Adelia Reed

     Adelia Reed, daughter of Dempsey J. G. WEAVER and Letisia Hudson, was born on 20 October 1863 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

Adelia Reed appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1870, in the household of her parents Dempsey J. G. WEAVER and Lou Hudson in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She was listed as five years old.¹ When she was only eight years old, Addie worked in a cotton or linen mill at Cottondale.²

Adelia married George Weaver WATTS, son of Daniel Henry WATTS and Dorothy Elizabeth WEAVER, on 7 January 1883 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. George Watts and Adelia Reed applied for and received a license on 5 Jan 1883, with George and D. H. Watts attesting to the probate judge that "Deliah Reed" was over eighteen and could legally marry. The wedding was held 7 Jan 1883 at the home of Mrs. Lucintia [Letisia] Weaver.^3,4

The following is the text of a 23 July 1892 letter from J. B. Forester of Bessemer to "Geo. and Dela Wats" [George and Adelia Watts]: "Dear Children, I got your letter and was glad to hear you all was well and sorry to hear that Mealy [Permelia Weaver] was ded. this leaves us all well. times is so dull that ther is nothing a going on. it has rain so much it have ruin prety well everything. Dela is ther any school fer a young on down there[?] if there is let me know hool is teaching and how long will ther teach[?] Dela your ma ses she will need help to eat beans for tha are roten on the Ground. your ma ses times is so heard that she dont know how she can come. she will come as soon as she can. she want to see you all mity Bad. the [unreadable] is all well as faras i know. let me know if you have hird from Bell [Belle Weaver, Adelia's sister] in your next letter. Rite soom to your Father & mother". [Note: All periods added by editor to make letter more readable. James B. Forrester is thought be be Adelia's step-father, the husband of Letisia Hudson Weaver].⁵

Adelia Reed and George Weaver WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts (head), born July 1862, age 37, teamster; Dealy A. (wife), October 1862, age 37; Lillie H. (dau.), October 1883, age 16; Charley M. (son), April 1885, age 15; Minnie A. (dau.), September 1887, age 12; John Cleveland (son), September 1890, age 9; Birdie C. (dau.), September 1894, age 5; and Willie N. (dau.), February 1897, age 2. Lillie, Charley, Minnie and John were said to be attending school. George and Adelia had been married 17 years. She was the mother of seven children, six of them living in 1900. George was able to read and write, but Adelia could not. Living six houses away was Phillip M. Watts.⁶

Adelia Reed registered to vote in January 1926 in Centreville, Alabama. She was 63 and a resident of Blocton. Her date of birth was given as 23 Oct 1863.⁷

Adelia Reed and George Weaver WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as George Watts, a farmer, age 66. He owned his home and had first married at age 19. He and his parents were born in Alabama and he could neither read nor write. His wife Adelia was 66 years old and had also married at age 19. She and her parents were born in Alabama and she also could not read or write. The only child living with them was their daughter, Lillie, age 45. She could read and write.⁸ She witnessed the burial of George Weaver WATTS in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

Adelia Reed was identified as his surviving wife in George Weaver WATTS's obituary in the Centreville Press dated 27 January 1938, published in Centreville, Alabama.⁹

Adelia Reed died on 11 June 1944 in Northport, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, at age 80. She was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

Adelia's obituary was printed on 15 June 1944 in the Centreville Press newspaper, published in Centreville, Alabama. It said: "Mrs. Adelia Watts Dies-- Mrs. Adelia Watts of Scottsville, died Sunday night, June 11th, at 8 o'clock, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jess Skinner, of Northport. She was 80 years, 7 months and 11 days old. She was sick about two months before her death. The funeral was held in West Scottsville Church and burial in the adjoining cemetery, Tuesday evening under a beautiful bank of flowers. She leaves to mourn her passing three daughters and two sons, Mrs. Irby Burt, of West Blocton, Mrs. Jess Skinner, of Northport, Miss Lilly Watts. Mr. Talmadge Watts, of Scottsville, and Mr. Charlie Watts, of Centreville. A husband and five children proceeded her to the grave several years ago. Thirty-four grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends also survive. The active pallbearers were: Cecil Watts, Crathon Watts, A. J. Watts. Tolbert Bice, Van Watts, and Ned Burt, with Collins Funeral Home in charge."¹⁰