John Sebrie Watts

John Sebrie Watts (January 19, 1816 – June 11, 1876) was a Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico.

John Sebrie Watts
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico Territory's At-large district
In office March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 (Delegate)
Preceded by	Miguel Otero
Succeeded by	Francisco Perea
Associate Justice of the U.S. Court of the Territory of New Mexico
In office 1851–1854
Indiana House of Representatives
In office 1846–1847
Personal details
Born	January 19, 1816 Boone County, Kentucky
Died	June 11, 1876 (aged 60) Bloomington, Indiana
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Indiana University
Occupation	lawyer

Born in Boone County, Kentucky, Watts moved to Indiana, where he completed preparatory studies. He graduated from Indiana University at Bloomington, whereafter he studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1846 and 1847. He served as associate justice of the United States court in the Territory of New Mexico from 1851 to 1854, when he resigned, after which he resumed the practice of law.

Watts was elected as a Republican to the Thirty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863). He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1864, and took an active part in equipping troops for the Union Army during the Civil War. He was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of New Mexico July 11, 1868, by President Andrew Johnson, and served in that capacity one year. He resumed the practice of law in Santa Fe. He returned to Bloomington, Indiana, where he died June 11, 1876, and was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Sources

• United States Congress. "John Sebrie Watts (id: W000213)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.