James was a soldier in 93rd Regiment of Highlanders. His birthplace was Edinburgh, Scotland, likely between 1809 and 1813. He was a plumber by trade. He left the 93rd in November, 1845, being discharged in Montreal. His first child was born in April 1848, so it is likely he married his wife Jane Marks in 1846 or 1847. Family anecdotal history has Jane from Scotland but this is unconfirmed (other portions of anecdotal history which show James to have been from Ayr, Scotland and a brass finisher have been shown to be in error). Cannot find a marriage record in Montreal for Jane & James.
Family anecdotal history has James coming to Cushing (then called Chatham) to help install machinery in mills and factories. Made friends with O'Brien family. His wife (Jane Marks) died (1853) and following that James brought sons to live with the O'Brien family of Cushing. His son William died, James came to attend funeral. Left the 5 1/2 year old James with O'Briens and returned to Montreal. Never heard from again.
- from Family History by Millie WatsonArchive data shows that his wife Jane Marks died in August, 1853 in Montreal. His youngest son Alexander died a month later, also in Montreal, just short of his 1st birthday. His son William died a month after that, presumably in Cushing since that is where he was buried. William O'Brien and John Blair were witness to the burial, James' name does not appear on that record (it does on Jane's & Alex's burial records). One might conclude that James was not present at William's funeral (or at least not at the burial). We don't know what happened to James. There are only two death records for a James Watson in Montreal from 1853 to 1900, neither fits our James (one was far too young, the other, was close to the right age but listed as a "popcorn manufacturer").
As of Dec 31, 1998 we don't know for sure where James came from or where he went. In Lois Wishart's "Granny Watson - A Legacy of Memories" she writes "The Watson family were known to be in Canada in 1842" Lois does not remember where this information came from. Since James was with the 93rd regiment which came to Canada in 1838 it is likely he was in Canada in 1842 - but the origin/location of Jane Marks is unknown.
On Alex's burial certificate, James the father is listed as being a "plumber". The Montreal directory shows a James Watson, Plumber, living in the St. Henry district of Montreal in 1853. The 1852 record is blurred (unreadable) and there is no publication for 1851. Prior to 1851 there is a James Watson, stonecutter, and a James Watson, shoemaker. There is no James Watson listed for the period 1854-1860. The trade of plumber appears to conflict with Aunt Millie's description of brass finisher, however it is now believed that Aunt Millie got her information from the book, History of the Counties of Argenteuil, Quebec and Prescott, Ontario, written in 1896, which states (presumably in error) that James was a brass finisher.
The 93rd regiment was stationed in Canada between 1838 and 1848. They were stationed in Montreal from May 1845 to July 1846 when they moved to Quebec City. So it is entirely conceivable that James met Jane while stationed in Canada. Unfortunately we have yet to find a marriage record of James and Jane to confirm where they were married (it does not appear to have been in Montreal). Prior to moving to Montreal, the 93rd was stationed in Drummondville, Ontario (Drummondville is one of the oldest names for present-day Niagara Falls.). Perhaps Jane is from that area?
Military record WO 12/9425 shows James being discharged in Montreal on 30th November 1845. His birthplace is noted as New North Church, Edinburgh, and it shows that he originally enlisted on 20th September 1831. His occupation at the time of enlistment was "plumber". The date of enlistment conflicts with muster records which show James Watson joining the regiment in Antigua on February 10, 1827 along with several other men who "joined from England". Since recruits were supposed to be 18 years of age on enlistment it is possible James lied about his age when he originally joined. Therefore supposed birth date range is the assumption that he was 18 either in 1827 or 1831.
Latest family anecdotal history has a possibility of James moving to the U.S. in 1853 (following the death of his wife and 2 of his 3 sons) - possibly to Michigan, following his friend John O'Brien who had moved there.
James states his birthplace to be "New North Church, Edinburgh". According to the Scots Ancestry Research Society, the boundaries of the New North Church Parish were "The middle of Blair Street to George IV Bridge and from High Street and Lawnmarket to Cowgate". This places his birth in the registration district of Edinburgh. They state "there are simply too many James Watsons births recorded at a possibly suitable time for us to be able to make a reliable judgement." Of the known James Watsons born in Edinburgh during this period 1809 to 1813, the closest fit is a James Watson, born on October 18, 1810, in New North Church parish, to a John Watson and Ann Thomson. He was a twin, his older brother was named John. There is no confirming evidence to say that this is "our" James, so it will have to remain as speculation at the moment.
Originally had name as Jane Meerks - this error dates back to about 1875 when James Watson the son, requested his birth certificate. A copy was received with bad handwriting that resulted in an interpretation of Jane's surname being Meerks. James' mother Jane had died when he was 5, and his father left, he was raised by the O'Brien family and so never knew his mother's surname. Error discovered by James K. Watson in 1998 after receiving a photocopy of original birth certificate.
Her death record states "died in the General Hospital on the 12th aged 28 years and was buried on the 13th by Rev. Wm Morris" Buried in the Dorchester & Papineau grounds, also known as St. Mary's Burial Ground.
Family anecdotal evidence has her as being from Ayr, Scotland. However Jane Marks does not show up in the parish records anywhere in the period 1820 - 1830. There is a Jane Mark, born in Edinburgh in 1825. Current (1998) thoughts are that James met Jane in Canada where he was stationed with the 93rd regiment (James was discharged in Nov, 1845 in Montreal).
Baptismal certificate shows: "William, lawful son of James Watson and Jane Marks born on the Seventh day of September in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty, was baptized by me at Chatham, Ottawa River, Canada East on this the Seventeenth day of the same month and year.
(Signed) William Mair Minister of Grenville & Chatham.
Witnesses
Isabella Carson (???)
Christian McGregorSource: Reel 1621 Folio 72, District of Terrebonne, Chatham & Grenville, St. Mungo's Presbyterian Church, Argenteuil, 1828-1858, Quebec Archives.
Burial Certificate: William, aged three years lawful son of James Watson was buried by me in the common burying ground at Chatham Ottawa River Canada East on this the Twenty fourth day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Three.
(signed) William Mair Minister of Grenville & Chatham
Witnesses
William O'Brien
John Blair
Baptismal certifate states: "Alexander Son of James Watson of Montreal Plumber and Jane Marks his wife was born on the Seventh day of November and Baptized on the twenty fifth day of December One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-two by me:
(signed)Alex Mathieson D. Div
James Watson
Jane Watson
- source: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Montreal, Quebec, 1852 Folio Forty Eight (Quebec Archives)