Mary Watson

Mary Richie's father was William Riche/Richie/Rich. I found various spellings of his surname on census records and other historic documents. Mary's marriage license to Coleman Watson showed her name as Richie, thus this spelling was used on her headstone. This replacement headstone was set in November 2003 and was paid for by the descendants of William Franklin Watson, Mary's grandson.

Mary Rich Watson's tombstone shows her age as 78 years. In 1890, she started the application process to receive a Widow's Claim for Pension from the government of the United States for Coleman's military service during the Civil War. On December 5, 1890, two months before her death she stated in an Affidavit before Theo Tomly, Notary Public that she was 78 years old. As she had no direct blood relatives living in Illinois at the time of her death, the 78 years on her tombstone was probably from the information given in the Affidavit.

Coleman and Mary were living in Marshall County, Alabama in 1850 and 1860, but moved to southern Illinois shortly after the Civil War. During the Civil War, Coleman was associated with a volunteer Union group known as Kennamer's Scouts and Guides and it is assumed that neighbors in Alabama were hostile to this group after the Civil War. Mary already had two brothers who were living in Gallatin County, Illinois at the time she and Coleman moved their family to southern Illinois. Her brothers in Gallatin County were, George W. Rich, FAG Memorial 44297290 and Thomas Rich, FAG Memorial 44297299. Inscription: Back of Marker: Joyful with all the strength I bare My grieving lips should sing Where is thy boasted victory gone And where o death they sting.

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via son William Milligan Watson by SmartCopy: Mar 13 2015, 15:29:27 UTC