Washington Lafayette Watkins

Washington Lafayette Watkins

• Father: Stephen Dupuy Watkins b. 27 January 1788, d. 13 July 1862
• Mother: Sarah Holman Dupuy b. 26 January 1800, d. 14 August 1864

• Washington Lafayette Watkins was born on 10 January 1824 in Richmond, Virginia.
• In about 1846, W. L. Watkins was a Senior at William and Mary College, having entered at the age of nineteen.
• He married Maria Sophia Hall, daughter of John Byrd Hall and Harriet Stringfellow, on 10 June 1851.
• Washington Lafayette Watkins became a widower at the 21 September 1864 death of his wife Maria Sophia Hall.
• He married Eliza Stringfellow, daughter of Horace Stringfellow and Louisa Gibbs Strother, on 9 October 1866. Eliza was a first cousin of W. L.'s first wife Maria..
• Washington Lafayette Watkins and Eliza Stringfellow appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Petersburg, Virginia. Other members of the household included Thomas Gholson Watkins, John Dupuy Watkins and Sallie Harrison Watkins. Also in the household were two female domestic servants.
• He was a lawyer and trustee of the T. D. Watson Estate, according to the 1870 census.
• In the papers of Richard Eppes (1824-1896), there is reference to an 1874 deed from Washington Lafayette Watkins, concerning Woodland, Prince George County, Virginia (Virginia Historical Society).
• Washington Lafayette Watkins and Eliza Stringfellow appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Petersburg, Virginia. Other members of the household included Thomas Gholson Watkins, John Dupuy Watkins and Sallie Harrison Watkins. Also in the household two female domestic servants.
• He was a lawyer, according to the 1880 census.
• The following appeared on 11 September 1886 in The Richmond Dispatch: (Petersburg, Sept. 10) Mrs. Dr. Wood, of Montgomery, Ala., is visiting at the residence of her father, W. L. Watkins, Esq., in this city.
• The following appeared on 8 November 1891 in The Richmond Dispatch: (Petersburg, Nov. 7) Mrs. Agnes Gilliam is visiting the family of Mr. W. L. Watkins.
• Washington Lafayette Watkins died on 17 March 1892 at age 68 in Richmond, Virginia, at Adams Street at his residence.
• His wife Eliza Stringfellow became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia.
• The following appeared on 18 March 1892 in The Richmond Dispatch: (Petersburg, March 17) Our community is again called upon to mourn the loss of one of its most honored citizens. Mr. W. L. Watkins, one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Petersburg bar, died at an early hour this morning at his residence, on Adams street, after a brief illness. He was at his office on Monday last, attending to business as usual, but went home in the evening feeling very unwell, and did not afterwards leave his bed. His last illness was without pain, and life went out like the expiring light of a lamp which has no substance to keep it alive.
       The families from which Mr. Watkins descended were Huguenots, who, in 1700, settled at Manokin Town, Va. He was born in Richmond January 10, 1824, the son of Stephen D. Watkins, who was a native of Halifax county, and who died in 1862. Mr. Watkins received a collegiate education at William and Mary College, whence he was graduated on July 4, 1843. He studied law under Judge Thomas S. Gholson, of Petersburg, and received license ot practice in 1846. Since that time he followed the profession of law continuously, practicing in all of the counties of this section and in the Court of Appeals. He was a good lawyer, thoroughly trained and thoroughly familiar with the codes and decisions of all the States. He served two terms as city attorney of Petersburg and six years as a member of the Common Council. His first wife was Miss Maria S. Hall, of Fredericksburg, who died in 1864. His second wife was Miss Eliza Stringfellow, daughter of Rev. Horace Stringfellow, and sister of Colonel Charles S. Stringfellow, of Richmond, who survives him.
       Mr. Watkins was a gentleman of thorough refinement, of great courtesy of manners, and of the most liberal education, increased by constant study. He was grand in judgment, safe in counsel, and a man whose friendship was greatly esteemed and prized. He was for many years a member and officer of St. Paul's Episcopal church, to the support of which, as to that of all good works, he was a liberal contributor. He will be sadly missed in the community, where he has so long lived, and for which he has done so much.

• Last Edited: 2 Apr 2015