Birth : Truro Cemetery records, Family Bible.
Death: Headstone, Truro Cemetery Records; SA Biograph. Dir.

John Watson was born at Overlee Farm, Cathcart, Renfrew Scotland. (IGI Batch No C115602 Source Call 1041092. He was registered in the 1841 census at Overlee but must have left Scotland between 1841 and 1853 when he married in S. Aust. We believe he came to Australia on the barque 'Bernicia' 548 tons from London arriving at Pt Adelaide on Sept 8th 1850. The master was Arnold, from London 14 May, Plymouth 21st May. Passengers T. Watson J. Watson (From S.A. Register 9 September 1850) (Gen Soc. May 2008)
He may have come to Australia because his elder brother Arthur was living and working "Overlee Farm" and as he had several children, John could see no hope of having his own property, so chose to leave.
John was 36 when he married; Marianne was 18. They married at her parents home
In 1876 he signed a petition against the formation of the Truro Council. (Newspaper 'District Council of Truro') Grave is toward the N E corner of Truro Cemetery. There is a small obelisk on an angle! Aged 76 years From 'Register' 2/6/1893 p.4 col. 5
Death ' WATSON. on the 21st of May, at his residence OVERLEE, near Truro, John, the dearly beloved husband of Mary Ann Watson. Aged 76 years. His end was peace. A colonist of 43 years.'
[Truro visit by Paul SCOTT]

John and Mary Ann were admitted as members of the Truro Congregational Church in 1863. All children baptized in church records. Baptized by A. R. Philps and P. Barr.

Truro Council records: Land in Hundred of North Rhine, near Jellicoe
John WATSON Owner Section 237 80 acres 1877 -89  Farm house, stables / garden
“ “ “ Part sec 244 40 acres 1877 -89 Farm and sheds
“ “ “ Section 90 99 acres 1877-78 Arable
“ “ George Fife Angas Part sec 246 40 acres 1877 -82 Farm
247
Mrs John WATSON Mrs WATSON Sec 248 13 acres 1894 - Land [Vivienne PFITZNER]