COL. JAMES W. WATTS,
Son of Richard D. and Isabella E. (Newell) Watts, was born in Bedford
county, Virginia, on April 19, 1833. On February 22, 1854, Rev. D.
P. Wills officiating, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of F. E. and
Sarah (Spears) Jones, of Appomattox county. Their children are
named: Hubert B., Jimmie L., Thomas Ashby and Maude. They have
buried one son, Oscar. Col. Watts entered the Confederate States
Army May 11, 1861, in Company A, 2d Virginia Cavalry, rank of first
lieutenant. In September, 1861, he was promoted captain; in March,
1862, received commission of lieutenant-colonel, same regiment. He
received eight sabre cuts in battle of second Manassas; was again
wounded at Opequan, December 27, 1862; and again at Aldie, June
1863 where a gunshot wound in right fore-arm permanently disabled
him for active field service. He served subsequently, and until the close
of the war, as post commander, at Liberty, Bedford county. Col.
Watts, who has now retired from business life, was for some time a
partner in the well-known firm of Jones, Watts Bros. & Co.
