John S. Watson (New Jersey politician) John S. Watson (New Jersey politician) John S. Watson (August 14, 1924 – June 15, 1996) was an African-American Democratic Party politician who served six terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 15th Legislative District. Born in Camden, New Jersey, Watson served with the United States Merchant Marine fleet during World War II. In 1970, Watson became the first African-American elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in Mercer County, New Jersey. In 1977, he became the President of the Board. For 12 years, Watson was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, where he
James S. Watson member of the American Bar Association since 1912. Watson retired from the bench in 1950, becoming president of the Municipal Civil Service Commission. He held this position until his death in 1952. His funeral was attended by over 3,000 people, including nearly every high ranking city official. Vincent R. Impellitteri, the Mayor of New York City, was one of the pallbearers at his funeral. Watson married a fellow Jamaican American, Violet Lopez, at New Haven, Connecticut in 1917. Along with Mary McLeod, Violet Lopez Watson was one of the founders of the National Council of Negro Women. James and Violet