According to Kendall's History of Louisiana, Watkins was appointed by Territorial Governor William C. C. Claiborne to the position of the city's recorder or assessor on March 11, 1805, and sworn in that day by Mayor Pitot.
Watkins' position as recorder or assessor was established by Territorial Governor William C. C. Claiborne in March 1805, a move confirmed by Kendall's History of Louisiana.