Marty and Karla Grant
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Early George Cathey (1725-1790) Histories
[Cathey Home] - [Table of Contents] - [George Cathey (1725)] - Early Histories
Robert Scott Walker 1913 | George Cathey Appleby 1923 | Ludelle Cathey Dickey 1970
Robert Scott Walker (1835-1922) wrote a 4 page history of George Cathey’s family around 1913. He was a great grandson of George Cathey (1725-1790). Their lives did not overlap, but we have to assume he had access to family records or knowledge since lost.
Robert Scott Walker (1835-1922) and wife Mary Catherine Neill (1843-1923).
- Isaac William Walker (1800-1887) and Violette M. Reed (1802-1865)
- - John Reed (1767-1847) and Esther Cathey (1767-1840)
- - - George Cathey (1735-1790)
I have not seen Mr. Walker’s original work. However, Boyt Cathey cited him in his book, Cathey Family History and Genealogy, pp 138-139. This is what Boyt included:
“The R. Scott Walker History
The following is derived from a “History of the George Cathey Family” by R. Scott walker who prepared the incomplete document in about 1913.
George was born in Dublin, Ireland Sept. 14, 1735. At the age of manhood, he emigrated to this country settling in Mecklenburg County, N. C. There, he married Ann Price about the year 1763. He was engaged in farming up to the outbreak of the Revolution. He then entered services and was commissioned by the Gov. of N. C. as Captain for 12 months. At the expiration of this period, he re-enlisted for the remainder of the war as a Captain. When he was mustered out the financial condition of the treasury of the new states was such as rendered them unable to pay their soldiers but instead gave them tracts of land.
He received two grants of 2,500 each to lay upon any vacant territory. This was between 1785-1788. The first 2500 acres covered what later was know as the George Cathey survey and included the town of Farmington in Marshall County Tennessee. A big, almost bottomless, spring was in the center fo the community (which still flows freely to-day).George began the 2nd survey, but stopped began the 3rd survey located about 30 miles west into what is now known as Maury County and laid his second grant on Knob Creek of 3000 acres. Finishing the survey he returned to N. C. This was about the year 1788 or 79. The family still has the axe used in marking the trees along the survey lines.
At approximately the same time as the above transactions occurred, William Cathey (RN=309), also received a 4,000 acre grant on “ — South side Duck River on Cathey’s Creek, Maury County, Tennessee”, warrant 649, 10 July 1788.
About 1790 or 1793, George returned to Tennessee and finished the survey. Later he divided the land among his children. This portion is now in Bedford County, which is east of Marshall County. The migration to Tennessee included George’s daughter, Ann, who married Alexander Neil; Violet who never married; and Esther who married John Reed. (Editor’s note: George Cathey, Jr (RN=5362) may have migrated to Missouri rather than Tennessee. His story follows this topic.)
Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee gives this account:
“Early in the year 1879 (sic), James Neil came from North Carolina to where Farmington is now located. He built a cabin just northwest of the turnpike in the village. He was soon followed by his brother, Alexander, and his brother Andrew Neil who both lived within a fourth mile of where the village now stands. About the same time, John Reed opened up a small farm one mile from these. Near Reed was John Dysart. About three miles on West Rock Creek, Allen Leiper was the first cane cutter. He had valuable water mill which in 1808 and 1809 supplied the demand of the central section of the county. In 1808 John Shaw became another settler when he brought his family from N. C. and made his home one mile north. Shaw was a hero at the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson.”
Ann Cathey and Alexander Neil married in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and family tradition says that they were the first settlers of Farmington, making their home by Big Springs. Their children were: George Cathey, Emma, Mary and Louise.
Esther Cathey was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on April 8, 1767 and died Aug. 28, 1840. She married John Reed in 1790. About 1802, they moved to Logan County, KY but later settled on the George Cathey Survey near Farmington, Tenn. Their home was known to many travelers from N. C. – Davy Crockett was a cousin of John Reed, Gen. Green under whom George Cathey had served, Gen. Raines and others. They are buried in the Reed Cemetery on the Farmington-Verona Road. Their children were: Margaret Reed, George Cathey Reed, James L. Reed, Alexandria Reed, Mary Reed, John Reed Jr, Eliza Reed, Isabella Reed, and Violet Reed.”
It is interesting that Mr. Walker didn’t have a full list of George Cathey’s children. Perhaps he didn’t know of the others, or perhaps the document simply wasn’t finished. There are some major problems with his writeup. One is that the 1735 birth date for George just can’t be correct. He has to be older than that. Also, it’s almost certain he was not born in Dublin. He didn’t mention George’s second wife Margaret.
On 22 Aug 1923, George Cathey Appleby, born 19 Jun 1855, made an application to join the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) using George Cathey 1735 as his Revolutionary War ancestor. Mr. Appleby was a great, great grandson of George Cathey (1725).
George Cathey Appleby (1855-1927)
- Samuel Bell Appleby (1808-1887) and Esther E. Cathey (1816 - 1864).
- - George Cathey (1784-1866) and Margaret Neill (1789-1853).
- - - Alexander Neill (d 1828/1830) and Ann Cathey (c1773-1852).
- - - - George Cathey (1725-1790).
I was born on the 19th day of June, 1855.
I am the son of Samuel Bell Appleby born in Williamson Co., Tenn. on November 2, 1808, died in Marshall Co., Tenn. on December 4, 1887 and Esther Emaline Cathey his wife, born in Marshall Co. Tenn on September 3, 1816, died in Marshall Co. Tenn. on March 18, 1864, married in Marshall Co. Tenn. on May 13, 1847.
Grandson of George Cathey born in Virginia on October 16, 1784, died in Marshall Co. Tenn. on December 3, 1866 and Peggy Neill his wife, born in Mecklenburg Co., N.C. on ---- 1789, died in Marshall Co., on August 24, 1853 married in Marshall Co. Tenn on December 23, 1812.
Great-Grandson of George Neill born in North Carolina on — 1762, died in Marshall Co. Tenn.. On ---- 1834, and Ann Cathey his wife born in North Carolina on — 1764, died in Marshall Co., on — 1848 married in Mecklenburg Co., N.C. on — 1784.
Great-Great-Grandson of Capt. George Cathey born in Ireland on Sept. 14, 1736, died in North Carolina on August, 1805, and Ann Price his wife born in North Carolina n December, 1743, died in N.C. on — 1807, married in North Carolina on — 1763.
The services of my ancestor, Capt. George Cathey (no. 4) during the War of the Revolution were as follows:
Served on the Committee of Safety in Rowan County, N. C. in 1774, commissioned as Captain by the Governor of North Carolina, and served one year. At the expiration of that time he re-enlisted as Captain and served until the close of the war.
The following are references to the authorities for the record of my ancestor’s service:
Army Book “A”, pages 230, 185, 225, 128, 134, 135, 136 in 1780, North Carolina. For his services he received two grants of land, one for 2500 acres, recorded in Book A, page 53, in the land commissioner’s office, Nashville, Tennessee. Another for 3000 acres in Book A, page 65.
Signed: George Cathey Appleby, Nashville, TN, 8/22/1923
State of Tenn
County of Davidson
There are a couple of mistakes in the above. First, he puts George’s birth year at 1736 whereas Mr. Walker has it at 1735, which is also likely wrong.
Second, he has his great grandfather listed as George Neill when it should be Alexander Neill.
Third, he has George Cathey dying in August 1805 when in fact, he died in 1790 or a year or so before that.
Fourth, his dates for Ann Price can not possibly be correct as she died between ca 1755/1762.
Mrs. Dickey was not a George Cathey (1725) descendant. She was from the “other” Marshall County, Tennessee Cathey family. She wrote an article that was published in the 1970 Cathey Reunion Newsletter regarding her Catheys. She also included George Cathey’s family, largely quoting R. Scott Walker’s history, with some additions.
Ludelle Cathey (1918-1997) was wife of Durward Donald Dickey (1901-1975).
- Robert Lee Cathey (1875-1949) and Emma Lou Wilson (1886-1934)
- - Thomas Jefferson Cathey (1841-1919) and Rovania Jane Elliott (1849-1934)
- - - James Hightower Cathey (1808 NC - 1879) and Martha Ann Carruthers (1816-1893)
- - - - John Cathey (c1776-1875) and Elizabeth Calhoun (1774-1840)
- - - - - John Cathey (1750-1781) and Esther Barber (1742-1825)
- - - - - -John Cathey (1725-1788) and Mary Henry (d 1802)
- - - - - - - George Cathey (c1692-c1763) and Jean (1692-1777)
I have omitted the part of her article dealing with her Catheys since that is not germane to the topic at hand. There are some errors and questionable information in this article, some copied verbatim from the 1913 article, some new for this article. My comments are in [brackets].
20th Anniversary Cathey Reunion, Steele Creek Community Mecklenburg County, N.C. August 2, 1970. (Newsletter more commonly called Cathey Kith & Kin now, but wasn’t so named at this time.)
pp. 10-12 The Catheys of Marshall County Tennessee
by Ludelle Cathey Dickey (Mrs. D. D.)
Box 367 Rt. # 2
Covington, Tenn. 38019
P. 12 The George Cathey Family
Another family by the name of Cathey settled in Marshall County about the same time of John and Betsy Calhoun Cathey. Many descendants of the daughters of George Cathey Sr live in the county today.
George Cathey Sr was born in Dublin, Ireland Sept. 14, 1735. At the age of manhood, he emigrated to this country settling in Mecklenburg County, N. C. There, he married Ann Price about the year 1763. He was engaged in farming up to the outbreak of the Revolution. He then entered services and was commissioned by the Gov. of N. C. as Captain for 12 months. At the expiration of this period, he re-enlisted for the remainder of the war as a Captain. When he was mustered out the financial condition of the treasury of the new states was such as rendered them unable to pay their soldiers but instead gave them tracts of land.
He received two grants of 2500 each to lay upon any vacant territory. This was between 1785-1788. The first 2500 acres covered what later was know as the George Cathey survey and included the town of Farmington in Marshall County Tennessee and the vicinity thereabouts. A big, almost bottomless, spring was in the center fo the community (which still flows freely to-day). He had a line run, then stopped and went about 30 miles west into what is known as Maury County and layed (sic) his second grant on Knob Creek of 3000 acres. Finishing the survey he returned to N. C. This was about the year 1788 or 89 as the government had issued a proclamation requiring the surveys to be completed. The family still has the axe used in marking the survey.
About 1794 and 1795, he divided the survey between his children. This portion was in Bedford County. He came back to Tennessee with his daughter Ann who had married Alexander Neil; Violet who never married; and Esther who married John Reed. [Note: George Cathey died before 1790 in NC so this section isn’t accurate, date-wise.]
Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee gives this account:
“Early in the year 1879 (sic), James Neil came from North Carolina to where Farmington is now located. He built a cabin just northwest of the turnpike in the village. He was soon followed by his brother, Alexander, and his brother Andrew Neil who both lived within a fourth mile of where the village now stands. About the same time, John Reed opened up a small farm one mile from these. Near Reed was John Dysart. About three miles on West Rock Creek, Allen Leiper was the first cane cutter. He had valuable water mill which in 1808 and 1809 supplied the demand of the central section of the county. In 1808 John Shaw became another settler when he brought his family from N. C. and made his home one mile north. He was a hero at the Battle of New Orleans.”
George Cathey died about 1825 or 1826. [Note: He died ca 1790.]
Ann and Alexander Neil married in Mecklenburg County, N. C. Family history says that they were the first settlers of Farmington, making their home by Big Springs. Their children were: George Cathey, Emma, Mary and Louise.
Esther was born in Mecklenburg County April 8, 1767 and died Aug. 28, 1840. She married John Reed in 1790. About 1802, they moved to Logan County, KY but later settled on the George Cathey Survey near Farmington, Tenn. Their home was known to many travelers from N. C. – Davy Crockett was a cousin of John Reed, Gen. Green under whom George Cathey had served, Gen. Raines and others. They are buried in the Reed Cemetery on the Farmington-Verona Road. Their children were: Margaret, George Cathey, James L., Alexandra [Note: Alexander] Mary, John, Eliza, Isabella, and Violet.
Violet never married and lived with her father at Farmington. [Note: Her father died long before they moved there.]
George Cathey Jr was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C. in 1784.
[Note: Here she mixes up George 1784 with George 1755. It is the elder one who is the son of George 1735. The younger George (1784) is a son of Hugh Cathey, relationship to George 1735 unknown.]
He evidentally (sic) went to Missouri and then later came back to the George Cathey survey, for we find in Bedford County records on May 14, 1827, “I, George Cathey of Cooper County, Missouri — for good cause and consideration etc. Appoint my true and faithful friend, John Reed of Bedford County, Tennessee to act as my attorney — as the lawful heir of George Cathey Sr. deceased which is in Tennessee —.”
[Note: The above is true for George 1755 who was the son of George 1735, but George 1755 never lived in TN as far as is known.]
He married Peggy Neil, daughter of George Cathey Neil and Armanda Elliston Dec. 23, 1812.
[Note: This is incorrect. He married Peggy Neil daughter of Ann Cathey Moore Neill and Alexander Neill. George Cathey Neill was Peggy’s brother, not her father.]
They first lived in a tent near Big Springs but later built their house about two miles west of Farmington on the George Cathey survey. The rubble of the house can still be seen today. Across the road they laid out their family cemetery which contains their graves and those of their son, George Cathey III and their daughter, Sarah, who never married. He died in 1844 and her stone only gives the age of 64 yrs. Their children were: George Cathey III, Mary Neil, Jane B., Esther, Emma, Sarah A. (Liny), William A., and Matilda Ann.
William married Sarah Adeline Clark and is supposed to have settled on the George Cathey survey on Knob Creek in Maury County, Tennessee.
[Note: It isn’t clear what William she is referring to here. The last William mentioned was William A. Cathey]
Many of George Cathey’s descendants went to Mississippi and elsewhere. The daughters married into the Dysart, Ewing, Reed, Neil, Walker and Houston families whose descendants reside in Marshall County today.
While the above article has some inaccuracies, it is still a valuable document and much appreciated.
Revised: September 3, 2023
Copyright © 1996-2023 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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