Person:Patrick Watson (2)

Patrick Watson was born in Ireland around 1830 to Michael and Elizabeth Watson. His exact origins are unknown. Patrick immigrated to Philadelphia around the time of the Great Famine, likely between 1850 and 1852. It appears that Patrick was one of at least four Watson brothers who came to Philadelphia at that time, the others being Laurence, Christopher and John. The relation of these men has not been proven, however a great deal of evidence supports the assumption:

• Laurence Watson is buried in Patrick Watson's grave. He lived a few doors down from Patrick in 1860.
• Two of John's children, Elizabeth and John, were buried in Patrick Watson's grave before later being re-interred.
• John's son John worked for Patrick.
• The address listed on the death record of Christopher's son Bernard is where John lived.
• Christopher and John both married Jacksons, who appear to be sisters.
• All four men had a son named Michael. By itself, this is hardly worth mentioning. But it does fit with Irish naming traditions.

There is no mention of a Patrick Watson in the Philadelphia city directories until 1856, where there are two: a stone mason living on "Federal below P Rd" and a laborer living on Pennypack. John Watson lived on Federal and Patrick was a stone mason, so the first listing is likely him. He is absent from the directories in 1857-58, then listed from the 1859 directory on.

Based on the ages of his children, Patrick married Margaret Jane Maguire around 1856.

Patrick was a stone mason until 1863-64, when he went into the real estate business.

Update: A great-granddaughter of Patrick Watson and a third-great-grandson of Christopher Watson have connected via DNA testing. This is not proof of the relation, but is another strong piece of evidence for it.

1. ↑ Patrick Watson, in McElroy, A. McElroy's Philadelphia city directory. (Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States: A McElroy & Co., 1837-1867)
   746, 1859.

   pg 746: "Watson, PatK, stone mason, 765 S 17th"

2. ↑ Patrick Watson, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915. (FamilySearch Record Search)
   1907.
3. ↑ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Old Cathedral Cemetery Burial Records.

   Photocopy of cemetery burial register