It believed that Dick Watson parents were an Unknown Slave Father and an
Unknown Slave Mother. There is some confusion as to the name of the Watson's patriarch, some say his name was Frank and other says his name was Dick Watson. The research suggests that his name was Dick.
What some believe which adds to the confusion is that Frank was a white man perhaps a slave owner or an Overseer who fathered a child or some children with Angeline (Anne) Watson and
then she later married Dick Watson as this happens a lot during slavery. Or, perhaps she married (“jump the broom”) twice. This also was common during slavery. This perhaps may have
been the case since Angeline (Annie) was born in Virginia. It is safe to assume that she was a slave in Virginia and may have had a child (Harp) there and she and her child was sold
into Alabama. It also reasonable to believe that the Puryear's Slave Traders probable brought them to Burnt Corn, Alabama for sale.
Once on the plantation in Alabama, she had the remainder of her children. Some may have been fathered by a white slave owner or overseer. It is reasonable
to believe once here, she met and married Dick Watson since Dick was born in Burnt Corn, Alabama area but Angeline (Annie) and her parents were born in Virginia.
The 1870 census lists Dick as a black man 32 years of age and his wife Angeline, age 27 and children Harp 12,
Frank 10, William 8, and Lizzie (Elizabeth) age 3.
Dick died in 1871 at the age of 33.
Dick Watson (c.1838 - c.1875)
Frank's father
Husband of Angeline Straughn
Father of Harp Watson; Frank Watson; William Watson and George Watson
