Rachel Smith Watson

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Rachel Smith was born during the late 1760s. She was the daughter of Daniel Smith of Norton, Massachusetts.

In 1784, she was seventeen-years-old when she met twenty-six-year-old Elkanah Watson - who had just returned from adventure in Europe. They were married in March 1789. In 1790, her twin daughters were christened at St. Peter's Episcopal church. They may have had five children in all.

These Watsons lived in Albany from about 1789 to 1807 and again beginning in 1816. In 1800, their first ward home was served by three slaves. During her Albany residencies, several other/different "Rachel Smiths" were living in the community!

Beginning in 1807, Rachel lived on her husband's farm in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. They returned to Albany in 1816. Rachel Smith Watson died in 1818. Elkanah Watson lived until 1842.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Rachel Smith Watson is CAP biography number 6830. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 11/10/06