James Watson was born c1819 in what is now Kalamazoo.
He married Mary and their son, Amos, was born c1845 in Ontario, Canada
By 1860 the family had returned to the US and is found in the federal census of Cheshire, Allegan county.
Dwelling #413, family #386 Joseph Kao-kee, 45, farmer, real estate valued at $200, personal estate valued at $200, born Michigan.
Dwelling #413, family #387 James B. Watson, 40, no occupation given
Mary B., 34, occupation - farm laborer [this is probably an error and should be James' occupation]
Ames, 15. All are listed as born in Michigan.
James enlisted as a private, Company K, First Michigan Sharpshooters, on 4 Jul 1863 at Elbridge, Oceana County by E.V. Andress. He was mustered in on 11 Jul 1863 by Col. Smith in Detroit, Wayne County. James age is given as 44.
He is found on the Muster-In rolls, line #65
James was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, with dark eyes, hair and complexion
He was on furlough Aug 1863 while stationed as guard with his regiment at Camp Douglas, Chicago, then marked as present in September and October.
Becoming ill James was at the post hospital in November and December suffering from scrofulous diathesis often a lethal disorder in the 19th century. Medicinenet.com decribes it as relating to scrofula (tuberculosis or TB like bacteria) of the lymph nodes, particularly of the neck.
"The disease progresses slowly with the development of fistuals and abscesses that ooze pus and heal with difficulty. The doctors were uncertain as to whether he incurred this disease while in the service or from a relative before enlistment." [from Warriors in Mr. Lincoln's Army by Quita V. Shier]
James remained in hospital when regiment left Chicago on 17 Mar 1864. He was discharged on 20 Jun 1864 at Camp Douglas and paid money owed to him for his service at his discharge. James returned home, probably Pentwater. That is the last record found for him. There is no pension record, widow's pension or minor's pension.
Son Amos married Elizabeth (widow of John Bazil).
The Potawatomi of Indiana and Michigan census of 5 Aug 1895 lists #241 as Elizabeth Watson, age 49, resides Athens, MI, 1st husband #48 John Bazil, dec'd; now wife of Watson.. Her children are Henry Bazil, 23, son of #48 and #241
Agnes Bazil, 26, daughter of #48 and #241
Watson, Nancy Jane, 10, daughter of #241
Watson, Sarah Ann, 8
The 1900 Federal Census, US Indian Industrial School, City of Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county, lists:
Nancy, born Nov 1884, age 15
Sarah, born Jan 1888, age 12
Nancy, age 16, daughter of Amos, married Lewie Rogers, 25, son of J. Rogers and Blinda Libhart on 31 Aug 1901 in Fredonia township, Calhoun County.
Sarah Ann died 18 Feb 1902, age 13 years, 11 months, 26 days, daughter of Amos, in Mt. Pleasant.
Amos died 13 Oct 1926 in Athens, Calhoun county. He was listed as widowed.
Copyright (C) 2019 Vicki Wilson
He married Mary and their son, Amos, was born c1845 in Ontario, Canada
By 1860 the family had returned to the US and is found in the federal census of Cheshire, Allegan county.
Dwelling #413, family #386 Joseph Kao-kee, 45, farmer, real estate valued at $200, personal estate valued at $200, born Michigan.
Dwelling #413, family #387 James B. Watson, 40, no occupation given
Mary B., 34, occupation - farm laborer [this is probably an error and should be James' occupation]
Ames, 15. All are listed as born in Michigan.
James enlisted as a private, Company K, First Michigan Sharpshooters, on 4 Jul 1863 at Elbridge, Oceana County by E.V. Andress. He was mustered in on 11 Jul 1863 by Col. Smith in Detroit, Wayne County. James age is given as 44.
He is found on the Muster-In rolls, line #65
James was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, with dark eyes, hair and complexion
He was on furlough Aug 1863 while stationed as guard with his regiment at Camp Douglas, Chicago, then marked as present in September and October.
Becoming ill James was at the post hospital in November and December suffering from scrofulous diathesis often a lethal disorder in the 19th century. Medicinenet.com decribes it as relating to scrofula (tuberculosis or TB like bacteria) of the lymph nodes, particularly of the neck.
"The disease progresses slowly with the development of fistuals and abscesses that ooze pus and heal with difficulty. The doctors were uncertain as to whether he incurred this disease while in the service or from a relative before enlistment." [from Warriors in Mr. Lincoln's Army by Quita V. Shier]
James remained in hospital when regiment left Chicago on 17 Mar 1864. He was discharged on 20 Jun 1864 at Camp Douglas and paid money owed to him for his service at his discharge. James returned home, probably Pentwater. That is the last record found for him. There is no pension record, widow's pension or minor's pension.
Son Amos married Elizabeth (widow of John Bazil).
The Potawatomi of Indiana and Michigan census of 5 Aug 1895 lists #241 as Elizabeth Watson, age 49, resides Athens, MI, 1st husband #48 John Bazil, dec'd; now wife of Watson.. Her children are Henry Bazil, 23, son of #48 and #241
Agnes Bazil, 26, daughter of #48 and #241
Watson, Nancy Jane, 10, daughter of #241
Watson, Sarah Ann, 8
The 1900 Federal Census, US Indian Industrial School, City of Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county, lists:
Nancy, born Nov 1884, age 15
Sarah, born Jan 1888, age 12
Nancy, age 16, daughter of Amos, married Lewie Rogers, 25, son of J. Rogers and Blinda Libhart on 31 Aug 1901 in Fredonia township, Calhoun County.
Sarah Ann died 18 Feb 1902, age 13 years, 11 months, 26 days, daughter of Amos, in Mt. Pleasant.
Amos died 13 Oct 1926 in Athens, Calhoun county. He was listed as widowed.
Copyright (C) 2019 Vicki Wilson
