If one-half of the stories told of this gentleman are true, he was one of the most interesting characters of Santa Cruz. Indeed, he was an interesting character wherever he lived, being cast in a mould so different from the ordinary individual that his manner naturally provoked comment. His prominence I n the affairs of this county in the 50's was such as to make him a person of considerable historical importance, and he is a conspicuous figure in several of the reminiscences and anecdotes related in this volume. At one time he held an adverse claim to the Rancho Bolsa del Pajaro, and the town of Watsonville was named after him, as narrated in the biographical sketch of H. F. Parsons.
In personal appearance Mr. Watson was about five feet ten inches high, broad and heavy, dark curly hair cropped short, a large head, black eyes, and refined features. As a general thing he was negligent in attire, but always bore himself with the dignity of a Southern gentleman. He was erect in stature, walked with military step, was suave in manner, improvident, reckless and impulsive.
He was a native of Georgia, and was born in the early part of this century, probably about 1810. He was sent to school at West Point, bur for some reason did not graduate. He returned to Georgia, read law, killed a man, and went to Texas. He married in Texas, and during the gold fever came to California, bringing with him a negro slave, Jim. I have heard he was a schoolmate of Bob Toombs.
While in this country he practiced law, and was at one time judge of this judicial district, receiving the appointment from the Legislature of which David C. Broderick was president of the Senate. He was more frequently without money than with it, and appreciated its value so little that he never made an effort to collect a debt or pay one. His negro, Jim, bought his freedom after having been here awhile, and, being of a thrifty character, was always in possession of some funds. Watson was in the habit of borrowing from Jim, a custom against which the old servant finally rebelled. One day, in answer to a request for a loan, Jim said:
"See heah, massa, if you want money to go back to ole missus, you can get it, but Jim ain't got no more money for you to buy drink with."
But no one ever solicited charity from Watson in vain. If he did not have the means, he would borrow from someone else to relive their distress, and of course usually forgot to pay the debt. He would share his last dollar with anyone.
In 1859 he was elected from this county of the California Senate, but never returned. He went to Nevada and died among the "sagebrush" people, without enough money to pay for his funeral expenses. Someone has truly and very appropriately said of him that he was "a wreck of generous impulses."
History of Santa Cruz County, California
by E.S. Harrison
Published by Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal., 1892
Transcribed by Yvonne Valentine
Santa Cruz County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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