Thomas Jefferson Watson
(son of Peter)

T.J. Watson

Thomas Jefferson WATSON was the first child born to Peter Watson and Lucy Luttrell.  He was born 18 January 1841 in the Heelstring community, in the vicinity of Cherokee Bay Baptist Church.  The location of this church can only be guessed, as Cherokee Bay was the only post office between Pocahontas and Black River, and the Cherokee Bay post office changed sites a few times during this period.

On 22 December 1859, Thomas wed seventeen year old Mary A. DIXON, born 15 March 1842 in Missouri.  To them were born eight children, seven of whom are known.

Mary Dixon WATSON died on 8 December 1897 and was buried in Nelson Cemetery. Her grave is marked with a tall metal marker, on which her name is no longer legible.  Thomas then remarried in March, 1899 to Mrs. Roena EDEN of Corning.  After her death on March 12, 1904, Thomas again remarried, this time to Mrs. Alice (nee Rutheford) PETTY in December, 1904.  Alice was born 29 December 1857 in Henry County, TN. 

Thomas served in the 9th Missouri Infantry from the State of Arkansas, which surrendered at Jacksonport, Arkansas 5 June 1865.  He was wounded by a bullet in his left shin six inches below the knee, and suffered chronic sore ligaments for the rest of his life.  He was granted a Civil War pension (#22421) for $100.00 on 10 August 1915.  Dr. Charles H. NEWKIRK of Clay County was acquainted with him and vouched for his war wound, diabetic condition, hardening of arteries, chronic case of constipation, hemorrhoids, and general disability.

His widow, Alice, made an application for a pension on 3 June 1921 in Datto, Arkansas, stating that Thomas was in Company S of Captain D. W. Reynolds’ Company (Company S was the only Arkansas Company in the Regiment).  Knox Belew, T. S. Winningham, and L. G. Troxel vouched for her, the latter two knowing her for 12 years.  She was born in Henry County, Tennessee, and had lived in Arkansas 45 years.  After Thomas died, she lived with her daughter, Mrs. Emma Henderson, in Datto.  Alice died 18 February 1837 at age 79.

Churches served by Thomas Jefferson Watson:
Antioch (Reyno) Church – 1878
Shiloh Baptist Church (Clay County) – 1881, 1896
Hopewell Baptist Church – 1887
New Hope – 1890
Mount Pleasant (East) Missionary Baptist Church
Union Church (Hitt School House)

He was the founder of the Hopewell Baptist Church in 1886, and was present at the organization of the Current River Baptist Association on October 7, 1881.  He was used in the ordination of many young preachers and assisted in organizing several churches.  He preached the sermon for the association in 1883, and in 1888 was elected moderator and preached the sermon again that year.  He was a participant in the Current River Baptist Bible Institute, held at Mt. Pleasant East Church, July 28 – 30, 1893.  He made his home at Datto the last year of his life, attended the meeting of the Current River Baptist Association which was held there in 1920, and prayed the benediction.  The associational minutes for the next year listed him among the dead from the Datto Church:  “Datto Church -- Elder T. J. Watson was born Jan. 18, 1841;  died December 1, 1920;  aged 79 years, 10 months, 13 days.  Bro. Watson (Uncle Tom) began preaching in 1868, and was in the ministry 52 years, and did most of his work in Clay County, Arkansas.”  He is buried in Nelson Cemetery near Reyno.

Thomas Watson & Alice Petty Tom & Alice Watson
Thomas Jefferson Watson and Alice Rutheford Petty

Updated 2-13-00.