John Watkins was born 22 Mar 1814 in Montgomery Co TN, the third child of Jesse Jernigan Watkins and Mary White McCorkle. He came to Texas with his parents and siblings in 1833.
In 1835 John applied for citizenship in Mexico and was issued an Entrance Certificate that year. The Watkins family became well-known in Nacogdoches. By 1836 Jesse Watkins was Justice of the Peace there and his sons became instrumental in founding the Masonic Lodge in Texas and were pioneers in law enforcement, the judicial bench and the Presbyterian Church, including John's brother, Richard Overton Watkins. On 11 Jun 1838 John M Watkins was initiated into the Grand Lodge of Texas -AF & AM Milam Lodge # 2. That lodge was comprised of members who were are recognized as Texas' truest pioneers: Adolphus Sterne, Thomas J Rusk, Sam Houston and David S. Kaufman, just to name a few. He is listed on Tax Rolls for Nacogdoches County in 1839 & 1840 and was Associate Justice of the County Court in Nacogdoches from 1841- 1843. According to the John Watkin's Bible, six children were born to the couple. He is listed on the 1847 Census showing 1 qualified Voter over 18 in his household, one female and 4 slaves. In 1850 he reported owning 5 slaves and real estate worth $1400.00. In 1853, John Watkins sold his land in Nacogdoches County and moved his family to Kaufman County Texas to live near his in-laws and other members of the Watkins family. The Watkins and Nobles were instrumental in establishing the town of Kemp and were well-respected businessmen and citizens there the remainder of their lives. In 1873 John was Postmaster of Kemp, Texas. On 10 Feb 1876 John died. He and his wife are buried in the Kemp Cemetery next to many of their children, grandchildren and other relatives.
Updated February 20, 2005. Copyright © 2003-2010 by Abby Balderama Coordinator of the Kaufman County, TXGenWeb Project site ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |