Watts History

         On the first Sunday in June of 1952, a group of the Watts clan from the George Washington Watts generation got together at Natural Bridge State Park, in Slade, Kentucky. The purpose of this gathering was a combined birthday for Joe and Callie Deaton Watts. Joe's Birthday was June 3rd and Callie's was on May 31st. The first Sunday in June was closer to both birthdays, and for this reason, that time was chosen.

         Members from other Watts families were there as well as some close and dear friends. Sometime during the day someone remarked that since it had been such a good day, they should do this every year. Before breaking up that day, the idea for a Watts Family Reunion was born. For the next several years, the Watts Reunion was held at Natural Bridge State Park on the First Sunday in June.

         As time passed, a few problems developed. On some first Sundays in June, the weather was uncomfortably cool. Some of the clan who lived at a distance found it difficult to make the trip since no holiday was associated with that weekend. Finally, the date for the reunion was rescheduled for the first Sunday in July. Sometime later, the reunion date was set for the last Sunday in July, and that is how it is today.

         In 1976, the Watts celebrated our nation's Bicentennial. In 1977, the Watts celebrated their 25th anniversary. The organization became incorporated and was chartered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in December of 1976.

         Each year some activity is promoted to remind us of the life and times of those that that produced this generation. In some instances it is a display of antique or outdated hand tools, household implements, or kitchen utensils. We are now engaged in geneaological research. Our historian, Steve Bowling, has spent numerous and traveled many miles to interview people, research records, and gather information in general.

         This is where it's been. Where will it go and what will be your contribution toward perpetuating the memories and paying tribute to the lives of those who taught us the best they knew?

The first known Watts Family in Kentucky was that of George Washington Watts. Below are notes about him and his descendants.

Descendants of George Washington Watts

Generation Number One

George Washington Watts was born September 7, 1777 in Orange County, Virginia, and died March 12, 1851 in River Caney, Breathitt County, Kentucky. He married Lucy (last name unknown) about 1795 in North Carolina. He met Emaline Noble about 1800 in Burke County, North Carolina, daughter of George Noble and Sarah Saunders. She was born between 1777 and 1780 in Virginia, and died December 30, 1865 in George Washington Watts Jr.'s, River Caney in Breathitt County, Kentucky.


Notes for George Washington Watts

  • Possible son of William and Jane (Hord) Watts.

    More About George Washington Watts

  • Burial: March 13, 1851, Watts-Mullins Cemetery, River Caney Breathitt County, Kentucky

    More About Emaline Noble

  • Burial: December 31, 1865, Watts-Mullins Cemetery, River Caney Breathitt County, Kentucky

  • Children of George Watts and Lucy are:
              George Watts II, born about 1797
              George Watts III, born about 1799.
             Sarah Watts, born about 1800 in Burke County, North Carolina; died 1880 in Perry County, Kentucky. She married Benjamin McIntire, 21 around 1826 in Perry County, Kentucky. Benjamin was born about 1784 in Pennsylvania; died Between 1850 and 1860 in Perry County, Kentucky.

    More About Sarah Watts

  • Burial: McIntire Cemetery, Blackey, Letcher County, Kentucky

  • Children of George Watts and Emaline Noble are:
              Malinda Watts, born January 6, 1802 in Lost Creek, Leatherwood, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died November 23, 1875 in Crocketsville, Breathitt County, Kentucky. She met Spencer (last name unknown) about 1822 in Breathitt County, Kentucky. She married John Deaton, Jr. on February 7, 1825 in Perry County, Kentucky. John Deaton, Jr. was born June 6, 1807 in Lee County, Virginia; died December 15, 1877 in Crockettsville, Breathitt County, Kentucky.

    More About Malinda Watts:

  • Burial: November 24, 1875, Crocketsville Cemetery, Crocketsville, Breathitt County, Kentucky

    More About John Deaton, Jr.

  • Burial: December 16, 1877, Crockettsville Cemetery, Crockettsville, Breathitt County, Kentucky

    -Children of John Deaton, Jr. and Malinda Watts are:
              Matilda Watts, born June 13, 1805 in Kentucky; died February 25, 1870 in Perry County, Kentucky. She married Mason Combs February 10, 1829 in Perry County, Kentucky. He was born about 1796 in Perry County, Kentucky and died Beween June 1853 and June 1854 in Perry County, Kentucky.
              Enoch Watts was born May 7, 1808 in Kentucky; died After 1880 in Perry County, Kentucky. He married Sarah Fields November 8, 1827 in Perry County, Kentucky. She was born about 1811 in Virginia; died 1881 in Knott County, Kentucky.

    More About Enoch Watts

  • Burial: Franklin Cemetery, Trace Fork, Knott County, Kentucky

    More About Sarah Fields

  • Burial: Franklin Cemetery, Trace Fork, Knott County, Kentucky




    • www.watts-reunion.org