer and lives at Natural Bridge;
    Martha Frances, born May 15, 1867;
    George W., November 22, 1869; George Washington
    Virginia E., August 19, 1875- are at home.
    John A. Barger enlisted in 1862, in Company F, 27th Virginia Infantry, and served under Jackson in his famous campaign in the valley, and afterward was connected with the nitre and mining bureau. His brother William was one of the first soldiers to answer the call from Rockbridge county, and served through the entire war without furlough or wound, in Company C, 1st Virginia Cavalry, until April 6, 1865, when he was killed in Prince Edward County, near Farmville, at High Bridge, three days before Lee's surrender. John A. Barger's postoffice address is Gilmore's Mill, Rockbridge county, Virginia."
    From the book: "The Barger Journal II" published in 1939:
    "John Alexander Barger, son of William Barger and Mary A. nee Shafer, was born at the homestead, at Gilmores Mills, Rockbridge Co., VA, being a descendant of John Barger, settler at Gilmores Mills, Rockbridge Co., VA, late of Augusta Co., VA. Farmer at his father's place; married in 1853 to Elizabeth Fry of Natural Bridge. Was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War, remaining in the service the entire four years. He died at his home November 13, 1908. There was a family of eight children: Matthew W., Sarah C., John J., Mary E., Nancy J., Martha F., George W., Virginia E."


(Source:  Rootsweb)






Remembrance--Ralph Woodrow Pyles


(Note the year of death is misprinted.  (Should be 2012.)  

Monday, January 30, 2012

Facts: Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts

Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts


Born Elizabeth Amanda Barger on August 9, 1889, in Gilmore Mills, VA
Died May 15, 1976, in Martinsville, VA
(Source of date of birth:  Obituary of Elizabeth Barger Watts)

Wife of Hubert B. Watts

Children of Hubert B. Watts and Elizabeth A. Watts
Charles Calvin Watts, Sr.
Hubert Melvin Watts
Boyd E. Watts
Elsie Elizabeth Watts
Bernard Barger Watts
Dorothy Evelyn Watts
Earl Clayborn Watts
Marion Juanita Watts
John William Watts











Facts: Octavia A. Kennedy Barger

Octavia A. Kennedy Barger


Born April 22, 1856, in Rockbridge County, VA
Died June __, 1930, in Gilmore Mills, VA

Wife of Mathew William Barger

Mother of:  Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts
Lillian Barger Lotts
Ruby Barger
(Source:  Obituary of  Octavia Kennedy Barger)

Facts: Mathew William Barger

Mathew William Barger 


Born October 7, 1854, in Rockbridge County, VA
Died May 14, 1935, in Gilmore Mills 

Husband of Octavia A. Kennedy Barger

Father of Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts
Lillian Barger Lotts
Ruby Barger
(source:  Obituary of Mathew W. Barger)

Facts: Hubert B. Watts

Hubert B. Watts


Born February, 1882, in Amherst County, VA
Died January 13, 1965, in Natural Bridge, VA 

Born February 27, 1882 
(source:  Handwritten document)

Husband of Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts


Children of Hubert B. Watts and Elizabeth A. Watts
Charles Calvin Watts, Sr.
Hubert Melvin Watts
Elsie Elizabeth Watts
Bernard Barger Watts
Dorothy Evelyn Watts
Earl Clayborn Watts
Marion Juanita Watts
John William Watts



1910 Census

Note:  Head of Household was listed as Charles Claiborne Watts--and Hubert and Elizabeth Watts were living with them with their son, Boyd)


1920 Census (Note:  Charles Claiborne Watts was living with Hubert Watts and Elizabeth Watts during this enumeration)

1930 Census




WWI Draft Registration of Hubert B. Watts































WWII Draft Registration for Hubert B. Watts
































Life Facts: Octavia L. Watts

Octavia L. Watts

Born June 29, 1845, in Fluvanna County, VA
Died December 27, 1917, in Natural Bridge, VA


Wife of Charles Claiborne Watts

Facts: Charles Claiborne Watts

Charles Claiborne Watts

Born February 2nd (or 3rd), 1848 in Augusta County, VA 
Died July 8, 1924 in Natural Bridge, VA


Husband of Octavia L. Watts

1910 Census
(Note:  Charles Claiborne Watts is listed as head of household; Hubert and Elizabeth Watts resided with them with their son, Boyd.)

Lillian Barger Lotts ("Aunt Lill")



Lillian Barger Lotts
"Aunt Lill"

(Wife of Houston "Uncle Buck" Lotts)

The Watts Women (early 1970's)

Top Row:  Elsie Watts Donald, Juanita Watts Martin, Darys Beamer Watts, Clara Mae Hite Watts, and Jean Saville Watts
Seated:  Elizabeth Barger Watts, Dorothy Watts Pyles, and Marie Moran Watts

Taken in the early 1970's at the "Home Place" in Natural Bridge Station, VA

Charles Calvin Watts and Darys Bernadine Beamer Watts

Charles Calvin Watts, Sr. 
and 
Darys Bernadine Beamer Watts

(about 1946)

Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts


Elizabeth Watts


Engagement Announcement: Watts - Sprinkle


(Note:  Yes, my hair was pitch black--once upon a time.)

Charles Calvin Watts, Sr.


Charles Calvin Watts, Sr.
October 21, 1924 - March 18, 2010

Elizabeth Watts and Calvin Watts

Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts
and 
Charles Calvin Watts, Sr.

Picture is dated (thank you, Jerry!) March 28, 1970

Take at the home of Calvin Watts on Greyledge Road in Buchanan, VA

Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts


Elizabeth Amanda Barger Watts

(about 1970)

Handwritten: Mary Lovie Watts...Delila Fountain Watts...Hubert Bennie Watts...Annie Maria Watts


Sale of Loose Tobacco (1894)


Handwritten: Kendell Bugg...Eli Bugg...Delila Bugg...Mary Ann Bugg...Elvira Bugg...Josephine Bugg






Handwritten: Lucius Bugg...Octavia Bugg...Emma Bugg...Wilson Bugg...Samual Bugg


In Remembrance: Charles Calvin Watts, Sr.


Charles Calvin Watts, Sr. (Funeral Service)


In Remembrance: Bernard Barger Watts


"Joy to the Word" (by Calvin Watts)

A Sunday School lesson, perhaps?



In Memory: Elizabeth Amanda Watts


Elizabeth Amanda Watts (funeral service)


Obituary: Mrs. Amanda F. Kennedy (Wife of Joseph Kennedy)


Obituary: Mrs. Octavia Watts (Wife of Charles C. Watts)


Date of Death:  December 27, 1917



Obituary: Mrs. Lucinda C. Watts