Watson, George M.

Birth

George Munro Watson was the son of Belinda Watson and was born September 7, 1845 in Berne, Albany County, NY.

Occupation

After George returned from the Civil War, he first worked as a farm laborer. By 1880 he became a carpenter, which he would practice for the remainder of his life.

Marriage & Children

George married Eliza A. Haverly (B. Aug 6, 1850, D. Mar 29, 1931), who was the daughter of Jacob Henry Haverly and Susannah Allen. They had the following children:

• Cora E. Watson (B. April 3, 1868, D. Nov 9, 1951)
• Franklin J. Watson (B. May 27, 1870, D. May 7, 1936)

George's marriage broke up prior to February 2, 1888 when his ex-wife Eliza married Wilber Whipple. In the early 1890s in Cohoes, Albany County, NY, George married Clara Josephine Shaver (B. abt 1880, D. after 1930) and they had a son George Joseph Watson (B. Oct 28, 1892, D. Jan 13, 1988). Clara Josephine was two decades younger than George.

Military Service

Name:	George Watson
Residence:	Berne
Place of Birth:	Berne
Date of Birth:	7 Sept 1845
Names of Parents:	Belinda Watson
Marital Status:	Single
Occupation:	Farmer
Term of Enlistment:	1 year
Enlistment Date:	1 Sep 1864
Enlistment Place:	Albany, New York
Enlistment Rank:	Private
State Served:	New York
Regiment:	91st Artillery
Company:	Company D
Muster Out Date:	10 Jun 1865
Muster Out Place:	Washington, DC

Additional Remarks: Enlisted at the age of 18"Discharged June 10, 1865. PO Address Bern, Albany Co NY"

Sources Used: Ancestry.com, American Civil War Soldiers; 1865 census Berne, Albany Co., NY; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Life

In his early years, George lived with his mother and maternal grandparents, Lyman Watson and Permelia Crocker. He was brought up with his maternal uncle Isaac Watson, who was only three years older than he was. On June 4, 1857 when he was 12 years of age, his mother Belinda married Chauncey Fancher (B. Dec 13, 1804, D. June 25, 1873) and as a result George had three younger half siblings.

In 1870 George was living in Knox with his wife Eliza and their young children, and working as a farm laborer. Living with the young family was Eliza's mother Susannah Allen Haverly. Ten years later George was working as a carpenter laborer and their children were now in school.

In the 1880s George and Eliza's marriage broke up. George remarried in the early 1890s and quickly had a third child. He and his new wife lived in Albany at #3 Lexington Avenue in downtown Albany in 1900 and 1910. During this time George was working as a carpenter and renting an apartment in a three family house.

Unfortunately George has not been found in the 1890 Veterans Census.

By 1920, George had purchased his own home at #115 Pleasant View Ave in Albany. At the age of 74 he was still working as a carpenter. Living with George and Clara was their son George Jr. and his young family. George Jr. worked as a brakeman for the Railroad.

Death

George died on September 11, 1929 in Albany and was reportedly buried at Eagle Hill Cemetery on Western Avenue in Albany, NY.

Additional Media

Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Discharged June 10, 1865. PO Address Bern, Albany Co NY

History of the County of Albany, NY from 1609-1886

George was mentioned in this book on page 817 as a Civil War soldier.

Sources