The Roman Catholics, Bent's News and Tasmanian Three-Penny Register, Hobart Town, 11 June 1836, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232485273:

The Right Reverend Dr. Poulding [Polding], accompanied by the Rev. W. B. Ullathorne, lately arrived from Sydney. When the above Roman Catholic Bishop was last here on his way from England, he proposed to the Rev. Mr. Connolly, as a means of tranquility, and to prevent the continuance of the unfortunate dissention so long existing between that Clergyman and his congregation, to remove him to New South Wales, relieving him here by Mr. Ullathorne. This Mr. Connelly refused, upon the grounds that the Rev. Philip Connolly is the original Vicar General of these Colonies, and that the Chapel and ground upon which it stands is his own private property, and is registered as such in the Survey Office, and that accordingly he did not wish to quit this Colony. [...]

The Courier says, the Rev. Mr. Ullathorne, returns to England by the Eldon, with a view to return shortly with an adequate supply of duly qualified clergymen for the care and instruction of the members of the Roman Catholic Church in these Colonies. Meantime, it is understood, that the Rev. Mr. Watkins will be sent down by the first opportunity from Sydney to supply, as far as his single means can, the wants of the people in this Colony.

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Ship News, Colonial Times, Hobart, 30 August 1836, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8649323:

August 26.—Arrived the Barque Francis Freeling, Pollock, 190 tons, from Sydney 10th of August. Passengers—Rev. Mr. Watkins [...]

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Married, Colonial Times, Hobart, 13 June 1837, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8650104:

On Sunday last, by the Rev. M. Watkins, R.C.V.G.V.D.L. [Roman Catholic Vicar-General, Van Diemen's Land] Catherine Connelly, sister to the Rev. P. Connolly, to Mr. Aherne.

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Richmond Catholic Church, The Tasmanian, Hobart Town, 15 December 1837, p 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232802785:

This much admired edifice will be opened, for Divine Service, on Sunday the 31st instant. High mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Jas. Cotham, Chaplain ; and a sermon delivered by the Rev. J. Watkins, Vicar General ; after which, a collection will be made to meet the expenses.
December 15th, [1837].

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Rev. Mr. Watkins, Bent's News and Tasmanian Register, Hobart Town, 30 December 1837, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article233325018:

We are extremely happy to have to announce, that this much-respected Clergyman has so far recovered, that he will be able to perform Divine Worship at the Catholic Church, at Richmond, to-morrow, agreeably to advertisement, as inserted in our front page.

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The Catholic Church, The True Colonist Van Diemen's Land Political Despatch, and Agricultural and Commercial..., Hobart, 1 June 1838, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203146927:

(From the Cornwall Chronicle)

The Rev. Mr. Therry has arrived here from Sydney, as 'Bishops visitor'. The Rev. Mr. Watkins takes charge of the Richmond district, and the Rev. Dr. Cottam proceeds to Launceston. Three other Clergymen are expected. Thus our Roman Catholic brethren will have their spiritual wants fully attended to.—Review.

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Hobart Town Police Report, Colonial Times, Hobart, 6 November 1838, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8749130:

Mrs. Reardon, a very decent looking, but poor woman, begged the kind interference of his Worship. She stated that she formerly lived housekeeper to the Rev. Mr. Watkins, who is gone to Sydney; that, before he left, he gave her possession of a small piece of ground, in cultivation, which she had reaped the benefit of, and since put in a small crop of barley and peas, which on Saturday week she had detected two servants of Mr. O Sullivan's, cutting down, and removing [...]

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Port Phillip. Roman Catholic Church, Morning Chronicle, Sydney, 18 January 1845, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31744478:

The Rev. James Watkins, formerly Roman Catholic Rector at Maitland, in the Middle District, and subsequently Vicar General of Van Dieman's Land, has within the last few days resumed his spiritual labours in a new field—the Church of St Francis, Melbourne, after a cessation of about six years. We believe Archbishop Polding has not yet appointed the Rev. gentleman to a mission, but it is expected by his friends that Mr. Watkins will proceed to Sydney shortly for that object.-P. P. Patriot.

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Port Phillip. Roman Catholic Church, The Sentinel, Sydney, 4 June 1845, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226463250:

Port Phillip. The Rev. James Watkins left Melbourne for Geelong yesterday morning. It has been determined that Mr. Watkins is to remain at Geelong and he and the Rev Mr. Stephen are to make occasional tours to Portland.—Ibid

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To the Editor of the South Australian, South Australian, Adelaide, 25 July 1845, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71602227:

Sir—The attempt made by Dr. Murphy and his Priest in your paper of this day, to impugn my sincerity in leaving the Church of Rome, and embracing the Protestant faith, renders a reply imperative. [...] It was at the Bishops particular request that I protracted my stay in his house until the expected arrival of a Rev. Mr Watkins (Catholic Priest) from Melbourne. [...] I am, &c, P.O. Lackay

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Colonial News, South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register, Adelaide, 27 September 1845, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195933161:

The Rev. Mr Watkins, Roman Catholic clergyman, officiating at Geelong, is to be removed to Adelaide, to be succeeded by the Rev. Mr Walsh, of Melbourne, whose place is to be supplied by a French clergyman.—Ibid.

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Wreck of the Schooner Mariner, South Australian, Adelaide, 21 November 1845, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71603310:

Mr. Montefiore and Sergeant Major Alford returned to town on Wednesday from the wreck, having been fortunate enough to render the most timeous aid and protection to the passengers and crew. [...] One of them, the Rev. Mr Watkins, is a Roman Catholic priest, a very amiable gentleman, who had the misfortune to be wrecked once before since he left England, and lost all his property.

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Port Phillip, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 December 1845, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12884061:

The schooner Mariner, Captain Lodwick, has been wrecked on the Murray beach, crew and passengers—amongst the latter, the Rev. Mr. Watkins, Roman Catholic priest—saved, the cargo damaged—Portland Gazette.

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Catholic Temperance Society, South Australian Register, Adelaide, 13 December 1845, p 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27451531:

On Sunday evening last, at the Roman Catholic Chapel on West-terrace, the Bishop delivered a very impressive discourse on the vice of intemperance, preparatory to the formation of a South Australian Catholic Temperance Society. [...]

On the following evening the Catholic Temperance Society was founded, under the patronage of the Bishop. The Rev. James Watkins occupied the Chair, and will be President of the Society. Vice-President: the Catholic Clergy of the province. Fifty-one persons took the pledge. It was agreed to meet at the School-room, every Monday evening at seven o'clock.

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Port Phillip, The Australian, Sydney, 18 December 1845, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37154388:

Shipwreck.—The overland mail from Port land yesterday, brings the distressing intelligence of the total wreck of the schooner Mariner, bound from this port to Adelaide, on the Murray Beach. The Mariner left this port on the 16th October last, having on board the following passengers:—Rev. Mr. Watkin, [...] We are happy to state no lives were lost.—Melbourne Gazette, Dec. 6.

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The Catholic Chapel, Morphet-Vale, Morning Chronicle, Sydney, 28 January 1846, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31747246:

[From the South Australian Register]
This small and unpretending church has been erected solely by the voluntary labour and contributions of materials, &c., of the Catholics located in the neighbourhood, upon an acre of ground presented to his countrymen by Mr. A. Anderson, late of the "Emu" Inn. [...]

Long before the hour of service persons were arriving from all parts, The gathering reminding us strongly of similar meetings at home. Under the cross which surmounts the east end of the building, is fixed a bell whose church-going tones reverberated for the first in this neighbourhood on this occasion.

The service was opened by the Bishop, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Watkins and Ryan, and the choir and seraphine from Adelaide were also in attendance. [...]

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Local Intelligence, Adelaide Observer, 3 April 1847, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158924100:

[From the South Australian Register, March 31.]
On Monday morning, at nine o'clock, the extreme penalty of the law was executed upon Thomas Donnelly, aged about 28, found guilty at the late Criminal Sessions of the murder of an aboriginal native, named Kingberrie, alias Billy, and otherwise described in the indictment as of name unknown, at a sheep station belonging to Mr Davenport, near Rivoli Bay, in the south-eastern district of this province. The criminal, who professed the Roman Catholic faith, was unremittingly attended by a minister of that church from the period of his condemnation to the moment when the world was about to close upon him for ever. The Rev. Mr Watkins finally attended the unhappy man on the last morning of his earthly existence, and the rev. gentleman showed his unwearied kindness and the earnestness of his spiritual concern for the prisoner by betaking himself to his cell at an early hour. The prisoner seemed to have slept soundly on the night previous to his execution, for it was necessary to awaken him at 6 o'clock in the morning to partake of his last meal. After his irons were taken off, and before the sad office of "pinioning" was performed he earnestly desired to show his sense of Mr Ashton's kindness by heartily shaking hands with that gentleman. The warrant for Donnelly's execution was then read in the press-room by the Sheriff, who was much affected, and added at the conclusion of the fatal document—"May the Lord have mercy on you, my poor fellow!" The tone and manner of the condemned were such, when he offered his pinioned hand to the Sheriff, and exclaimed, "God bless you," that no one could have refused the melancholy greeting, and the feelings of commiseration were general. From the press-room, Donnelly's spiritual instructor accompanied him to the scaffold, and remained thereon in earnest conversation or devotional exercises with him until the fatal period had arrived. The Rev. Mr Watkins had no sooner bid Donnelly a last adieu, than the unhappy man, unexpectedly, essayed to address the spectators ; but the first sentence had scarcely left his lips when the drop fell; and death seemed to have been instantaneous.[...]

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A Visit to the Gaol, South Australian, Adelaide, 20 August 1847, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71609132:

[...] The chapel is forty feet long by twenty-five, and about twenty feet in height. Here service is alternately performed on Sunday afternoons, by the Colonial Chaplain, the Rev. Messrs Woodcock, Coombs, and Newenham. The Protestant prisoners attend, but the Catholics are visited with equal regularity by the Rev. Mr Watkins, and others, clergymen of their own persuasion. [...]

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Local Intelligence, South Australian Register, Adelaide, 1 January 1848, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48727834:

The eleventh anniversary of the colony's establishment was celebrated by a ball and supper at Government-house on Tuesday night. About two hundred ladies and gentlemen were present, including the Right Rev. Dr Short, Bishop of Adelaide, and one of the clergyman who arrived with his lordship from England. No other clergymen attended except the Rev. Dr Backhaus, R.C.C., and the Rev. Mr Watkins of the same religious persuasion.[...]

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Shipping Intelligence. Cleared Out, South Australian, Adelaide, 5 October 1849,p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71624818:

Same day [2 October]—The brig Mary Clarke, 180 tons, C. J. Colbeck, for Cape Town. Passengers—Mr Wayman and Rev. Mr Watkins.

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Welsh Pioneer Priest, Advocate, Melbourne, 9 June 1938, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172022983:

Mount Barker, in South Australia, has a proud place in the Catholic history of that State. Its first pastor was Fr. James Watkins—a native of Abergavenny, Wales. Just a century ago this year, Fr. Watkins came to Melbourne. He was an assistant priest at Geelong under Fr. Stephens, and later, for a short time, assistant to Fr. Geoghegan at St. Francis'. He volunteered for the Adelaide diocese, where the first Bishop, Dr. Murphy, with one priest, laid the foundations of the Church in South Australia. The brig Mariner, in which Fr. Watkins was a passenger, was wrecked near Kingston. From that port Fr. Watkins walked to Adelaide, where he arrived on November 24, 1845—another experience among the many remarkable experiences to the credit of our pioneer Australian priests. Fr. Watkins on October 5, 1849, left Adelaide for Capetown. There he laboured for many years, returning to Wales, where he died.

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Notes on the Early History of the Church in South Australia—1836 to 1859, Southern Cross Adelaide, 18 August 1944, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167782321:

Notes on the Early History of the Church in South Australia—1836 to 1859

Mount Barker is another historic parish, the main portion of whose his- tory lies outside the period we have under review. In 1848 Bishop Murphy sent Fr. James Watkins to Mount Barker as its first resident Priest, with Fr. Luigi Pesciaroli, C.P., as his assistant. [...] Fr. Watkins had done fine work in the city during Dr. Murphy's visit to Rome (1846-47) and had also worked in New South Wales and Tasmania, where he had been Vicar-General until he was replaced by Fr. Therry. Fr. Watkins left South Australia in 1849 together with Fr. Pesciaroli, C.P., who found the English language beyond him and so returned to the sweet vowel sounds of Italy.

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Mount Barker Parish. First Resident Priest, Southern Cross, Adelaide, 6 May 1949, p 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167724673:

By February 14, 1848, the Mount Barker church fund totalled £40, and on February 16 Fr. James Watkins left Adelaide to take charge of the Mount Barker mission, as its first resident Priest. Dr. Murphy tells us that Fr. Watkins was to receive the munificent sum of £50 per annum, "until such time as Government aid is rendered." Then in order to satisfy Government requirements (for the reception of aid), Dr. Murphy lists "St. Francis de Sales, Mount Barker," among the existing and projected Catholic churches in South Australia in 1848. This was on March 12, and on the 30th of the same month Dr. Murphy tells us that he has applied to the Government for £75, clergyman's stipend; for £150 towards the erection of Mount Barker church; and for £25 towards the school-teacher's salary.

On April 1, 1848, Dr. Murphy sent Fr. Luigi Pesciaroli, C.P., to assist Fr. Watkins in whatever way he could. Mgr. Byrne says that the Mount Barker people erected a "long slab-hut, which was divided into two compartments, of which one was set apart for an oratory and church on Sundays, and the other sub-divided into bedrooms, and another used for general purposes." This is very probably true, because although the Murphy Journal makes no mention of this quaint structure there is an entry which shows that Bishop Murphy provided the furniture for whatever habitat these two Fathers occupied at Mount Barker. Mgr. Byrne says that Fr. Watkins sailed for the Cape of Good Hope on October 5, 1849. As a matter of fact, according to the Murphy Journal, Fr. Michael O'Brien had taken charge of the Mount Barker mission on June 13, 1849. The intervening months between his leaving Mount Barker and his departure for Africa must have been spent by Fr. Watkins either at Adelaide or Sydney. With Fr. Watkins went also Fr. Pesciaroli; Fr. Watkins eventually returned to his native Wales and Fr. Pesciaroli to his native Italy. Both Priests had done excellent work before and after their South Australian adventure during which they had trodden the hard way of the cross.

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 63:
"Watkins, James / Welsh / Ware, Eng. / Eng. Mission 1819-33, Aus. '35-'49 (Mait., Hob., Melb., Adel.) Sth. Africa to '59. Wales d. there 11.1.1869."