John is the son of Flemon 'Fleming' and Mary Watson.

He married Nancy Emeline Jennings Jan. 30, 1853 in Harlan Co, KY.

Together they had 13 children;
Columbus Christopher
Martha Lucy
Samuel Jefferson
Sarah M
George William 'Bud'
Mary 'Polly'
Joseph E
James Francis
Margaret Adeline
Linsey 'Liney'
Flemon Eli
William S 'Willie' (my gr grandpa)
& John Thomas 'Tommy'

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John F. Watson was born February 9, 1829 near Peytonsburg, Kentucky to Fleming Watson and Mary Martha Keen. John Watson married Nancy Emeline Jennings, in southern Cumberland County, Kentucky. Nancy was the daughter of Ezekiel and Hannah Jennings. She was born Christmas Day, 1830 near Frogue, Cumberland County, Kentucky.

John and Nancy lived the first thirty years of their married life in Cumberland County, Kentucky. Their children were all born there, on Kettle Creek. The following names and dates of birth of their eleven children are as written in the Bible of John and Nancy Watson.

Columbus Watson, born September 8, 1857. He never married. Columbus Watson was murdered in 1887 at Dale Hollow .

Martha Watson, born September 20, 1859, married Cull Ashlock. Their Children: Johnny, William, and George.

Jefferson Watson, born August 28, 1861. Jeff Watson and two Capps men were charged with murder in Cumberland County, Kentucky. The three young men were to have gone after the men who killed Jeff's brother, Columbus. Family oral tradition tells of Columbus enroute to buy supplies at Jennings Store, just east of Dale Hollow. He happened upon a card game as he entered the mouth of the hollow. He was playing cards, there was an argument, and he was shot to death. His body was found along side the road. The buckboard and team of mules and his boots were nowhere around. His brother Jeff got word that a group of rough men played cards regularly near the location where his brother's body was found. Jeff and the two Capps men camped out in the woods for several days, waiting and watching for the group to gather. Late one evening they found the men, and saw the missing Watson mules tied in the bushes. The men were confronted, a fight broke out, and the man named as the one who murdered Columbus Watson, was killed. The men all scattered, the man lay lifeless, wearing Columbus Watson's boots. Records of Cumberland County show that Jeff Watson failed to appear in court. Jeff Watson disappeared. The Watson family soon left Kentucky and came to Newton County, Arkansas. After several years, Jeff made contact with family in Newton County. Jeff never married, he died in Oklahoma.

Sarah Watson, born October 14, 1863, married Bill Self in Newton County, Arkansas. Their children: Nancy, Savanah, Edmond, Rhoda, Francis.

George Watson, born September 17, 1865, married Jane Simmons in Newton County, Arkansas. Their children: Vinie, Forster, Dovie, Lois, Bertie, and Helen "Axie".

Mary Ann Watson, born March 17, 1867, Polly married Garrett Thomas in Newton County, Arkansas. Their children: Ida and Rentha.

Adaline Watson, born January 1, 1868, married Jim Thomas in Newton County, Arkansas. Their children: Millard, Sid, Frank, and John.

Lina Watson, born January 10, 1870, married Theo Cooksey in Newton County, Arkansas. Their children: Hershel, Mae, twins Duster and Jennie, twins Lloyd and Esther, and Charity.

Flemon Watson, born September 13, 1872, first married Clara Smith, they had one child, Fine. Flemon then married Anna Self. Anna's father, Bill Self, took for his second wife, Sarah, Flemon's sister. Flemon and Anna's children: Sarah, Ader, Mellie, George, Lewis, John, Nancy, Leta, Francis, Ida, Mae, and Nola.

William Watson, born July 28, 1874, married Ruby Coffee in Newton County. Their children: Daisy, Sylvia, Flossie, Efton, Clay, Fred, Lonnie Imogene.

John Thomas Watson, born December 28, 1877, married Mary Thomas in Newton County, Arkansas. Their children: Dent, Martha, Nancy, Otis, Sally, Logan, Vola, and Ella.

When John and Nancy Watson and family left Kentucky, other relatives also left with them. John's brother, Samuel Watson, his wife Elizabeth, and their children, loaded their wagon and left. Elizabeth was Nancy's sister. John Watson's brother, George Watson, his wife Lucinda, and their children also left Kentucky at the same time. They all traveled together. John Watson's wagon was pulled by a team of oxen as was the wagon of Samuel Watson. George Watson's wagon was pulled by a team of horses. His team of horses made better time than the teams of oxen. George and his family often camped along side the road for a few days, waiting for the others to catch up. George Watson and family set up such a camp in Newton County. When John and Samuel arrived, the three brothers decided to unload their wagons and begin a new life in Newton County. Which they all did.

John Francis Watson died at Thomas Creek in Newton County, Arkansas May 28, 1924. Nancy Emeline was living with her son Flemon Watson and family at Shiloh, Newton County when she died, October 24, 1924. John and Nancy are buried Swain Cemetery Newton County, Arkansas.