"John Watts is spoken of as a man of good understanding, and a fine speaker. Morgan Edwards said he was an English scholar. He was active against the Keithian movement, and held a public discussion with one of their preachers, coming off the victor."
from The History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, W. W. H. Davis
Smallpox is caused by of two viruses: Variola major and Variola minor. Symptoms include a rash and blisters. The mortality rate for V. major is 30–35% and for V. minor is about 1%. Long-term complications include scars, blindness, and limb deformities.
The Reverend John Watts was born in Leeds, Kent County, England in November, 1661. His father was Henry Watts and his mother Elizabeth Duck.
He came to Pennsylvania in 1686. He was baptized at Pennepek Baptist Church by Elias Keach on November 21, 1687 and was called to the ministry the following year. He was the second pastor of the church.
He married fellow church member, Sarah Eaton, in 1687. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on John and Sarah Watts.
In 1698 controversies arose in his church and William Davis was expelled for heresy and joined the Seventh-Day Baptists. John wrote a reply to William in his book, called Davis Disabled.
He died on August 27, 1702 in Dublin Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania of smallpox. He is buried in the Churchyard of the Pennypek Baptist Church in Lower Dublin.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Christ Church in Philadelphia was founded in 1695 as a condition of William Penn’s Charter. The current building dates to 1744.
Reverend John Watts
1661-August 27, 1702
John son of Henry
“a sound divine"
Interred here I be,
O that you could now see
How unto Jesus for to flee,
Not in sin still to be.
Warning in time pray take
And peace by jeses make.
Then at the last when you awake,
Sure at his right hand you'll partake.
