Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Watkins, Charles (d.1808)

by James McMullen Rigg

WATKINS, CHARLES (d. 1808), legal writer, practised from 1799 as a certificated conveyancer until his death on 15 Feb. 1808. He was author of some able treatises and tracts (all published at London), viz.:

1. ‘An Enquiry into the Title and Powers of His Majesty as Guardian of the Duchy of Cornwall during the late Minority of its Duke,’ n.d. 8vo.
2. ‘An Essay towards the further Elucidation of the Law of Descents,’ 1793, 8vo; 3rd edit. by Robert Studley Vidal [q. v.], 1819; 4th edit. by Joshua Williams [q. v.], 1837.
3. ‘Reflections on Government in general, with their Application to the British Constitution,’ 1796, 8vo.
4. ‘Introduction’ (on the feudal system) to the fourth edition of Gilbert's ‘Law of Tenures,’ 1796, 8vo [see Gilbert, Sir Geoffrey or Jeffray].
5. ‘A Treatise on Copyholds,’ 1797–1799, 2 vols. 8vo; 3rd edit. by Vidal, 1821, 2 vols.; 4th edit. by Coventry, 1825.
6. ‘An Enquiry into the Question, whether the Brother of the Paternal Grandmother shall succeed to the Inheritance of the Son in preference to the Brother of the Paternal Great-grandmother,’ 1798, 8vo.
7. ‘Principles of Conveyancing, designed for the Use of Students,’ 1800, 8vo; 9th edit. by Henry Hopley White, 1845.

[Law Lists, 1799–1808; Gent. Mag. 1808, i. 172; Bridgman's Legal Bibliography; Marvin's Legal Bibliography; Brit. Mus. Cat.]

J. M. R.