Veteran: War of 1812
NOTE: Portrait of Isaac Watkins in the possession of Josephine Heiskell Hollenberg according to Mrs J H Cobb in 1984.
h/o 1st Paulina Thurston, 2nd Marie Toncray.
See image captions for credits.
Birth: in Coochland, till 1749, now Cumberland county, Virginia
Isaac's father, Thomas Watkins,jr, married 6 February 1762 in formerly Amelia, now Prince Edward county, Virginia, descended from William Claiborne (c1600-c1679), first Secretary of the new Colony (1626-1634), died while Isaac was an infant, leaving little funds and a large family, his mother, Sarah "Sally" Walton (1745VA-18__KY), sister of George Walton (1741VA-1804GA), signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Georgia, around 1779 married Reverend Joshua Morris moving to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky with her younger children. Isaac grew to adulthood, a veteran of War of 1812, married twice, first, Paulina Thurston (1780VA-1805KY), then Marie Toncray (1793MD-1874AR), birthing young sons by each wife before he reportedly signed a bond for a friend who defaulted causing Isaac to pay, costing him dearly.
SOURCE: In part; Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas, 1908 by Josiah Hazen
Shinn, Chapter XXVII and Our Southern Cousins.
Another excellant source for information of early Little Rock families is: "A Few Founders and First Families of Little Rock"
by Mrs. Frederick Hanger (Frances Marion Harrow, 1856IA-1945AR) (a creating Member of the Arkansas History Commission) November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Isaac then, after U S Treaty of 1820 moved Indians west of a line running south from Fort Smith opening most of Arkansas to safe development for the whites, in December 1820, removed his family down the Cumberland river to Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky and left aboard steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 with his 2nd wife, their son George (his son Robert following the next year) and wife's niece, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827, newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), down Ohio and Mississippi rivers to White river, then, last portion up the Arkansas river in keel boats, to what became October 1821, second created Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory, so recommended by Amos Wheeler, delegated as postmaster March 1820 of post office, named Little Rock, Isaac and family finding a small community of about a dozen families, with huts and one log house, at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) also a veteran from War of 1812, on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road. He acquired the log house at 4th & Scott. Son George, is said to have fallen overboard during trip, but rescued, and wife Maria became second white women resident.
Isaac built his large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel and church, then opening the first tavern, Little Rock Tavern, selling it to War of 1812 veteran, Maj Nicholas Peay (1784VA-1843AR), Isaac also had constructed a mill, operated by horses, later owned a farm, serving his neighbors a fine sit down meal on several fourth of July's in town, one with over a hundred folks in the gallery of the old court house. He was the first Clerk of his Baptist church, and had run for public office once but defeated before his untimely, December 1827 murder.
The first Baptist church in Little Rock was organized in his home on July 24, 1824.
The Baptists have the honor of having the first church-house in the City of Little Rock July 1824, as was encouraged by his wife Maria (Toncray) Watkins, second white woman in Little Rock, she next older sister of the Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray (1795MD-1847TN) as pastor till brother Daniel died in Memphis 1829 to where he removed and later died. This was known as the "Baptist Meeting House", stood on Third between Main and Scott streets. The Methodists, with Rev W P Ratcliffe, and Presbyterians had regular services previous to this time, but had built no house of worship. Used by others and as a Territorial meeting place.
Death: murdered by gunshot In Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Father: Thomas Watkins jr b: between 1738 & '41 Goochland, now Cumberland county, Virginia.
Mother: Sallie Walton b: 8 OCT 1745, Virginia
Marriage 1: Paulina Thurston b: 11 JUN 1780, Campbell county, Virginia
Married: 10 AUG 1803, Kentucky
Known Child
Robert Anderson Watkins b: 10 MAY 1804, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Marriage 2: Marie Toncray b: 13 MAY 1793 Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
Married: 31 JAN 1815, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (only two to aduthood)
George Claibourne Watkins b: 25 NOV 1815 Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Henry Conway Watkins b: 20 AUG 1822 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Mary Eliza Watkins b: 12 FEB 1825 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Catherine Watkins b: about 1827 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
NOTE: Portrait of Isaac Watkins in the possession of Josephine Heiskell Hollenberg according to Mrs J H Cobb in 1984.
h/o 1st Paulina Thurston, 2nd Marie Toncray.
See image captions for credits.
Birth: in Coochland, till 1749, now Cumberland county, Virginia
Isaac's father, Thomas Watkins,jr, married 6 February 1762 in formerly Amelia, now Prince Edward county, Virginia, descended from William Claiborne (c1600-c1679), first Secretary of the new Colony (1626-1634), died while Isaac was an infant, leaving little funds and a large family, his mother, Sarah "Sally" Walton (1745VA-18__KY), sister of George Walton (1741VA-1804GA), signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Georgia, around 1779 married Reverend Joshua Morris moving to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky with her younger children. Isaac grew to adulthood, a veteran of War of 1812, married twice, first, Paulina Thurston (1780VA-1805KY), then Marie Toncray (1793MD-1874AR), birthing young sons by each wife before he reportedly signed a bond for a friend who defaulted causing Isaac to pay, costing him dearly.
SOURCE: In part; Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas, 1908 by Josiah Hazen
Shinn, Chapter XXVII and Our Southern Cousins.
Another excellant source for information of early Little Rock families is: "A Few Founders and First Families of Little Rock"
by Mrs. Frederick Hanger (Frances Marion Harrow, 1856IA-1945AR) (a creating Member of the Arkansas History Commission) November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Isaac then, after U S Treaty of 1820 moved Indians west of a line running south from Fort Smith opening most of Arkansas to safe development for the whites, in December 1820, removed his family down the Cumberland river to Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky and left aboard steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 with his 2nd wife, their son George (his son Robert following the next year) and wife's niece, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827, newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), down Ohio and Mississippi rivers to White river, then, last portion up the Arkansas river in keel boats, to what became October 1821, second created Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory, so recommended by Amos Wheeler, delegated as postmaster March 1820 of post office, named Little Rock, Isaac and family finding a small community of about a dozen families, with huts and one log house, at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) also a veteran from War of 1812, on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road. He acquired the log house at 4th & Scott. Son George, is said to have fallen overboard during trip, but rescued, and wife Maria became second white women resident.
Isaac built his large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel and church, then opening the first tavern, Little Rock Tavern, selling it to War of 1812 veteran, Maj Nicholas Peay (1784VA-1843AR), Isaac also had constructed a mill, operated by horses, later owned a farm, serving his neighbors a fine sit down meal on several fourth of July's in town, one with over a hundred folks in the gallery of the old court house. He was the first Clerk of his Baptist church, and had run for public office once but defeated before his untimely, December 1827 murder.
The first Baptist church in Little Rock was organized in his home on July 24, 1824.
The Baptists have the honor of having the first church-house in the City of Little Rock July 1824, as was encouraged by his wife Maria (Toncray) Watkins, second white woman in Little Rock, she next older sister of the Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray (1795MD-1847TN) as pastor till brother Daniel died in Memphis 1829 to where he removed and later died. This was known as the "Baptist Meeting House", stood on Third between Main and Scott streets. The Methodists, with Rev W P Ratcliffe, and Presbyterians had regular services previous to this time, but had built no house of worship. Used by others and as a Territorial meeting place.
Death: murdered by gunshot In Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Father: Thomas Watkins jr b: between 1738 & '41 Goochland, now Cumberland county, Virginia.
Mother: Sallie Walton b: 8 OCT 1745, Virginia
Marriage 1: Paulina Thurston b: 11 JUN 1780, Campbell county, Virginia
Married: 10 AUG 1803, Kentucky
Known Child
Robert Anderson Watkins b: 10 MAY 1804, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Marriage 2: Marie Toncray b: 13 MAY 1793 Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
Married: 31 JAN 1815, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (only two to aduthood)
George Claibourne Watkins b: 25 NOV 1815 Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Henry Conway Watkins b: 20 AUG 1822 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Mary Eliza Watkins b: 12 FEB 1825 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Catherine Watkins b: about 1827 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Veteran: War of 1812
NOTE: Portrait of Isaac Watkins in the possession of Josephine Heiskell Hollenberg according to Mrs J H Cobb in 1984.
h/o 1st Paulina Thurston, 2nd Marie Toncray.
See image captions for credits.
Birth: in Coochland, till 1749, now Cumberland county, Virginia
Isaac's father, Thomas Watkins,jr, married 6 February 1762 in formerly Amelia, now Prince Edward county, Virginia, descended from William Claiborne (c1600-c1679), first Secretary of the new Colony (1626-1634), died while Isaac was an infant, leaving little funds and a large family, his mother, Sarah "Sally" Walton (1745VA-18__KY), sister of George Walton (1741VA-1804GA), signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Georgia, around 1779 married Reverend Joshua Morris moving to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky with her younger children. Isaac grew to adulthood, a veteran of War of 1812, married twice, first, Paulina Thurston (1780VA-1805KY), then Marie Toncray (1793MD-1874AR), birthing young sons by each wife before he reportedly signed a bond for a friend who defaulted causing Isaac to pay, costing him dearly.
SOURCE: In part; Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas, 1908 by Josiah Hazen
Shinn, Chapter XXVII and Our Southern Cousins.
Another excellant source for information of early Little Rock families is: "A Few Founders and First Families of Little Rock"
by Mrs. Frederick Hanger (Frances Marion Harrow, 1856IA-1945AR) (a creating Member of the Arkansas History Commission) November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Isaac then, after U S Treaty of 1820 moved Indians west of a line running south from Fort Smith opening most of Arkansas to safe development for the whites, in December 1820, removed his family down the Cumberland river to Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky and left aboard steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 with his 2nd wife, their son George (his son Robert following the next year) and wife's niece, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827, newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), down Ohio and Mississippi rivers to White river, then, last portion up the Arkansas river in keel boats, to what became October 1821, second created Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory, so recommended by Amos Wheeler, delegated as postmaster March 1820 of post office, named Little Rock, Isaac and family finding a small community of about a dozen families, with huts and one log house, at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) also a veteran from War of 1812, on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road. He acquired the log house at 4th & Scott. Son George, is said to have fallen overboard during trip, but rescued, and wife Maria became second white women resident.
Isaac built his large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel and church, then opening the first tavern, Little Rock Tavern, selling it to War of 1812 veteran, Maj Nicholas Peay (1784VA-1843AR), Isaac also had constructed a mill, operated by horses, later owned a farm, serving his neighbors a fine sit down meal on several fourth of July's in town, one with over a hundred folks in the gallery of the old court house. He was the first Clerk of his Baptist church, and had run for public office once but defeated before his untimely, December 1827 murder.
The first Baptist church in Little Rock was organized in his home on July 24, 1824.
The Baptists have the honor of having the first church-house in the City of Little Rock July 1824, as was encouraged by his wife Maria (Toncray) Watkins, second white woman in Little Rock, she next older sister of the Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray (1795MD-1847TN) as pastor till brother Daniel died in Memphis 1829 to where he removed and later died. This was known as the "Baptist Meeting House", stood on Third between Main and Scott streets. The Methodists, with Rev W P Ratcliffe, and Presbyterians had regular services previous to this time, but had built no house of worship. Used by others and as a Territorial meeting place.
Death: murdered by gunshot In Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Father: Thomas Watkins jr b: between 1738 & '41 Goochland, now Cumberland county, Virginia.
Mother: Sallie Walton b: 8 OCT 1745, Virginia
Marriage 1: Paulina Thurston b: 11 JUN 1780, Campbell county, Virginia
Married: 10 AUG 1803, Kentucky
Known Child
Robert Anderson Watkins b: 10 MAY 1804, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Marriage 2: Marie Toncray b: 13 MAY 1793 Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
Married: 31 JAN 1815, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (only two to aduthood)
George Claibourne Watkins b: 25 NOV 1815 Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Henry Conway Watkins b: 20 AUG 1822 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Mary Eliza Watkins b: 12 FEB 1825 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Catherine Watkins b: about 1827 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
NOTE: Portrait of Isaac Watkins in the possession of Josephine Heiskell Hollenberg according to Mrs J H Cobb in 1984.
h/o 1st Paulina Thurston, 2nd Marie Toncray.
See image captions for credits.
Birth: in Coochland, till 1749, now Cumberland county, Virginia
Isaac's father, Thomas Watkins,jr, married 6 February 1762 in formerly Amelia, now Prince Edward county, Virginia, descended from William Claiborne (c1600-c1679), first Secretary of the new Colony (1626-1634), died while Isaac was an infant, leaving little funds and a large family, his mother, Sarah "Sally" Walton (1745VA-18__KY), sister of George Walton (1741VA-1804GA), signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Georgia, around 1779 married Reverend Joshua Morris moving to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky with her younger children. Isaac grew to adulthood, a veteran of War of 1812, married twice, first, Paulina Thurston (1780VA-1805KY), then Marie Toncray (1793MD-1874AR), birthing young sons by each wife before he reportedly signed a bond for a friend who defaulted causing Isaac to pay, costing him dearly.
SOURCE: In part; Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas, 1908 by Josiah Hazen
Shinn, Chapter XXVII and Our Southern Cousins.
Another excellant source for information of early Little Rock families is: "A Few Founders and First Families of Little Rock"
by Mrs. Frederick Hanger (Frances Marion Harrow, 1856IA-1945AR) (a creating Member of the Arkansas History Commission) November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Isaac then, after U S Treaty of 1820 moved Indians west of a line running south from Fort Smith opening most of Arkansas to safe development for the whites, in December 1820, removed his family down the Cumberland river to Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky and left aboard steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 with his 2nd wife, their son George (his son Robert following the next year) and wife's niece, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827, newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), down Ohio and Mississippi rivers to White river, then, last portion up the Arkansas river in keel boats, to what became October 1821, second created Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory, so recommended by Amos Wheeler, delegated as postmaster March 1820 of post office, named Little Rock, Isaac and family finding a small community of about a dozen families, with huts and one log house, at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) also a veteran from War of 1812, on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road. He acquired the log house at 4th & Scott. Son George, is said to have fallen overboard during trip, but rescued, and wife Maria became second white women resident.
Isaac built his large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel and church, then opening the first tavern, Little Rock Tavern, selling it to War of 1812 veteran, Maj Nicholas Peay (1784VA-1843AR), Isaac also had constructed a mill, operated by horses, later owned a farm, serving his neighbors a fine sit down meal on several fourth of July's in town, one with over a hundred folks in the gallery of the old court house. He was the first Clerk of his Baptist church, and had run for public office once but defeated before his untimely, December 1827 murder.
The first Baptist church in Little Rock was organized in his home on July 24, 1824.
The Baptists have the honor of having the first church-house in the City of Little Rock July 1824, as was encouraged by his wife Maria (Toncray) Watkins, second white woman in Little Rock, she next older sister of the Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray (1795MD-1847TN) as pastor till brother Daniel died in Memphis 1829 to where he removed and later died. This was known as the "Baptist Meeting House", stood on Third between Main and Scott streets. The Methodists, with Rev W P Ratcliffe, and Presbyterians had regular services previous to this time, but had built no house of worship. Used by others and as a Territorial meeting place.
Death: murdered by gunshot In Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Father: Thomas Watkins jr b: between 1738 & '41 Goochland, now Cumberland county, Virginia.
Mother: Sallie Walton b: 8 OCT 1745, Virginia
Marriage 1: Paulina Thurston b: 11 JUN 1780, Campbell county, Virginia
Married: 10 AUG 1803, Kentucky
Known Child
Robert Anderson Watkins b: 10 MAY 1804, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Marriage 2: Marie Toncray b: 13 MAY 1793 Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
Married: 31 JAN 1815, Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (only two to aduthood)
George Claibourne Watkins b: 25 NOV 1815 Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky
Henry Conway Watkins b: 20 AUG 1822 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Mary Eliza Watkins b: 12 FEB 1825 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Catherine Watkins b: about 1827 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Family Members
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