Missouri had the good fortune of calling NATHANIEL W. WATKINS one of it's most well known citizens. To give you a little background, Nathaniel was born the 28th of January, 1796 in Versailles, Woodford Co. KY. He was one of four children born to Henry (Hal) Watkins and Elizabeth Hudson (Clay) Watkins. Nathaniel had two brothers, John H. (1785-1845 m. Caroline Milton), who lived in KY, and Francis H. (1792-1852) who married two Kinkead women, eventually settling in another part of Missouri. His sister Martha (1784-1836 m. W.B. Blackburn) also lived in Kentucky. Nathaniel's father, Henry (Hal), was the son of John and Phoebe (Hancock) Watkins of Cumberland County, VA. John Watkins' father was Edward Watkins (b.1676)
Due to his mother's prior marriage to John Clay, Nathaniel was afforded the amusing pleasure of calling some of his extended family "half-brother/sister, cousin, AND in-law". Of Nathaniel's "siblings", Henry Clay, known as The Great Compromiser, brought the greater notoriety to the family. I'm going to do my best not to confuse you, but I make no promises. Henry (Clay) and Nathaniel (Watkins), by virtue of their parents' lineage, were cousins and half-brothers. Their mother is the most frequently reported connection, as she was married to both Henry and Nathaniel's fathers. Less commonly reported is that they also shared the same great-grandfather. Get those pencils and paper out. Henry Clay's paternal grandmother was Sarah Watkins, daughter of Edward Watkins (1676). Nathaniel's paternal grandfather was John Watkins, the brother of Sarah and son of Edward (1676). In other words, Henry and Nathaniel's grandparents were brother and sister, children of Edward. Now wasn't that fun. Actually, various letters between the two families indicate that they found a certain humor in pointing out the twists and turns of the lineage between these two families. Well, let's get back to Nathaniel.
He finished his legal studies in Kentucky where he first used his craft in the office of Judge Davidge of Gallatin County, KY. He was a mere 23 years of age when he chose to venture west to Missouri. His oratory talents were legendary in the Southeastern territory and he soon had the largest law practice in this part of Missouri. He took part in the organization of the Southeast Missouri District Agricultural Society, which was begun with the idea of holding district fairs. I've often wondered if this was the beginning of what has come to be known as the County Fairs that are held throughout the nation each year.
He made his impact on the State of Missouri not only as an attorney of reputation, he proudly went on to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives in 1834, 1846 and 1850. His skill and comfort of speaking in public as well as his polite demeanor had well prepared him for political office. His dry humor was at times taken to be a bit sarcastic, but he was a religious man and had a deep sense of moral values. He was not shy to let his views be known and at times felt it was his public duty to do so. It was in his 1850 term that he was chosen to be Speaker of the Missouri house. He went on to be elected to the Missouri State Senate in 1856. He served as delegate to the St. Louis Convention in 1861.
That year and that convention was a turning point in Nathaniel's life, as he voiced his support for the cause of the South. He had an ally in then-Governor Jackson who also favored the South. Nathaniel's name was entered to the convention as President, but he was soundly defeated 75-15 due to the fact that the Unionists commanded the majority of the delegates who nominated Sterling Price. Watkins resigned from the convention. Aware of Nathaniel's disappointment, Governor Jackson appointed him as Brigadier General of the First Military District of Missouri. Jackson was also a sympathizer for the South. In his new position of Brigadier General of the Confederate side, Nathaniel organized the State Guards in the District. Less than a year later, his property in Jackson was burned and much of his goods destroyed. General Watkins retired soon after and moved to Scott County. After the war, attempts were made by General Watkins to not only receive an apology for the Unionists' involvement of damage to his property, but he sent a letter to President Lincoln requesting that he be reimbursed for the destruction of his home. President Lincoln wrote a short note to a Major-General Curtis (December of 1862) advising him that he should "look into the case and restore the old man to his home if the public interest would admit". It was a painful time for General Watkins and his family.
After the war, his continued faith and exuberance for public life led him back to practice law which he did with the enthusiasm of a man half his age. In 1875 he was elected as a delegate to the 25th District of the State Constitutional Convention. He was further elected to Vice-President of that body. It was his last rise to public duty. He passed away on March 20, 1876 at his home of "Beechland" near Morley, MO. His body was buried on the farm and is located today on the property that was once Nathaniel's plantation. He had served Missouri well and left an indelible mark on this country's history. A lawyer and soldier no doubt, but most importantly, he was a citizen who chose to give of himself to public service.
While his record is of great interest, Nathaniel DID have a personal life. In his travels to purchase property (back in his "younger days"), he met his future wife in New Madrid County, MO - a lovely woman named Eliza B. Watson. They were married May 5, 1828. Eliza was the daughter of Robert and Jane (Myers) Watson, her father being a well known merchant and Judge in the County. After their marriage, Mr. And Mrs. Watkins settled in Jackson and from 1833 to 1854, Eliza and Nathaniel had seven children. Their five boys and two girls were: John C. Watkins, William B. Watkins, Washington Lewis Watkins, Richard James Watkins and Nathaniel W. Watkins known as "Nat". His daughters were Elizabeth A. Watkins and Amanda J. Watkins. Through these children, there were many marriages that produced descendants of Nathaniel, many of which still live in the southeastern part of Missouri that Nathaniel loved so much.
The photographed portrait of Nathaniel which we have included is one that was contributed by Margaret C. Harmon of Cape Girardeau, MO. It was through correspondence with Margaret that I learned about her visit with the present owners of the portrait, namely Nat C. Watkins (now deceased) and his wife Grace, living in Farmington, Missouri. When I called Grace (72 years young), I could hear the pride and love in her words when speaking of the man she has loved and was married to for 54 years. Her husband was a great-grandson of Nathaniel W.
If your travels take you through this part of Missouri, I highly recommend a stop to visit the Cemetery as well as other points of Watkins interest. Many of the members of this family are buried at the Cemetery. Nathaniel's headstone stands prominently amongst those he called his family. The State of Missouri established the General Watkins Conservation Area that includes the place called "Beechland" where the Cemetery is located. It is a well known road from Highway 61 in Scott County, 15 miles south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
It's important that time is taken to thank John Stutsman, my dear friend and "cousin" Jane McMurtry Allen, Conrad Hudson, as well as so many other connected families for making records of this "branch". I would like to especially thank my grandmother, Luella A. Watkins, and my great grandmother, Glenora E. Watkins, for all those boxes of "stuff" about our family that she kept in the "nooks and crannies" of the old College. As it happens, Nathaniel W. Watkins' brother, Francis Hudson, was my great-great-great-grandfather, making Nathaniel my great-great-great granduncle? Well, let's just say that he was one of my "greats". Many have made notice that the folks in our family branch were a bit "longwinded", and if that were allowed as a measure to determine bloodlines, I wouldn't need a birth certificate!! As it is, I seem to come by my sins honestly. I am honored to call these folks my family. Thanks for reading!
Elizabeth Watkins Barner
