John Watkins
(b. 1800) married Nancy Moore, daughter of James Moore and Elizabeth Mays. The couple
resided in Henry County, VA where they raised eight sons and three daughters. Nancy must have felt like she was giving quite a lot to the Confederacy, including most of her heart, as she probably kissed all eight of her sons goodbye. They each served together in the Civil War. Fortunately, five of her sons eventually returned, but they were all forever changed, mentally, emotionally and physically. Two of her sons were both my ggg-grandfathers, Hiram Watkins, and his brother Horseley Watkins. Hiram married Susan Payne January 12, 1860. Horseley married Ruth Watkins in 1853. For a more detailed summary of their experiences in the war, See the
Watkins Confederate History
View Hiram's Eulogy
James R. Watkins, son of Hiram Watkins and Susan Payne, married Mary Emma Watkins, daughter of Horseley Watkins and Ruth Watkins. James was born during the Civil War in 1862 in Henry County, VA. He was a textile worker and lived to the age of 81. He died in Guilford County, NC and was buried at Proximity Cemetery. Mary Emma Watkins, who went by her middle name "Emma" was born 1870 in Virginia. She is also buried at Proximity Cemetery.
My grandmother loved to tell me stories of how Emma used to rock her and sing gospel hymns to her. She said Emma never allowed her to visit without feeding her a good, home-cooked meal or giving her food to take home to the rest of the family. My grandmother described Emma as
a "dear, sweet soul." Emma gave my grandmother the nickname "Tina". Apparently, she was the only one who called her by that name.
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