Lott Watts, Sr., was born in Virginia in 1793, and during his boyhood he moved to Overton County, Tennessee, where he remained until 1818. He then went to Crawford County, Illinois, where he improved a farm. He served through the war of 1812 and received an honorable discharge. In 1819 he married Miss Nancy Eaton, formerly of Overton County, Kentucky, and a daughter of Benjamin Eaton. They had fifteen children, three of whom died in infancy and eight died after they were grown ; four are now living: James Harvey, Polly (now Mrs. S. H. Hackett), Benjamin Franklin and Lott. Mr. Watts was one of the pioneers of Crawford County, Illinois, and took an active part in its organization. He was the county judge for fifteen years and justice of the peace for thirty-five years. In 1854, in company with his son, James H., and John Downey, his son-in-law, they started for Atchison County, Missouri, and, upon arriving in Knox County, Missouri, he was taken sick, as was also Mr. Downey, they both dying within six hours. 279

Lot Watts, born 3 Jan 1792, was a veteran of the War of 1812. He served in the Tennessee militia along with his brother Robert and married in Crawford County in 1817. At the first election, Lot was made Justice of the Peace in Crawford County and later County Judge. He served as one of the three Commissioners in 1843, 1844, 1845 and 1846. Lot is credited with making the first permanent improvement in the hitherto undisturbed forest in Section 6 of what is now Oblong. This historical marker is placed on a portion of that original Lott Watts property. Many early descendants of John Watts Sr are buried here in unmarked graves.

-from Watts Cemetery marker

According to research done by descendants in the 1970s, Lott Watts, born 3 Jan. 1792 in Bourbon County, KY, is said to have been 5'6" tall with black hair and blue eyes. He moved to TN as a boy and was drafted into the War of 1812. He was a farmer, serving as County Commissioner for Crawford County IL in the 1840s then served as the Justice of the Peace for Crawford County. He became ill and died while traveling with his son, J.H. on his way to Missouri. His widow, Nancy moved with her young son Lott Jr. to Missouri after 1866 where her son J.H. was residing.1

The History of Atchison and Holt Counties, Missouri, St. Joseph Steam
Printing Company Printers, Binders, Etc. 1882, page 845 and 846.

(pages 845-846)
Lott WATTS, dealer in grain and agricultural implements was born in Crawford County, Illinois on June 27, 1843. His father was Lott Watts, a native of Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Eaton, was a Kentuckian by birth. Lott received a good common school education and in 1866 he came to Missouri, settling in this county. In August, 1862, he joined the Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry, with whom he remained until July 1865. He participated in many of the hard fought battles of the war from the engagement of Stone River, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, etc., performing his duty in a manner becoming a soldier. In politics he is a Republican. He married Miss Phoebe Ann Good in November 1868. She is the daughter of John and Nancy Good, of this county. They have three children: Alonzo Allen, Amy Iola, and Ida. Mr. W. has 413 acres of land in two good farms. He came here without means and first entered the store of Mathews & Hackett, of Sonora. In eighteen months, his health failing, he entered a farm and went to work. After three years agricultural labor he came here and commenced to buy grain and deal in farm implements. He succeeded for a time beyond his anticipation, but by a confidential clerk lost $1,650, which left him in bad condition. He resumed business against much opposition in 1873, and since that time has accumulated a good property. The first year of his business he handled 50,000 bushels of grain. In 1874 he bought a stock of goods with Dr. Hardy, of St. Joseph, but sold out in January 1875, and in 1876 they leased a lead mine in Mound City for six months. This also they sold out having been quite successful In 1880 Mr. Watts bought the farms he now owns, upon which his two brothers are living. In every good enterprise, something in which the community is interested, Mr. Watts is to be found lending his influence and means. He has a grain house at this point and is agent for the McCormicks machinery. His father, Lott Watts Sr. was born in Virginia in 1793, and during his boyhood he moved to Overton County, Tennesee, where he remained until 1818. He then went to Crawford County, Illinois, where he improved a farm. He served through the war of 1812 and received an honorable discharge. In 1819 he married Miss Nancy Eaton, formerly of Overton County, Kentucky, and a daughter of Benjamin Eaton. They had fifteen children, three of whom died in infancy and eight died after they were grown; four are now living; James Harvey, Polly (now Mrs. S.H. Hackett), Benjamin Franklin, and Lott. Mr. Watt was one of the pioneers of Crawford County, Illinois, and took an active part in its organization. He was the county judge for fifteen years and justice of the peace for thirty-five years. In 1854, in company with his son, James H. and John Downey, his son-in-law, they started for Atchison County, Missouri, and upon arriving in Knox County, Missouri, he was taken sick, as was also Mr. Downey, they both dying within six hours. Benjamin Eaton, the father of Mrs. Watts, moved to Illinois from Overton county, Kentucky, in 1812, and, on account of the Indian troubles, they were obliged to live in a fort for six years, or until the Black Hawk war was over. Mrs. Watts was born August 5, 1798, and has lived with her son Lott since she came to this state in 1866. She is now in the enjoyment of good health.13

ATCHISON COUNTY ROCKPORT MISSOURI PAPER
August 30, 1879 to December 31, 1882

Oct 11, 1879

Lott Watts, one of Waton's grain dealers, was in Rock Port today.

May 29, 1880

Lott Watts of Watson and a prominent business man was in town last week.

April 30, 1881

Mr. Lott Watts built a large flat boat, able to carry 60-70 persons at
one time, was a 'life saver' this spring. Thirty-seven years have passed
since anything like it has happened. This beautiful and fertile valley
will not be abandoned.

June 11, 1881

Mr. L. Williams of Bolckow, Missouri ha bought the stock of lumber
recently brought here by Lott Watts.

August 6, 1881
County Court--Warrents issued to:
Lott Watts-Lumber

Dec 17, 1881

Lott Watts of Watson was in town for several days this week, looking up
County affairs.

Dec 31, 1881

Special Election
Now on the 17th of December A.D. 1881, during a continuation of the
regular November for that year:

Lott Watts (and many others I did not list)

More than one hundred in number of the qualified voters who are taxpayers
residing in Atchison County, State of Missouri and presented to the Court
their petition in writing and by them signed praying the Court to call a
Special Election for the purpose of voting upon a proposition to
appropriate $40,000.00 with which to build a new Court house at the
county seat.
M.L. Lee
Clerk of Court

Jan 28, 1882
Lott Watts and A.H.Rhoads, two of the prominent merchants were in
Westboro attending Court this week.

Special election Judges
Nishnetwn: W.H.R. Dean, Frank J. Bayless, Lott Watts, E.H. Buck.

2-18-1882

Warrents issued for services as clerks of Special Election.
Lott Watts -$1.00

5-13-1882
The will be a township Sabbath school convention of all Sabbath Schools
in Nishnabotna Township on May 13 & 14 1882 at the school in Sonora two
miles west of Watson.
Note the following names of persons were in charge of and had a part in
the program.
Lott Watts (plus others)

5-13-1882

Orders that Warrents be issued to the following persons for service at
election on April 15, 1882. Each to receive $1.50. Lott Watts (Plus
others)

10.14.1882A call for a Republican Convention takes up almost a Column of
proposals, speechs and plans. The following names appear on it: Lott Watts

April 17, 1880

The Census takers

The following have been appointed in the different sub-districts of the
county.
Nishnetona L. Watts


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