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...