The past is to learn from and not to live in. -Richard L. Evans
Of Pierce City, Missouri
James Franklin's grave
Delila's grave
Annie's grave
Posterity of James F. Watson
Early life of Annie Mary Reynolds
All histories written by granddaughter, Florine Watson Werle:
Not far from Pierce City, my grandmother, Annie Mary Reynolds was born in 1866, near Pineville, Missouri. Her father died when she was five years old and was buried in a small cemetery...the cemetery is now just a lawn, forgotten, with no headstones to indicate graves under the grass.
When Annie was seven years old, her mother remarried, but the stepfather was indifferent to her two children, Annie and Eb. The newly married couple decided to leave for Illinois in a covered wagon with their new baby. The two older children rode to the main roadway with them and as they got down from the wagon, Annie asked to hold her little half-sister one last time. She sat on a rock beside the path with the small bundle in her arms, and her mother promised to come back next year to take the children to a new home. They said their tearful goodbyes, but Annie and Eb never again saw their mother. As the wagon slowly disappeared down the dusty lonely road, Annie watched and cried and felt her heart break, as her mother waved a farewell which was to be forever. She and Eb lived with their grandparents at Pineville for a few months, then, Annie was sent from farm to farm to help with new babies, carry water and help in the kitchen. She lived for over two years being shuttled from home to home.
Annie was sent to the home of the Wild's when she was nine years old, where she stayed for two years.
Not far from Pierce City, my grandmother, Annie Mary Reynolds was born in 1866, near Pineville, Missouri. Her father died when she was five years old and was buried in a small cemetery...the cemetery is now just a lawn, forgotten, with no headstones to indicate graves under the grass.
When Annie was seven years old, her mother remarried, but the stepfather was indifferent to her two children, Annie and Eb. The newly married couple decided to leave for Illinois in a covered wagon with their new baby. The two older children rode to the main roadway with them and as they got down from the wagon, Annie asked to hold her little half-sister one last time. She sat on a rock beside the path with the small bundle in her arms, and her mother promised to come back next year to take the children to a new home. They said their tearful goodbyes, but Annie and Eb never again saw their mother. As the wagon slowly disappeared down the dusty lonely road, Annie watched and cried and felt her heart break, as her mother waved a farewell which was to be forever. She and Eb lived with their grandparents at Pineville for a few months, then, Annie was sent from farm to farm to help with new babies, carry water and help in the kitchen. She lived for over two years being shuttled from home to home.
Annie was sent to the home of the Wild's when she was nine years old, where she stayed for two years.
Young Annie
Background of James Franklin Watson
My grandfather, James Franklin Watson, came to America in 1844 or 1845 from Ireland, the year he was born in County Antrim. He was the youngest son of Durham and Anna (Scott) Watson. The Watson's settled in Davis county, Iowa and James enlisted in Company F...and fought in twenty-six Civil War battles and was badly wounded in Atlanta, August 9, 1864.
After the war he married Mary Delila Salsberry, a handsome, portly woman from a well-to-do family and the couple went to live in a small house at the Wild's farm, near Pierce City, James helping on the farm. (This is where they met the young girl, Annie Reynolds)
He continued working until he had amassed enough money to buy a small farm which had two small houses, one of which he added on to through the years until it had an upstairs and a large porch across the front and one screened in off of the dining room. Both he and Delila had grown fond of Annie, so she was brought to live with them, to work in the kitchen and also be company for Delila.
After the war he married Mary Delila Salsberry, a handsome, portly woman from a well-to-do family and the couple went to live in a small house at the Wild's farm, near Pierce City, James helping on the farm. (This is where they met the young girl, Annie Reynolds)
He continued working until he had amassed enough money to buy a small farm which had two small houses, one of which he added on to through the years until it had an upstairs and a large porch across the front and one screened in off of the dining room. Both he and Delila had grown fond of Annie, so she was brought to live with them, to work in the kitchen and also be company for Delila.
Delila had her own horse and rode side-saddle, beautiful in her long skirted riding habit, with high shoes, and with feathers on her hat. She rode well, but over the years she gained weight and grew fatter...until she was unable to ride or be active, also, she was barren.
James wanted a son, and while Delila became so obese and so incapacitated she could scarcely walk, Annie grew into a gracious young lady. At the age of sixteen she gave birth to a son, James's son, and became queen of the household. James idolized her and early in the affair she was moved to the upstairs bedroom and Delila was alone downstairs.
They named the boy, Elmer Hansard Watson. There was animosity and coldness in this home, the two women resenting each other. There was bitterness in Delila's heart, indignation at being rejected and losing her place in Jim's heart...Annie, piqued and sullen, wanting the Watson name...James, ostracized by the (local Christian) church, was asked to resign as an elder.
But Annie remained Jim's darling and in 1911 Delila died and he and Annie were married, their love constant until his death in 1924. James had a stroke as the family sat eating supper. He died later on the red plush couch and grandma Annie stood stunned, unable to comprehend what had happened to her beloved Jim. They put his casket in the parlor and we watched over him for two nights. The funeral was there too.
Later I saw Annie looking out the kitchen window and she took my (Florine's) hand and said, "What am I to do? What has happened to my happy life?"
Hence a dark and somber story beginning in sadness for a little girl left sitting beside a dusty road, forsaken by her mother.
James wanted a son, and while Delila became so obese and so incapacitated she could scarcely walk, Annie grew into a gracious young lady. At the age of sixteen she gave birth to a son, James's son, and became queen of the household. James idolized her and early in the affair she was moved to the upstairs bedroom and Delila was alone downstairs.
They named the boy, Elmer Hansard Watson. There was animosity and coldness in this home, the two women resenting each other. There was bitterness in Delila's heart, indignation at being rejected and losing her place in Jim's heart...Annie, piqued and sullen, wanting the Watson name...James, ostracized by the (local Christian) church, was asked to resign as an elder.
But Annie remained Jim's darling and in 1911 Delila died and he and Annie were married, their love constant until his death in 1924. James had a stroke as the family sat eating supper. He died later on the red plush couch and grandma Annie stood stunned, unable to comprehend what had happened to her beloved Jim. They put his casket in the parlor and we watched over him for two nights. The funeral was there too.
Later I saw Annie looking out the kitchen window and she took my (Florine's) hand and said, "What am I to do? What has happened to my happy life?"
Hence a dark and somber story beginning in sadness for a little girl left sitting beside a dusty road, forsaken by her mother.
Two unidentified men, Delila and James F. Watson
Family: about 1905
L to R: Annie Reynolds, Delila Watson, Ardella Watson holding baby Mildred, Elmer Watson, James F. Watson
A Treasure from the Past
Hymnal of James F. Watson (well used)
Signature of James F. Watson
Inside the front cover of his hymnal
He must have sung from it many times
Aprons and cooks
Annie (on left) with unknown women
Annie (standing by pole)
Death certificate of James F. Watson
Elmer Watson and mother, Annie
Annie in later life
Annie, a great-grandmother
(l to r) Annie, DeWayne held by Mildred, Earlene and EJ in front
"I, the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."
Doctrine & Covenants 64:10