Emma Sophia Rudman (now Watson)

Born: 21 July 1821, Salem, South Africa
Parents: Benjamin Jonathan Rudman and Juliana Rudman (nee Slater)
Siblings: (Emma Sophia Rudman, 21 July 1821, Salem, South Africa)
Matthew Henry Rudman, 18 August 1823, Salem, South Africa
Thomas John Rudman, 12 March 1826, Salem, South Africa (Christened 21 January 1830, Salem)
Charles Benjamin Rudman, Christened 21 January 1830, Salem
George Edward Rudman, 4 June 1832, Salem, South Africa (Christened 31 December 1832), Died 15 May 1885, Blouwkoppen, Bluegumvale
Alexander Alfred Rudman, 1835, Grahamstown, South Africa, Died 8 June 1902
Joseph Benson Rudman, 13 June 1837, Salem, South Africa, Died 22 September 1927
Sarah Elizabeth Rudman, 5 June 1839, Salem, South Africa
James William Rudman, 1843, Died 2 July 1885, Grahamstown
Johnathan Caleb Rudman, 24 April 1846, Uitenhage, South Africa, Died 4 March 1887, Eben Vlot, Uitenhage district
Married: William Watson, 8 January 1849, St Katherine's, Uitenhage
Children: John William Watson, 1849
Mary Ann Watson, 14 January 1853, Somerset East
Joseph Benjamin Watson, 20 February 1856
Julia Ann Watson, 10 September 1858
Isabella Emily Graham Watson, 1860 (died 30 April 1866)
Elizabeth Eleanor (Lizzy) Watson, 20 November 1864
Died: 23 January 1909, 'Bracefield', Somerset East district, South Africa
Buried: Russell Park, Somerset East district, South Africa

The first years for the 1820 Settlers were very difficult. In 1822, the authorities were forced to help many almost destitute people; a husband and wife with a small child were given 38 lbs of rice per month.

Emma Sophia is described as a perfect farmer's wife in a book by Dennis Watson entitled 'History, legends, and myths of the Bracefield area' (page 97a).
"Emma Sophia, with a baby on her back, went to the fountain to draw water. While she was there she collected firewood, in doing so she found a sheep freshly dead. She was seen heading for home with a bundle of firewood on her head, a dead sheep over her shoulder, a baby on her back and a pail of water in each hand!"

She was also said to have a slow manner of speech, common in those from the west counties of England, such as Wiltshire where her father was born. She apparently passed this on to her descendants.