The "Watkins" Family

WATKINS FAMILY

Children of John Watkins and Abigail (Stafford)

Joseph Smith Watkins and Hannah Fowler

Joseph Smith Watkins, a plater was born 12 September, 1842 (ref 388 Corby) at Corby Glen Lincolnshire UK.  On 22 April, 1866 (ref 34) he married Hannah (Fowler) born 23 May, 1845/6 at Wollaston Stourbridge Worcester UK.

They had four children, three sons, John Samuel (born 8 November, 1866 [ref 491] York Street Wolverhampton East refer to WATKINS JS), Arthur Stafford (born 21 January, 1870 [Ref 435 Wolverhampton] 56 York Street Wolverhampton East), Joseph William (born 13 April, 1868 [Ref 370 WE] York Street Wolverhampton East) and a daughter Mary Ann Eliza [Refer CRAMP GE] (born 11 May, 1872 [Ref 58 WE] Lichfield Row Wolverhampton). 

Joseph owned an Iron Foundry in Wolverhampton.  Joseph and Hannah emigrated to Australia (date unknown).  Hannah died in 1943 aged 98 years and is buried in Bargo Cemetery (south of Sydney).

Joseph was the second son of John Watkins, a blacksmith (born c1800-1820) and Abigail (Stafford) born Lincolnshire c1807-1813.  John and Abigail were married on 13 July, 1834 Lincolnshire and had two sons, Alfred Stafford born 1840 and Joseph Smith, also a daughter Mary Ann born 1844.

Abigail was the daughter of Robert Stafford and Christianna.

NOTE:  The writer’s name of Stafford emanated from this union of John Watkins and Abigail Stafford.  It would appear that the name Stafford was used extensively as a family Christian name for many generations, until the writers' generation where it ceased.  Upon the writers divorce from Geoff Crowd her name was changed to Janice Elizabeth Stafford (nee Cramp) [refer CRAMP JE].

Children of John Watkins and Abigail Stafford

Mary Annie Watkins

Mary Annie Watkins born 22 June, 1844 was the third child of John Watkins and Abigail Stafford.  According to the Public Service List 1915-1917, she was the Assistant Mistress of Education at North Sydney High School for Girls. She was appointed to service on 16 April, 1917 (Grade A) with a position salary of ^250 pounds.

(Public Service List 1915-1917 [1917 p 173])

Children of Joseph Smith WATKINS and Hannah FOWLER

John Samuel Watkins and Emily Griffin Cave

John Samuel Watkins born 8 November, 1866 in Wolverhampton England, son of Joseph Smith Watkins a plater and Hannah nee Fowler of Wolverhampton, brother in law of George Ernest CRAMP.

Young Watkins received his education locally at Dudley Road School, a boys college, and later attended the Technical College.  He made rapid strides with his studies, especially in the Art Classes, and on account of the high standard of his work was appointed an Art Teacher.

This young man wanted adventure though, and he remained on the staff of the college only long enough to save enough money to pay his passage to Australia. After a long voyage in a sailing ship he arrived in Brisbane at the end of 1882.

He gloried in the changed conditions of a strange land, and one can well imagine the effect this country had upon him.  The bush with its golden sunlight made special appeal to this young Englishman, who after some time spent in Queensland made up his mind to visit Sydney.  At that time he had  little money so he decided to work his way overland doing all sorts of jobs on the way - even to painting the outside of a church.

On arrival in Sydney, young Watkins lost no time in taking up his art again.  He became a night student at the Royal Art Society and also worked under the late Julian Ashton CBE, while during the day, he made a living at photography.  He did well at the photographic business and had soon saved enough money to go abroad for further study.

He was a little more than twenty when he arrived in Paris to continue his studies at Colarossi's studio and he spent much time in the Lourve studying the Old Masters.  He also visited Germany and other parts of Europe to see the masterpieces to be found there.

Later he returned to England to visit his people and do further study and we find him exhibiting at the Grafton Galleries and with the British Empire Society.

Two days before Christmas and aged 21 in 1887 he arrived back in Sydney aboard the "Oroya" with his sister Mary Ann Eliza.  Here he founded the Art School that bore his name and which he conducted for over 40 years.  He was also engaged in journalism but it was not long before his school of painting absorbed all his attention and he had little time for writing.  J S Watkins Art School was in Jamieson Street, Sydney.

“Watty” as he was affectionately known to his many friends, was one of the original founders of the Society of Artists and was a member of its first council in 1895.  Afterwards, he joined the Royal Art Society of which he became Vice-President.  Thousands of young people have attended his classes, and many notable painters received their training under him.  The only two New South Welshmen who have been awarded the Archibald prize (at 1943) were students at the J S Watkins School of Art.  J S Watkins was a great reader, and his love of books made him well informed on all subjects.  He was a keen student of anthropology, ethnology, and even found time to illustrate books on medical and scientific works.

The most important event in his life, was his marriage to Emily Griffin Cave, daughter of William V Cave, of Lancashire England.  Their home at Roseville was a haven where he retreated for weekends to do his own painting.  His friends and students were often invited there and it was indeed a treat to hear “Watty’s" talks on art and other subjects.  He delighted in the companionship of the young and was never happier than when a group of people were around him.

JS Watkins exhibited regularly with Royal Art Society.  He is represented in the National Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Gallery of South Australia and his work is also to be found in many private collections in Australia.  He was commissioned by the Commonwealth Government in 1940 to paint a portrait of John McDouall Stuart (Explorer 1856-62), which now hangs with the National Collection of Historical Portraits in Canberra.

He was appointed a trustee of the National Art Gallery of NSW in 1932, a position he held until his death on 25 August, 1942.

Emily lived at 2 Turramurra Avenue, Turramurra in 1976, she was an artist of some renown in her own right.

Some of J S Watkins paintings are:

The Mirror

Delores

The Musician

Self Portrait

George Collingridge

John McDouall Stuart

The Green Hat (refer Sun article 26/3/1958)

The writer has a pencil sketch of George Ernest Cramp (Watkins brother-in-law) when George was in his early twenties.  Unfortunately like so many pieces Watkins did for family members, it is unsigned and undated.

WATKINS FAMILY

Samuel Frederick Watkins

Samuel Frederick Watkins born 3 December, 1871 was a teacher at Barellan School Grade 2B.  Appointed to position on 17 August, 1899 with a salary of 252 pounds less 33 pounds for residence. [1]

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[1] Reference:  Public service List 1915-1917 (1917 p 128).