WATKINS, MARTHA D. - Services were held today at 11 a.m. in the Ericsson and Brown Chapel for Martha D. Watkins, 87, Woodrow Street, Taft, who died Thursday in a West Side hospital. The Rev. Ben Janes of the Presbyterian Church officiated and private entombment followed at the West Side District Mausoleum. A native of Philadelphia, Mrs. Watkins had resided in Taft 53 years. She was a retired nurse's aide and a member of Faith Chapter. Order of Eastern Star; Harmony Shrine; White Shrine of Jerusalem; Taft Rebekah Lodge; and the Royal Neighbors of Woodcraft. Mrs. Watkins is survived by a son, Thomas Townsend Duffin (Lillian) of Belridge; a grandson, Thomas Richard Duffin (Benadene) of Arroyo Grande; and three great grandchildren, James Richard Duffin, Sharon Leone Duffin and Susan Marie Duffin. Martha also had one other great grandson, Eric Patrick Duffin, who was born after her death.
Martha was born in Philadelphia, PA but moved to Ireland with her parents when she was a baby. Martha's parents were Thomas and Annie (Atkinson) Townsend. Martha's parents were from Ireland but had come to America before Martha was born. They decided to go back to Ireland shortly after Martha was born. Martha was the oldest of 10 children. Martha had 9 sisters and no brothers. Their names were Agnes born November 16, 1884, Janetta born July 17, 1886, Mary Elizabeth. born September 30, 1887, Ellen (Nell) born July 28, 1890, Margaret (Margretta) born February 14. 1889, Isabella (Bella) born November 19, 1891, Lizzie (Lissie) born November 18, 1893, Sadie born March 24,1895 and Louise (Louisa) born May 05, 1897. Martha was the only one of her siblings to have been born in America. Martha lived in Garryduff, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was a British subject of Irish ancestry. Martha was christened October 16, 1887 at Garryduff Presbyterian, Ballymoney, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
According to the website www.ballymoneyancestry.com Martha was enrolled in the Culduff National/Public Elementary/Primary School in the parish of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland on February 13, 1894. It lists her age as 9 but she was actually 10 years old. It also lists her father's occupation as a farmer. She was enrolled along with her sisters Agnes, Janetta, Lizzie, Ellen (Nell), Margretta, Mary and Isabella (Bella). Martha only went to school through the 8th grade. Reference is from the PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) "Ballymoney Culduff National/PE/PS Antrim SCH/232".
According to the 1901 Census in Ireland, Martha was living in Dunloy, which is a village and townland in the Borough of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was living as a servant in the household of Jane Townsend. I do not know why she was not living with her parents as she was only 17 years old at the time. Also living in the household at the time was Andrew Townsend, Jane's grandson. Martha's religion was listed as Presbyterian while Jane and Andrew's religion was listed as Baptist.
Martha came back to America on a ship called "The Mongolian" from Londonderry on January 14th, 1905 when she was 21 years old. She traveled with her sister Jenette and went to live with her uncle, John Townsend at 1529 North 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA. She came back to America through Ellis Island.
Martha married Thomas Duffin in 1907 in Philadelphia, PA.
At the time of the 1910 U.S. Census, Martha and Thomas were living in Webb City, Mo. with their 7 month old son, my grandfather, Thomas Townsend Duffin.
By the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, Martha, her husband and their son had moved to Kern, Ca. Her first husband, Thomas, died in 1930.
Martha married my step g grandfather, James Richard Watkins sometime between 1930 and 1935 after her first husband Thomas died.
On 6/12/1935 Martha Watkins, at the age of 49, left the Port of New York on the T.S.S. California and arrived in Glasgow, Scotland. Martha left Glasgow and went to Belfast, Ireland where her mother and sister lived and stayed at the Imperial hotel. Martha left Belfast on 09/07/1935 and traveled back to New York on the S.S. Carinthia ship and arrived in New York on 9/17/1935.
At the time of the 1940 U.S Census, Martha and James were living in the unincorporated area of Valley Acres-Line 14, Standard Oil lease 27-G, Judicial Twp 7, Kern Co., Ca.
According to my grandfather, James was a wonderful man and he loved him very much.
James died in 1943 and Martha remained widowed until her death in 1971.
Once Martha went to visit her sister Janetta who was living in Florida. She got on the train in California but she accidentally got off at the wrong stop. This caused some concern for her son who was in California because she was by herself and he could only advise her by telephone as to what to do. Martha eventually got herself situated and got back on the train and made it to her final destination to see her sister in Florida!
I don't remember my Great Grandmother very much as she died when I was about 5 years old but I sure do remember her big ole feather bed! I remember climbing up on it and sitting on it. It surely was the biggest bed I had ever seen as a just about 5 year old child! I remember going to the hospital in Taft, Ca. when she was ill. I remember going to her home on Woodrow St. after she had passed away.
Grandma Watkin's last address was 409 Woodrow St., Taft, Ca.
** Thank you very much to ballydorn1946 who has sent me quite a bit of valuable information on Ancestry.com that I have included in this memorial. Their assistance in helping me research Martha's ancestry has been invaluable. **
Martha was born in Philadelphia, PA but moved to Ireland with her parents when she was a baby. Martha's parents were Thomas and Annie (Atkinson) Townsend. Martha's parents were from Ireland but had come to America before Martha was born. They decided to go back to Ireland shortly after Martha was born. Martha was the oldest of 10 children. Martha had 9 sisters and no brothers. Their names were Agnes born November 16, 1884, Janetta born July 17, 1886, Mary Elizabeth. born September 30, 1887, Ellen (Nell) born July 28, 1890, Margaret (Margretta) born February 14. 1889, Isabella (Bella) born November 19, 1891, Lizzie (Lissie) born November 18, 1893, Sadie born March 24,1895 and Louise (Louisa) born May 05, 1897. Martha was the only one of her siblings to have been born in America. Martha lived in Garryduff, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was a British subject of Irish ancestry. Martha was christened October 16, 1887 at Garryduff Presbyterian, Ballymoney, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
According to the website www.ballymoneyancestry.com Martha was enrolled in the Culduff National/Public Elementary/Primary School in the parish of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland on February 13, 1894. It lists her age as 9 but she was actually 10 years old. It also lists her father's occupation as a farmer. She was enrolled along with her sisters Agnes, Janetta, Lizzie, Ellen (Nell), Margretta, Mary and Isabella (Bella). Martha only went to school through the 8th grade. Reference is from the PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) "Ballymoney Culduff National/PE/PS Antrim SCH/232".
According to the 1901 Census in Ireland, Martha was living in Dunloy, which is a village and townland in the Borough of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was living as a servant in the household of Jane Townsend. I do not know why she was not living with her parents as she was only 17 years old at the time. Also living in the household at the time was Andrew Townsend, Jane's grandson. Martha's religion was listed as Presbyterian while Jane and Andrew's religion was listed as Baptist.
Martha came back to America on a ship called "The Mongolian" from Londonderry on January 14th, 1905 when she was 21 years old. She traveled with her sister Jenette and went to live with her uncle, John Townsend at 1529 North 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA. She came back to America through Ellis Island.
Martha married Thomas Duffin in 1907 in Philadelphia, PA.
At the time of the 1910 U.S. Census, Martha and Thomas were living in Webb City, Mo. with their 7 month old son, my grandfather, Thomas Townsend Duffin.
By the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, Martha, her husband and their son had moved to Kern, Ca. Her first husband, Thomas, died in 1930.
Martha married my step g grandfather, James Richard Watkins sometime between 1930 and 1935 after her first husband Thomas died.
On 6/12/1935 Martha Watkins, at the age of 49, left the Port of New York on the T.S.S. California and arrived in Glasgow, Scotland. Martha left Glasgow and went to Belfast, Ireland where her mother and sister lived and stayed at the Imperial hotel. Martha left Belfast on 09/07/1935 and traveled back to New York on the S.S. Carinthia ship and arrived in New York on 9/17/1935.
At the time of the 1940 U.S Census, Martha and James were living in the unincorporated area of Valley Acres-Line 14, Standard Oil lease 27-G, Judicial Twp 7, Kern Co., Ca.
According to my grandfather, James was a wonderful man and he loved him very much.
James died in 1943 and Martha remained widowed until her death in 1971.
Once Martha went to visit her sister Janetta who was living in Florida. She got on the train in California but she accidentally got off at the wrong stop. This caused some concern for her son who was in California because she was by herself and he could only advise her by telephone as to what to do. Martha eventually got herself situated and got back on the train and made it to her final destination to see her sister in Florida!
I don't remember my Great Grandmother very much as she died when I was about 5 years old but I sure do remember her big ole feather bed! I remember climbing up on it and sitting on it. It surely was the biggest bed I had ever seen as a just about 5 year old child! I remember going to the hospital in Taft, Ca. when she was ill. I remember going to her home on Woodrow St. after she had passed away.
Grandma Watkin's last address was 409 Woodrow St., Taft, Ca.
** Thank you very much to ballydorn1946 who has sent me quite a bit of valuable information on Ancestry.com that I have included in this memorial. Their assistance in helping me research Martha's ancestry has been invaluable. **
WATKINS, MARTHA D. - Services were held today at 11 a.m. in the Ericsson and Brown Chapel for Martha D. Watkins, 87, Woodrow Street, Taft, who died Thursday in a West Side hospital. The Rev. Ben Janes of the Presbyterian Church officiated and private entombment followed at the West Side District Mausoleum. A native of Philadelphia, Mrs. Watkins had resided in Taft 53 years. She was a retired nurse's aide and a member of Faith Chapter. Order of Eastern Star; Harmony Shrine; White Shrine of Jerusalem; Taft Rebekah Lodge; and the Royal Neighbors of Woodcraft. Mrs. Watkins is survived by a son, Thomas Townsend Duffin (Lillian) of Belridge; a grandson, Thomas Richard Duffin (Benadene) of Arroyo Grande; and three great grandchildren, James Richard Duffin, Sharon Leone Duffin and Susan Marie Duffin. Martha also had one other great grandson, Eric Patrick Duffin, who was born after her death.
Martha was born in Philadelphia, PA but moved to Ireland with her parents when she was a baby. Martha's parents were Thomas and Annie (Atkinson) Townsend. Martha's parents were from Ireland but had come to America before Martha was born. They decided to go back to Ireland shortly after Martha was born. Martha was the oldest of 10 children. Martha had 9 sisters and no brothers. Their names were Agnes born November 16, 1884, Janetta born July 17, 1886, Mary Elizabeth. born September 30, 1887, Ellen (Nell) born July 28, 1890, Margaret (Margretta) born February 14. 1889, Isabella (Bella) born November 19, 1891, Lizzie (Lissie) born November 18, 1893, Sadie born March 24,1895 and Louise (Louisa) born May 05, 1897. Martha was the only one of her siblings to have been born in America. Martha lived in Garryduff, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was a British subject of Irish ancestry. Martha was christened October 16, 1887 at Garryduff Presbyterian, Ballymoney, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
According to the website www.ballymoneyancestry.com Martha was enrolled in the Culduff National/Public Elementary/Primary School in the parish of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland on February 13, 1894. It lists her age as 9 but she was actually 10 years old. It also lists her father's occupation as a farmer. She was enrolled along with her sisters Agnes, Janetta, Lizzie, Ellen (Nell), Margretta, Mary and Isabella (Bella). Martha only went to school through the 8th grade. Reference is from the PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) "Ballymoney Culduff National/PE/PS Antrim SCH/232".
According to the 1901 Census in Ireland, Martha was living in Dunloy, which is a village and townland in the Borough of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was living as a servant in the household of Jane Townsend. I do not know why she was not living with her parents as she was only 17 years old at the time. Also living in the household at the time was Andrew Townsend, Jane's grandson. Martha's religion was listed as Presbyterian while Jane and Andrew's religion was listed as Baptist.
Martha came back to America on a ship called "The Mongolian" from Londonderry on January 14th, 1905 when she was 21 years old. She traveled with her sister Jenette and went to live with her uncle, John Townsend at 1529 North 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA. She came back to America through Ellis Island.
Martha married Thomas Duffin in 1907 in Philadelphia, PA.
At the time of the 1910 U.S. Census, Martha and Thomas were living in Webb City, Mo. with their 7 month old son, my grandfather, Thomas Townsend Duffin.
By the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, Martha, her husband and their son had moved to Kern, Ca. Her first husband, Thomas, died in 1930.
Martha married my step g grandfather, James Richard Watkins sometime between 1930 and 1935 after her first husband Thomas died.
On 6/12/1935 Martha Watkins, at the age of 49, left the Port of New York on the T.S.S. California and arrived in Glasgow, Scotland. Martha left Glasgow and went to Belfast, Ireland where her mother and sister lived and stayed at the Imperial hotel. Martha left Belfast on 09/07/1935 and traveled back to New York on the S.S. Carinthia ship and arrived in New York on 9/17/1935.
At the time of the 1940 U.S Census, Martha and James were living in the unincorporated area of Valley Acres-Line 14, Standard Oil lease 27-G, Judicial Twp 7, Kern Co., Ca.
According to my grandfather, James was a wonderful man and he loved him very much.
James died in 1943 and Martha remained widowed until her death in 1971.
Once Martha went to visit her sister Janetta who was living in Florida. She got on the train in California but she accidentally got off at the wrong stop. This caused some concern for her son who was in California because she was by herself and he could only advise her by telephone as to what to do. Martha eventually got herself situated and got back on the train and made it to her final destination to see her sister in Florida!
I don't remember my Great Grandmother very much as she died when I was about 5 years old but I sure do remember her big ole feather bed! I remember climbing up on it and sitting on it. It surely was the biggest bed I had ever seen as a just about 5 year old child! I remember going to the hospital in Taft, Ca. when she was ill. I remember going to her home on Woodrow St. after she had passed away.
Grandma Watkin's last address was 409 Woodrow St., Taft, Ca.
** Thank you very much to ballydorn1946 who has sent me quite a bit of valuable information on Ancestry.com that I have included in this memorial. Their assistance in helping me research Martha's ancestry has been invaluable. **
Martha was born in Philadelphia, PA but moved to Ireland with her parents when she was a baby. Martha's parents were Thomas and Annie (Atkinson) Townsend. Martha's parents were from Ireland but had come to America before Martha was born. They decided to go back to Ireland shortly after Martha was born. Martha was the oldest of 10 children. Martha had 9 sisters and no brothers. Their names were Agnes born November 16, 1884, Janetta born July 17, 1886, Mary Elizabeth. born September 30, 1887, Ellen (Nell) born July 28, 1890, Margaret (Margretta) born February 14. 1889, Isabella (Bella) born November 19, 1891, Lizzie (Lissie) born November 18, 1893, Sadie born March 24,1895 and Louise (Louisa) born May 05, 1897. Martha was the only one of her siblings to have been born in America. Martha lived in Garryduff, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was a British subject of Irish ancestry. Martha was christened October 16, 1887 at Garryduff Presbyterian, Ballymoney, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
According to the website www.ballymoneyancestry.com Martha was enrolled in the Culduff National/Public Elementary/Primary School in the parish of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland on February 13, 1894. It lists her age as 9 but she was actually 10 years old. It also lists her father's occupation as a farmer. She was enrolled along with her sisters Agnes, Janetta, Lizzie, Ellen (Nell), Margretta, Mary and Isabella (Bella). Martha only went to school through the 8th grade. Reference is from the PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) "Ballymoney Culduff National/PE/PS Antrim SCH/232".
According to the 1901 Census in Ireland, Martha was living in Dunloy, which is a village and townland in the Borough of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Martha was living as a servant in the household of Jane Townsend. I do not know why she was not living with her parents as she was only 17 years old at the time. Also living in the household at the time was Andrew Townsend, Jane's grandson. Martha's religion was listed as Presbyterian while Jane and Andrew's religion was listed as Baptist.
Martha came back to America on a ship called "The Mongolian" from Londonderry on January 14th, 1905 when she was 21 years old. She traveled with her sister Jenette and went to live with her uncle, John Townsend at 1529 North 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA. She came back to America through Ellis Island.
Martha married Thomas Duffin in 1907 in Philadelphia, PA.
At the time of the 1910 U.S. Census, Martha and Thomas were living in Webb City, Mo. with their 7 month old son, my grandfather, Thomas Townsend Duffin.
By the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, Martha, her husband and their son had moved to Kern, Ca. Her first husband, Thomas, died in 1930.
Martha married my step g grandfather, James Richard Watkins sometime between 1930 and 1935 after her first husband Thomas died.
On 6/12/1935 Martha Watkins, at the age of 49, left the Port of New York on the T.S.S. California and arrived in Glasgow, Scotland. Martha left Glasgow and went to Belfast, Ireland where her mother and sister lived and stayed at the Imperial hotel. Martha left Belfast on 09/07/1935 and traveled back to New York on the S.S. Carinthia ship and arrived in New York on 9/17/1935.
At the time of the 1940 U.S Census, Martha and James were living in the unincorporated area of Valley Acres-Line 14, Standard Oil lease 27-G, Judicial Twp 7, Kern Co., Ca.
According to my grandfather, James was a wonderful man and he loved him very much.
James died in 1943 and Martha remained widowed until her death in 1971.
Once Martha went to visit her sister Janetta who was living in Florida. She got on the train in California but she accidentally got off at the wrong stop. This caused some concern for her son who was in California because she was by herself and he could only advise her by telephone as to what to do. Martha eventually got herself situated and got back on the train and made it to her final destination to see her sister in Florida!
I don't remember my Great Grandmother very much as she died when I was about 5 years old but I sure do remember her big ole feather bed! I remember climbing up on it and sitting on it. It surely was the biggest bed I had ever seen as a just about 5 year old child! I remember going to the hospital in Taft, Ca. when she was ill. I remember going to her home on Woodrow St. after she had passed away.
Grandma Watkin's last address was 409 Woodrow St., Taft, Ca.
** Thank you very much to ballydorn1946 who has sent me quite a bit of valuable information on Ancestry.com that I have included in this memorial. Their assistance in helping me research Martha's ancestry has been invaluable. **
