Watkins Genealogy and Related Lines
as connected to the
Hibbards of Spring Hill, Ohio

My connection with the Watkins family of Fulton County, Ohio is through my great-grandmother, Margaret Watkins, who married Lowell Hibbard in 1893. I had extremely little information on Margaret, and no idea who her parents were until recently, when another researcher with connections to the Watkins families of Fulton County provided me with my first real leads. The following short history of the Watkins family's earliest ancestors is adapted from a family genealogy, located at the Fulton County Historical Society Museum located in Wauseon, Ohio. I have been trying, where possible, to document and/or verify this information. I am presenting it here in the hope that some other Watkins researchers may come across this page and perhaps help me fill in the blanks.

The first Watkinses migrated to the colony of Virginia as early as 1621 from England and Wales. Many left their records in the colonies, but those that would reveal the ancestors of Robert Watkins have not yet been found. Robert Watkins was born around 1753, was a farmer in Kent County, Delaware, and was married to Rachel Holliday in 1773. Rachel's parents are reported to be Robert Holliday and Phebe Morris in the Ancestral files at the LDS Family History Centers, but recent research has revealed that Robert and Phebe had only three children who survived to maturity, and neither was named Rachel of William (Rachel's known brother). In May 1776 William Holliday made a Will; in it he named his siblings and a nephew his heirs. His brothers named in the Will are Benjamin and John, and sisters are Mary, Hannah and Rachel. Rachel and Robert Watkins had a son, Samuel, who was also named in his uncle's Will. Robert Watkins was named as executor of the estate, and the witnesses included a Thomas Watkins, possibly a relative of Robert. The Will was probated on 19 June 1776.

Robert and Rachel had six children, five sons and one daughter: Samuel born 1774, James Holliday born 1775, Robert born 24 February 1776, Sarah born 1 January 1777, Christopher born 27 December 1779, and Thomas born 1781. Robert died in Dover, Delaware in 1788, at the age of about 35 years. There are many published records about the probate of his Will. An accounting of his estate records in 1793 that the children had been in boarding school, and was not settled completely until 1808. Rachel married Clayton Curwell (Cardwell), the lawyer handling Robert's estate, on 26 October 1790. No record has been found stating where or when Rachel died.

In the Watkins Family Record by grandson Wells Watkins and dictated from memory in 1898 when he was 80 years old, it is stated that four of the orphan boys emigrated from Delaware to north-western Ohio shortly after General Anthony Wayne's 1794 campaign against the Indians. There is no record indicating what happened to daughter Sarah, when her four brothers left Delaware. The oldest brother, Samuel, died in Delaware in 1799, at the age of 22 years.

The following, then, are the Ancestors of Margaret Watkins. Much of this information was found online. I currently have not verified all the data, so please take what is posted here as a starting point, and not as verified fact.

MARGARET WATKINS was born March 18, 1872 in Fulton County, Ohio; she died on May 16, 1959 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. She was the daughter of ELI WATKINS and CLARISSA CASS. She married (1) LOWELL EARL HIBBARD on May 22, 1893 in Fulton County, Ohio. Lowell Hibbard was born September 7, 1868 in Spring Hill (Tedrow), Fulton County, Ohio, and died January 19, 1917 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. He was the son of Charles Ambrose Hibbard and Mary Jane Riddle. Margaret married (2) ARTHUR G. CARR between 1924-1930.

For the Children of Margaret Watkins and Lowell Hibbard See Hibbard Genealogy.

ELI WATKINS was born in Fulton County, Ohio in 1849; he died about 1889-1900. His last documented residence was in Snomish County, Washington, and he may have died there. He was the son of GEORGE W. WATKINS and HORTENCIA A. GRIFFIN. He married CLARISSA CASS on August 15, 1870 in Fulton County, Ohio.

CLARISSA CASS was born June 7, 1852 in Fulton County, Ohio; she died after 1880. She is the daughter of ALPHEUS B. CASS and MATILDA PORTER.

Children of Eli Watkins and Clarissa Cass are:

1. Ernest Watkins, born about 1868 in Ohio; his date and place of death have not been found, but was probably in either Fulton or Lucas County, Ohio.
2. Opal Watkins, born May 1871 in Ohio; she died April 15, 1920 in Vancouver, British Columbis, Canada. She married Frank C. Bell in 1896 in Washington State.
3. Margaret Watkins, born March 18, 1872 in Fulton County, Ohio. (See above entry for details)
4. Dot Estell Watkins, born 1873 in Ohio; she died December 21, 1928 in Auburn, King County, Washington. She married George Bremmeyer about 1900 in Washington.
5. Maude Watkins, born about 1876 in Michigan. No further information currently known.
6. Alena Watkins, born October 1888 in Michigan. No further information currently known.
7. Lyn Watkins, born about 1888 in Washington. No further information currently known.
8. George Sual Watkins, born June 12 1890 in Washington; she died June 5, 1920 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

GEORGE W. WATKINS was born February 29, 1824 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio; he died March 9, 1861 in Fulton County, Ohio. He was the son of CHRISTOPHER WATKINS and MARY ELLIOT. He married HORTENCIA A GRIFFIN in Lucas County (now Fulton County), Ohio in 1849.

HORTENCIA A. GRIFFIN was born about 1834 in Ohio; she died on April 1, 1856 in Fulton County, Ohio. She is the daughter of WILLIAM CARTER GRIFFIN and CLARISSA MALINDA GUNN.

Children of George W. Watkins and Hortencia Griffin:

1. Eli P. Watkins. See above.
2. Clarissa Lodusca Watkins, born July 19, 1851 in Fulton County, Ohio; she died December 31, 1901 in Denver, Colorado. She married James Lafayette Hall
3. Warren J. Watkins, born about 1854 in Ohio; his date and place of death have not been found. He married Mary E. Mills.

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ALPHEUS B. CASS was born June 15, 1813 in New York; he died February 18, 1896 in Fulton County, Ohio. His parents' names have not been found. He married (1) He married (2) MATILDA PORTER, date not found. He married (2) CATHERINE SPEEKER about 1860 in Ohio (probably Fulton County).

MATHILDA PORTER was born about 1827 in New York; she died around 1855-1860, probably in Fulton County, Ohio. Her parents' names have not been found.

Children of Alpheus B. Cass and Matilda Porter:

1. Celia M. Cass, born November 5, 1849 in Swanton, Lucas (now Fulton) County, Ohio; she died September 21, 1924 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
2. Clarissa Cass, born June 7, 1852 in Fulton County, Ohio. See above for details.
3. Mary J. Cass, born about 1856 in Indiana. No further information found.

CATHERINE SPEEKER was born about 1832 in Ohio; she died February 10, 1909 in Fulton County, Ohio. Her parents' names have not been found.

1. Ibert A. Cass, orn June 1867 in Fulton County, Ohio; he died June 29, 1942 in Fulton County, Ohio.

CHRISTOPHER WATKINS was born December 27, 1779 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware; he died May 22, 1843 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio. He is the son of Robert John Watkins and Rachel holliday. He married (1) MARY ELLIOT on September 7, 1815 in Warren, Jefferson County, Ohio. He married (2) ELIZABETH RYAN on January 1, 1835 in Wayne County, Ohio.

MARY ELLIOT was born December 12, 1794, location not found; she died August 11, 1833 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio. Her parents' names have not been found.

Children of Christopher Watkins and Mary Elliot:

1. Rachel Jane Watkins, born January 7, 1814 in Jefferson County, Ohio; she died July 10, 1863 in Fulton County, Ohio. She married Thomas Watkins, her cousin.
2. Wesley Watkins, born February 23, 1816 in Wayne County, Ohio; he died September 24, 1869 in Fulton County, Ohio. He married Catherine Fessler.
3. George W. Watkins, born February 29, 1824 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio. See above for more details.
4. Mary Jane Watkins, born April 1, 1826 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio; she died November 7, 1910 in Jefferson County, Iowa. She married Stephen Fisher Watkins.
5. Christopher Watkins, Jr., born July 1828 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio; he died December 24, 1864 in Delta, Fulton County, Ohio.
6. Chaterine Watkins, born March 1833 in Wayne County, Ohio; she died April 30, 1872 in Fulton County, Ohio.

ELIZABETH RYAN was born February 25, 1811 in New Jersey; she died February 24, 1907 in Scott, Kosciusko County, Indiana. She is the daughter of Jacob Ryan and Elizabeth Newhouse.

Children of Christopher Watkins and Elizabeth Ryan:

1. Nancy Watkins, born February 10, 1836 in Wayne County, Ohio; she died 1837 in Wayne County, Ohio.
2. William Holiday Watkins, born July 9, 1836 in Wayne County, Ohio; he died October 8, 1929 in Kosciusko County, Indiana.
3. Enoch Watkins, born November 9, 1838 in Wayne County, Ohio; he died February 4, 1929 in Grande Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan. He married Rachell Lowell Farthing
4. Sarah Ann Watkins, born February 29, 1840 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio; she died December 12, 1914 in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.
5. Perry Oliver Commodore Watkins, born September 5, 1841 in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio; he died March 19, 1931 in Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Indiana.
6. Robert W. Watkins, born March 14, 1843 in Wayne County, Ohio; he died August 25, 1937 in Marshall County, Indiana.

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WILLIAM CARTER GRIFFIN was born October 30, 1803 in Genesee County, New York; he died April 10, 1899 in Delta, Fulton County, Ohio. He is the son of Martin Griffin and Elizabeth Carter. He married CLARISSA MALINDA GUNN about 1834-1836.

CLARISSA MALINDA GUNN was born about 1812-1814 in Vermont; she died 1887 in Fulton County, Ohio. She is the daughter of Sewell Gunn and Elizabeth Sackett.

Children of William Carter Griffin and Clarissa Malinda Gunn:

1. Hortencia A. Griffin, born about 1834 in Ohio. See above for details.
2. Clarissa Alvira Griffin, born February 23, 1834 in Lucas County, Ohio; she died April 13, 1910 in Fulton Township, Fulton County, Ohio.
3. >William O. Griffin, born about 1836 in Lucas County, Ohio; he died April 4, 1865 in Virginia, in service during the American Civil War.
4. Henry Griffin, born about 1836 in Lucas County, Ohio; he died July 9, 1894 in Sumner, Gratiot County, Michigan. He married Sarah Gorham.
5. Elizabeth Griffin, born about 1842 in Lucas County, Ohio; she died 1910 in Amboy Township, Fulton County, Ohio.
6. Louisa M. Griffin, born about 1844 in Lucas County, Ohio; she died February 9, 1921 in Delta, Fulton County, Ohio.
7. Augustus Griffin, born October 24, 1845 in Pike Township, Fulton County, Ohio; he died April 15, 1922 in Fulton County, Ohio. He married Rosie (last name not known).
8. Carver S. Griffin, born May 4, 1847 in Pike Township, Fulton County, Ohio; he died November 28, 1924 in Swan Creek Township, Fulton County, Ohio.

ROBERT JOHN WATKINS was born about 1753 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware; he died about 1788 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware. He is the son of JOHN WATKINS, JR.; his mother's name has not been found. He married RACHEL HOLLIDAY about 1773 in Kent County, Delaware.

RACHEL HOLLIDAY was born about 1757 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware; she died 1796 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware. She is the daughter of FRANCIS HOLLIDAY and SARAH THOMPSON.

Children of Robert John Watkins and Rachel Holliday:

1. Samuel Watkins, born about 1774 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware; he died about 1799 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware.
2. James Holliday Watkins, born about 1775 in Kent County, Delaware; he died 1836 in Wayne County, Ohio. He married Sarah Fisher.
3. Robert Watkins, born February 24, 1776 in Kent County, Delaware; he died June 14, 1852 in Fulton County, Ohio. He married Mary Newhouse.
4. Rachel Watkins, born January 1, 1777 in Kent County, Delaware; she died after 1860. She married Richard McKee.
5. Christopher Watkins, born December 27, 1779 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware. See above for details.
6. Thomas Watkins, born about 1781 in Dover, Kent County, Delaware; he died August 19, 1858 in Union City, Hancock County, Ohio. He married Susanna Miller.

I have not been able to take the Watkins line any earlier than this.

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MARTIN GRIFFIN was born October 7, 1777 in New York State; he died January 24, 1818 in Wood County, Ohio. He is the son of MARTIN GRIFFIN and RACHEL SOPER. He married ELIZABETH CARTER on January 23, 1803 in Ontario County, New York.

ELIZABETH CARTER was born march 23, 1787 in New Jersey; she died October 2, 1870 in Jeffersonville, Fayette County, Ohio. Her parents' names have not been found.

Children of Martin Griffin and Elizabeth Carter:

1. William Carter Griffin, born October 30, 1803 in Genesee County, New York. See above for details.
2. Oran Soper Griffin, born December 4, 1804 in Ontario County, New York; he died March 6, 1839 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. He married Caroline Felton.
3. Mariah Matilda Griffin, born August 21, 1807 in Ontario County, New York; she died July 30, 1895 in Henry County, Illinois.
4. Benjamin Himes Griffin, born June 3, 1810 in Ontario County, New York; he died December 31, 1863 in Roundhead, Hardin County, Ohio.
5. Mary Ann Griffin, born May 1, 1812 in New York; she died March 10, 1894 in Canaan, Jefferson County, Indiana.
6. Elizabeth Jane Griffin, born July 6, 1814, location not found; she died 1853 in Lee County, Iowa.

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SEWELL GUNN was born 1789 in Hampshire County, Massachusetts (an alternate date of September 2, 1784 has also been found); he died 1868 in Fulton County, Ohio. He is the son of ELISHA GUNN and MINDWELL CARVER.

ELIZABETH SACKETT was born 1794, location not found; she died 1836 in Lucas (now Fulton) County, Ohio. Her parents' names have not been found.

Children of Sewell Gunn and Elizabeth Sackett:

1. Clarissa Malinda Gunn, born about 1812-1814 in Vermont. See above for details.
2. Mindwell Carver Gunn, born about 1806-1818; she died about 1842 in Wood County, Ohio. She married Philander Noble.
3. Phoebe Gunn, born about 1810; she died October 9, 1840 in Waterville, Lucas County, Ohio.
4. Amanda Minerva Gunn, born about 1816; her date and place of death were not found. She married Russell Randall.
5. Harriet Gunn, born October 27, 1830 in Ohio; she died December 9, 1864 in Ohio.

From the gaps in the dates of birth, it seems likely that there were other children whose names/dates I have not found.