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Rebecca Townsend was
born on April 17, 1808 in Windham, Green Co., NY. She is the oldest child of Ezra
and Jennett (Trumbull) Townsend.
George Walter Watson was
born on January 27, 1808 in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co, NY. We are not sure who
George Walter's parents are. We do know that George Walter went by the name of
Walter legally. He had signed his name as Walter Watson on land deeds and it is
listed as Walter on his gravestone in Denton, Michigan.
There is some indication
that Walter's father might have been Joseph Watson. Frank Watson in the 1930's, (who
printed the black leather family history books for Watson members) had George Walter
listed as the son of Joseph Watson. Where he received this information from is
unknown. From the 1880 Mortality Schedule it shows that both of Walter's
parents were born in New York.
Walter and
Rebecca
married on April 16, 1826, one day before Rebecca's 18th birthday, in Mendon, Monroe Co.,
NY. They moved from East Bloomfield, NY to Superior, Washtenaw County, MI sometime
between the summer of 1830 and the winter of 1832 along with their daughters, Lucetta and
Marietta. The other seven children were born in Michigan.
This was taken
from Portrait and Biographical Album of Calhoun County,Michigan. Published by: Chapman
1891, Page 818. (Supplied by
Elaine Lovelace.)
This article was on Lewis Townsend who is Rebecca's brother.
The mother of Lewis was
Janet (Jennet is the correct spelling - Diane) Trumbull. Janet was born May
13, 1791 in the eastern part of New York. Her mother was Rebecca Trumbull.
In 1831, Lewis' parents
removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan. Traveling by boat from Buffalo to Detroit and
by wagon from Detroit through the wild county. They journeyed part of the way by the
Chicago Turnpike (Michigan Avenue). The Townsends settled nine miles east of Ann
Arbor on the Ridge Road. The mother did not survive long the trials and privations
of pioneer life in their new home. Her death occurred in 1835.
Our sources indicate on
June 6, 1833 Walter purchased 38.88 acres of land in section 31 and in 1934 in section 30
in Superior, Washtenaw County, MI. The land was passed down through the children.
Today, Gorhams still live on the original land purchased.
John Dupray has these
pictures of Walter and Rebecca in their younger years.
Paul Watson has this
picture of Water and Rebecca in their middle years.
Pat Morbach has this
picture of Rebecca in her later years.
- The 1870 census for
the township of Canton was taken on August 3, 1870. It shows Walter
as a farmer and Rebecca keeping house both 65 living with J. Warren, who
is listed as a farm laborer. Their property was listed at $2,500 and
their personal property listed at $1,000.
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- We do have a copy of
Walter Watson's will. Some of the words are
illegible though. The date of the will is unknown.
I wish
(illegible----------) is sold by me and that my children meet together and
choose one of themselves to sell enough personal property to pay all my debts
including my last expenses if there is enough left to do it and if there is
not let each one pay their equal shares to make up the deficiency and if there
is any personal property left let it be divided equally amongst my 4 daughters
and one son George Watson (illegible-------). I hope you will do
it peacibly and after the debts are paid you will each have your deed
delivered to you and no encumbrance on any except the ninety dollars that
George is to pay to Lewises children. May God bless and prosper you all
is the constant prayer of your old and feeble Father.
Walter Watson
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