James Finley Watson (March 15, 1840 – June 12, 1897) was an American judge and politician in Oregon.

Watson then was educated in Eugene, Oregon at Columbia College before it closed after two major fires.

[1] After attempting gold mining he would learn the law under Rufus Mallory in Roseburg, Oregon, with admittance to the legal bar in 1863.

[3] Next, in 1876 Watson won election to the Oregon Supreme Court to replace John Burnett.

[4] His term ended in 1878 and he left the bench, however, his younger brother Edward B. Watson would join the court in 1880.