596327

[marlow.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #6300, Date of Import: Sep 11, 1998]

The last and sad rites of the dead were observed on Sunday at the Congregational church and at her late residence, for Mrs. W.E. Watson, of this place. At half past ten o'clock the church was more than filled with a very sympathetic congregation. The choir rendered choice and appropriate music and the pastor preached from the suggestive words: "Who brought Life and Immortality to light."
At noon the service was transferred to the home where relatives of the dead sang some hymns that they had sung at the death bed scene. Mr. Oliver delived a sympathetic address, followed briefly by Mr. Metcalf. Then for nearly an hour representatives of the community, the church and the Lady Macabees filed past the beautiful casket and took their last leave of the dead, while the choir sung softly hymns of comfort.
Mrs. Watson was one of the earliest settlers in Bancroft, having moved here with the rest of her family in September 1877. She was born at Hickory Grove, Jackson County, in 1843, and thus at the time of her death, nearly 52 years of age. Her parents were of the Quaker persuasion, and she was brought up according to the rigors of that strange people. The foundations of her education were laid in the common schools of the land and was completed in Albion Seminary, at which institution she seems to have been converted. While still young she commenced to teach school, and she maintained an abiding interest in matters of education to the day of her death.
On the eighth day of February, 1866, she was married to Mr. W.E. Watson, then of Unadilla, Mich. Of this union there are five children: John, Mary, William, Ruth, and Mark; all of whom survive her, her own death being the first break in a family singularly attached to each other, and living very happily together in their Bancroft home.
Until the organization of the Congregational church Mrs. Watson worked with the ladies then united with the Methodist church of this place. On the 6th of February 1866 she entered into communion with the Congregation church, which had then been organized some half dozen years, and which has since been her religious home. She was particularly identified with the social work of the church and had rare skill in making that arm of work contribute to the financial welfare of the cause. From the first organization of the "Ladies Circle" Mrs. Watson was its active President, and as such bore a prominent part in placing the church upon its present sound financial basis. The ladies of the church feel a poignant sorrow at the removal of so skillful a worker and so kind a friend.
Mrs. Watson was a charter member of the D.O.T.M., and bore a prominent part in its councils and operations, and that society was present in a body at the funeral to play their last respects to a friend and fellow worker. Being an old settler and prominent in church and social work, and having moreover a wide circle of friends gained in the more quiet walks of life, Mrs. Watson's loss is felt throughout the whole community, and her family has the sympathy of the neighborhood.

-The Bancroft Advertiser
Dated-February 18, 1895

Indication that Martha was an orphan at the age of seven. I believe she is the same Martha listed in the 1850 census under Ithel Smith. (Husband of sister Harriet)