| 1804 May 26 |
Dr. Watkins arrives from Philadelphia, serves as recorder under Mayor James Pitot. |
| 1804 November 12 |
Serves as a representative in the first session of the territorial legislature. |
| 1805 July 27 |
Appointed Mayor of New Orleans to replace James Pitot. During Watkins’ administration Aaron Burr visits, the first Protestent church is organized, the market is improved for the first time since 1791, the streets of the Vieux Carré are extended past the old ramparts, a garde de ville is established to replace the mostly Spanish gen d’armes. Mayor Watkins was a prime mover of the Mexican independence movement in New Orleans at the time. |
| 1805-1806 |
Other Municipal officers: Recording Secretary: John Watkins Sec.; Maurice Bourgeois Treasurer: Jean Baptiste Labatut City Attorney: Demahy, Alexander Health Committee: Drs. Ledou, Robelet and Spencer Supt. of Hospital: M. Cruzat Commander of the Militia: JDD Bellechasse Police Commissioner: Pierre Achilles Riviere (Rivery) Commissioner of the First District: Latil Commissioners of the Third District: Anthony Carraby, Landreu Sr. Commissioners of the Fourth District: Louis Lioteau. P. Profit City Council President: Charles Trudeau; Felix Arnaud; F. M. Guerin; Louis Blanc Bertonniere; Hazeur Delorme, Sr.; Pedesclaux; F. Duplessis; Jean Baptiste Macarty; Thomas Poree; Joseph Faurie; Oliver Pollock; Guillotte; P. Lavergne; G. Dreaux; J. DuBuys; Samuel Winter; J. Livaudais; Argote; Harman; McDonogh; Charles Patton; Robelot; Proffit; Denis de la Ronde; Mayronne; David Urquhart; Deflechier; Anthony Carraby; LeBreton Des Chapelles,; Arnaud Magnon. First District: Felix Arnaud, J. Carrick Second: Joseph Faurie, F. Duplessis Third: Bellechasse, Guy Dreux Fourth: Bertoniere, Argote, Profit Fifth: Harman, Lavergne, McDonogh Sixth: Jean Baptiste Macarty, Dorville |
| 1805 |
Also during this time the College of Orleans is established iby the territory with a lottery to support it, but the plan will be abandoned by 1808 The city donates a cite at the corner of Hospital and St. Claude. The first city directory is published by Matthew Flannery. Watkins is a vestryman for the first Episcopal church. |
| 1807 March 8 |
Leaves the office of Mayor and is appointed Speaker of the House of the territorial legislature, but claims to be too busy so James Mather becomes Speaker. |
| 1809 March 8 |
After Daniel Clark choses not to run for a second term as the territorial delegate to Congress he backs his ally Dr. John Watkins who loses to Julien Poydras. |
| 1812 November 13 |
Dies in New Orleans after a short illness. |