(1842-1913)
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Lucy was one of two Watkins sisters who attended the Burwell School from the numerous and prominent Watkins family of “Mount Mayo” in Halifax Co., VA.
Lucy and her sister Lizzie were among the “Halifax girls” who attended the Burwell School from the close-knit plantation communities of Halifax County, Virginia, about forty miles north of Hillsborough. Lizzie was the eighth, and Lucy the ninth child of Richard Venable and Mary Anne Baskerville Watkins of Mayo plantation, established by Richard V. Watkins in the 1830’s. The sturdy large house sat on a hilltop with beautiful views all around into eastern Virginia and North Carolina.
Richard Venable Watkins, born in 1812 in Charlotte County, VA, married three times and had 17 children by his second and third wives. His first seven children were sons, followed by ten daughters. Lucy and her older sister Elizabeth (Lizzie) were the first daughters. Based on their ages, the two sisters must have attended the Burwell School in the early 1850’s. According to memories set down in 1962 by Richard Watkin’s granddaughter, Helen Watkins, the busy, lively family valued education for the sons and daughters alike. “In spite of such a large family all of the sons and daughters except one, an invalid, attended college. The home was 12 miles from town so they were sent in carriages and buggies through the country, baggage in the wagons. There was a grand school for “young ladies” at Hillsboro, NC and a college in Norfolk, VA. The boys went to Hampton–Sydney or the University of Virginia. My father ran away from Hampton-Sydney to join the Confederate Army. He had been made a captain just as the war closed. Two brothers were killed during the war. [(Lucy’s older brothers, William and Richard.]
“One of the nephews [from Mary Anne Baskerville Watkins family) spent the winter at “Mayo” where a boy could get the benefit of the good tutors my grandfather always employed to live in the home and teach his numerous family.”
Lucy Watkins married Elisha Betts around 1870. Elisha, also of Halifax County, had served in the Confederacy. They lived their married life near South Hill, VA, her mother’s family home, Lombardy Grove, in Mecklenburg County, VA; (the original section of the house, which has been added to over the ensuing years, is said to date to the 1760’s). The house was still standing as of 2010, only a few miles from Ephesus Baptist Church in South Hill which Elisha helped to establish. Elisha, Lucy, and several of their children are buried there. For a period of time in the 1900’s the house was used as a thriving antiques store.
The Betts’ had nine children, three boys and six girls. Two children may have not survived infancy, as their small headstones bear no dates.
[from Mary Anne Baskerville Watkins family) spent the winter at “Mayo” where a boy could get the benefit of the good tutors my grandfather always employed to live in the home and teach his numerous family.”
Lucy Watkins married Elisha Betts around 1870. Elisha, also of Halifax County, had served in the Confederacy. They lived their married life near South Hill, VA, her mother’s family home, Lombardy Grove, in Mecklenburg County, VA; (the original section of the house, which has been added to over the ensuing years, is said to date to the 1760’s). The house was still standing as of 2010, only a few miles from Ephesus Baptist Church in South Hill which Elisha helped to establish. Elisha, Lucy, and several of their children are buried there. For a period of time in the 1900’s the house was used as a thriving antiques store.
The Betts’ had nine children, three boys and six girls. Two children may have not survived infancy, as their small headstones bear no dates [1] [2] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8].
, Margaret Watkins (b. 4-45), Virginia Douglas Watkins (b. 1849), Mary Baskerville Watkins, Henrietta Maria Watkins, Isabella Watkins, Sara Alice Watkins, Nellie Watkins (1858-1930), Clara Carrington Watkins and Julia Watkins (d. 1900).pub. July 18th, 1962