General Notes

Source:  The Curd Family in America, The Tuttle Publishing Co.

Henry Watkins of Henrico Co., Va, presumably the immigrant ancestor was b. in 1638.  He was a Quaker and member of the Society of Friends, a fact that caused him at times to clash with the ruling authorities in Virginia.  In the list of heads of families in Henrico County, 1679, he is listed as head of family with three tithables and shown as living in the vicinity of Turkey Island.  In 1679 he received a patent for 170 acres of land on the north side of James River in Henrico Co. adjoining land of John Lewis, Mr. Cocke, and Mr. Beauchamp, and touching the 'three runs' of Turkey Island Creek (patent book 7, p. 17).  In July 1690 he purchased of Lyonel Morris 360 acres of land in varina parish, Henrico Co., on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, and in October of the same year he patented 60 acres of land "adjoining his own land and touching a run of Turkey Island Creek."  In 1699 he subscribed 500 pounds of tobacco towards building the Friends meetinghouse at Curls and in 1703 he paid 50 pounds of tobacco towards finishing the building.  He was the father of at least seven childred and in 1692 deeded his land in Henrico to his five sons. To William, Joseph and Edward he deeded each 120 acres of land on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, to Henry the 'track of land on which his father then lived" acreage not given, and to Thomas 200 acres on the 'three runs.'  We quote from William Clayton Torrence, "Beginnings of the Families of Henrico," as follows: One of the most interesting families in Virginia from the point of view of economic, social and political development is the distinguished family of which Henry Watkins is the immigrant ancestor.

1704 Quit Rents of Virginia lists Henry Sr. with 100 acres in Henrico County.

Source: Henry Watkins of Henrico County, Jane Allen 1985. That Henry Watkins was the son of Henry, born 1585 in Wales, remains to be proved.  However, in 1634/35 there was a deed in which John Cawsey of Charles City County conveyed to Walter Aston acreage in Charles City near Shirly Hundred "bordering south upon a Creeke called Henry Watkins, his Creeke."  A Henry Watkins, therefore, lived not more than a few miles from the home in 1679 of Henry, born 1637/8.

Henry Watkins was a small but hard working farmer.  As a member of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, he clashed with the authorities.

In 1660 the Virginia Assembly had passed a strict law against Quakers. They were described as: ... an unreasonable and turbulent sort of people, who daily gather together unlawful assemblies of people, teaching lies, miracles, false visions, prophecies, and doctrines teneing to disturb the peace, disorganize Society and destroy the peace, disorganize Society and destroy all laws, and government, and religion.

In June, 1684, the Courts of Henrico refused his petition for a remission of fines imposed upon him "he not appearing himself to supplicate this Court but (as ye Court Conceives) continuing still in his Quakerism."

His daughter Elizabeth also held his loyalty to his faith.  At the age of 16 in April, 1685, she refused "for conscience sake" to swear to a deposition she had made.  The Henrico County Court ordered her imprisonment.  In June she was again brought to the bar and "still persisting in ye same obstinacy as she pretends out of conscience sake and seconding her request the court have out of their clemency in consideration of her young years remiteted her offence and releast her of her confinement."

On 21 January 1691/2, Henry Watkins conveyed 120 acres each to his sons Edward, William, Joseph, Henry, and Thomas near the Chickahominy.  He also on 25 Janurary 1691/2 made a gift of land "I now live on" to Henry Watkins and 200 acres to Thomas Watkins.

Henry made his will in November 1714, proved 7 February 1715, Henrico County, Virginia.

Jane Allen has different birthdates for nearly all of the children.  She has:
    Edward
    Henry      c.1660
    Mary                (JA has this Mary married to Nicholas Hutchins.)
    William    c.1667
    Elizabeth  c.1669
    Rachel     c.1670   (Rachel is not included in the Curd text above.)
    Thomas     c.1680

Here is an interesting message that contains some conflicting, but interesting information:

Henry II Watkins, [1637-abt 1710] s/o Henry I Watkins and Alice Moslin.  He m 1- Rachel Griffin abt 1658 and had 8 ch.  He married 2nd Katherine  Pride abt 1680 and perhaps the last 2 children I have for 1st marriage  are Katherine Pride's.  Henry was a Quaker and an ancestor of Henry  Clay.