Family and Education

b. by 1513.

Offices Held

Constable, York merchant adventurers 1536-8, gov. 1547-8, 1566-7; chamberlain, York 1536-7, sheriff 1541-2, alderman Mar. 1543, ld. mayor 1547-8, 1566-7.

Biography

Watson was a lead merchant assessed on £50 goods for the 1546 subsidy. Classed as ‘a favourer of religion’ in 1564, he was a commissioner of inquiry into offences against the Acts of Uniformity and Supremacy in the province of York. On another occasion he was appointed by the council in the north to determine the boundary between York and Yorkshire. Thrice elected MP for York, Watson did not attend the 1566 session, as he was ‘presently mayor’ of the city, and the corporation regarded his presence there as essential. The city agreed to reimburse him if he should be fined for not attending. Watson made his will on 18 Oct. 1568, proved on 20 Dec. In it, he listed considerable property in York, including houses in North Street, Coppergate and Water Lane. He left legacies to his four nephews, and appointed his brother-in-law, Gregory Paycock, to be his executor and residuary legatee.

York City Lib., Skaife mss; York Freemen (Surtees Soc. xcvi), 252, 255; York Mercers (Surtees Soc. cxxix), 135, 140, 324; G. R. Park, Parl. Rep. Yorks. 50; York Civic Recs. passim; E179/217/110; CPR, 1560-3, p. 170; York Wills (Yorks. Arch. Soc. rec. ser. xix), 170.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: J.J.C.

Notes