George Weaver WATTS

     
     George Weaver WATTS was born on 14 August 1863 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, son of Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER.^1,2 He was a farmer, sawmill worker, and beekeeper. He loved music, as did many of the Watts, and for recreation taught himself to play the organ and the accordian. In 2004 the organ was in the possession of his great-grandson Joel Watts in Oregon.
     George Weaver WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1866, in the household of Daniel Henry WATTS in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.³
     George Weaver WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 10 July 1870, in the household of Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER in 15th Precinct, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.⁴
     George Weaver WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1880, in the household of Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER in Smallwoods, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.⁵
     George married Adelia Reed, daughter of William Dempsey WEAVER and Letisia Hudson, on 7 January 1883 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. George Watts and Adelia Reed applied for and received a license on 5 Jan 1883, with George and D. H. Watts attesting to the probate judge that "Deliah Reed" was over eighteen and could legally marry. The wedding was held 7 Jan 1883 at the home of Mrs. Lucintia [Letisia] Weaver.^6,7 He was a witness The following is the text of a 23 July 1892 letter from J. B. Forester of Bessemer to "Geo. and Dela Wats": "Dear Children, I got your letter and was glad to hear you all was well and sorry to hear that Mealy [Permelia Weaver] was ded. this leaves us all well. times is so dull that ther is nothing a going on. it has rain so much it have ruin prety well everything. Dela is ther any school fer a young on down there[?] if there is let me know hool is teaching and how long will ther teach[?] Dela your ma ses she will need help to eat beans for tha are roten on the Ground. your ma ses times is so heard that she dont know how she can come. she will come as soon as she can. she want to see you all mity Bad. the [unreadable] is all well as faras i know. let me know if you have hird from Bell [Belle Weaver, Adelia's sister] in your next letter. Rite soom to your Father & mother". [Note: All periods added by editor to make letter more readable. James B. Forrester is thought be be Adelia's step-father, the husband of Letisia Hudson Weaver].⁸
     George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts (head), born July 1862, age 37, teamster; Dealy A. (wife), October 1862, age 37; Lillie H. (dau.), October 1883, age 16; Charley M. (son), April 1885, age 15; Minnie A. (dau.), September 1887, age 12; John Cleveland (son), September 1890, age 9; Birdie C. (dau.), September 1894, age 5; and Willie N. (dau.), February 1897, age 2. Lillie, Charley, Minnie and John were said to be attending school. George and Adelia had been married 17 years. She was the mother of seven children, six of them living in 1900. George was able to read and write, but Adelia could not. Living six houses away was Phillip M. Watts.⁹
     George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts, a farmer, age 66. He owned his home and had first married at age 19. He and his parents were born in Alabama and he could neither read nor write. His wife Adelia was 66 years old and had also married at age 19. She and her parents were born in Alabama and she also could not read or write. The only child living with them was their daughter, Lillie, age 45. She could read and write.¹⁰
     George Weaver WATTS died on 20 January 1938 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 74.^6,11 He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.
     His obituary appeared 27 January 1938 in The Centreville Press. The article read: "Mr. George Watts, age 74, died at his home last Thursday morning about 6:30 o'clock after an illness of about six months. Funeral services were held at West Scottsville Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. Paul Doyle. He was laid to rest in old Scottsville Cemetery with Brown Service in charge. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Marvin Watts, A. J. Watts, Cecil Watts, Eldridge Watts, Mallory Burt, and Edwin Young. He joined the Methodist church in early manhood of which he was a faithful member as long as he was able to attend services. He was married to Miss Delia Weaver, January 7th 1883 and to this union there was born 10 children of which four have preceded their father to the grave. He was survived by his wife and six children, 34 grandchildren and 3 brothers and 1 sister and a host of relatives and friends. He was a devoted husband, a kind and affectionate father and had many friends. The family wishes to express their appreciation to everyone that aided them in any way during his illness and death. Signed-- One who loved him."¹²