Our Historic Building, Then and Now...

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Historic Review of the Joseph Watson Building

The Joseph Watson building remained in the Watson family until July 9, 1929 when Joseph Taylor the executor of the estate of Susan G Hancock, a late descendant of the Watson family conveyed the property to the Church Foundation. The building was then used as a church rectory. The Church Foundation, a corporation and a part of the Episcopal Church of Langhorne conveyed the Joseph Watson property to John B. and Jean B h/w of Langhorne Manor on April 14, 1958. John Wood a local attorney operated his law practice there until the property was sold to Dwight P. and Sue L. Webster on April 30, 2007.

After a complete renovation, the property is now the home of Webster Insurance Agency. The Joseph Watson building now lays fully restored to its original grandeur. There are local rumors that Joseph Watson has still been seen traveling back and forth from his home and the old Bank Building on Bellevue Ave now the home of Will Travel. It is rumored he visits there to see his old girlfriend. Although we have not seen Joseph we are looking forward to seeing him to get his reaction to the renovation. We are sure he would/will be pleased.

The Watson Family History

• Joseph Watson, the man for whom this house was built, was born August 25, 1805, son of John Watson 3rd and Lydia (Blakely) Watson, died October 25, 1886, in Langhorne. He was buried at Friend’s Cemetery of Middletown Monthly Meeting. He married on February 27, 1834, by Friends Ceremony, in Mayor Swifts office, Philadelphia, Elizabeth Gillam, born September 17, 1810, daughter of Susanna (Woolston) Gillam of Middletown Township, died January 25, 1879, in Langhorne. She was buried at Friend’s cemetery of Middletown Monthly Meeting.



• Joseph and Elizabeth were the parents of six children; Franklin, died at four years of age; William married first Mary Rich and second Caroline Walton. William was buried at Friend’s cemetery of Middletown Monthly Meeting between his two wives. Then there was Mary Elizabeth Watson, unmarried; Susan Gillam Watson, who married Charles Hancock, son of Joseph and Susan B. Hancock of Philadelphia. They were an elderly couple when they were married, they had no children and they were both buried at Friend’s Monthly Meeting cemetery. Lastly there was Joseph John Watson, married Jane Wildman, daughter of John and Abigail (Thompson) Wildman of Langhorne.



• The Watson family in America started with Thomas Watson who was born Ca. 1651 at Strawberryhowe, parish of Cockermouth, County Cumberland, England, buried at Oxford Graveyard, Falls Township in 1738. They were married November 4, 1684 or 5 at John Richardson’s house Scotby, near Carlisle, by Friend’s Ceremony, County Cumberland, England, Rebecca Marke, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Bewley) Marke of Bleikell Hall, St. Cuthbert’s parish, County Cumberland, England, December 24, 1663. They were the parents of Debovak; Mary; Amos; Nathan; Mark; John and Joseph. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Jannat (Feddel) Watson.



• John Watson, son of Thomas and Rebecca, was born in 1703 at Strawberryhowe, Falls Township, died 1764 in Middletown Township, married 1729, Ruth Blakely, daughter of William and Margaret (Wigglesworth) Blakely of Pennsbury, Falls Township, and they resided in Middletown Township.



• John Watson Jr., born August 12, 1736 at the “Old Watson Place” Middletown Township, died March 15, 1779 at “Old Watson Place”, married November 14, 1764 Rachel Paxson, born March 6, 1744, died April 5, 1800 at “Old Watson Place”, buried with John at Friend’s Cemetery, of Middletown Monthly Meeting. Rachel was the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Cauley) Paxson of Buckingham Township.



• John Watson 3rd was born August 1, 1768 at “Old Watson Place”, died January 7, 1844, buried at Friend’s Cemetery Middletown Monthly Meeting. He married Lydia Blakey on December 19, 1799. She was the daughter of William and Sarah (Kirkbride) Blakey of Middletown Township. Lydia died February 22, 1859. John and Lydia were the parents of this sketch.