James Watson and Albert Seldon papers

Collection

Identifier: MS W34

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection consists of two record books of James Watson, a book, and a diary of Albert Seldon. James Watson's record books capture aspects of his day-to-day life including work, transactions, recipes, and more. Albert Seldon's diary from 1881 include brief descriptions of his days.

Dates

Creation: 1828-1944
Creation: Majority of material found within 1854-1881

Creator

Watson, James, 1828-1888 (Person)
Seldon, Albert, 1860-1944 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research use.

Biography of James Watson and Albert Seldon

James Watson was born in England (ca.1825-1888). By 1870, he had moved to the United States and was living in Hudson, Ohio with his family. Watson married Elizabeth Lighton (1835-1914), and the couple had two daughters, Susanna (1856-1917) and Mary (1858-1934). The 1870 census notes his occupation as a railroad worker and the 1880 census lists his occupation as a laborer. Albert Seldon was James Watson's son-in-law.

Albert Seldon (ca.1860-1944) was born in Ohio to Edatha née Harts (1830-1873) and James Seldon (1810-1870). Records show that the family had lived in Hudson, Ohio, at least since 1870. Albert married James Watson's daughter Mary in 1897. Seldon's was a farm laborer. He later became a teamster, retiring in 1930. On February 22, 1944, Seldon died in a car accident in Akron, Ohio.

Much of this information comes from James Watson’s great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Crisp Rea (1924-2014). Other sources include Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records 1774-1993; census records between 1870 and 1940; Seldon’s death certificate; and the necrology files at the Hudson Library and Historical Society.