Monday, May 28, 2012

Samuel Watson Death Certificate


Missouri State Board of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Certificate of Death, File No. 24617a
Samuel Hansford WATSON
Date of birth unknown, born in TN
Died August 11th, 1925 in Moore Township, Oregon County, Missouri
He was about 75 years of age at time of death [b. abt 1850]
He was married to wife Tabitha Watson
He was a farmer
His father's name was Samuel Watson, birth date and place unknown
His mother's name, birthplace and date were unknown
His cause of death was unknown and there was no medical attendance
The informant was Tabitha Watson of Rover, Missouri
He was buried in Union Hill Cemetery, August 12th, 1925
His Neighbors were the undertakers
Death certificate was filed Dec 24th, 1925 by Mrs. A . O. Roberts, Registrar, of Thomasville, MO
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Samuel Hansford Watson was my 3rd great-grandmother, Tabitha House Watson's 2nd husband. I am descended from Tabitha's first husband, Robert KING who died in 1876 according to Tabitha's obituary. Tabitha Watson outlived both of her husbands as you can see she was the informant on her husband's death certificate above. According to Samuel's headstone and Tabitha's obituary, Samuel Watson died August 10 (not the 11th as the certificate above states). It probably took Tabitha a day to get into town to inform the registrar of his death and that's the date that was recorded. 

Samuel Hansford Watson
born 5 Sept 1855 TN
died 10 Aug 1925, Thomasville, Oregon Co., MO
Married Tabitha House 16 Nov 1879, Highland Twp., Oregon Co., MO

The undertakers listed on Samuel's death certificate were "neighbors" so it seems as if he died at home and his neighbors buried him in the local cemetery (Union Hill). He must have died of natural causes or died in his sleep because no cause of death was noted on the death certificate. Surely Tabitha would have told the registrar had Samuel been sick and died resulting from an illness? 

I'm sure Samuel's children wrote an obituary up for him and posted it in the local newspaper. I would be interested to see what his obituary says. The one for his wife, Tabitha, was glowing with love and appreciation. I got the impression from talking with his descendants, that Samuel wasn't as well-liked. Check out his FindAGrave memorial page to see this growling photo of him...

1 comment:

  1. Just an interesting tidbit, the registrar for the death certificate was Tobitha & Samuel's daughter in law, Mrs. Alpha Omega (Roberts) Watson (she married Charles Elbridge "Bob" Watson). If anyone is interested in this information (the Roberts/Watson line), please feel free to let me know & I will be more than happy to share the info & pics I have (my email is Momma.D23@gmail.com). Thank you for all your work Miss Ginger, we appreciate it!!

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