Résumé

Mason, probably working with his father John Watson, Haltwhistle, England, 1891. The 1891 English Census indicated that Henry worked as a 21-year-old mason in Haltwhistle. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Class: RG12; Piece: 4251; Folio: 49; Page: 45; Source Information: 1891 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005, accessed 03/15/2019.)

Apprentice, Johnson and Crawford-Hick, Architects, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, UK, 1891-1895.

Draftsman, Demaine and Brierly, York, England, UK, 1896.

Draftsman, Oliver and Leeson, Architects, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, UK, c. 1896-1901.

Principal, Henry Barton Watson, Architect, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, UK, c. 1901-1906; Watson relocated in Canada by 1907, settling in Vancouver, BC. His brother, Joseph, seventeen years his junior, joined him in Vancouver by 1909. There is some question as to whether Watson was connected with another firm, "John Watson and Brothers, Builders," that operated contemporaneously in Vancouver. Henry Barton Watson had four brothers, two of whom were named John and Joseph. The Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 stated: "He emigrated to Canada in 1907 and was followed by his brother Joseph Watson in 1909. Both settled in Vancouver and Henry maintained a busy practice there. He may have been related to John Watson & Brothers, Builders, who advertised their services in the Daily Province Convention Number, 20 Sept. 1910, 13 (see Construction, iii, Oct. 1910, 43), and it was here that many of Watson's designs, both completed works and ongoing projects, were listed. The advertisement was accompanied by an awkward and naive scheme for an unidentified civic building presumably designed by Watson." (See Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950,accessed 11/05/2013.) His brother, J.F. Watson, had an office in the Credit FoncierBuilding in Vancouver in 1923.

Principal, Henry Barton Watson, Architect, Los Angeles, CA, 1923- c. 1942.

Relocation

Born in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, England, the Watson Family resided in that city when visited by the English Censuses of 1861, 1871 1881 and 1891. They lived on the Old Road in Haltwhistle, as per the 1881 and 1891 Censuses. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 5109; Folio: 7; Page: 6; GSU roll: 1342234; Source Information: 1881 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004, accessed 03/15/2019 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation: The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Class: RG12; Piece: 4251; Folio: 49; Page: 45; Source Information: 1891 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005, accessed 03/15/2019.) Watson lived in England, probably in Northumberland, until 1907.

He sailed from England to New York in 04/1907 aboard the White Star liner R.M.S. Majestic. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Index to Aliens, Not Including Filipinos, East Indians, and Chinese, Arriving by Vessel or at the Land Border at Seattle, Washington; NAI Number: 2945984; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: A3691; Roll Number: 16, accessed 03/15/2019.) He then made his way to Vancouver, BC, in that year, where he worked until 1923. His residence was listed in travel documents of 1923 as "North Vancouver."

He entered the US in 12/01/1923, traveling from Vancouver to Seattle, WA, aboard a Canadian Pacific Railroad Ship. His final destination was Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at Seattle, Washington; NAI Number: 4449160; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: M1383; Roll Number: 90, accessed 03/15/2019.) At the time of this journey he may have had a medical condition that may have required surgery. This was noted in the passenger manifest: "Hydrocele c-21 Genito Urinary (2 years duration. May require operation)."

In 1942, Watson lived at 1046 1/2 Laguna Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Naturalization Index Cards of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Central Division (Los Angeles), 1915-1976 (M1525); Microfilm Serial: M1525; Microfilm Roll: 110, accessed 03/15/2019.)

Watson died in Los Angeles County, CA, at the age of 76.

Parents

His father was John Watson (born c. 1832 in Cumberland, England), a stonemason, and Mary Ann Barton, (born c. 1844 in North Haltwhistle, England-d. 04/19/1918 in Northumberland, England), who managed the household.

In 1881, this included siblings Emma (born c. 1864 in North Haltwhistle, England), Julia (born c. 1866 in North Haltwhistle, England), Henry, Sophia (born c. 1874 in North Haltwhistle, England), William (born c. 1876 in North Haltwhistle, England), John (born c. 1878 in North Haltwhistle, England), Samuel (born c. 1880 in North Haltwhistle, England) and Joseph (born c. 1886 in North Haltwhistle, England.) (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Class: RG11; Piece: 5109; Folio: 7; Page: 6; GSU roll: 1342234, accessed 03/15/2019.) As per the 1901 English Census, all of Henry's brothers, William, John, Samuel and Joseph, became stone masons like their father. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4828; Folio: 60; Page: 4; Source Information: 1901 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005, accessed 03/15/2019.)

Spouse

He married his wife, Margaret, (born 10/1869 in Gateshead, Northumberland, England), in 1897 at Gateshead, Northumberland, England.

Children

He and Margaret had one son, Harry Watson, (born 09/01/1900 in Gateshead, Northumberland, England).

Biographical Notes

According to his naturalization form of 1942, Watson stood 5-feet, 8 1/2-inches tall, weighted 152 pounds, had a medium complexion, brown eyes and white hair at age 72. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives at Riverside; Riverside, California; NAI Number: 594890; Record Group Title: 21; Record Group Number: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685-2009, accessed 03/15/2019.) His height was listed as 5-feet, 10-inches, in 1923.

SSN: 568242736.