2nd w/o Isaac Watkins & 2nd w/o of 2nd hubby, Rev William Wilson Stevnson.
Birth: 9th of ten (or eleven) reported children, Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
See image captions for credits.
She kept a diary which was published, to wit: Maria Watkins Stevenson diary, 1820-1830 by Maria Watkins Stevenson( Book ) in English and held by 2 libraries worldwide
Maria, raised by parents in Maryland moving while young with most of her siblings to Kentucky where about 1813 she met her first husband Major Isaac Watkins, a widower and veteran from the War of 1812, married in 1815, remained in Shelbyville until December 1820, removing with husband, son George (step-son Robert followed the next year) down Cumberland river to Louisville then with five year older widowed sister, Ann Elizabeth (Toncray) Mills' daughter, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827 to newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), by steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 from Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky down Ohio and Mississippi rivers arriving at White river then by keel boat arriving 11 March 1821 at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road to what in October 1821 became second Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory finding a small community of about a dozen families with huts and one log house. They acquired a log house. It was Amos Wheeler who had earlier been delegated the postmaster's job at new "Litte Rock" post office March 1820 and it was he who recommended name Little Rock to become new territorial capital. Maria is said to have been second white lady resident of Little Rock to Dr Cunningham's wife, formerly, Eliza Wilson (1788SCOT-1856AR)whose son, Chester was first white child born in Little Rock. Young son George, reportedly fell overboard during boat trip, but was rescued. Maria becoming second white women resident of Little Rock.
Maria's husband, Issac, built their large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel, used as the church meeting house, 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 fourth of July each year 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.
Maria then four years later, married widower Reverend William Wilson Stevenson, who had two sons, resided in Little Rock, he a Methodist minister, they having two children, he moving to California following her 1874 death to die in 1888. When baby brother, Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray, died then his wife the following year, she accepted and raised thier fourth child, Hulda (Tracy) Toncray of Memphus, Tennessee. She had earlier, following arrival in Little Rock, asked her brother to come and that is when in 1824 he spent five years and built the first church building in 1825, Baptist Meeting House in Little Rock, with her husband its first clerk.
An 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)
Member of the Arkansas History Commission
November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Death: at son-in-law, Judge John J Clendenin's home in Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas, buried Mount Holly cemetery. NOTE: burial next to first hubby, Issac Watkins
Obituary: The Arkansas Gazette
"Died. In this city on the morning of the 21st of March, 1874, at the residence of her son-in-law, Judge Clendennin(sic), Mrs. Maria Stevenson in the eighty-first year of her age.
"This brief notice records the death of the oldest female resident of our city. For fifty-four years she has been a continuous resident of Little Rock, and during all that long period she graced the community by her hospitalities, blessed the poor with her charities, and the stricken in sorrow and affliction with her love and advice. Enjoying through most of her long life uninterrupted health and favored with more than an ordinary intellect, she met the troubles and trials of her early frontier life with firmness and fortitude and was able to assist, counsel and advise those who sought her in their troubles; always a Christian, her house was the home of the mission and the ministers of all denominations.
"She lived to see her children and children's children grow up around her, anxious to minister to her wants, and surrounded by them she calmly passed away to the rest prepared for those who here have so well done the Master's will.
"Mrs. Stevenson was born in Williamsport, Maryland, in 1793, and when quite young moved with her parents to Kentucky where she married Major Isaac Watkins, of Shelby County, with whom she and her infant son, the late Judge George C. Watkins, and her niece, Mrs. Woodruff, the wife of the venerable William E. Woodruff, resided. In 1820, she removed to Little Rock where she had always since lived."
Father: Daniel Toncray b: about 1750 New York
Mother: Huldah Tracey b: about 1754 Connecticut
Marriage 1 Isaac Watkins b: 10 APR 1777 Cumberland, formerly Goochland county, Virginia
Married: 31 JAN 1815 in Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (two to adulthood)
George Claiborne 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
Marriage 2, William Wilson Stevenson b: 29 JAN 1797 Pendelton District, Sounth Carolina. Married: 29 March 1831, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Known Children
Maria Jane Stevenson, b: Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Robert Watkins Stevenson b: 23 DEC 1831 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Birth: 9th of ten (or eleven) reported children, Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
See image captions for credits.
She kept a diary which was published, to wit: Maria Watkins Stevenson diary, 1820-1830 by Maria Watkins Stevenson( Book ) in English and held by 2 libraries worldwide
Maria, raised by parents in Maryland moving while young with most of her siblings to Kentucky where about 1813 she met her first husband Major Isaac Watkins, a widower and veteran from the War of 1812, married in 1815, remained in Shelbyville until December 1820, removing with husband, son George (step-son Robert followed the next year) down Cumberland river to Louisville then with five year older widowed sister, Ann Elizabeth (Toncray) Mills' daughter, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827 to newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), by steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 from Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky down Ohio and Mississippi rivers arriving at White river then by keel boat arriving 11 March 1821 at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road to what in October 1821 became second Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory finding a small community of about a dozen families with huts and one log house. They acquired a log house. It was Amos Wheeler who had earlier been delegated the postmaster's job at new "Litte Rock" post office March 1820 and it was he who recommended name Little Rock to become new territorial capital. Maria is said to have been second white lady resident of Little Rock to Dr Cunningham's wife, formerly, Eliza Wilson (1788SCOT-1856AR)whose son, Chester was first white child born in Little Rock. Young son George, reportedly fell overboard during boat trip, but was rescued. Maria becoming second white women resident of Little Rock.
Maria's husband, Issac, built their large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel, used as the church meeting house, 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 fourth of July each year 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.
Maria then four years later, married widower Reverend William Wilson Stevenson, who had two sons, resided in Little Rock, he a Methodist minister, they having two children, he moving to California following her 1874 death to die in 1888. When baby brother, Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray, died then his wife the following year, she accepted and raised thier fourth child, Hulda (Tracy) Toncray of Memphus, Tennessee. She had earlier, following arrival in Little Rock, asked her brother to come and that is when in 1824 he spent five years and built the first church building in 1825, Baptist Meeting House in Little Rock, with her husband its first clerk.
An 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)
Member of the Arkansas History Commission
November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Death: at son-in-law, Judge John J Clendenin's home in Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas, buried Mount Holly cemetery. NOTE: burial next to first hubby, Issac Watkins
Obituary: The Arkansas Gazette
"Died. In this city on the morning of the 21st of March, 1874, at the residence of her son-in-law, Judge Clendennin(sic), Mrs. Maria Stevenson in the eighty-first year of her age.
"This brief notice records the death of the oldest female resident of our city. For fifty-four years she has been a continuous resident of Little Rock, and during all that long period she graced the community by her hospitalities, blessed the poor with her charities, and the stricken in sorrow and affliction with her love and advice. Enjoying through most of her long life uninterrupted health and favored with more than an ordinary intellect, she met the troubles and trials of her early frontier life with firmness and fortitude and was able to assist, counsel and advise those who sought her in their troubles; always a Christian, her house was the home of the mission and the ministers of all denominations.
"She lived to see her children and children's children grow up around her, anxious to minister to her wants, and surrounded by them she calmly passed away to the rest prepared for those who here have so well done the Master's will.
"Mrs. Stevenson was born in Williamsport, Maryland, in 1793, and when quite young moved with her parents to Kentucky where she married Major Isaac Watkins, of Shelby County, with whom she and her infant son, the late Judge George C. Watkins, and her niece, Mrs. Woodruff, the wife of the venerable William E. Woodruff, resided. In 1820, she removed to Little Rock where she had always since lived."
Father: Daniel Toncray b: about 1750 New York
Mother: Huldah Tracey b: about 1754 Connecticut
Marriage 1 Isaac Watkins b: 10 APR 1777 Cumberland, formerly Goochland county, Virginia
Married: 31 JAN 1815 in Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (two to adulthood)
George Claiborne 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
Marriage 2, William Wilson Stevenson b: 29 JAN 1797 Pendelton District, Sounth Carolina. Married: 29 March 1831, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Known Children
Maria Jane Stevenson, b: Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Robert Watkins Stevenson b: 23 DEC 1831 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
2nd w/o Isaac Watkins & 2nd w/o of 2nd hubby, Rev William Wilson Stevnson.
Birth: 9th of ten (or eleven) reported children, Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
See image captions for credits.
She kept a diary which was published, to wit: Maria Watkins Stevenson diary, 1820-1830 by Maria Watkins Stevenson( Book ) in English and held by 2 libraries worldwide
Maria, raised by parents in Maryland moving while young with most of her siblings to Kentucky where about 1813 she met her first husband Major Isaac Watkins, a widower and veteran from the War of 1812, married in 1815, remained in Shelbyville until December 1820, removing with husband, son George (step-son Robert followed the next year) down Cumberland river to Louisville then with five year older widowed sister, Ann Elizabeth (Toncray) Mills' daughter, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827 to newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), by steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 from Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky down Ohio and Mississippi rivers arriving at White river then by keel boat arriving 11 March 1821 at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road to what in October 1821 became second Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory finding a small community of about a dozen families with huts and one log house. They acquired a log house. It was Amos Wheeler who had earlier been delegated the postmaster's job at new "Litte Rock" post office March 1820 and it was he who recommended name Little Rock to become new territorial capital. Maria is said to have been second white lady resident of Little Rock to Dr Cunningham's wife, formerly, Eliza Wilson (1788SCOT-1856AR)whose son, Chester was first white child born in Little Rock. Young son George, reportedly fell overboard during boat trip, but was rescued. Maria becoming second white women resident of Little Rock.
Maria's husband, Issac, built their large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel, used as the church meeting house, 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 fourth of July each year 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.
Maria then four years later, married widower Reverend William Wilson Stevenson, who had two sons, resided in Little Rock, he a Methodist minister, they having two children, he moving to California following her 1874 death to die in 1888. When baby brother, Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray, died then his wife the following year, she accepted and raised thier fourth child, Hulda (Tracy) Toncray of Memphus, Tennessee. She had earlier, following arrival in Little Rock, asked her brother to come and that is when in 1824 he spent five years and built the first church building in 1825, Baptist Meeting House in Little Rock, with her husband its first clerk.
An 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)
Member of the Arkansas History Commission
November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Death: at son-in-law, Judge John J Clendenin's home in Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas, buried Mount Holly cemetery. NOTE: burial next to first hubby, Issac Watkins
Obituary: The Arkansas Gazette
"Died. In this city on the morning of the 21st of March, 1874, at the residence of her son-in-law, Judge Clendennin(sic), Mrs. Maria Stevenson in the eighty-first year of her age.
"This brief notice records the death of the oldest female resident of our city. For fifty-four years she has been a continuous resident of Little Rock, and during all that long period she graced the community by her hospitalities, blessed the poor with her charities, and the stricken in sorrow and affliction with her love and advice. Enjoying through most of her long life uninterrupted health and favored with more than an ordinary intellect, she met the troubles and trials of her early frontier life with firmness and fortitude and was able to assist, counsel and advise those who sought her in their troubles; always a Christian, her house was the home of the mission and the ministers of all denominations.
"She lived to see her children and children's children grow up around her, anxious to minister to her wants, and surrounded by them she calmly passed away to the rest prepared for those who here have so well done the Master's will.
"Mrs. Stevenson was born in Williamsport, Maryland, in 1793, and when quite young moved with her parents to Kentucky where she married Major Isaac Watkins, of Shelby County, with whom she and her infant son, the late Judge George C. Watkins, and her niece, Mrs. Woodruff, the wife of the venerable William E. Woodruff, resided. In 1820, she removed to Little Rock where she had always since lived."
Father: Daniel Toncray b: about 1750 New York
Mother: Huldah Tracey b: about 1754 Connecticut
Marriage 1 Isaac Watkins b: 10 APR 1777 Cumberland, formerly Goochland county, Virginia
Married: 31 JAN 1815 in Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (two to adulthood)
George Claiborne 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
Marriage 2, William Wilson Stevenson b: 29 JAN 1797 Pendelton District, Sounth Carolina. Married: 29 March 1831, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Known Children
Maria Jane Stevenson, b: Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Robert Watkins Stevenson b: 23 DEC 1831 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Birth: 9th of ten (or eleven) reported children, Williamsport, Washington county, Maryland
See image captions for credits.
She kept a diary which was published, to wit: Maria Watkins Stevenson diary, 1820-1830 by Maria Watkins Stevenson( Book ) in English and held by 2 libraries worldwide
Maria, raised by parents in Maryland moving while young with most of her siblings to Kentucky where about 1813 she met her first husband Major Isaac Watkins, a widower and veteran from the War of 1812, married in 1815, remained in Shelbyville until December 1820, removing with husband, son George (step-son Robert followed the next year) down Cumberland river to Louisville then with five year older widowed sister, Ann Elizabeth (Toncray) Mills' daughter, Jane Eliza Mills (1810KY-1887AR) (married November 1827 to newspaperman, William Edward Woodruff (1795NY-1885AR)), by steamboat Frankfort O 30 January 1821 from Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky down Ohio and Mississippi rivers arriving at White river then by keel boat arriving 11 March 1821 at a river crossing with a ferry operated by Edmund Hogan (1780NC-1828AR) on the Saint Louis to Texas Red river trail and Military Road to what in October 1821 became second Arkansas Territorial capitol, Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas Territory finding a small community of about a dozen families with huts and one log house. They acquired a log house. It was Amos Wheeler who had earlier been delegated the postmaster's job at new "Litte Rock" post office March 1820 and it was he who recommended name Little Rock to become new territorial capital. Maria is said to have been second white lady resident of Little Rock to Dr Cunningham's wife, formerly, Eliza Wilson (1788SCOT-1856AR)whose son, Chester was first white child born in Little Rock. Young son George, reportedly fell overboard during boat trip, but was rescued. Maria becoming second white women resident of Little Rock.
Maria's husband, Issac, built their large two story frame home at corner of east Capital avenue and Cumberland, operating it as a hotel, used as the church meeting house, 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 fourth of July each year 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.
Maria then four years later, married widower Reverend William Wilson Stevenson, who had two sons, resided in Little Rock, he a Methodist minister, they having two children, he moving to California following her 1874 death to die in 1888. When baby brother, Reverend Silas Tracey Toncray, died then his wife the following year, she accepted and raised thier fourth child, Hulda (Tracy) Toncray of Memphus, Tennessee. She had earlier, following arrival in Little Rock, asked her brother to come and that is when in 1824 he spent five years and built the first church building in 1825, Baptist Meeting House in Little Rock, with her husband its first clerk.
An 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)
Member of the Arkansas History Commission
November 19, 1919 – Arkansas Gazette's Centennial Issue.
Death: at son-in-law, Judge John J Clendenin's home in Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas, buried Mount Holly cemetery. NOTE: burial next to first hubby, Issac Watkins
Obituary: The Arkansas Gazette
"Died. In this city on the morning of the 21st of March, 1874, at the residence of her son-in-law, Judge Clendennin(sic), Mrs. Maria Stevenson in the eighty-first year of her age.
"This brief notice records the death of the oldest female resident of our city. For fifty-four years she has been a continuous resident of Little Rock, and during all that long period she graced the community by her hospitalities, blessed the poor with her charities, and the stricken in sorrow and affliction with her love and advice. Enjoying through most of her long life uninterrupted health and favored with more than an ordinary intellect, she met the troubles and trials of her early frontier life with firmness and fortitude and was able to assist, counsel and advise those who sought her in their troubles; always a Christian, her house was the home of the mission and the ministers of all denominations.
"She lived to see her children and children's children grow up around her, anxious to minister to her wants, and surrounded by them she calmly passed away to the rest prepared for those who here have so well done the Master's will.
"Mrs. Stevenson was born in Williamsport, Maryland, in 1793, and when quite young moved with her parents to Kentucky where she married Major Isaac Watkins, of Shelby County, with whom she and her infant son, the late Judge George C. Watkins, and her niece, Mrs. Woodruff, the wife of the venerable William E. Woodruff, resided. In 1820, she removed to Little Rock where she had always since lived."
Father: Daniel Toncray b: about 1750 New York
Mother: Huldah Tracey b: about 1754 Connecticut
Marriage 1 Isaac Watkins b: 10 APR 1777 Cumberland, formerly Goochland county, Virginia
Married: 31 JAN 1815 in Shelby county, Kentucky
Known Children (two to adulthood)
George Claiborne 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
Marriage 2, William Wilson Stevenson b: 29 JAN 1797 Pendelton District, Sounth Carolina. Married: 29 March 1831, Pulaski county, Arkansas
Known Children
Maria Jane Stevenson, b: Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Robert Watkins Stevenson b: 23 DEC 1831 Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas.
Family Members
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