The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-22
bishop B ( ! WATSON
PASSES !! 6 | I. {: AWAY \.
Distinguished and Venerable
Prclatc Dies at Adj s
vanced Age.
BISHOP STRANGE s NC CESS OR.
Aged Bishop Watson Had Been
Gradually ;'l djual Failing for
Some Time.
60
Special 10 The Tlmes-Dispatch.'


WILMINGTON, y. g. April q Right
Rev. Alfred a s,lstine Watson. Bishop
/ OF the Diocese Of Eastern North Caro-
lima. died at his home here this after
noon at. s:B o'clock. surrounded BY the
members OF his family. Bishop Watson
had been gradually sinking for several
weeks, his death having been expected
Tor many days ere his strong const tuition
gave wa
Bishop Watson was eighty-stx yearu| (
8of age and the most venerable OF the
Episcopal ministry \ In the State. iS3sS
IL Bishop Watson was born In New York I
August a. s1s1s He was a son Of Jesse
I and Hannah Watson. He graduated from
4 the University OF New York In lss7. a The 4
Universities OF North Carolina and Of /
the south conferred tho degrees % "a. n. 4
the office OF Judge Kent In Il New York
+ city, and was licensed to practice In the
Supreme Court OF the Sta te Of New
York ID 1871. Il ~ s55;|
After practicing law two years he \
/ studied for the Episcopal ministry. a nd
was ordained deacon In f1SA and priest In
1876. s3ss
He came South and located at Ply
mouth, 4 this State. and later was called
4 to the rectornte OF the church at New
bern. where he was when the CIVIL War
broke out. s%t
\ in the Confederate army, and he per-
formed conspicuous duty in that sca pacity.
IN 1853 he was elected I; assistant rector
i of st. James Pnrdsh,T OF Wilmington mad /
In 1884 upon the TeAg ton Of Bishop
Thomas 81 Atkinson, who was acting
as rector Rev. Mr. tson was g elected y.
rector Of the pa iah. He ntinued Sa 8 J
rector until 1888, ~ hen the North Caro-
lima Diocese was divided. and 0r. Watt
son. al he then was. was elected bishop
OF the Diocese OF East Carolina which
office he held 4 Typ to the time q his
death. 4i55 A e. III
He was consecrnted bishop April 4. Vt
1884 His first official act was the ordina-%
ton OF Rev. Robert Strange, .. D., on &
April Goth, three days later. 5 It 4 is8 q H
rather remarkable coincidence that Dr.
Strange. who was 4ordain ned by he Bishop
succeeded him, DR.. Strange h ing only
been elected 6coad tutor bishop last Me-
Il It win be seen that Bishop atson s 4
whole clerical life was given to Eastern 4
North Carolina, and he was beloved and
respected throughout the entire eastern
part OF the State. s5{ FL at
VI Bishop Watson was a man Of wonder
\ full mind and character. He was solid z
y
took decided stand on all questions.
He was the embodiment Of truth. and
whatever he said VI or did i could q always II
be relied Upon. The main CHI cterls t!c
OF the man was his answering deyo-$s
tionsto what he conceived to be his duty.
Nothing could thwart him when he be.
lieyed he was n CHIT. #
AS a parish priest he has never had
his equal n IN this part Of the country.
He was devoted to all his parishion
high, and low, great and small Y oil alike
and he was never known d 70 ma kes 2.
discrimination. :i 1T
a Bishop Watson # was married three
times. His last wife survives him She
was. before her marriage, Miss Mary g. III
Lord. daughter OF the late Frederick
Lord. Of Wilminet ton. hey mar mar
.ried In 1920. 4 He leaves no children.
Rev. Robert strange D. p, formerly
rector OF St, Paul's. Richmond, Va, who
was elected $coad ju tor bishop to relleve %
Bishop w tson on account OF the lat
3ters extreme age and feebloness, Will
succeed as bishop of the Diocese, III "a