Dempsey Watts Family

Dempsey WATTS Sr.

M, b. circa 1738

     Dempsey WATTS Sr. was born circa 1738 in Virginia. He was a merchant in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. To meet the demands of military forces during the Revolution, it was necessary to "impress or take for public service" many articles of public property. On 10 May 1782 Demsey Watts made a claim for "621 pounds of Beef, 37 pounds of Bacon, 1 gal. Brandy, and a quantity of Cider."1

Dempsey WATTS Sr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 25 November 1782 in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia. The household was listed as the Demsy Watts family including 8 whites and 3 blacks. They were living on the North side of the Western Branch.2

Dempsey WATTS Sr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1790 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The household was listed as 9 whites, 1 dwelling and 3 other buildings. He was living on the north side of the Western Branch in Charles Connor's militia district.

Dempsey WATTS Sr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 20 March 1790 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was taxed for 3 white males over 16 [Dempsey, Sr. & Jr., ?], 2 blacks over 16, no blacks 12-16, and 2 horses, cattle or mules.

Dempsey married Judah BOWERS on 10 January 1795 in Portsmouth, Virginia.3

Dempsey WATTS Sr. was included on a tax list on 6 October 1799 in Norfolk County. He was assessed $1.12 for one white male over 16 [Dempsey, Sr.], two black adults, no blacks 12-16 and two horses, cattle or mules.4

An unknown person married second an unknown person in 1804 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia.5

Last Edited=23 Aug 2012

Children of Dempsey WATTS Sr.

• William WATTS+6 b. 1760, d. 14 Jan 1822
• Dempsey WATTS Jr.+6 b. 1774, d. 12 Aug 1841
• Abraham WATTS Sr.+ b. 1781, d. 1831
• Thomas WATTS+6 b. 1781, d. 1812

Child of Dempsey WATTS Sr. and Mary CARNEY

• Mary WATTS b. c 1764

Citations

1. [S824] Charles B. Cross, The County Court, pg. 124.
2. [S825] Edward Wilson James, The Lower Norfolk County, Virginia Antiquary, Vol. V, pg. 122.
3. [S830] Elizabeth Perry Bentley, Virginia Marriage Records, pg. 366.
4. [S826] "1790-1800 Virginia Tax Lists Census", pg. 25.
5. [S830] Elizabeth Perry Bentley, Virginia Marriage Records, pg. 381.
6. [S822] Bob Foster, "Granberry-Watts Link," listserve message 24 Jan 2011.