Benjamin Watterson was born Feb 21, 1870 in Ireland to James Watterson and Margaret Hurl. In 1895, he arrives in Philadelphia with wife Martha going to his sister Mary Jane Steal/Steele.
I don't find him again EXCEPT that I find a Benjamin and Lizzie on the 1910 census with several children, starting with Julia born 1897. Wondering if Martha is aka Martha Elizabeth.
A lot of this is guesstimates, but thinking Martha aka Lizzie died 1910-1920. I find a Benjamin, widower, born abt 1871, in 1940 living in Philadelphia with the Samuel White family as a lodger. Is this him? I also found a Martha Elizabeth White born in Ireland in 1871 which corresponds fairly nicely with Martha's age in 1895 (age 22). Benjamin's age was 23 in 1895 even though he was born 1870 so Martha slightly younger.
So widower Benjamin would have died after 1940. Can anyone find his death?
Also, Mary Jane Steele nee Watterson married Joseph Steele abt 1880 in Philadelphia. Haven't found the marriage record. Then Joseph died Dec 28, 1914 in Philadelphia and I don't have his death certicate or his obit. Mary Jane died Aug 17, 1948 in Philadelphia and I found a funeral notice in the Aug 20, 1948 in the Philadelphia Inquirer but not a full obit. If a full obit were found, it might mention her brother Benjamin. Or even Joseph Steele's obit might mention Benjamin.
I don't find Benjamin and Martha's wedding in Ireland before departure to Philadelphia so wondering if they married in Liverpool, England before boarding ship. They departed Liverpool Sept 4, 1895 and arrived in Philadelphia Sept 18, 1895.
Private tree owner mentioning Benjamin has no info on him except his date of birth.
Peggy
