The son of Legh Watson of Lyme Handley in the parish of Prestbury, Cheshire, by his wife Hester, daughter of John Yates of Swinton, Lancashire, he was born at Lyme Handley on 26 March 1725, and educated at the grammar schools of Eccles, Wigan and Manchester.
He matriculated from Brasenose College, Oxford, 8 April 1742, graduating Bachelor of Arts 1745 and Master of Arts 1748. On 27 June 1746 he was elected to a Cheshire fellowship of his college. In December 1746 Watson took holy orders and entered on the curacy of Runcorn, Cheshire.
But moved three months later to Ardwick, Manchester, where he was also tutor to the sons of Samuel Birch.
From 1750 to 1754 he was curate of Halifax, Yorkshire, and in September 1754 was presented to the perpetual curacy of Ripponden in Halifax parish. On 17 August 1766 he was inducted to the rectory of Miningsby, Lincolnshire, which he resigned on 2 August 1769 on being promoted to the rectory of Stockport, Cheshire.
lieutenant was believed that he owed his preferment to hardline Whig views. He died at Stockport on 14 March 1783.
He was twice married: first, on 1 June 1752, to Susanna, daughter of Samuel Allon, vicar of Sandbach, Cheshire.
Secondly, on 11 July 1761, to Ann, daughter of James Jacques of Leeds.
