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Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryP.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
URL: https://small.library.virginia.edu/
Ellen Welch
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation
MSS 12170, Watts family papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was a gift from Katherine Watts to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 9 April 2022.
Biographical / Historical
The Watts family has been part of the Roanoke Valley (also called "Big Lick") in Virginia for six generations. General Edward Watts was born on 7 April 1779, in Prince Edward, Virginia. He was the son of William Watts (1742-1797), and Mary Scott (1758-1836). He married Elizabeth Breckinridge, the daughter of James Breckinridge on 6 May 1811 and they had 10 children, including William Watts (1817-1877), Mary Scott Gamble (1814-1840), Ann Selden Watts Holcombe (1820-1888), Alice Watts Robertson (1832-1914), Emma Gilmer Watts Carr (1834-1872) and Letitia Watts Sorrell (1829-1900). Edward Watts purchased 400 acres of land from his father-in-law, James Breckinridge (called The Barrens) where he built his home "Oaklands" in 1817. General Edward Watts died in 1859 at age 59. The Watts and Breckinridge families were well-known families in southwest Virginia who enslaved people during the American Revolution and the American Civil War. They were admired by their peers as influential attorneys, politicians, and land owners who often opened their house to the community.
General Edward Watts was educated at Liberty Hall Academy (Washington & Lee), and Princeton. He was an officer in the War of 1812 and was the Commonwealth attorney for Roanoke County from 1839 to 1845. His son, William Watts (1817-1877) was a Colonel in the 28th Infantry of the Confederate Army (Roanoke Greys). He was educated in medicine and law at the University of Virginia.
After the war, he followed in his father's path as the Commonwealth attorney from 1845 to 1854. He was in the State Constitutional Convention (1850-1851), and was president of the Exchange Bank of Virginia. He also ran for governor in 1834 and 1842. He served in the legislature for one term in 1875. He married Mary Allen in 1850 and they had one living son, John Allen Watts (1855-1904). Mary Allen died following his birth in 1855. Colonel William Watts was also a farmer who enslaved over 100 people. He was said to have one enslaved person as his "body servant" through the war and gave him a home for life. Research of the collection has not yet provided his name.
John Allen Watts (1855-1904) nicknamed "Squat" was also a student at the University of Virginia and became an attorney. He married Gertrude Lee and they had a son named William. John Allen Watts sold Oaklands to a develpment company and it burned down in 1897. Descendants Jean Staples Showalter, English Showalter, and Katherine Watts donated this collection of their family's papers.
Sources: "Roanoke and Western Virginia: Glimpses of the Pst: Oaklands" http://showalter.blogspot.com/2010/12/oaklands.html
Barnes, Raymond. "Confederates of Roanoke-V: General Edward Watts and Colonel William Watts Founded Clan" Roanoke World News. 5 April 1961. The Historical Society of Western Virginia. O. Winston Link Museum. History Museum of Western Virginia https://hswv.pastperfectonline.com/archive/94647C8F-8806-4D18-8A04-445143233613#gallery
Barnes, Raymond. 'Oaklands' Was Hospitable Seat of Watts Family for Generations: Needed Big Staff" Roanoke World News. 21 May 1958. The Historical Society of Western Virginia. O. Winston Link Museum. History Museum of Western Virginia https://hswv.pastperfectonline.com/archive/53DC8EB0-DBE3-4B95-B4AF-027946626463#gallery
Watts, Katherine. "The Roanoke Valley and the Watts Family" June 1984.
Content Description
The Watts family papers of Roanoke County, Virginia at "Oaklands" in Flat Creek, Campbell County) consist of correspondence and documents related to the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the United States Civil War, war with Osceola and Seminole tribes in Florida, Virginia politics, economic and social history (including enslavement),land ownership, farming, court cases and debt from 1786 to 1950 in southwest Virginia. The Watts are related to many other Virginia families including James and Dolley Madison. This collection represents a great view into historical and social events of the eighteenth and nineteenth century in Virginia.
The papers of this family of landowners, farmers, politicians, and attorneys portray the rich southern antebellum life on the Oaklands plantation. Despite the told and true characteristics of the kindness of the Watts family, they were nineteenth century southern plantation owners who owned hundreds of enslaved persons. The letters and receipts in the collection include many first names and some last names. One enslaved person, Henry Langhorne, a lifetime attendant of Colonel William Watts was bequeathed $1,000 and a home for life.
Some letters mention the Watt's efforts to keep enslaved families from being separated by intervening in the sales of enslaved persons. There are many references to enslaved people among their households and farm, including descriptions of providing their clothing, housing, and nurturing them when they were sick, like family members. It is important to note that the collection also contains receipts for their purchase and loan.
The issue of enslavement is discussed in local meetings that Watts attended. There are also letters from former enslaved persons such as [Malinda] Langhorne and William Langhorne to Watts family members and photographs of enslaved persons, Aunt Sally and Aunt Phoebe standing together, and a photograph of Uncle Lou with the Watts children.
There is also correspondence about financial and legal matters as Colonel William Watts (1817-1877) and his father, General Edward Watts (1779-1859), were attorneys. Much of their correspondence relates to collecting debts, indentures, land surveys, receipts, and politics (Whig party, Commonwealth Attorney, Constitutional Convention, Virginia Delegates, and candidacy for Governor), and religion. The papers contain discussions about the popular faith of Presbyterians and Episcopalians). The University of Virginia, Washington & Lee, and William & Mary College are also mentioned.
The collection spans six generations of the Watts family including General Edward Watts and his wife Elizabeth Breckinridge (1794-1862), their son Colonel William Watts (1817-1877) and his wife Mary Jane Allen (1825-1855). Also included is their son, John Allen Watts and his wife Gertrude Lee.
Other related families include Madison, Breckenridge, Allen, Jackson, Watson, Morris, Gamble, Payne, Washington, Meigs, and Saunders. (MSS 653) Other related collections include MSS 4111-a,-b,-c,-d,-e,-f; MSS 38-33 Irvine, Saunders, Davis, and Watts families (William Watts daybooks 1768-1786); MSS 259; MSS 9715 Abram Penn Staples..(see related materials note)
The papers of Mary Scott Watts Gamble have been combined into this collection. These letters contain her accounts of attacks by Osceola and Seminole people in Florida. She mentions that Robert [Watts?] and Robert Gamble joined the local militia to remove the Seminoles from the swamps and send them out West. (1835)
Arrangement
The Watts family papers are arranged into 9 series. Series 1. Family Correspondence, Series 2. Genealogy, History and letters of James and Dolley Madison, Series 3. Documents related to enslavement, Series 4. Legal and Financial papers, Subseries A. Indentures, Subseries B. Marriage agreements, petitions, statements, and wills, Subseries C. Letters about collecting debts, Subseries D. Receipts for goods and services of the Watts family, Series 5. Newspaper clippings and miscellaneous family papers and oversize photographs, Series 6. Family Bibles, Series 7. Roanoke Gun Club Inc. land, Series 8. Showalter transcriptions on digital materials and a flash drive. Box 1 contains folders with some transcription of the letters in the collection and a folder with biographical information. Box 12 contains folders with an index and a folder of miscellaneous information about the collection.
Added existing collection MSS 12170 (3 folders) of Breckinridge, Gamble and Watts families into this addition of Watts family papers MSS 12170.
Related Material
There is a website at the O. Winston Link Museum (History Museum of West Virginia) that has many of the Watts family letters online
https://hswv.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?page=3&keyword=Watts%2C%20William&searchType=person&showsearch=True
Related collections include MSS 4111-a,-b,-c,-d,-e,-f; MSS 8914, and MSS 653.
MSS 38-33 Irvine, Saunders, Davis, and Watts families (William Watts daybooks 1768-1786); MSS 259; MSS 653; MSS 9715 Abram Penn Staples.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Madison, Dolley
- Madison, James
- Slavery--United States -- Virginia
- United States History Civil War 1861-1865
- lawyers -- Virginia
Container List
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 1
Letters to General James Breckinridge1792-1828English.Scope and Contents
Box 1 contains a folder of transcriptions for some of the collection letters and a folder of biographical information.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 2
Letters to Mrs. Edward Watts (Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts)1801 April 26English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 3
Letters from Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts1812-1834English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 4
Edward Watts to Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts1818-1846English.Scope and Contents
Letter dated 1819 mentions "Joshua" who rode Edward Watts' horse for him.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 5
Edward Watts to family (copies)1818-1860English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 6
W. H. Kinely to Mrs. Morris1802 July 10English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 7
Letters to Emma Breckinridge1822-1831, undatedEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 8
Edward Watts appointment to Colonel1823English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 9
Edward Watts to his son James Breckinridge Watts1830-1832English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 10
Edward Watts to his son William Watts1835-1855English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 11
Letters to Edward Watts1826-1843English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 12
Letters to Edward Watts1848-1854English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 13
Letters from Edward Watts1836-1843English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 14
Letters to James Breckinridge Watts1828-1841English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 15
James Breckinridge Watts to William Watts1842English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 16
Mrs. William Watts (Mary Jane Allen Watts) correspondence1851 and 1855English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 17
Letters from William Watts1847-1853English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 18
Letters to William Watts1836 and 1845English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 19
Letters to William Watts1846-1850English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 20
Letters to William Watts1851-1853English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669251] box: 1 folder: 21
Letters to William Watts1854English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 1
Letters to William Watts1855-1856English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 2
Letters to William Watts1857English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 3
Letters to William Watts1859English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 4
Letters to William Watts1860English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 5
Letters to William Watts1861English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 6
Letters to William Watts1862English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 7
Letters to William Watts1870; 1875English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 8
Letters from William Watts to his son John Allen Watts1867-1868English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 9
Letters from William Watts to his son John Allen Watts1872-1876English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 10
Letters to John Allen Watts1873-1874English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 11
Letters to John Allen Watts1875-1877English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 12
Letters to John Allen Watts1878-1893English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 13
Letters from John Allen Watts1903English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 14
Letters to Letitia Gamble Watts Sorrell1892-1900English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 15
[Fleming] Saunders to his cousin1892 November 14English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 16
Miscellaneous letter Jane K. Duncan1890English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 17
Dr. John O. Scott of Sherman, Texas1897 October 5English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 18
Watts Family correspondence1872-1898English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 19
Letters about the death of John Allen Watts1904English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 20
Watts Family Genealogy traced from England (Frances O. Watts from Boston)1857 November 6English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669252] box: 2 folder: 21
Notes on Watts family genealogyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 1
Notes on Watts family genealogyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 2
Watts family history
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 3
OaklandsEnglish.Scope and Contents
There are newspaper clippings about the Watts family. Included is a newspaper article, "Number of Colored Residents Have Been Here for 50 Years," 28 January, 1934 about families in Roanoke that were enslaved 50 years earlier. Nettie Simms Calloway claims that her father, L. M. Simm, was owned by Colonel William Watts and that her great-grandmother was enslaved by General Edward Watts at Oaklands. Other family names of enslaved persons are named in the article.
An obituary for Colonel William Watts mentions that a large group enslaved people were around him at his death including Henry Langhorne who had attended him during the war and throughout his life. Colonel Watts left him $1,000 in his will and a permanent home.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 4
Oaklands and John Allen WattsEnglish.Scope and Contents
There is an address by John Allen Watts and newspaper clippings about the Watts family.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 5
Watts farm platEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 6
Watts CemeteryEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 7
Grove Hill and General James Breckinridge historyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 8
Allen Family genealogyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 9
George DuncanEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 10
John George Jackson and letters to his sister-in-law Dolley Madison1803-1809English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 11
Letters from both James Madison and Dolley Madison1825English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 12
Writings about James and Dolley MadisonEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669253] box: 3 folder: 13
George and Hugh Lee papersEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 1
Preston family genealogyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 2
Preston Family Memoranda albumEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 3
Jean Watts Staples photographs and newspaper clippingsEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 4
Showalter and Staples FamilyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 5
Tayloe Family genealogyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 6
Mary Robertson's book, "Lucy Breckinridge of Grove Hill: The Journal of a Virginia Girl 1862-1864"1980English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 7
Letitia Gamble Watts Sorrel album1850English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 8
Letitia Gamble Watts Sorrel notebookEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669254] box: 4 folder: 9
James Breckinridge Watts wallet (empty)English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 1
Carter Berkely to Edward Watts about sale of enslaved people1819-1849English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 2
Botetourt County Sheriff receipt to Edward Watts for 61 enslaved people1833English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 3
Edward Watts and William Madison Peyton to John B. Floyd (Account statement including hiring of enslaved people Ned and Delphy)1833-1841English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 4
Watts family correspondence that mentions enslaved people, Little Jimy, Davy, Dicey1834-1849
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 5
John Campbell statement account with Edward Watts, hired labor of John1835
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 6
Account Statement Thomas A. Lovelace and Edward Watts, setting Sally's broken arm1835-1839
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 7
John M. Petty statement account with Edward Watts, Hire of Diana, Hench1835-1843
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 8
Statement account Edward Watts with Richard Tyree, pair shoes for Patrick, cash to Davy to pay J.D. Evans1836
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 9
Estate of General James Breckinridge (fragment) 7 enslaved people valued at $28251838
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 10
Documents relating to debts owed by James Breckinridge Watts or William Watts including hire of Bab1839-1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 11
Fleming Saunders to Edward Watts against hiring out unneeded slaves and separation of families1840
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 12
John Breckinridge to Edward Watts, Hire of John Lewis, John Burks, and Fanny Burks1840
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 13
Statement Account of Cary Breckinridge, executor of General James Breckinridge estate and lot of enslaved people1840
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 14
Cary Breckinridge to Edward Watts to hire Griffin and Patterson1841
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 15
Edward Watts to Robert Gamble settlement of General James Breckinridge estate including enslaved people1841
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 16
Statement of Bonds of Edward Watts due Cary Breckinridge, Hire of Griffin and Patterson, purchase of Ned and Delphy1841
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 17
Cary Breckinridge and John Breckinridge accounts, hire of Selden1842-1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 18
John Breckinridge to Edward Watts, hire of Seldon1843
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 19
Thomas Tosh account statement with Edward Watts, Hire of Jabet and Peyton1844
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 20
Dr. Robert Johnston to William Watts, seeking payment for delivering infant of enslaved person of Col. Thomas Burwell1844
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 21
Account Statement Edward Watts for taxes on 98 enslaved people1845
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 22
William Ransom Johnson Indenture; Belle Grove estate- enslaved people1845-1850
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 23
Fleming James letters about Stoner estate and enslaved people1845
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 24
Fleming James correspondence about Stoner Estate and enslaved people1846-1847
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 25
John Quarles James to William Watts, price for Baldy Jim1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 26
List of enslaved people of Edward Watts hired out1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 27
J.K. Pitzer (sheriff) receipt for Edward Watts taxes, 98 enslaved people1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 28
Account Statements for Edward Watts, during his son's final illness including payment for care of servant1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 29
Wiley P. Woods and Joseph Rives court case against Pinkhard/ Newbill, posession of Judy and Mathew from Estate1847-1848
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 30
William G. Peck to William Watts, enslaved people "well"1850
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 31
Hiring of enslaved person Daniel, William Cook to William Watts1851
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 32
Edward Watts slave receipt to Dr. Thomas Good for attending Hector1852
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 33
William Watts receipt for visit and prescriptions for enslaved people1852-1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 34
Mary Jane Allen Watts to her mother Mary Elizabeth Payne Jackson Allen- description of enslaved man driving Livery1853
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 35
Hiring of enslaved people- Estate of Martha Watts1853-1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 36
Hiring of Ephraim1854-1855
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 37
Loss of valuable enslaved, William Langhorne to William Watts1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 38
Interest from enslaved persons on McClanahan estate, Charles L. Crockett1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 39
Judge [Fleming] Saunders to William Watts, remove enslaved from Martin house for better care1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 40
Morrow Suit against Haynes, Boyle, and Anderson to William Watts1855
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 41
Sale of Man Lyttleton1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 42
William Preston Peyton to James Coles Bruce, release as security on Elmwood, sold his enslaved people1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 43
William Watts receipt for enslaved man Jack1857
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 44
Henry D. Flood to William Watts, Bill for advertising land and enslaved people1857
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 45
Slave taxes1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 46
[Harry Ganst] to [William] Watts, punishment of Ginnette1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 47
A.R. Plumbey to William Watts, discussion of slavery [Valley Whig]1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 48
enslavement receipts, Rives1859-1864
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 49
sale of enslaved people1861
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 50
enslavement receipts1864-1865
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 51
William J. Robertson to E.A. Rollins, IRS. Non working enslaved people not calculated on income1866
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 52
Former enslaved woman Malinda Langhorne to John Allen Watts1878
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 53
Photograph of Aunt Sallie and Aunt Phoebe, and of Uncle Lou, who were enslaved by the Watts familyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 54
Miscellaneous Account Statementundated
A. Indentures, deeds, plats, receipts, tax statements,petitions, and wills. B. Letters about debt collection. C.Stocks D. Receipt for goods and services for Watts family
- Indentures1825-1903
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 55
Mark Evans Indentures, plats, surveys, Naked Farm1748-1817
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 56
Court Case- John C. Drewidge against John Beserer and James Southall1787-1806
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 57
Indenture- Adam Britts to Elisha Betts for land originally owned by William Watts1807
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 58
Miscellaneous business letter1810-1811
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 59
Indenture to Edward Watts from William L. Adams1815
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 60
Indenture and Platt for Andrew Lewis land1815-1821
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 61
Indenture- Edward Watts to Samuel L. Harrison1817
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 62
Memorandum of agreement- Washington West to George St. Clair and David Palmer1818
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 63
Warrant signed by Governor James Monroe granting tract of land to Peter Dierly1802
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 64
Indentures- Charles Johnston to Edward Watts, Henry Langhorne, James Preston, and Allen Taylor1821-1828
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 65
Land Appraisal on court case between David Armstrong and Joseph Still1823-1825
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 66
Garden Plan1822
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 1
Indenture- Madison and Eliza Pitzer to Edward Watts, Andrew Lewis land1825-1837
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 2
Indentures, deeds, receipts- Nofsinger land to Edward Watts1829-1837
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 3
Indentures- Gwathmey (temple property)1829-1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 4
Indenture- John B. and Sarah Floyd, sale of land to Edward Watts1833
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 5
Indentures- Samuel Stoner1834-1847
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 6
Miscellaneous Fragments1834
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 7
Indenture- John Dabney debt1873
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 8
Covenant- railroad and E.A. Neal for Tavern1875
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 9
Indentures- Cornelius O'Leary to John Allen Watts, sale of Oaklands1890-1892
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 10
Watts indentures, platts, and surveys1829-1842
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 11
Watts indentures, platts, and surveys1844-1850
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 12
Watts indentures, platts, and surveys1851-1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 13
Watts indentures, platts, and surveys1865-1872
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 14
Watts indentures, platts, and surveys1873-1903
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 15
Indentures- John Bowers land to Colonel E. McClanahanundated
- Mixed Materials [X032669255] box: 5 folder: 55
- Marriage agreements, petitions, statements, and wills1829-1910English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 16
Roanoke County Petition1910
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 17
William Watts income tax receipt1866
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 18
John Watts will and obituary1829-1830
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 19
William Pendleton and Elizabeth Robinson marriage agreement1840
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 20
Death of Mrs. James B. Gamble1840
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 21
Sarah B. Preston will1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 22
William Watts church notes1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 23
Obituary and will- Edward and Elizabeth Watts1856-1862
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 24
Letitia G. Sorrells will (liberation of slaves?)1856, 1916
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 25
Edward Watts will- excerpt1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 26
Settlement of estate of James Breckinridge with Edward Watts1863
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 27
Resolution- William Watts (death)1877
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 28
Emma W. Breckinridge will1881
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 29
Lease Contract- Gertrude Lee Watts and John Allen Watts1905
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 16
- Letters about collection of debts1794-1890English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 30
Debts, claims, business- John Buchanon, Rockbridge1794
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 31
Survey for George Chambers (treasury warrant) 5300 acres, waters of Roanoke (Mason's Creek, Carvino Creek)1794
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 32
Anderson survey (Watts- Evans) connected platts1808
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 33
Court case- Richard Roe, Samuel Peffly, Samuel Wilson1816
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 34
Jonathan Evans vs Samuel Peffly- survey1818
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 35
Survey land of William Fleming for Charles Johnston1818
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 1
Debts/ Claims to Edward Watts1819-1827
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 2
Description of land- William Anderson, J. McClanahan, Charles Oliver1826
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 3
Debts/ Claims to Edward Watts1828-1831
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 4
Debts/ Claims to Edward Watts1831
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 5
Debts/ Claims to Edward Watts1832
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 6
Debts/ Claims to Edward Watts1833
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 7
Watts debts/ claims/ business1834 Jan- May
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 8
Watts debts/ claims/ business1834 Jun- Dec
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 9
Watts debts/ claims/ business1835
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 10
Watts debts/ claims/ business1839-1841
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 11
Watts debts/ claims/ business1842
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 12
Watts debts/ claims/ business1843
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 13
Watts debts/ claims/ business1844
- Mixed Materials [X032669257] box: 7 folder: 14
Watts debts/ claims/ business1845 Jan- Apr
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 1
Watts debts/ claims/ business1845 May- Jun
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 2
Watts debts/ claims/ business1845 Jul- Dec
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 3
Watts debts/ claims/ business1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 4
Watts debts/ claims/ business1847
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 5
Watts debts/ claims/ business1849
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 6
Watts debts/ claims/ business1850
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 7
Watts debts/ claims/ business1851
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 8
Watts debts/ claims/ business1852
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 9
Watts debts/ claims/ business1853 Jan- Sept
- Mixed Materials [X032669258] box: 8 folder: 10
Watts debts/ claims/ business1853 Oct-Dec
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 1
Watts debts/ claims/ business1854 Jan-Mar
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 2
Watts debts/ claims/ business1854 Apr-Jun
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 3
Watts debts/ claims/ business1854 Jul-Sept
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 4
Watts debts/ claims/ business1854 Oct-Dec
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 5
Watts debts/ claims/ business1855 Jan-Feb
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 6
Watts debts/ claims/ business1855 Mar-Apr
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 7
Watts debts/ claims/ business1855 May-Aug
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 8
Watts debts/ claims/ business1855 Sept- Dec
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 9
Watts debts/ claims/ business1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 10
Watts debts/ claims/ business1857 Jan-Mar
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 11
Watts debts/ claims/ business1857 Apr- Jul
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 12
Watts debts/ claims/ business1857 Aug-Oct
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 13
Watts debts/ claims/ business1857 Nov-Dec
- Mixed Materials [X032669259] box: 9 folder: 14
Watts debts/ claims/ business- Legal case: Alexander White vs. Railroad1857-1858
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 1
Watts debts/ claims/ business1858
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 2
Watts debts/ claims/ business1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 3
Watts debts/ claims/ business1860-1861
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 4
Summons Landon and Letitia Rives by Elizabeth and William Watts1860
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 5
Watts debts/ claims/ business1867-1868
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 6
Watts debts/ claims/ business1870-1879
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 7
Watts debts/ claims/ business1886
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 8
S.E. Morris agreement with W.V. Hanagan and J.F. Christian vs. Lynchburg property; court order1890
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 9
Mrs. [Floyd] mansion saleundated
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 1
- Mixed Materials [X032669256] box: 6 folder: 30
- Stocks1841-1891English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 10
Watts stocks and bonds1841-1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 11
Watts stocks and bonds1871-1890
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 12
Watts stocks and bonds1891
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 10
- Receipts for goods and services for Watts family1855-1897English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 13
Preston receipts1785-1787
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 14
Receipts for James Breckinridge, John Preston1787
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 15
Receipts for goods and services1817-1832
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 16
miscellaneous receipts for goods and services1823
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 17
Watts receipts for goods and services1830-1834
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 18
Watts receipts for goods and services1835-1838
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 19
Watts receipts for goods and services1839
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 20
Watts receipts for goods and services1840-1842
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 21
Watts receipts for goods and services1844
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 22
Watts receipts for goods and services1845-1846
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 23
Watts receipts for goods and services1852-1853
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 24
Watts receipts for goods and services1854
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 1
Watts receipts for goods and services1838-1843
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 2
Watts receipts for goods and services1855
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 3
Watts receipts for goods and services1856
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 4
Watts receipts for goods and services1857
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 5
Watts receipts for goods and services1858
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 6
Watts receipts for goods and services1859
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 7
Watts receipts for goods and services1860-1861
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 8
Rives receipts1862-1864
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 9
Watts receipts for goods and services1862-1864
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 10
Watts receipts for goods and services1865-1866
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 11
Watts receipts for goods and services1867
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 12
Watts receipts for goods and services1868-1869
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 13
Watts receipts for goods and services1870-1871
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 14
Receipts to D.C. Dejarnette, index of items bought from England1871
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 15
Watts receipts for goods and services1872
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 16
Watts receipts for goods and services1873
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 17
Watts receipts for goods and services1874
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 18
Watts receipts for goods and services1875-1876
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 19
Watts receipts for goods and services, John Allen Watts1877
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 20
Watts receipts for goods and services, John Allen Watts1879
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 21
Watts receipts for goods and services1881-1883
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 22
Watts receipts for goods and services for mountain house1889
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 23
Watts receipts for goods and services1892, 1897
- Mixed Materials [X032669261] box: 11 folder: 24
miscellaneous receiptsundated
- Mixed Materials [X032669260] box: 10 folder: 13
- Mixed Materials [X032669262] box: 12 folder: 24
Deeds of Roanoke Gun Club Inc. land1959-1973English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669262] box: 12 folder: 25
Land maps for Roanoke Gun Club Inc. landEnglish.
- Mixed Materials [X032669262] box: 12 folder: 26
Landscaping at Roanoke Gun Club Inc. land1959-1965English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669262] box: 12 folder: 27
Roanoke Gun Club Inc. land leases with Ward Mobile home Sales1959-1977English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669262] box: 12 folder: 28
Roanoke Gun Club Inc. land real estate taxes and expenses1959-1977English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669288] Ledger: 1
The Illustrated Family New Testament
- Mixed Materials [X032669289] Ledger: 2
Edward Watts Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testament1843
- Mixed Materials [X032669290] Ledger: 3
Hugh and Mary Lee Holy Bible Old and New Testament1860
- Mixed Materials [X032669291] Ledger: 4
William Watts bible, The Peoples Standard Edition of the Holy Bible Old and New Testament1872
- Mixed Materials [X032669292] Ledger: 5
The Holy Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate revised with annotations by Reverend Challoner1873
- Mixed Materials [X032669293] Ledger: 6
The Illustrated Explanatory Family Bible- The Holy Bible[1880]Scope and Contents
[Leather Bound] Reverend Washington Erben and Reverend Clement Butler, Reverend Alfred Nevin, Gustave Dore Erben, Washington; Butler, Clement, Nevin, Alfred; Dore, Gustave [Illustrator] Published by John E. Potter and Company, 1880
- Mixed Materials [X032669299] Ledger: 7
Elizabeth Watts bible, The Old Testament translated out of The Original Hebrew1815Scope and Contents
Autographed Elizabeth Watts, with date January 1817. Written note "December 29, [1846] I commenced." Paste down on inside front cover, obituary of General Edward Watts, August 9, 1859.
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Digital files transcriptions of Watts family letters (and related families)
- Mixed Materials [X032669264] box: 13 folder: 4
Digital files (actual flashdrive with content transferred)
This series consists of the correspondence of the Breckinridge, Gamble, and Watts families, ca.1794-1850, but chiefly that of Mary Scott Watts Gamble (1814-1840)daughter of General Edward Watts. The name has been changed to Watts family papers as of March 2023. There are many related collections of the Watts family papers. MSS 38-33 Irvine, Saunders, Davis, and Watts families (William Watts daybooks 1768-1786); MSS 259; MSS 653; and MSS 9715 Abram Penn Staples.
Mary Gamble wrote to her aunt, Emma W. Breckinridge, Grove Hill, Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia; her mother, Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts and her father, General Edward Watts, Oakland, near Big Lick, Botetourt County, Virginia; her brothers, William and James B. Watts; and her sisters, Ann S. Watts and Letitia G. Watts.
Most of the letters to her immediate family were written after her marriage and move to Welaunee, Florida, located near Tallahassee, except for several to her brother William Watts while he was away at the New London Academy, Campbell County, Virginia. Many of Mary Watts Gamble's letters are to her aunt, Mrs. Cary Breckinridge (Emma W. Gilmer), 1831-1838, and most of them were written prior to her marriage in 1834. All of her undated letters to her aunt appear to have been written before her marriage and are filed at the beginning of the year 1834 as [ante 1834].
Mary Watts Gamble at Flat Creek writes about the purchase of 34 enslaved persons by Uncle Gamble to prepare the ground for cotton. Her letters also describe her experiences of the conflicts with the Osceola and Seminole warriors in Florida (causing her to learn how to load and shoot a gun). She mentions the Second Seminole War in Florida. Robert [Watts?] and Robert Gamble joined the local militia to remove the Seminoles from the swamps and send them out West. (1835)
There are details of her accounts of the interactions of the Seminoles on women, children, and enslaved persons including one on the property of Judge Randall, including the burning of buildings in Magnolia and Hickstown and upon the home, family, and enslaved persons of Mrs. Purifoy, wife of a Methodist minister and daughter of Captain Byrd, just four miles away from Welaunee (April 13, 1838). She mentions the removal of the Apalachicola tribe to the West; the actions of Territorial Governor Richard Keith Call (1792-1862), and the Gambles forced evacuation from Welaunee to Tallahassee for safety. (May 9, 1836) They planned to sail on the Brig Orion from St. Marks to New Orleans, taking a steamboat to Louisville, and then proceeding by mail [coach?] to White Sulphur Springs, [West] Virginia (May 21, 1836).
She also mentions her disapproval of the plans of General [Winfield?] Scott for delaying the pursuit of the Seminole War to a later time. She writes about the recent Texas disasters at [the Alamo?] and the loss of [James Walker] Fannin's detachment at the Massacre at La Bahia (Goliad), including concern about the fate of her acquaintances Burr and John Duval. A website on the history of Texas records that Burr and Duval were captured and executed (April 24, 1836).
Her letters also include the health and news of famly members; her marriage to her cousin James Gamble; her attendance at three days of preaching at the Academy (May 19, 1832); the unpopularity of the Reverend [Gyng?] in Tallahasseethe family's concern for William and Robert over an outbreak of scarlet fever near New London Academy(January 12, 1833); and the illness and death of her grandfather, General James Breckinridge. (May 15, 1833).
Additional subjects include attempts to persuade her her attempts to convince her brother James to begin his law practice in Tallahassee and comments about the presidential election.She describes the romantic affairs of her brother James; her illness and plans to recover in Virginia (May 15, 1837); her stay in St. Joseph [Bay?] for the summer because of her health, reading the works of Hannah More (1745-1833) while staying in St. Joseph, especially The History of Hester Wilmot and description of the area (July 30, 1838); her return to Tallahassee, and her husband's new store (October 22, 1838); and her stay in a boarding house near the store (December 15, 1838).
Correspondents in the folder of general correspondence of the Breckinridge, Gamble, and Watts families include: Robert Breckinridge to James Breckinridge concerning business matters (March 20 and July 23, 1794; n.d.); John Breckinridge to James Breckinridge concerning business matters, his lawsuit with Isaac Robinson, and a reference to the Whisky Rebellion at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (August 19, 1794); William Breckinridge to James Breckinridge (September 1794); James Breckinridge to Ann Breckinridge discussing the sickness of Lewis and news about others of their acquaintance (January 24, 1819); James Breckinridge to Edward Watts mentions the James River bill and the death of Judge Fleming which left a vacancy on the court (February 22, 1824).
Mary Page Randolph discusses her unexpected trip to Montpelier, Orange County, and Edgehill, Albemarle County, Virginia, with Thomas Jefferson Randolph, and sympathy for Mary S. Watts' "late bereavement" (July 22, 1833); Robert Gamble to Colonel Edward Watts discusses the visit of Mary Scott Watts and the death of his niece Laura (January 13, 1834); Edward Watts to his daughter, Elizabeth B. Watts, announcing the death of Mary Watts Gamble on May 22, 1840 (1840); Emma W. Breckinridge to her niece Letty [Letitia G. Watts?] (December 21, 1850); and John Wickham to James Breckinridge, notifying them of a death which has greatly distressed Betsy (August 14, n.y.).
There are several letters from Nannie Gamble to her cousin, Letitia G. Watts, in which she describes her return visit from New York to Savannah, Georgia by ship (November 13, 1843) furnishes news of the family while in the mountains, near Abingdon, Virginia (January 20, 1845); expresses her sorrow at the news of the death of their friend, Lizzie Peyton, and describes the difficult journey home from Abingdon to Tallahassee which took five weeks (March 4, 1845); mentions the death of Lucy Gilmer (May 31, 1845); and a final letter from Nannie Gamble with a note written by Letitia on the bottom, "The last letter ever received from my darling cousin N.S.G. who is now numbered with the dead" (September 9, 1845).
- Mixed Materials [X032669264] box: 13 folder: 1
Mary Scott Watts Gamble to family members1831-1834English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669264] box: 13 folder: 2
Mary Scott Watts Gamble to family members1835-1840English.
- Mixed Materials [X032669264] box: 13 folder: 3
Correspondence of Breckinridge, Gamble, and Watts families1794-1850