Henry Watkins, Jr.

Biographical Summary #1:

"...One of the most interesting families of Virginia is the distinguished Watkins Family, whose earliest positive identified family is Henry Watkins, born 1637, at Malvern Hills. There were earlier Watkins.

In the General Court Records, a Henry Watkins is mentioned 1623, 1624, 1627 as overseer of the plantation of Lady Dale, not far distant from Malvern Hills.

In 1634, a deed mentions a Henry Watkins owning land in such position that we have a Henry Watkins living in 1634, not more than ten miles from Malvern Hills, where Henry Watkins was born 1637. It has been impossible so far to connect Henry Watkins, 1637, to the other Watkins of that time.

This family distinguished socially and politically has been an object of research for many years.

The great Statesman, Henry Clay, was a descendant of this family.

Henry Watkins, senior, who died 1717, did not leave a will. He had previously deeded his land to his sons, William, Joseph, Edward, Henry, and Thomas. Court records show that he had a daughter, Elizabeth.

Henry Watkins, junior, born 1660, in his will 1714, left his small estate to his wife, Mary, and his sons, John, Benjamin, Joseph, Henry, and Stephen.

The most we can say is that Mary Watkins Hutchins was a daughter or a grand daughter of Henry Watkins, 1637.

SOURCE: "Four Generations of the Family of Strangeman Hutchins and His Wife Elizabeth Cox,"

Biographical Summary #2:

"...Henry Watkins was Quaker. Of this there can be no doubt. In 1661 in the Henrico County Court his wife stated that her husband is inclinable to the quakers. In 1684, the Court refuse d a petition by Henry Watkins for a release from fines imposed upon him, as he was judged to be continuing still in his Quakerism. A year later, in April 1685, his daughter Eliza Watkins, aged 16 years, refused, because of her Quaker conscience sake to take an oath on her testimony in a court case."

SOURCE: Unknown

Biographical Summary #3:

"...Henry Watkins of Henrico Co., Va, presumably the immigrant ancestor was b. in1638. He was a Quaker and member of the Society of Friends, a fact that caused him at times to clash with the ruling authorities in Virginia. In the list of heads of families in Henrico County, 1679, he is listed as head of family with three tithables and shown as living in the vicinity of Turkey Island. In 1679 he received a patent for 170 acres of land on the north side of James River in Henrico Co. adjoining land of John Lewis, Mr. Cocke, and Mr. Beauchamp, and touching the 'three runs' of Turkey Island Creek (patent book 7, p. 17). In July 1690 he purchased of Lyonel Morris 360 acres of land in varina parish, Henrico Co., on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, and in October of the same year he patented 60 acres of land "adjoining his own land and touching a run of Turkey Island Creek." In 1699 he subscribed 500 pounds of tobacco towards building the Friends meetinghouse at Curls and in 1703 he paid 50 pounds of tobacco towards finishing the building. He was the father of at least seven children and in 1692 deeded his land in Henrico to his five sons.

To William, Joseph and Edward he deeded each 120 acres of land on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, to Henry the 'track of land on which his fatherthen lived" acreage not given, and to Thomas 200 acres on the 'three runs.'

We quote from William Clayton Torrence, "Beginnings of the Families of Henrico," as follows:

One of the most interesting families in Virginia from the point of view of economic, social and political development is the distinguished family of which Henry Watkins is the immigrant ancestor.

In 1660 the Virginia Assembly had passed a strict law against Quakers. They were described as: ... an unreasonable and turbulent sort of people, who daily gather together unlawful assemblies of people, teaching lies, miracles, false visions, prophecies, and doctrines tending to disturb the peace, disorganize Society and destroy the peace, disorganize Society and destroy all laws, and government, and religion.

In June, 1684, the Courts of Henrico refused his petition for a remission of fines imposed upon him "he not appearing himself to supplicate this Court but (as ye Court Conceives) continuing still in his Quakerism."

On 21 January 1691/2, Henry Watkins conveyed 120 acres each to his sons Edward, William, Joseph, Henry, and Thomas near the Chickahominy. He also on 25 January 1691/2 made a gift of land "I now live on" to Henry Watkins and 200 acres to Thomas Watkins.

Henry made his will in November 1714, proved 7 February 1715, Henrico County, Virginia."

Date of death is probably incorrect, seeing that it coincides with the date of the filing of Henry's will. Date of death has also been (erroneously?) reported to be February 7, 1714 and November 1715..."

SOURCE: "BIOGRAPHY: Source: The Curd Family in America, The Tuttle Publishing Co.

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