Person Page - 149

     Dempsey WATTS Jr., son of Dempsey WATTS Sr., was born in 1774 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.¹

Dempsey WATTS Jr. witnessed the deed of William WATTS and Ann Taylor, borough of Norfolk on 10 June 1796 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. For 75 oounds he purchased lot 103 in Hampton Square in Portsmouth on North and Court Streets. Signed Ann Taylor(X). Witnesses were R. Thompson, Sheldon Turner(Toarner), and Dempsey Watts. It was recorded 20 Sep 1796 in Deed Book 36, page 191.

An unknown person married first an unknown person on 31 January 1797 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.²

Dempsey WATTS Jr. and William WATTS were included on a tax list in 1798 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.

The Watts House at 517 North Street in Portsmouth was built by Col. Dempsey Watts in 1799. It was inherited by his son, Capt. Samuel Watts, who lived there until his death in 1878. Here Chief Black Hawk of the Black Hawk Indian War was entertained in 1820, and Henry Clay in 1844.

Dempsey WATTS Jr. was included on a tax list on 6 October 1799 in Norfolk County, Virginia. He was assessed $2.24 for one white male over 16 [Dempsey], three blacks, two horses and a two-wheeled carriage.³

Dempsey WATTS Jr. and William WATTS were listed as retail merchants in a list of retail and wholesale merchants on 6 October 1799 in Norfolk County, Virginia.⁴

Dempsey WATTS Jr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 August 1810 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as 1 white maile under 10 [Edward], 1 white male 10-15 [Samuel], 1 male 26-44 [Dempsey], 1 female under 10 [Abigail], 1 female 16-25 [???], 1 female 26-44 [Mary], and 16 slaves.⁵

During the War of 1812, Dempsey WATTS Jr. enlisted with the rank of major on the staff of the 7th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Colonel Bernard Magnien of Norfolk County in Norfolk County, Virginia. He also served in the 9th Virginia Militia Regiment under Colonel William Sharp. Dempsey had been a major of militia since at least 1807 when his claim for forage was disallowed because it had been paid for by Mr. Jennings.

Dempsey WATTS Jr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 August 1820 in Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as 1 male under 10 [Winchester], 1 male 10-16 [Edward], 1 male 16-25 [Samuel], 1 male 45 or older [Dempsey], 2 females under 10 [Carrie & Virginia], 1 female 16-25 [Abigail], and 1 female 45 or older [Mary]. He had nine male and 6 female slaves.⁶

Dempsey WATTS Jr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 August 1830 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as 1 male 15-19 [Winchester], 1 male 20-29 [Edward], 1 male 30-39 [Samuel], 1 male 50-59 [Dempsey], 1 female 10-14, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 20-29 [Abigail], 1 female 50-59 [Mary], and 12 slaves.

Dempsey WATTS Jr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 August 1840 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as 1 male 60-69 [Dempsey, 66], 2 females 20-29, 1 female 30-39, 1 female 50-59 [Mary], 1 free colored male under 10, and 5 slaves.

Dempsey WATTS Jr. died on 12 August 1841 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.¹ He was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Caroline WATTS, daughter of Abraham WATTS Sr. and Ann SMITH, was born in 1825 in Norfolk County, Virginia.

Caroline WATTS died in 1849 in Norfolk County, Virginia.

     George WATTS, son of Abraham WATTS Sr. and Ann SMITH, was born in Norfolk County, Virginia.

George WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of Abraham WATTS Sr. in Norfolk County, Virginia. He was listed as a white male under 10.¹

     Samuel WATTS and Dempsey WATTS Jr. were The Watts House at 517 North Street in Portsmouth was built by Col. Dempsey Watts in 1799. It was inherited by his son, Capt. Samuel Watts, who lived there until his death in 1878. Here Chief Black Hawk of the Black Hawk Indian War was entertained in 1820, and Henry Clay in 1844 in 1799.

Samuel WATTS, son of Dempsey WATTS Jr. and Mary Moore, was born on 28 November 1799 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.¹

Samuel WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1810, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was listed as a male 10-15 [age 11].²

During the War of 1812, Samuel WATTS enlisted in the 5th Virginia militia regiment in Norfolk County, Virginia. He was also a private in Captain Mile's Cary's Company of the 115th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Henry Howard from Elizabeth City County. This unit was stationed near Hampton in the defense of the city and perhaps was in the battle there in June 1813.


Samuel WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Norfolk County, Virginia. One male 16-26 [age 21].³

Samuel married Louisa Ann Langley circa 1821 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.

Captain Samuel Watts, was a large landowner in the northern part of Norfolk County, and one of Portsmouth's most respected citizens. Captain Watts' land was on both sides of today's Granby Street from Ward's Corner to Mason’s Creek including most of Forest Lawn Cemetery. The location of Watts’ land and the house on it are shown on the 1863 map of the county as S. Watts. When Samuel Watts died in I878, his property passed to his daughter, Margaret Leigh Watts; she later told early Norfolk chroniclers that the name of her father‘s country seat on Mason's Creek was Pilgrims Rest. This property is now all within the bounds of the city of Norfolk.⁴

In the years following the War of 1812. Norfolk and Portsmouth pioneered many forms of trade. Portsmouth was the first among Elizabeth River towns handling Maine ice. In I830 Captain Samuel Watts and his brother established their ice business, bringing in ice cut from ponds in Maine to Portsniouth via schooners. Two years later, in 1832, Watts’ firm built an icehouse on Queen Street on at site long used for that purpose, between Middle and Crawford Streets. The capacity of the building was only about twenty to thirty tons, but three years later it was enlarged and held about three hundred tons. Maine ice proved so successful in Portsmith that businessmen in Norfolk decided to provide it on the east side of the river. The Watts eventually sold their icehouse to William E. Maupin, who renamed the business George W. Maupin Ice and Coal Company, but Maupin eventually had competition from Portsmouth Ice and Coal Company and Isaac Fass.⁵

Samuel WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1830, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was listed as a male 30-39 [age 31]. He was commissioned a judge of the county court and also served as an alderman in 1831 in Norfolk County, Virginia.^6,7

Samuel saw military service on 4 July 1833 in Portsmouth, Virginia, as captain of the Portsmouth Greys light infantry.⁸

After his father's death in August 1841 Samuel inherited the Watts House at 517 North Street in Portsmouth. It was there that he entertained the famous orator Henry Clay on 24 Apr 1844. The reception was attended by a large number of ladies and gentlemen there to meet the distinguished speaker.⁹

Captain Watts was a very able representative of Norfolk County in the Virginia Legislature. He was the Whig candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor in 1850. He was well thought of by his party and highly estimated in the community as an orator and enlightened politician. His speeches were characterized by sound argument, superior oratorical skill and energy, and evidence of extensive reading, careful investigation, and uncommon mental capacity.

Samuel WATTS and Louisa Ann Langley appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 24 August 1850 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as Sam'l Watts, a 50-year-old farmer, Louisa A., his 34-year-old wife, daughter Margaret S., 4, and Eliza Watts, age 45. Sam had real estate valued at $25,000 and Eliza real estate valued at $700. Eliza might be the widow of Samuel's brother, Edward.¹⁰

Samuel WATTS and Louisa Ann Langley appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 28 July 1870 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as Samuel Watts, a 70-year-old legislator, with real estate valued at $33,000 and personal property $15,000. Louisa S. Watts was his 54-year-old wife. Also in the household were Margaret L. Watts, 20; Mary J. Howland, 20; Julia Howland, 16; and Henry Garrison, an 18-year-old black servant.¹¹

Samuel WATTS died on 17 May 1878 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, at age 78.¹ He was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Abigail WATTS, daughter of Dempsey WATTS Jr. and Mary Moore, was born in 1804 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.

Abigail WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1810, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. She was listed as a female under 10 [age 6].¹

Abigail WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Norfolk County, Virginia. One female 16-25 [age 16].²

Abigail WATTS died in 1850.

     Dr. Edward M. WATTS, son of Dempsey WATTS Jr. and Mary Moore, was born on 21 December 1806 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was a physcian. He received a degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Univeristy of Pennsylvania.¹

Dr. Edward M. WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1810, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was listed as a male under 10 [age 4].²

Dr. Edward M. WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Norfolk County, Virginia. One male 10-16 [age 14].³

Edward married Ann Eliza Mauphin circa 1827 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.

Dr. Edward M. WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1830, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was listed a male 20-29 [age 24].

Dr. Edward M. WATTS died on 15 July 1849 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, at age 42. He was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Winchester M. WATTS, son of Dempsey WATTS Jr. and Mary Moore, was born on 10 February 1812 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.

Winchester M. WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 August 1820, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Norfolk County, Virginia. One male under 10 [age 8].¹

In the years following the War of 1812. Norfolk and Portsmouth pioneered many forms of trade. Portsmouth was the first among Elizabeth River towns handling Maine ice. In I830 Captain Samuel Watts and his brother established their ice business, bringing in ice cut from ponds in Maine to Portsniouth via schooners. Two years later, in 1832, Watts’ firm built an icehouse on Queen Street on at site long used for that purpose, between Middle and Crawford Streets. The capacity of the building was only about twenty to thirty tons, but three years later it was enlarged and held about three hundred tons. Maine ice proved so successful in Portsmith that businessmen in Norfolk decided to provide it on the east side of the river. The Watts eventually sold their icehouse to William E. Maupin, who renamed the business George W. Maupin Ice and Coal Company, but Maupin eventually had competition from Portsmouth Ice and Coal Company and Isaac Fass.²

Winchester M. WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1830, in the household of Dempsey WATTS Jr. in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was listed as a male 15-19 [age 18]. He was a building contractor in July 1847 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He and Willoughby G. Butler contracted to build the new county courthouse. He and Arthur Emmerson built the Ocean Hotel in Portsmouth 1853-1855. It was later named the Hotel Monroe.³

Winchester M. WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 24 August 1850 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as Winchester Watts, a 37-year-old merchant with real estate valued at $7,000. Living with him was E. R. Huntis/Hunter, a 28-year-old druggist born in North Carolina, C. A. [Carrie Ann Watts], his 27-year-old wife, and their three children: Samuel, 7, Mary E., 5, and Martha J., 4. Also rooming with them was John Woodley, an 18-year-old apprentice machinist.⁴

Winchester M. WATTS died on 9 November 1857 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, at age 45. He was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.