Josiah Ogden Watson
Josiah Ogden Watson (24 September 1784 – 12 June 1852) was an American
Physician
Josiah Watson studied medicine under Dr. Henry Haywood (d. 1812) in
War of 1812 service
Dr. Watson served as a
Plantation Owner
After the War of 1812, Josiah O. Watson and his brother
After his death, most of the plantation was inherited by his nephew J. W. B. Watson, whom he had raised after the young boy was orphaned; Dr. Watson's brother William and his wife were reportedly killed by one of his slaves while traveling to Alabama. As of 1857, J. W. B. enslaved at least 135 people on the plantation,[2] some of whom were buried in a small cemetery just north of the current intersection of Highway 42 and Buffalo Road.[3] In May 1861, J.W.B., a State Senator, joined a unanimous vote to have North Carolina secede from the United States.[4] When the younger Watson died in 1897, much of the land was divided among many heirs and the main plantation and house was eventually sold to the Percy Flowers family.
Dr. Josiah Watson also owned smaller plantations below
Currently, much of the land is being developed into a residential community called Flowers Plantation. The Dr. Watson Inn, a bed and breakfast that is part of Flowers Plantation, sits on the original site of the manor house and has some of the original wood framework.
Family
Josiah Watson married Penninah Tartt of
Statesman
J. O. Watson served for many years on the Johnston County
Estate near Raleigh
In 1836, Josiah Watson purchased approximately 600 acres (2.4 km2) of land just outside the city of
Dorothea Dix Hospital
In 1849, Josiah O. Watson was appointed by the
North Carolina Railroad
In 1849, Dr. Watson was a strong proponent of the North Carolina Central Rail Road. He individually subscribed $10,000 of stock in the North Carolina Railroad and owned 40 shares of company stock at his death. Construction began in 1851 and was completed in 1856.
Businessman
J. O. Watson was involved in several businesses including the Neuse Manufacturing Company, the North Carolina Mutual (Fire) Insurance Company, and the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. Josiah was also postmaster of Pineville post-office in Johnston County during the 1830s and 1840s.
Christ Church and Ravenscroft School
Dr. Watson was a parishioner at Christ Episcopal Church, and was baptized there on 12 January 1840. He represented the church as a lay delegate at many annual conventions of the Episcopal Church of North Carolina. In 1851, he purchased 5 pews to support the completion of the interior of the new church. In his will, he bequeathed $2500 (~$66,596 in 2023) to be used to finish the tower and steeple of the church, which was completed in 1861. He also gave the church $5000 to be used to fund and employ a teacher for a parish school. A small school was established in 1868, but, in 1937, the Ravenscroft School was organized using the original funds directed by Dr. Watson.
Death and burial
Josiah Ogden Watson died at his Raleigh estate Sharon on 12 June 1852. He is buried in Old City Cemetery in Raleigh in the Watson vault with his wife, daughter, and nephew J. W. B. Watson.