Watts in Ohio

Note: FHL refers to a film or book at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City Utah

1812 WAR: Member of Capt George Yocum's company, Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812, Adjutant General of Ohio, 1916, GPC 1968; FHL 977.1 M23r also 605138...

James Watts age 24

1812 WAR: Bennett, Henry Holcom Ed, The County of Ross A History ..., Selwyn A Brant, Madison Wis 1902, FHL 9877.182 H2s page 267 During the War of 1812, Three companies were enlisted in Bainbridge [Paxton Twp., Ross Co. OH] and were led to the front by Captains Yocum, Joseph Rockhold and John Grey.

James first wife's first name found on John S. Watts death certificate "mother's name Eliza"

1816 Leah Watts Born

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OHIO
1819: James ae 30

1819 DEED: 10 Jul 1819; Montgomery County Deed Book G Page 400, FHL 966,642
EXTRACT:
James Watts of Montgomery County Ohio purchased from Samuel Newcomb and Susannah his wife also from Montgomery County Ohio the eastern one third part of a certain in or town lot in the town of Dayton known by lot number 199 being two poles in width and twelve in length containing twenty four perches more or less lying in the county of Montgomery. Paid $300.00

1819 COURT: 7 Oct 1819, Mikesell, Shirley Keller, Comp., Early Settlers of Montgomery County, Ohio; Heritage Books, Inc. Bowie, Mich, 1992; Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas (Probate) Docket Book D-1, Vol 2, Page 209, FHL 977.172 H2ms
EXTRACT:
Case 407. Adm of estate of Joshua White granted to Nancy White. Sec: Joseph Brown, James Watts. Appr: Jonathan Harshman, Alexander Snodgrass, Henry Robinson. p 149

1820 CHILD: John Steel Watts Born

1821 DEED: 16 Aug 1821, Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book H P 548; FHL 966,643
EXTRACT:
Obediah Rittenhouse and Catherine his wife of Montgomery County Ohio sold for $350.00 to James Watts of Montgomery County Ohio, two lots in the town of Union known as Lots 20 and lot 17 Which is against lot 20 eastwardlying and being four poles in front North and South and twelve poles East and West containing forty eight square perches each more or less.

1922 COURT: Mikesell, Early Settlers of Montgomery County, Page 248, Inv and appr of estate of Obadiah Rittenhouse of Randolph Twp on 28 Feb 1822 ... Debts due from John Coffey, Robet L. Hegan, Peter Rittenhouse, James Watts total $273.25. ... pp 197, 198, 199

1823 COURT: February Term 1823; Shilt, Rose and Audrey Gilbert, Mongtomery County, Ohio Common Pleas Law Record 1803-1849, Dayton Ohio, Craftmasters Book Bindery; FHL 977.172 P28s

Jacob Glassbrener and Catherine Rittenhouse ex. of Obaduah Rittenhouse dec'd vs James Watts. attachment of goods of absconding debtor -- page 356

Jack Glassbrener and Catherine Rittenhouse ex. of Obaduah Rittenhouse dec'd vs Jesse Farmer as garnishee of James Watts. To affirm credits of James Watts -- page 358

1823 DEED: 31 Mar 1823, Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book I Page 90 FHL 966,644
EXTRACT:
James Watts [no wife mentioned] sold to Obediah Conover for $300.00 the eastern one third part of a certain in or town lot in the town of Dayton known by lot number 199 being two poles in width and twelve in length containing twenty four perches more or less lying in the county of Montgomery.

1824 CHILD: Nicholas Parrott Watts born

1824 DEED: 4 Mar 1824 Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book I Page 531; FHL 966,644
EXTRACT:
Daniel Razor [Rasor] and Elizabeth his wife, of Montgomery County Ohio, for 25 dollars, sell two lots in the town of Union to James Watts of Montgomery Co.Ohio known as lots 19 and 18

Between 1824 and 1828 Elizabeth, John's first wife died.

1828 MARRIAGE TO CHARITY MENDENHALL

1828 MARRIAGE: 10 Jan 1828, Marriage Book B [B1], Montgomery County Ohio, FHL 1,030,835 also on the 10 Jany 1828 James Watts and Charity Mendenhall [married] by me H. Hatpa... Justice of the Peace

1830 CENSUS: Randolf Township, Montgomery, Ohio, page 286, FHL 337,947
EXTRACT:
James Watts m/f
under 5-------0/1
5--10-----------1/0
10--15---------1/0
15--20---------0/1
20--30---------1/1
30--40---------0/0
40--50---------1/0

James Watts page 86 Randolph Twp, m/f
EXTRACT:
James....................Benjamin
under 5......0/1............1/1
5-10 ..........1/0............2/0
10-15 ........1/0............3/0
15-20 ........0/1............1/1
20-30 ........1/1............0/0
30-40 .........0/0...........0/0
40-50 ........1/0............1/0
80-90.........................1/0
over 100.....................1/0

1831 CHILD: Sidney Watts born

1833 DEED: 4 Jul 1833, Mercer County Ohio Deed Book C page 409; FHL 865,181
EXTRACT:
The State of Ohio to James Watts}} Deed
Robert Lucas, Governer of the State of Ohio, To all to whom these presents shall come trusting KNOW YE that in consideration of the sum of one hundred fifteen dollars and sixty three cents paid by James Watts of Montgomery county, Ohio to Joseph C Young, receiver of Ohio Canal lands at Pequa for the purchase of the tract of land now described, lying and being in the county of Mercer and granted by an act of Congress entitled "and An Act to aid the state of Ohio in extending the Miami Canal from Dayton to Lake Erie and to grant a quantity of land to said state to aid in the construction of the Canal authorized by law and for making donations of land to certain persons in a [Kansas ??] Territory" which said tract of land has been fully paid for, agreeably to the retur... of the grantee and Receiver of said District, made to this office: Therefore in pursuance of An Act to provide for the sale of certain lands granted by congress to the State of Ohio, there is granted by the State of Ohio unto the said James Watts and to his heirs and assigns forever; the West half of the South East fractional Quarter of Section number twenty five in Township Number four (South) of Range Number three East, containing ninety two Acres and fifty hundredth of an acre of land more or less in the Piqua land district.. To Have and to hold the said ninety two acres and fifty hundredth acres of land with the appurtenances thereof unto the said James Watts, and his heirs and assigns forever. In witness thereof the said Robert Lucas Governer of the State of Ohio, hath caused the Great Seal of this state to be hereunto affexed and signed the same with his hand at Columbus the Fourth day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three [signed] Robert Lucas

1834 DEED: 18 Mar 1834, Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book S, Page 358 FHL 966,644
EXTRACT:
James Watts and Charity his wife, of Montgomery County Ohio, sell for $19 dollars, to William Sheetz, lot 54 on Main Street in the town of Union. Witnesses: Robert Aunathem??

MERCER COUNTY OHIO

1834 Deed: 1 Oct 1834, Montgomery County Ohio Deed BookT, Page 278, FHL 0,966,652
EXTRACT:
between James Watts and Charity his wife of the County of Mercer ... Ohio... sells to Lester Smith of the County of Montgomery [Ohio] ... for $800.00 ... conveyed to Lester Smith ... A lot of land in the Town of Union in the County of Montgomery [Ohio] know and designated on the recorded plat of said town as lots No Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen & twenty No (17), (18), (19), (20). Lots No twenty & Seventeen the former lying and being on Main Street and No Seventeen against said lot Eastward lying and being four poles in from north & South & twelve poles east and west containing forty eight square perches each be the same more or less: also lots No eighteen & nineteen . Lot No nineteen lying two and a half poles north and south along main Street and twelve poles east & west and no eighteen east of lot no nineteen two and a holf poles north & south & twelve poles east and west each containing thirty perches be the same more or less. Witnesses: Martha Skinner, Jos Wolf JP

[note: Jos Wolf of Montgomery interviewed James and Charity personally to have her give up her claim to dower. Were they in Montgomery county at the time?]

1833-8 TAX: Mercer Co. OH; Tax Records 1826-1836; FHL 0,511,732
EXTRACT:
James Watts lived in Mercer Co, OH at the same time as Obediah Valentine. He wasn't taxed for real property but he was taxed for personal property. He did, however, own property???

1834 James Watts, Union Twp, 2 horses 1 cow
1836 James Watts, same 2 horses 4 cattle
1837 James Watts, same 2 horses 5 cows
<C:4/20>

!1833-8 TAX: Mercer Co. OH; Tax Records 1826-1836; FHL 0,511,732

1833-4 Obadiah Valentine; St Mary Twn; R4-T6-S12; 80 acres

                 Wayne Twnsp; R4-T5-S22 & S15; 81 & 3 acres

1836 Obadiah Valentine; same + 1 horse 6 cattle
1837 Obadiah Valentine; same + 4 horses 3 cattle
1838 Obadiah Valentine; St Mary Twn;
Daughter Leah married Obadiah's son Jones Valentine

1835 MORTGAGE: Mercer County Ohio Deed Book C page 442 FHL 685,181
EXTRACT:
James and Charity mortgage the land received from the state of Ohio, for $200.00 at 7 percent interest. South West fraction of the South East quarter of Section Number twenty five in Town four South of Range three East

1835 CHILD: William Wesley Watts born

1836 CHILD: James Marcus Watts born

1837 COURT: 8 May 1837; Guardianship, James Watts to Nicholus P. Watts; Mercer Co Ohio Court Records, Vol Page 103; FHL 0,914,984
EXTRACT:
James Watts Guard to Nicholus P. Watts. Know all men ... James Watts, George M Shepard and James Smith of Mercer Co Ohio are held and firmly bound unto the state of Ohio in the sum of eight hundred dollars ... James Watts, as guardian to Nicholas Watts aged twelve years ... son of James Watts. In the presence of J. W. Riley and Robert Wiley. Signed James Watts, George M Shepard and James Smith. J. W. Riley clerk

1838 CHILD: Richard A. Watts born

1838 MARRIAGE: Leah Watts to Jones Valentine in Mercer Co. Ohio

NIL: 1840 Census Mercer Co Ohio; FHL 0,020,172.

1841 CHILD: Rhoda A. Watts born

1843 WILL: Mercer Co, Ohio, Vol 1 page 117-8; FHL 0,914,973
EXTRACT:
Will of James Watts
In the Name of the benevolent Father of all
I James Watts of the county of Mercer and State of Ohio Do make and publish this as my Last will and testament. First it is my will that all my Just debts be paid and And for that purpose that the person named herein as Executor of this my last will Be and is hereby invested with power to dispose of any personal or Real Estate belongings to me. either at private or public sale as he or she may think best sufficient to discharge such Debts and Such conveyances Shall be valued in Lands
Secondly It is my will that if Nichalus P Watts will Receive the East fraction of Land owned by me in Section twenty five town 4 fourth in range 3 east containing about 77 acres more or less with the inprovements thereon in discharge of the claim he holds against me for money received by me and remaining in my hands as his Guardian that in such case that Fraction of land Shall be his if not that my Executor have power to settle with him on the best terms and he can for the Estate as he may think best by giving him something in addition or otherwise.
Thirdly It is my will that after the discharge of all my debts as above mentioned that my Beloved wife Charity have all the remainder of my Estate both personal and real for the use and support of herself and my minor children during her Natural lifetime Provided she shall so long remain my widow but in case should again marry then that she shall from the time of her marriage hold only one third of the personal Estate then Remaning unexp...ed in her third together with one third of the rents issued and proffits of my Real Estate then Remaining.
Fourthly It is my will that if my Beloved wife Charity can spare a horse from the farm conveneiently That she shall let my son John S. Watts have a horse at such price as my be agreed upon By my Executor and Said John S Watts which shall be counted as that amount of his portion my Estate and final dividend of said Estate Fifthly it is my will that upon the death of my Beloved wife Charity Watts the remainder of my Estate both personal and real be equally Divided among my heirs or in case of her marriage then that two thirds be equally divided amoung my heirs at the time of such marriage and the remaining third after her decease.
Sixthly It is my will and I do hereby appoint Justin Hamilton Guardian for all my Minor children Requesting that he should see that They have a good common school Education and receive their share according to this my Will & c And Lastly I hereby appoint William Hamilton Executor of this my last will and Testament Invested with all the powers herein contained signed by me this 22nd day of January AD 1843.
Signed in our presence by James Watts
and signed By us in his presence and at James Watts his request as Witnesses John M Toland William Hussey Jan 22nd 1843
The State of Ohio Mercer County SS} The last will and Testament of James Watts late of Said county deceased was this day brought before the court and was proved by the Oaths of John M Toland and William Hussey two of the witnesses thereto whose Examination were reduced to writing and upon oath do say that the said James Watts was of full age and of sound mind and memory and under no restraint therefore its ordered that said will and proof do reduced to writing be recorded
Sworn and subscribed in open courd this 31 day of May AD 1843} William Hussey and John M. Toland Franklin Lixree Clerk

1843 CEMETERY: Hamilton-Bethel Cemetery, Union Township, Mercer Co. Ohio; page 29; FHL 6,010,901

EXTRACT: row 2; James Watts 1789 - 1843; Charity 1804 - 1879 Graves next to each other. Registration card at courthouse: Watts, James 1789-1843; Army Pvt, War of 1812, in Capt George Yocum's Co.

1843 Court: 1 Jun 1843; William Hamilton Exr of James Watts; Mercer Co. Court Records, Vol Page 354; FHL 0,914,984

Extract: Know all men that William Hamilton as principal and James Watson Riley and Justin Hamilton as surity are held and firmly Bound unto the State of Ohio in the Sum of Six hundred dollars ... this first day of June AD 1843. The condition of the above obligation as such that whereas the last will and testament of James Watts late of said county deceased has this day been produced in open court and duly proved before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Said County and letters testamentary therein granted to William Hamilton Executor in Said Will named ... Make a true inventory of all the moneys goods chattels rights and credit of said testator ... an Inventory of the Real Estate of said deceased ... within eighteen months. Filed June 1st 1843. Recorded March 12th 1850

1843 Court: 21 Jul 1843; Justin Hamilton Guard to N. P. Watts; Mercer Co. Court Records, Vol Page 371; FHL 0,914,984

Extract: Know all men ... Justin Hamilton as Principal and William Hamilton and James Wright of the County of Mercer and state of Ohio are firmly bound unto the state of Ohio ... this 21st day of November eighteen hundred and forty three ...Judge of the Court of Common Pleas appointed Justin Hamilton Guardian to the person and Estate of Nicholas Parrott Watts son and heir at law of James Watts deceased aged nineteen years the 25 day of Jul 1843. Signed Justin Hamilton, Wm Hamilton and James Wright, files Nov 23 1843. Recorded March 14, 1850

1844-49 COURT: Mercer Co Ohio, GENERAL INDEX TO COURT RECORDS 1826-71; Pages 46, 364, 419, Part 2 Page 229, 263½, FHL 1,030,758
EXTRACT:
1844 Page 46: 31 Aug 1844, Justin Hamilton Guardian to Nicholas P. Watts appeared in open court and accepted as guardian the provisions made by the will of the late James Watts deceased in full of all dlaim and demand upon the said estate for or in account of any moneys or property which came & remained in the hands of the said James Watts as guardian of said Nicholas P. Watts.
1846 Page 364: 4 Apr 1846, William Hamilton exec of James Watts accts filed for final settlement next term -- continued
1846 Page 419: 24 Jul 1846, William Hamilton exec of James Watts report confirmed as follows: Assets which have come to the hands of the admin. $462.00 c... allowed to the admn. including uncollectaable debts, $462.00
1849 Part 2 page 229: 1 May 1849, Justin Hamilton guardian to Nicholas P. Watts} filed his accounts for settlement -- continued
1849 Page 263 ½: 13 Jul 1849, Justin Hamilton Guardian to Nicholas P. Watts account for settlement: on motion the court took up the account of Justin Hamilton Guardian of Nicholas P. Watts ... appears that the infant has now arrived at majority ... the court allows * passes[?] said account and that it be recorded as a ... ... of said guardian

1844 DEED: 16 Oct 1844, Mercer County Ohio Deed Book M Page 329, FHL 865,188
EXTRACT:
John S Watts and Leah Valentine to G. W. Rupert quit... A Know all men by these presents that we John S Watts and Margaret his wife of the county of Mercer and state of Ohio and Leah Valentine of the county of Van Buren and Territory of Iowa by her lawful attorney John S Watts for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to paid by George Wilson Rupert of the county of Mercer and state of Ohio the receipt Thereof is hereby acknowledged have ... [sold] [standard wording not extracted] and quit claimed unto the said George Wilson Rupert and to his heirs and assigns forever all our right title and interest as heirs at law of the late James Watts deceased of said County of Mercer Ohio in the following Real Estate to wit the South West fraction of the South East quarter of Section Number twenty five in Town four South of Range three East situate in said county of Mercer and State of Ohio and containing about ninty two and a half acres more or less.Together with all and singular ... [standard wording not extracted] In Testimoney whereof we the said John S Watts and Margaret his wife [who] hereby relinquished her right of dower in the premises and the said Leah Valentine by her attorney John S Watts have hereunto set their hands and seals this sixteenth day of october in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four. Signed sealed & acknowledged in presence of Daniel Rankin and Huey Taylor
signed] John S Watts, Margaret Watts
John S Watts attorney for Leah Watts
[Acknowledgements and release of dower follows]

1845 DEED: 6 Sep 1845, Mercer County Deed Book M Page 328; FHL 865,188
EXTRACT:
Nicholas Parrott Watts and Lucy Louise Watts his wife, sell to George W Rupert for fifty dollars all interest title and claims as heir at law of James Watts deceased, to the property purchased from the state of Ohio, namely South West fraction of the South East quarter of Section Number twenty five in Town four South of Range three East.

1847 DEED: Mercer County Deed Book M Page 54; FHL 865,188
EXTRACT:
James Watts To Nicholas P. Watts Certificate Title of Land The State of Ohio Mercer County}} I Franklin Lincocliff of the Court of the Court of Common Pleas of said County We hereby certify that the Land pro..in in the last will and testament of James Watts late of said County deceased, werein the land following Secondly it is my will that Nicholas P. Watts will receive the east fraction of land owned by me in section twenty five town 4 South ... range 3 east containing about 77 acres more or less with the improvements thereon in discharge of the claim he holds against me for money received by me and remaining in my hands as his guardian that in such case that fraction of land shall be his if that thus my Executor have power to settle with him on the best terms that he can for the Estate as he may think best by giving him something in addition a ... It is also certified thus at the August term ... the following entry was made as the Journal of said court to wit: Justin Hamilton Guardian to Nicholas P. Watts appeared in open Court and accepted as Guardian the provision made by the will of the late James Watts deceased in full of all claims and demand upon the said Estate for or on account of any money, or property which came and remained in the hands of the said James Watts as guardian to the said Nicholas P Watts.Mar 27, 1847

1848 DEED: 17 Feb 1848, Mercer County Deed Book N Page 128; FHL 865,189
EXTRACT:
Sidney Watts sells to George W. Rupert for fifty dollars all interest title and claims as heir at law of James Watts deceased, to the property purchased from the state of Ohio, Namely South West fraction of the South East quarter of Section Number twenty five in Town four South of Range three East

1850 Census Mercer Co. Ohio FHL 0,444,703
EXTRACT:
Geo W Rupert 34 M Far(mer) RE 1,000 born O Cannot read or write
Charity 40 F born O cannot read or write
Westly Watts, 18 M born O
Marcus Watts, 14 M born O
Richd Watts, 12 M born O
Rhoda Watts, 9 F born O
Alphius Rupart 6 M born O
Greenburg Rupart 2 M born O

1850 CENSUS: Dist No. 99, Union Twp, Mercer Co. Ohio, page 267 [printed], Family 686, 11 sep 1850; FHL 0,444,703
EXTRACT:
N. P. Wats-[on or ow] age 26, male, farmer, RE 400, born O
Lucy ae 27, female, b KY
Jas. ae 6, male, born O [abt 1844]
Gilbert,ae 4, born O [abt 1846]
John ae 2, born O [abt 1848]
Wm, ae 18, born O under profession there is an L.
This family is living next to Geo and Charity Rupert. Wm is I believe, Wm Westly Watts. Westly is enumerated next door same age and with an L in Profession. Even though the surname isn't exactly the same, the family matches that in the 1870 & 1880 Census and could easily be spelled that way by the enumerator.