Also a Geodetic Survey Benchmark site DE2356.
This site, near Monetta, South Carolina, in Saluda County was the location of Martha Watson's house, widow of Capt. Michael Watson b ca 1750 (not 1726). Widow Martha Watson had remarried by 1788 to Jacob Odom, On Hwy 23 (State Route 23), near Monetta (On the left when traveling west) where George Washington spent the night of May 21, 1791.Jacob Odom House click for directions
It fell down in the 1920's. some of the older Citizens in the early 1990's remembered and described it. 4 room Carolina I-shapped house. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3356 Highway 23, Monetta SC 29105 The house was a 2 story log cabin of a revolutionary war widow, Martha Watson b: Nov 1753 Death: Sep 1817 in Ridge Spring, Edgefield Co, SC and her new husband Jacob Odum. Washington was paying his respects and thanking her for her late husband Captain Michael Watson's service and death of wounds received at Deans Swamp (near present day Salley, SC) 5 May 1782. His escort at this time consisted of Colonels Wade Hampton and Thomas Taylor, and Mr. Robert Lythgoe. This stop is noted in Washington's diary. The escorts stayed in nearby homes, as there was not room for all the entourage to stay here. This land was situated in the District of Ninety Six on Dry Creek waters of Mine Creek bounding n'ward on James Cox, S'ward. it may have looked similar to this house in Saluda Co:
Photo from Saluda County Historical Society in 1990. Part of Saluda was part of Edgefield County so I am including a foto from the area. Ogden Cockcroft sold this house to Bryant Marsh in 1804. The house first appears on the Mills Map of Edgefield District (1825) as a residence of "Capt. B. Marsh". Saluda office no. 864 445 855
Before Martha Watson was married to Jacob Odom, she was married to her first cousin Michael Watson. Marth Watson was born November 1753, died September, 1817 in what is now Ridge Spring, Edgefield, South Carolina (Watson also her maiden name). At one time Ridge Spring was called The Ridge. He is buried at Ridgespring Cemetery, SC Hiway 39 on Batesburg Rd.
During the Revolution, between 1780 and May1782 when he wrote his will for his 300 acres on Cloud Creek, Michael served as a commander of the Clouds Creek Company in Edgefield District under Col. LeRoy Hammond and Gen. Pickens. Martha's brother was Willis Watson (I) so there were probably already ties to the Willis family of what is now Williston, SC, after which Martha's daughter Kesiah's husband Robert Carter Willis is named. Martha's daughter Patience Watson married a Willis William Anderson, probably also with ties to the Willis family.
Martha's sister Mary Watson married William Odom. Mary "Odum" is a widow in the 1790 census in Edgefield District.
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8. Captin Michael Watson's Grave |
Children of MICHAEL WATSON b ca 1750 and MARTHA WATSON b ca 1753 are:
i. SARAH "Sally" WATSON b ca 1771, m. JAMES PERRY b abt 1774 in NC. He was brother to Ezekiel Perry (Jr) and son of Ezekiel Perry (Sr) of NC. Sarah and James may have had these children- Michael, Polly (Mary), Patsy (Martha), and Patience.
ii. PATIENCE WATSON b ca 1773, m. WILLIS William ANDERSON. Willis Anderson
John McDowell was an assignee of WILLIS ANDERSON from the Revolutionary War. He was a private, but he served enough months to get a land grant of 640 acres TO THE HEIRS OF WILLIS ANDERSON. Bounty Land Grant Warrant # 4566 for his service awarded in Feb. 1796. John McDowell got a portion of the grant and bought 30 acres in Tennessee. Anderson Willis enlisted in NORTH CAROLINA.
Jan 15, 1792, 544 acres were granted unto Edward Couch on both sides of the Charleston wagon road on Horse Creek of South Edisto River adj. Benjamin Loveless, Jacob Odom, Willis Anderson, Jacob Reed, Esq. and land formerly belonging to Martin Garner.
Feb. 26, 1796 Edward Couch, Late of Edgefield Co., SC to Willis Anderson of Edgefield Co., SC for 40 pounds, sold 90 acres being part of 113 acres granted Jan 15, 1792 unto said Edward Couch on both sides of the Charleston wagon road on Horse Creek of South Edisto River adj. Benjamin Loveless, Jacob Odom, Willis Anderson, Jacob Reed, Esq. and land formerly belonging to Martin Garner. S/Edward Couch. Wit: Isaac Kirkland, James Bruton, and Robert Hatcher, who swore by oath March 11, 1796 before John Blocker, JP. Recorded March 11, 1796.
iii. ELIJAH JULIAN WATSON b: 18 May 1775 d. May 20, 1841 in Ridge Spring, South Carolina; married his cousin Chloe Elizabeth WIMBERLEY December 1795 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. She was born 1/11/1788 (she must have lied about her birthdate) died 1/15/1866.
"Died, on May 20, 1841, Elijah Watson, Sr., in the 67th year of his age, at his residence, the Ridge, in Edgefield District, of a long and painful disease of the bowels. His father came to this country long before the Revolution, and lost his life in defense of his country; he lived on the same tract of land that the deceased lived on at his decease; leaving a wife and eight children. (The Edgefield Advertiser, June 3, 1841)" Elijah was the founder of "Watson Tavern", which is still standing today in Ridge Spring, South Carolina and in use. Gravestone-Sacred to the memory of Elijah Watson, Sen. who was born the 18th of May, 1775 and departed this life the 20th day of May, 1841. Aged 66 years and 2 days.
Elijah was probably named after Martha's father John Elijah Watson born 7 July 1718 in Virginia? and died before 16 August 1791 near what is now Ridge Spring, SC. Chloe was born January 14, 1783 in Bertie County, North Carolina; died January 15, 1865 in Ridge Spring. She was the daughter of Penelope Perry, older sister to Ezekiel and James Perry. Penelope had married John Wimberley who died 2 Jun 1835 in Jones Co., Georgia - Buried Wimberly Cemetery, Jeffersonville, Twiggs Co., Georgia. Children of Elijah Watson and Chloe Wimberly are:
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iv. KEZIAH WATSON b ca 1776, d. June 16, 1846; m. ROBERT CARTER WILLIS Sr.; b. ca 1773 Johnston County, North Carolina d. April 06, 1849 Williston, Barnwell, SC.
Children
John Turner Willis b: 20 Aug 1798 in South Carolina
Notes for ROBERT WILLIS: Willistown if named after Robert Carter Willis and wife Keziah (Kissie) Watson and is built on their plantation. (Robert Willis Farm) A note from Connie Roper about their son who married the love of his life (against his father wishes?):
ROBERT CARTER WILLIS,JR. WAS BORN 1800 IN WILLISTON,BARNWELL COUNTY,SOUTH CAROLINA AND DIED 1860 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA. ROBERT WILLIS,JR. MARRIED MARGARET KIRKLAND BORN 1810 IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND DIED 1870 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA. THEY HAD CHILDREN 1]NANCY WILLIS BORN 1828 MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA 2]ELIZABETH WILLIS BORN 1830 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA 3]WILSON LUMPKIN WILLIS BORN 1833 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA 4]JACKSON WILLIS BORN 1835 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA 5]MARGARET WILLIS BORN 1837 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA 6]JANE WILLIS BORN 1838 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA 7]HENRY WILLIS BORN 1841 IN MILLEDGEVILLE,GEORGIA ROBERT WILLIS,JR. MOVED TO GEORGIA FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO CLAIM A LAND LOTTERY HIS MOTHER - KESSIAH WATSON WILLIS - HAD RECEIVED IN AN LOTTERY BECAUSE OF HER FATHER'S [CAPTAIN MICHAEL WATSON] DEATH IN THE AMERICAN REVOUTIONARY WAR. ROBERT CARTER WILLIS,JR. WAS ALSO LEFT OUT OF HIS FATHER'S [ROBERT CARTER WILLIS,SR.] WILL BECAUSE OF THIS TRANSACTION. IN FACT, ROBERT WILLIS,SR. LEFT HIS HALF BROTHER - ROBERT MOORE WILLIS - A CHILD'S SHARE IN HIS WILL. I FOUND OUT THROUGH ALL MY DIGGING AND RESEARCHING THERE WAS ALOT MORE TO THIS STORY. ROBERT WILLIS,JR. MARRIED MARGARET KIRKLAND WHO WAS THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF COLONIAL MOSES KIRKLAND. THE COLONIAL WAS A NEIGHBOR OF CAPTAIN JOHN WILLIS - ROBERT WILLIS,JR.'S GRANDFATHER. COLONIAL MOSES KIRKLAND HAD REMAINED LOYAL TO THE BRITISH DURING THE WAR. HE WAS RUMORED TO BE QUITE MEAN. MOSES KIRKLAND WAS SUSPECTED OF BURNING CAPTAIN MICHAEL WATSON'S [KESSIAH WATSON WILLIS'S FATHER AND ROBERT WILLIS,JR.'S GRANDFATHER] HOME THREE DIFFERENT TIMES DURING THE WAR. THOUGH MOSES KIRKLAND WAS MEAN AND BAD - HIS NEIGHBOR CAPTAIN JOHN WILLIS WAS CONSIDERED TO BE MEANER AND BADDER AS MOSES KIRKLAND NEVER ATTEMPTED TO HARM HIS HOME. AFTER THE WAR ENDED, MOSES KIRKLAND WAS EXPELLED TO JAMAICA FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. I BELIEVED KESSIAH WATSON WILLIS GAVE HER SON, ROBERT WILLIS,JR. THE LAND LOTTERY SO HE COULD SETTLE IN GEORGIA AND MARRY THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE, MARGARET KIRKLAND, WHO FOLLOWED SHORTLY BEHIND ROBERT WILLIS,JR. TO GEORGIA. THIS SAVED THEIR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS [AND PROBABLY EVEN SOME RELATIVES] OF KNOWING ROBERT WILLIS,JR. HAD MARRIED MARGARET KIRKLAND - GRANDDAUGHTER OF MOSES KIRKLAND - CONSIDERED TO BE A TRAITOR TO THE NEWLY FORMED UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
April 16, 1795 Edward Couch of Edgefield Co., SC to Moore Johnson and Charity, his wife for love and affection, gives a Negro boy named Tom about 11 years old and an inventory…S/ Edward Couch. Wit: John Johnson, Robert Willis, who swore by oath Aug. 15, 1795 before Richard Tutt, JP. Recorded Aug. 15, 1795.
v. MARY "POLLY" WATSON b: 12 Aug 1778 d. ca 1857, m. EZEKIEL PERRY b. abt 1779 d. 1833 Edgefield SC. There are several accounts concerning the visit of Washington and what he gave as a gift. I dont know which is unaltered thru time. She may have been the one to "sit" in President George Washington's lap, she was 13 years old, while he was visiting the family on his way from Augusta to Columbia, South Carolina. Washington gave her a gift of a shilling coin which has been a prized posession of the family for many generations. Another account says a beautiful gold and white enameled snuff or jewel box to Mary. The top and sides of the box had miniture paintings of various court scenes of Louis 14th of France. Inside was a gold coin, a double eagle. (8) This account of General Washington's visit also states that the Watson children were all under 9 years old when their father died and that the youngest Mary (Polly) was given the box with the gold coin. (9) A second account states that General Washington gave a guinea (gold coin) to Mary. In the second account this same Mary was born in 1869 (10). Which if they mean 1769 it would make her the oldest instead of the youngest.
1800 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.155b; Ezekiel Perry, Jun; 00010-30010-03.
1810 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.89; Ezekiel Perry; 10010-32010-00.
1810 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.89; Ezekiel Perry; 10010-32010-00.
Ezekiel was the son of Ekekiel Perry Sr b. ca 1720-1740. Ezekiel Jr.'s older sister was Penelope Perry b ca 1759 who married John WIMBERLEY- she named 2 sons after her brothers- Maj. Gen. Ezekiel Wimberley; 9/1/1783 - d.5/5/1843 Jeffersonville, Twiggs Co., Georgia and Col. James B.Wimberley; abt 1793 - d. 9 January 1864 Upatoi, Muscogee Co., Georgia. Her daughter came to live in Ridge Spring - Chloe Elizabeth WIMBERLY, b. 14 Jan 1781, Bertie Co., North Carolina , d. 15 Jan 1865, Ridge Springs, Edgefield Co., South Carolin. Ezekiel Perry willed 18 slaves upon his death in 1833. He was the son of Ezekiel Perry 1742 NC-1807 SC and Elizabeth Docton of NC- daughter of Jacob Docton:
Perquimans Wills - Docton, Jacob 26 Jan 1764 Apr Ct 1764 Grandson Jacob Eason (son of Abner) grandson Jacob Bagley (son of Samuel) grandson Docton Perry, daughters Christian Collins, Rachel Eason, Sarah Bagley, Mary Hill and Elizabeth Perry; wife Sarah and son-in-law Abner Eason Exrs. Test: Job Price, Zebah Fields. Hathaway 2-169- Sally's Family Place web site
Known children of Mary Watson and Ezekiel Perry (Jr):
Patsy Catherine Perry 17 Nov 1794
Sallie Perry
Matilda Perry 8 Nov 1802
Rebecca Perry abt 1804
Ezekiel Watson Perry b. 8 Feb 1809
Rebecca Perry married Arthur Pickney West Sr.. Rebecca Perry had 3 known children – Mary Mattie (m. Hardy) (1821-1860), Ezekiel Perry (1822-1892) & Chloe Ann (m. Harrison) (1831-1910). Owned 29 slaves in 1850 census
Martha's daughters by Jacob Odom-
vi. Charity Odom b 1790- d. 1821 married JOSIAH COTTON, son of CULLEN COTTON and HELEN MOORE of Edgefield SC- their dau. married Simeon Perry.
1800 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.145a; Simeon Perry; 30210-10300-01.
1810 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.89; Simeon Perry; 01201-11001-00.
1800 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.145a; Simeon Perry; 30210-10300-01.
1810 Census - Edgefield Co, SC; p.89; Simeon Perry; 01201-11001-00.
vii. NANCY ODOM married a CRAVEN according to Edgefield court records
viii. Martha Odom d. 1805
3 comments:
I was looking for the year of George Washington's visit to that location but unless I missed it I wasn't able to see that date. Do you know? I found a coin dated the late 1700's in the ashes of a fireplace in Aiken where I had been told much earlier on (I think by the now deceased Aiken historian Perrin Toole many years ago)that George Washington had stayed on that property just off Colleton Avenue. Your or anyone's informative input would be appreciated. Thank you!
George Washington also gave a Gold Guinea to Martha Watson Odom's oldest child also, Charity Odom who married Josiah Moore Cotton and kept the coin and it was passed down to her daughter Patience Cotton who married Thomas Garner. Their son Benjamin John Garner died in 1882 and Patience gave the coin to her grand son John Harris Garner who gave it to his youngest son Ira Harrison Garner who daughter Linda Garner Anderson received it upon his death and her son stole it and pawned it for money to buy drugs. So that coin is no longer in our side of the family.
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