Submitted by Lisa Hamilton Thanks Lisa!

Thomas A. Watson, dentist of Bentonville, Ark., was born in Georgia, near Atlanta in 1830, the son of James M. Watson and Anna W. (Harris) Watson. James M. Watson was a grandson of James Watson, and great-grandson of James Watson, who was a colonel in the Revolutionary War. The family of his grandson, Rev. Samuel Watson, now reside on the old home place in York District, S. C., and have in their possession the musket and sword that the grandfather carried in the Revolutionary War. The handle of the sword was broken by a bullet shot received while Col. Watson was in battle, and saved his life.

James M. Watson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pendleton District, S. C., in 1800, was of Scotch-Irish descent and was a cabinet workman, but in connection he also followed farming. James M. Watson left his native State when about twenty-six years of age and went to DeKalb County, Ga., where he married Miss Anna W. Harris in 1829, who was born May 9, 1808, and who died May 29, 1842. Mr. Watson died in Polk County, Miss., in 1884, having passed the last eighteen years of his life in that county. He was married three times, and was the father of sixteen children, there being eight to his marriage to Anna W. Harris, the mother of Thomas A. Watson.

The latter received his education in the schools of Georgia, and at an early age became skillful in wood work, making wagons, buggies, household furniture. etc.

In 1853 he married Miss Clementine R. Harris, who was born in Decatur March 10, 1839. Seven children were born to this marriage: Jeanette R., Cora A., Clementine R., B. E. Estella, William T., Joseph C. and T. E. Emmet.

In 1857 Dr. Watson moved to Wood County, Tex., and during the war he was in the Confederate service three years, engaged in the manufacture of wagon wheels for the Government. He was in Capt. Carter's company and Hubbard's regiment and Gen. Henry McCullough's division.

He was located one year at Little Rock, one year at Fulton, Ark., and one year at Gilmer, Tex. He resided in Texas until 1869, when he moved to Bentonville, Ark., where he has since resided.

He worked at his trade until about 1873, when he commenced learning the dentist's profession under Dr. A. C. Armstrong, of Bentonville. About 1874 Dr. Watson entered upon the practice of his profession, and has continued this ever since.

He has resided in Benton County longer than any other dentist in the county, and is a skillful workman. He has a large trade, which extends to all parts of the county, and even into Washington County.

He is a Democrat in politics, is an ancient member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife and four daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Lisa Hamilton submitted the above data from Goodspeed's; she did so to help others, is not researching the above person or families mentioned therein.

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