Bios: Autobiography of James Verree Watson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jane Peppler ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** The Chronology and History of James V. Watson of Philadelphia, written by him in 1895 James Verree Watson was born in Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Penna., in the year 1817. His parent's ancestors on the Father's side emigrated from Cumberland Shire, England, in 1701, bringing a highly endorsed Certificate from Paidsey Cragg Monthly Meeting of Friends, addressed to Friends in Pennsylvania. His Mother's family emigrated from France in 1690 and were French Huguenots, his Maternal Grandfather was Thomas Watson a Physician resident in Buckingham, Bucks County, who married Mary Verree, daughter of Robert Verree of Lower Dublin Township, now in the 35th Ward Philadelphia. His paternal Grandfather was John Watson a farmer of Buckingham, Bucks County, who married Mary Jackson of Welsh parentage, the marriages of both parties are recorded in the books of Buckingham Monthly Meeting of Friends, Bucks County, Penna. James V. was educated in country schools in early life, and finished his education at John Nevilles Classical School and Academy at Bustleton (?) now 35th Ward, Philadelphia, he then learned the carpenter trade, and in 1839 commenced the building business, designing and contracting for many buildings in the City of Philadelphia and elsewhere, in 1849 in connection with building he entered the lumber business under teh firm name of Scholfield & Watson, which was closed in 1863. In 1855 the Consolidation National Bank was incorporated ... It was called the Lumber Bank, as it was started by the Lumber interests of Philadelphia. He was active in getting the charter through the Legislature, and was elected its first President ... he, in 1895, still continues its President. ... He has been a Member of the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College since 1872, and for more than 20 years has been one of the Managing Committee of Friends Central School, and of the George School ... all of these Schools are under the control of the Society of Friends. ... He has been a Member of Green Street Monthly Meeting of Friends at Fourth and Green Streets, Philadelphia, and a regular attendant of the Meeting for 64 years. He was married in 1840 to Elizabeth Middleton Pitman, daughter of Aaron and Matilda Pitman farmers of Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, she is still living, they have had six children, two of whom died in infancy and the eldest son Rudolph Justice Watson of the lumber firm of Watson & Gillingham died in 1888 in his 48th year, leaving a family of seven children. His second son William Joseph Watson is a Manufacturer and Vice President of the Metropolitan National Bank of Chicago, Illa. in which city he is living with his wife; they have one son who is married. His third son John Verree Watson is living in Duluth, Minn. employed as general bookkeeper in the Security Bank of that city, he is married and has no children living. His daughter Susan Verree Watson is living at home 718 Franklin St., unmarried.