Lower Dublin Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Lower Dublin Township was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania and adjoined Moreland and Byberry Townships. The township was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia
In the settlement of the estate of Reverend John Watts, John Shall and Mary his wife signed a receipt dated 27 September, 1715, and Benjamin Engle and Deborah his wife signed one dated 31 March, 1721. The said Mary and Deborah were doubtless married shortly before the date of their respective receipts. They were unmarried on 25 July, 1715, when they joined in an agreement of record signed in their maiden names. (Genealogical and Biographical Memorials of the Reading, Howell, Yerkes, Watts, Latham, and Elkins Families)
Estate inventories give us a glance into the home life of Colonial Americans.
Smallpox is caused by of two viruses: Variola major and Variola minor. Symptoms include a rash and blisters. The mortality rate for V. major is 30–35% and for V. minor is about 1%. Long-term complications include scars, blindness, and limb deformities.
The History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania from the Discovery of the Delaware to the Present Time by W. W. H. Davis, A.M., 1876 and 1905
Stephen Watts was a descendant of the Reverend John Watts, second pastor of the Lower Dublin Baptist church, Philadelphia county, who was a son of Henry and Elizabeth Watts and grandson of Gregory Watts, born at Leeds, county Kent, England, November 3, 1661, immigrated to Pennsylvania about 1686, baptized in the Baptist faith November 21, 1686, the following year connected himself with the Pennepek or Pennypack church, and married Sarah Eaton (born 1655) in 1687-88. He entered the ministry, 1688, became the pastor of the church, 1690, and had charge to his death, August 27, 1702 (18).
The following were the children of the Reverend John and Sarah Eaton Watts: Elizabeth Watts, born April 15, 1689, died October 11, 1756;
John Watts, born December 3, 1693, died 1771;
Sarah Watts, born December 8, 1693,
Mary Watts, twin of Sarah, December 8, 1693;
Deborah Watts, born February 6, 1695;
Silas Watts, born March 7, 1697, died August 16, 1737;
Stephen Watts, born February 6, 1700, died 1784.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
In 1688, during the Glorious Revolution, the Protestant king and queen,William and Mary, took the English throne from Catholic King James II. The bloodless revolution profoundly impacted the American colonies.
