- Son of James Watt and Mary Ann Wood
Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 12, p. 349
George Watt, the first person to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England, migrated to America in 1840 to become identified with his co-religionists. After the expulsion from Nauvoo, George accepted without question a call from Brigham Young to return to his homeland to learn shorthand, preparatory to his assignment as Church reporter.
Heart Throbs of the West, Kate B. Carter, Vol. 2, p. 267
George D. Watt was born in Manchester, Lancashire, England, January 16, 1815, his father being Scotch and his mother a native of the country which gave him birth; his father emigrated to America, leaving his mother and him in England, and died in New Orleans. His mother married a second time and he was sent to his grandfather in Scotland; when he attained his majority he moved to Preston, England, and there married. He also joined a religious society and became a prominent and active member. Previous to this he had read a number of religious works, which had the effect of making him an enthusiastic religious devotee.
In the fall of 1836 he heard of Joseph Smith through his pastor. "From that hour," he says, "I believed in the mission of Joseph Smith." Soon after the arrival of the Mormon Elders he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became an Elder, and labored determinedly to help the work along. About 1840 he emigrated to Nauvoo with his wife and two little children. He went on a mission to Virginia. When the church removed to Winter Quarters, he was sent to England to preach and learn the art of shorthand writing, which mission he filled, returning to America, and coming on to this city with his family in 1851.
He was subsequently made church reporter, which position he occupied for about ten years. After detailing the account of his resignation as church reporter, he engaged in the mercantile business. Finding that the business did not pay, for reasons which are detailed in his autobiography, he turned his attention to farming. About this time his severance from the church took place and he subsequently joined opposing religious movements here. He made a study of religious subjects, and wrote and spoke much on them. He was a religious devotee and pursued the subject assiduously throughout his entire career. He has frequently spoken in public here, and had the reputation of being a man perhaps as well versed in the theological lore as one could find. As a stenographer he had the reputation of being one of the most reliable in the country.
George D. Watt died on Monday, October 24, 1881, at his home at Kaysville. He was a man widely known in this territory and in Great Britain. He was a remarkable man in many respects, and was quite prominent here. Being a self-made man of strong character, and exercising vast influence, there is not a little in his career which is remarkable, and not a little which commends itself to the young man struggling for a place in the world? commends itself because of the perseverance manifested under trying circumstances, and for the acquisition of information obtained in difficulties. (Salt Lake Herald of October 25, 1881.)
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1812 - 1881 (69 years)
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