William Watts
- Born: Abt 1737, Accomack Co., VA
- Marriage (1): Sophia Collier
- Died: 1801-1809, Worcester Co., MD
This William Watts inherits the 350a of land in tract "Newport Panell" in Worcester Co., MD from his father William Watts in 1743. This land in located in the modern day (2018) south and slightly east of Berlin, MD on Ayres Creek and is land accessible by Hayes Landing Road.
On Jun 13 1772, William Watts (and "Soffiah" his wife) of Worcester Co., MD sold 100a in "Newport Panell" to John Rackliffe for 370 pounds current money of Maryland. Watts signs and seals and witnesses are Joseph Mitchell and Ebe Campbell (WoLR-I:104). At this point, we know that William Watts is now living in Maryland and probably had been for a few years. In the 1783 Tax Assessment, William Watts is indicated as owner of the remaining 250a in "Newport Panell". On Jan 24 1789, William Watts (and wife "Sofiah"), planter, sells to Thomas Purnell, Gentleman, of Wallops Neck and both of Worcester Co., 129.5a of land in "Newport Panell" for 712 pounds, 5 shillings current money of Maryland. It is described as near William Ironshire's Store House at Little Neck Landing. (WoLR-N:21).
In the 1790 Census, William Watts is listed as head of household in Worcester Co. with 22300 showing he has 2 males > age 16, 2 under age 16 and 3 females and no slaves or other free persons. On Dec 5 1792, William Watts (and wife Sophia) and Edward Harmanson (and wife Sarah) of Worcester Co. sold to Henry Franklin of Worcester for 600 pounds current money of Maryland, land in "Newport Panell". Seems to be this is the part Watts had deeded to Harmanson on Jan 24 1789 but this compiler only finds the Purnell deed of that date. (WoLR-O:637) It is unclear whether William Watts at this point continues to own any of the "Newport Panell" tract.
In 1800 there are two William Watts households in Worcester Co., MD: 01121-10201 (Bogerternorton Hundred) and 31120-10110 (Mattapany Hundred) and these are the only Watts head of households in the county. The former, more elderly, is likely the William Watts who owned "Newport Panell" as he is listed in the vicinity of where that tract is located - he is also the one who has a son named Henry Watts who married Henrietta Mitchell in 1809. The latter William Watts in 1800 is situated further south in the county.
William married Sophia Collier, daughter of Peter Collier and Elizabeth Layfield. (Sophia Collier was born about 1740 in Worcester Co., MD and died after 1800 in Worcester Co., MD.)
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