Watson Genealogy - Eastern NC and Marion Co., SC

Marty and Karla Grant

[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]

Welcome to my Watson genealogy pages. I am interested in the Watson surname in eastern North Carolina, specifically Columbus, Onslow, Carteret and Jones Counties, and also Marion Co., SC.

Watson and Wattson are the primary spellings for this surname, though Watson is far more common.

Watson was the 76^th most common surname in the United States as of the 2000 census. It dropped to 81^st by 2010. “Wattson” wasn’t in the top 1000 either time.

My most recent Watson ancestor is my great grandmother Zadie Idell Watson (1896-1963). She was born in Columbus Co., NC and died in Marion Co., SC. She married Thomas Lide Turner in 1914. They lived their lives near Mullins, SC and raised 11 children there. Zadie is a proven daughter of:

William Henry Watson (1852-c1903). He was born in Onslow Co., NC but later moved to Columbus Co., NC where he married Mary Catherine Davis in 1882. They had seven children there. William is a proven son of:

Joseph Watson (c1825-1850s). Joseph was born in NC, perhaps Onslow Co., NC where he was residing when he married Sarah Jenkins in 1851. He died soon after marriage leaving only one child behind, son William. Sarah married again in 1862 to George H. Jenkins, undoubtedly a cousin to some degree. He was much older than her. I have no record of her after 1863. Joseph’s parents are not proven, but I strongly suspect he’s a son of:

Unknown Watson (d 1825/1830) and Dorcas Huffman (c1799-aft 1860). I can’t prove this connection, but there is a widow Dorcas Watson on the 1830 census in Onslow Co., NC in the area where our Joseph Watson was (I think). In 1830 she had a boy and girl with her aged 0-4 (1825/1830) which fits for Joseph (c1825) and a sister. I think this same Dorcas married Henry Foster just after 1830, as his second wife I believe. She had several children with him. I put this connection together based on names, census analysis and proximity so it’s basically circumstantial evidence gluing it all together. However, DNA testing shows I have strong connections to Dorcas and Henry Foster’s children’s descendants, and to Dorcas’s siblings’ descendants, so that seems to confirm my theory as I know of no other connection between me and them. A strong piece of paper evidence would be helpful though. To date I’ve found no record of what Mr. Watson’s name might have been. However, I suspect he is a grandson of:

Jeremiah Watson (bef 1722-1792) and Elizabeth Houston. These two resided in Carteret, Onslow and Jones Counties and had at least 11 children, one of whom is probably the father (or mother) of my Mr. Watson. I have DNA matches with many of Jeremiah’s descendants, so I’m rather confident my line connects here somewhere.

More research may help figure out who my Mr. Watson is, and which child of Jeremiah’s is his father (or mother), assuming I’m on the right track here at all.

Revised: March 29, 2026

[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]