Isaac Watts, junior, was a good pupil. Even when he was very young he showed a remarkable passion for learning. When he was given money he would run to his mother crying, "A book, a book; buy me a book!" One can imagine the Watts family (for there were seven other children besides Isaac) in the old house in French Street. They would gather in the large kitchen; the cheerful fire would light up the blue Dutch Scriptural tiles which decorated the hearth of ‘Puritan' homes. The children would be dressed as their parents were, as was the custom in those days. After the meal, the father would read from the large family Bible.

On the fly-leaf of this Bible, a list of their children, besides Isaac, is found, The names of Richard, Enoch, Thomas, Sarah, Mary – and a second Mary (the first lived only two years) – and Elizabeth are entered, Elizabeth also died after two years. After the reading of a chapter from this Bible, he used to engage in prayer. He would never allow himself to be disturbed in his devotions, for if, while he was upon his knees, any one called to see him, the servant was sent out with the message, "My master is at prayer." The remainder of the day was devoted chiefly to the instruction of his pupils.

It was during family prayers on one occasion that Isaac the younger showed his poetic skill, While they were at prayer Isaac was heard to titter. His father demanded the cause of his merriment. "Because", he replied, pointing to the bell-rope by the fireplace, "I saw a mouse run up that and the thought came into my mind,

This early disclosure of his ability was encouraged by his parents, and when his mother offered a reward of a farthing to those of her husband's pupils who could compose the best lines, Isaac tried and produced this couplet :

Isaac had a close attachment to his parents, and when he later went away to London he felt this loss of their company.

In 1680, when he was 6, the great comet of that year was the marvel and wonder of the day. Watts frequently spoke in after life of the deep impression that this brilliant wanderer made upon his youthful mind. It doubtless contributed to the interest he developed in astronomy.

Education
He received his earliest education from his father including the study of Latin at four years of age.

When he was six he was sent to the ‘Free School' then situated in Winkle Street. (This later became known as King Edward VI Grammar School.) Here he was under the care of Rev John Pinhorne, Rector of All Saints. He became very warmly attached to Mr Pinhorne and addressed some verses to him. His mother gave him much of her time, and was careful to teach him from the Scriptures. His parents were thrifty, and this habit evidently remained with Isaac, since he was careful to secure a good financial return for his many literary labours!

Before Isaac Watts was six, he composed some verses. When they fell into the hands of his mother, she doubted that he really wrote them. To satisfy her as to his ability to compose in this manner, he penned the following acrostic upon his name:

I am a vile polluted lump of earth
S-o I've continu'd ever since my birth
A-lthough Jehovah grace does daily give me
A-ssure this monster Satan will deceive me
C-ome, therefore, Lord, from Satan's claws relieve me.