My Genealogy Hound

ADALINE W. WATKINS, widow of Col. Wilson L. Watkins, was born in Virginia, March 6, 1815, and is the daughter of Ambrose and Mary (Hartwell) Howse. Wilson L. Watkins, one of the first settlers of this county, was born in Maryland in 1802. and came to this county when quite young. He was the son of Thomas and Catharine (McGrudy) Watkins, both natives of Maryland. Col. W. Watkins was a Democrat in politics and held the office of sheriff of this county for eight years and for many years was colonel of the militia in this State; his death, which was a sad blow to the bereaved family and friends, occurred in March, 1861. He was a strong Union man up to the time of his death. In January, 1851, Mr. Watkins was united in marriage to Mrs. Adaline W. Howse, the subject of this sketch, and by this union two children were born: Louise S., wife of Jerome Winford, a farmer of this State, and Wilson L. Mrs. Adaline Watkins had three children by her first union, which was with Hubbard P. Wilkinson, in 1832. These children are Mary E., widow of Col. Thomas B. Johnson, William A. and George H. The mother lives on the farm and with the help of her oldest son, William A., carries on farming and stock raising. She and family are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and justly recognized as one of the leading families in the county.