Born on August 1, 1801, in Colchester, Connecticut,[1] Watrous received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1828 from Union College and read law in 1830.
[3] After his appointment to the federal bench, Watrous became the object of severe criticism, in part because his decisions in a number of cases went against the wishes of some members of the legislature and because of his personal connections with land speculation in the state.
[3] The alleged relation of Watrous to an attempt to validate forged land certificates resulted in the Texas legislature's passing a resolution in 1848 asking the judge to resign.
[3] Impeachment proceedings against him began in the United States House of Representatives in January 1851 with the presentation of three petitions or memorials.
[3] The main charges against him were violating Texas statutes punishing those dealing in fraudulent land certificates, misusing his judicial influence, and holding sessions of court improperly.