Henry "Godfrey" Watters volunteered his service to our country in the War of 1812. He entered the 7th Regiment Cavalry (Streett's) Maryland Militia, ranking in as a private, and completed his service as a sergeant. Godfrey was described as a loyal patriot of the finest fiber and of the firmest will. He was a man of noble character, a life-long farmer, who taught himself many trades with singular facileness and dexterity. He was a fair doctor of the lancet and calomel school, extending his hand to neighbors and freely treating the poor in his neighborhood. He was lawyer enough to draw wills and deeds that the court respected. Godfrey was a good surveyor and made his mark on plots of land throughout Harford County. In 1823, Godfrey brought his new bride, Mary Clendenin Watters to Ruff's Chance, the farm that had been in his family for 4 generations. Their four children included Godfrey, a life-long farmer; Elizabeth (Lizzie) who cared for her father and mother in their aging years and devoted herself to her brothers. She also served among her wide circle of friends whenever there was sickness to nurse or sorrow to console; Dr. John H., a Confederate surgeon; and James David, a lieutenant in the Confederate cavalry, and later a highly respected Md circuit court judge. It was a grief beyond words to Henry Godfrey Watters that two of his sons had espoused the cause of the Confederacy. After they went South to fight in the war, he would not mention their names again in family conversation. On July 4, 1863, the terrible cannonade of Gettysburg, like distant thunder, could be faintly heard in the Thomas Run Valley. It was a day of anxiety for Henry Godfrey Watters, a reminder that his sons fought against the country he loved. Yet, had they returned home, his kind, tender heart would have welcomed them without a word of chiding. Henry Godfrey Watters died on December 21, 1865 before there could be a reunion with his two youngest sons.
--info taken from the personal memories of Rev. Austin Matlack Courtenay, great nephew of Mary Clendenin Watters. Her nephew lived with the Watters family during the Civil War years.
--info taken from the personal memories of Rev. Austin Matlack Courtenay, great nephew of Mary Clendenin Watters. Her nephew lived with the Watters family during the Civil War years.
Henry "Godfrey" Watters volunteered his service to our country in the War of 1812. He entered the 7th Regiment Cavalry (Streett's) Maryland Militia, ranking in as a private, and completed his service as a sergeant. Godfrey was described as a loyal patriot of the finest fiber and of the firmest will. He was a man of noble character, a life-long farmer, who taught himself many trades with singular facileness and dexterity. He was a fair doctor of the lancet and calomel school, extending his hand to neighbors and freely treating the poor in his neighborhood. He was lawyer enough to draw wills and deeds that the court respected. Godfrey was a good surveyor and made his mark on plots of land throughout Harford County. In 1823, Godfrey brought his new bride, Mary Clendenin Watters to Ruff's Chance, the farm that had been in his family for 4 generations. Their four children included Godfrey, a life-long farmer; Elizabeth (Lizzie) who cared for her father and mother in their aging years and devoted herself to her brothers. She also served among her wide circle of friends whenever there was sickness to nurse or sorrow to console; Dr. John H., a Confederate surgeon; and James David, a lieutenant in the Confederate cavalry, and later a highly respected Md circuit court judge. It was a grief beyond words to Henry Godfrey Watters that two of his sons had espoused the cause of the Confederacy. After they went South to fight in the war, he would not mention their names again in family conversation. On July 4, 1863, the terrible cannonade of Gettysburg, like distant thunder, could be faintly heard in the Thomas Run Valley. It was a day of anxiety for Henry Godfrey Watters, a reminder that his sons fought against the country he loved. Yet, had they returned home, his kind, tender heart would have welcomed them without a word of chiding. Henry Godfrey Watters died on December 21, 1865 before there could be a reunion with his two youngest sons.
--info taken from the personal memories of Rev. Austin Matlack Courtenay, great nephew of Mary Clendenin Watters. Her nephew lived with the Watters family during the Civil War years.
--info taken from the personal memories of Rev. Austin Matlack Courtenay, great nephew of Mary Clendenin Watters. Her nephew lived with the Watters family during the Civil War years.
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