[Men of the Time, 7th ed. 1868; Foster's Alumni Oxon.; Times, 11, 12, and 13 Jan. 1872, 11 July, 20, 26 Oct. 2, 16 Nov. 1884.]
WATSON, JOSEPH (1765?–1829), teacher of the deaf and dumb, born in 1765 or at the end of 1764, was educated at Hackney in the school of Thomas Braidwood [q. v.] Under the influence of his master he resolved in 1784 'to embrace the instruction of the deaf and dumb as a profession.' On the foundation of the asylum for the deaf and dumb in Kent Road, through the efforts of John Townsend [q. v.], Watson assisted by counsel and advice, and on its completion was appointed headmaster. He continued in this office for the remainder of his life, rendering important services by his personal instruction and by his writings on the subject. The well-known French teacher the abbé Sicard was much interested in his methods, and for some time corresponded with him concerning the management of the Kent Road asylum. His system was founded on that of Thomas Braidwood, with some developments and improvements. He died at the asylum on 23 Nov. 1829, and was buried at Bermondsey. He was the author of:
- 'Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb; or a View of the Means by which they may be Taught to Speak and Understand a Language,' London, 1810, 2 vols. 8vo.
- 'A First Reading Book for Deaf and Dumb Children,' London, 1826, 12mo.
- 'A Selection of Verbs and Adjectives, with some other Parts of Speech,' London, 1826, 12mo.
His son, Alexander Watson (1815?–1865), born in 1815 or the beginning of 1816, was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1837 and M.A. in 1840. Proceeding to Durham University, he passed as a licentiate of theology. He was ordained as curate of St Andrew's, Ancoats, Manchester; in 1840 he took charge of St. John's, Cheltenham, where he established excellent schools; and in 1855 became vicar of St. Mary Church-with-Coffinswell, Devonshire. Removing to the rectory of Bridestow and Sourton in 1855, he borrowed money which led to the sequestration of the living and to his quitting it at the end of two years for the incumbency of Bedford Chapel, Bloomsbury, London. Being involved in a chancery suit concerning the chapel, he became insolvent. During 1863-4 he assisted John Charles Chambers at St. Mary's, Soho, and in 1864 took charge of Middleton-on-the-Wolds, near Beverley. He died at Middleton on 1 Feb. 1865.
His writings are numerous, but of ephemeral interest. The most important are:
- 'Sermons on Doctrine, Discipline, and Practice,' London, 1843, 8vo.
- 'The Devout Churchman, or Daily Meditations,' London, 1847, 2 vols. 12mo.
Watson also took part in editing ' Practical Sermons by Dignitaries and other Clergymen of the United Church of England and Ireland,' 1845-6, 3 vols., and was sole editor of 'Sermons for Sundays, Festivals, and Fasts,' 1st ser., London, 1845, 1 vol. 8vo; 2nd ser. 1846, 3 vols.; 3rd ser. 1847, 1 vol. (Gent. Mag. 1865, i. 518; Guardian, 15 Feb. 1865).
[Gent. Mag. 1822 i. 305, 1830 i. 183; Pantheon of the Age, 1828.]
WATSON, JOSHUA (1771–1855), philanthropist, was born on Tower Hill in the city of London on Ascension day, 9 May 1771. His forefathers were of the hardy and independent race of northern "statesmen;' but his father, John Watson, had come on foot from Cumberland to London in early youth to try his fortunes, and established himself successfully as a wine merchant on Tower Hill. His mother, Dorothy, born Robson, cousin to the artist, George Fennel Robson [q. v.], was also a native of the north of England. John and Dorothy Watson had two sons—John James (1767–1839), who was afterwards rector of Hackney for forty years and archdeacon of St. Albans; and Joshua, who followed his father's business. The two brothers were throughout life linked together by the closest ties. At ten years of age Joshua was placed under the tuition of Mr. Crawford at Newington Butts, and at the age of thirteen was sent to a commercial school kept by Mr. Eaton in the city. In 1786 he was taken into his father's counting-house, which was at that time removed from Tower Hill to Mincing Lane; and in 1792, when he came of age, was admitted a partner. In 1797 he married Mary, the daughter of Thomas Sikes, a banker in Mansion House Street. Her uncle, Charles Daubeny [q. v.] (afterwards archdeacon of Salisbury), and her brother, Thomas Sikes, vicar of Guilsborough, who had been at Oxford with Joshua's elder brother, were among the leading churchmen of the day; and Joshua from his early years was brought into contact with other members of the high-church party, of which he afterwards became the virtual leader. Among his early friends and advisers were William Stevens [q. v.], the disciple and biographer of William Jones of Nayland [q. v.], and founder of the club of 'Nobody's Friends,' of which Joshua Watson was an original member; Jonathan Boucher [q. v.], who became in 1785 vicar of Epsom,
