Family background
George Crooks Watson Snr was born c1829 at Edingly, Scotland, the son of George Crooks Watson and Agnes. He married Eliza Waller (1833-1909) on 4 April 1852 at Southwark, Surrey, England, and they six sons and seven daughters. Watson and his family immigrated to Australia on the ship ‘Light of the Age’ which arrived at Sydney, NSW on 3 January 1860. Watson died at Alexandria, NSW on 12 February 1901, aged 71 years; he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery in the Old Presbyterian section. He left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £4,824. Watson lived in Mitchell Road, Alexandria. His son with the same name was an alderman on Erskineville Council.
Community activity
Watson was a Trustee of the Erskineville Part Trust and when he died his son George Crooks Watson Jnr took over as Trustee.
Local government service
George Watson Snr was an alderman on Alexandria Council for two terms: 1873-78 and 1882-86. He was the Returning Officer in 1878 and 1884. His son, also named George Crooks Watson, was an alderman on Erskineville Council.
References
‘Borough of Alexandria’, NSW Government Gazette, 7 February 1873, p. 395, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230047684