George Cathey (c1725-1790) and Ann Price and Margaret (—) of Ireland, North Carolina (Anson, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Burke, McDowell, Buncombe) and KY (Logan) and TN (Williamson, Bedford, Marshall)

Marty and Karla Grant

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George Cathey (c1725-1790) and Ann Price and Margaret (—) of Ireland, North Carolina (Anson, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Burke) and KY (Logan) and TN (Williamson, Bedford, Marshall)

[Cathey Home] - [Table of Contents] - George Cathey (c1725-1790)

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George Cathey is my 7 times great grandfather.

Special thanks to Boyt H. Cathey (1927-2011) (referred to herein as BHC). He included much information on this George in his book Cathey Family History And Genealogy Volume I 1700-1900, 1993. He speculated as to where George fit in with the other Catheys but drew no actual conclusions. He, like many others before and after him, also mixed up my George with other Georges, thus records for mine are split among several different people in his book.

The work of BHC as well as various articles and studies published in the Cathey Reunion Newsletters (1951-) were quite helpful.

I also received some invaluable help from my Hensley cousin, Kyle Wear, which inspired me to dig even deeper. Kyle isn’t a Cathey descendant, yet he has some connections to my George Cathey’s family and his vast land holdings in Tennessee, thus his interest. As he is a meticulous researcher with a keen analytical brain, he has helped immensely in finding and sorting out the various George Catheys as well as other Catheys in our area of interest.

The first problem is that my George thrived during a time when there were several men named George Cathey in the public records. All were presumably kin to him in some way or another, but how? Parsing and studying the records for every George Cathey was necessary in order to figure out which record pertained to which George. Refer to this page for quick outline of the various contemporary George Catheys. I often refer to mine as George (1735) whenever there might be confusion as to whom is being referenced due to a 1735 birth date that is out there for him. However, we’re pretty sure that date is off by at least 10 years. Thus he might also be referenced as George (c1725) as well.

George Cathey was born 14 Sep 1735 per a paper done in 1913 by Robert Scott Walker (1835-1922). The same birth date, though with the year 1736 instead, was submitted in an SAR application in 1923 by George Cathey Appleby (1855-1927). Mr. Walker’s paper appears to be the basis for an article published in the 1970 edition of the Cathey Reunion Newsletter by Ludelle Cathey Dickey (1918-1997) which cited Walker’s work nearly verbatim though with some additions.

We don’t know what original source Mr. Walker used for George Cathey’s birth date. Was it a family bible record? If so, he neglected to cite any other dates from it except his grandparents John and Esther Reed’s. However, they had tombstones so he could have gotten their dates from that.

Regardless, his 1913 paper is the earliest source we have for that 1735 birth date. Is it correct? It’s rather hard to accept without any source documentation. In fact, if we consider that George’s first four children were born 1755 and before, it makes 1735 very doubtful. George Jr was born in 1755, his three older siblings, William, Elizabeth and Rebecca, were all born before 1755 per their 1800 census entries. If we space them out a little, we might conclude they were born ca 1750, 1752 and 1753 to George Jr’s 1755. That would put George Sr around age 15 when William was born ca 1750. Possible but highly unlikely. It’s more likely that George was born before 1735, perhaps several years before. I’ve chosen 1725 as a more likely birth year for him. That’s not entirely arbitrary. He was tasked in the 1754 Will of Charles McDowell to assist Mrs. McDowell in her duties as executrix. If we assume George was at least 21 then, that pushes his birth back to ca 1733. In 1750 he was tasked with inventorying the estate of John Price, deceased. That’s another job that required him to be at least 21, so that pushes his birth back to ca 1729. That’s as far as we can go with this kind of source.

However, in an analysis of his father James Cathey’s children’s likely birth dates, it seems that George would have to be born ca 1725 to properly fit in that family. I’ll explain my reasoning for the birth date on James’s page.

The 1913 and 1923 sources for George’s birth date also claim that he was born in Dublin, Ireland which is highly unlikely. While it’s entirely possible he was born in Ireland, Dublin wouldn’t be the most probable place. Dublin is currently the capitol of the Republic of Ireland, the primarily Catholic portion of the island, indeed the largest portion of the island. However, all the other known Cathey families were Ulster Scots who came from Scotland to Northern Ireland, i.e. “Ulster” which, today, is part of The United Kingdom and includes the north east portion of the island, and is primarily Protestant. Unfortunately, parish records and other public records are scarce in all of Ireland for this era due to the many wars. I’m not saying that George Cathey couldn’t actually have been born in Dublin. It just doesn’t seem likely.

While it’s possible that George was born in Ireland, I’d say Pennsylvania or Maryland are just as likely.

George Cathey is a proven son of James Cathey and Ann (—). Or rather, I should say that James and Ann have a proven son named George. There has been some debate as to whether their George was my George Cathey or not. BHC, and others before him, concluded that James’s son George was the one married to Margaret and that he died in Burke Co., NC. That is my George, only they didn’t know that. They had George Cathey and Ann Price and George and Margaret as two separate families. Evidence seems to strongly suggest it was the same George, twice married.

I myself have gone back and forth on whether or not my George was James and Ann’s son or not. At Kyle Wear’s prompting, I came up with a list of pros and cons for my George being their son. In the end the pros far outnumbered the cons:

Pros:

1. James did have a son George proven by his 1756 will. Also proven by 1739/40 importation record.

2. James's son George had daughter Margaret born before Dec 1756. My George had a daughter Margaret born ca 1755/65. That could fit if she was born earlier in that range.

3. James was wealthy. My George was wealthy. Wealth was often generational.

4. James had a daughter Margaret married to Samuel Coburn. My George was associated with them over several decades in different counties.

5. James's son George didn't want to be executor to his brother's estate in 1764 in Rowan for some reason. My George lived in either Mecklenburg then or far western Rowan (later Burke) at that time which could explain his reluctance to travel back to that area.

6. James's unmarried son William died in the 1740s or by 1751 at least. My George named his oldest son William, born ca 1750/54, perhaps after his late brother.

7. James's grandson Hugh (s/o John) followed my George's family to Logan Co., KY then to Bedford/Marshall Co., TN where they were neighbors. Makes a lot of sense if Hugh was George's nephew.

8. Boyt Cathey and others long before my time thought that George/Margaret of Burke NC was the son of James. They just didn't know that George/Margaret was the same person as George/Ann Price.

Cons:

1. A George Cathey was having children baptized in Augusta 1743 (Ann), 1744 (Margaret), 1746 (James) and 1747 (George). Most have assumed *this* was James's son and the same as George/Margaret of Burke NC. Those Augusta records can't be my George though due to his own children of those same names being much younger than these. Of course there is nothing here to prove that George of 1740s Augusta is James's son except his oldest dau was named Ann and oldest son James, seemingly in honor of James and Ann.

2. There is no room for Ann Cathey wife of William Moore in James's family. I’ve long thought that Ann was a sister of my George because of a close association between George and William over many years and several counties. That doesn’t mean they have to be siblings though.

The two cons aren’t enough. Thus, I have no choice but to conclude that my George is almost certainly the son of James and Ann.

We know that James Cathey came from Ireland to Cecil Co., MD then to Chester Co., PA by 1724. George may have been born in that region. By 1734 they were in Lancaster Co., PA in the part that later became Cumberland County. By 1738 they were in the Shenandoah River Valley of Virginia in what was then Orange County but soon became Augusta County.

Our first proof that George is a son of James is in a court record dated 1740:

Orange Co., VA Court Order Bk 2 p. 109

28 Feb 1739/40 James Cathey made oath that he having (im)ported himself, Ann his wife, and his children William, Elizabeth, Andrew, George, Margaret and Ann at his own charge from Ireland to Philadelphia, and from there into this colony, and that this is the first time of proving his and their rights in order to obtain land. (Thanks to Kyle Wear for this transcription)

The above proves George is a son of James.

There are baptism records for children of John Cathey, Andrew Cathey and George Cathey in Augusta Co., VA in the 1740s. We know that James had sons of those names (John was married by 1740 and not included in the importation record, but he is proven by the Will of James Cathey). The problem is the George Cathey in those records.

George had four children baptized beginning with Ann in 1743, Margaret in 1744, James in 1746 and George in 1747. This George has been a stumbling block. Most have assumed he was the son of James Cathey for he does seem the right age and is definitely in the right neighborhood. The children are the problem. Compare the children in those records and their birth dates with my George’s children of the same names:

George Cathey of 1740s Augusta	My George Cathey (c1725-1790)
Ann b. 1741	Ann b. 1773
Margaret b. 1744	Margaret b. 1755/1765
James b. 1746	James b. bef 1757
George b. 1747	George b. 1755

The only way the two George’s could be the same person is if all four of the children born in the 1740s died young and he re-used the same names for children born later. While that is certainly possible, it’s also a bit unusual. Unfortunately, the baptism records do not give the name of the children’s mother nor any other information to help identify who this George Cathey was.

The records in full:

List of Baptisms by Rev. John Craig, Augusta County, Virginia, 1740-1749 (Familysearch.org)

3 Apr 1743 George Cathey child Ann.

21 Oct 1744 George Cathey’s child baptized named Margaret.

21 Jun 1746 George Cathey child James.

15 Nov 1747 George Cathey a child baptized named George.

If he isn’t James’s son, then who is this other George? That’s something that still needs to be resolved.

Around the year 1748 or 1749 James Cathey, along with many of his relations, left Augusta Co., VA and moved south to the frontiers of North Carolina settling in what was then Bladen County, the westernmost county at the time. Unfortunately many of the early Bladen County records are lost.

In 1750 Anson County was formed from Bladen. That’s where the Cathey’s found themselves. In 1753 Rowan County was formed from the northern part of western Anson. Several of the Catheys found themselves in the new Rowan County, including James Cathey and the older George Cathey (c1692). However, others, including my George, were still in the part that remained Anson County. In 1762/63, Mecklenburg County was from Anson, which took in where George and all the other Anson Catheys were residing.

George’s son George Cathey Jr reported he was born 1755 in Mecklenburg Co., NC per his Revolutionary War Pension application. However, it was still technically Anson County then.

In the aforementioned 1913 history, George Cathey’s wife was said to be Ann Price, married in 1762, but no researcher to date has offered any proof of that name as his wife. Where did it come from? Can we assume Mr. Walker had access to old family records, perhaps the family bible, that contained her name? We’ve found no records at all for an Ann Price Cathey, or anyone similar. There were Price families in Anson Co., NC when George was there, so that fits at least. Mr. Walker gave no details for Ann, but the 1913 SAR application had her birth date as December 1743, and death date of 1807 in NC, and marriage date of 1763 in NC. None of that works with actual evidence found. First of all, George’s three oldest children were all born before 1755, and George Jr was born in 1755, so Ann would have been between 9 and 12 during those births if she was actually born in 1743. We could assume that perhaps Ann was a second marriage instead, after all he listed 1762 as the marriage date, but he also lists her as dying in 1807. When George died in 1790, his widow was Margaret, not Ann, so that doesn’t work either. Was there actually a wife named Ann Price?

There are early records for a George Cathey and wife Sarah which could be this George Cathey. In fact, you’ll see some modern family trees that list her as “Sarah Ann Price” which I believe is an attempt to merge Sarah from the records with Ann Price from the old family history. However, “Sarah Ann” was an extremely uncommon name in that era.

Are Sarah and Ann Price the same person? Maybe, but it’s hard to be certain without primary or even secondary evidence. A family history written about 150 years after they died can’t be considered reliable especially when so much else from that writeup has been proven wrong.

The question at hand is whether George and Sarah are my George and wife or not. Let’s assume they are. They married before ca 1750.

On 7 Oct 1749, George Cathey obtained 325 acres in Bladen (later Anson). There is no record of a land grant for him bearing this date, so it’s more likely he purchased it from someone. Unfortunately the Bladen Co., NC Deeds for this period are lost. We only know of this land because when he sold it in 1753 that deed described when he obtained it. The land was on the South Side of Catawba River opposite of Robert Rennix. (See Anson Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 361).

I don’t know where the above land was precisely. Anson was huge at that time.

On 29 Mar 1753, George Cathey was granted 150 acres in Anson Co., NC on the south side of Catawba joining James Armoun (Armer?). (NC Land Grants Grant No —, Book 10, p. 327, File 664).

The next record we have for George is another land grant he received in 1753.

NC Land Grants

3 Apr 1753 George Carthey, 800a S side of Catawba R. Grant No 163, Book 2 p 27. File 74. Empty Shuck.

3 Apr 1753 George Carthey, 800a S side of Catawba R. and in the forks of Fishing Creek taking in a tree marked FC beginning at white oak ... Grant No ---, Book 10 p 336. File 695. Empty Shuck.

[Note: George and wife Margaret sold this in 1762.]

[Note: Fishing Creek rises near the town of Filbert in York Co., SC and flows southerly until it eventually joins the Catawba River in Chester Co., SC. The northern part of Fishing Creek was thought to be in NC at the time this grant was made.]

On 14 Jul 1753, George Cathey Jr and wife Sarah of Anson, sold 325 acres to Charles McPeters. This was the land George had obtained in 1749. Witnesses were Alexander McConnell and George Renick. (Anson Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 361).

On 24 Jan 1754 George Cathey was named as executor of the Will of Charles McDowell in Anson Co., NC. It isn’t certain this is the same George Cathey, but our George did have a lifelong association with the McDowell’s. It is generally thought that Charles McDowell’s wife Rachel was a Cathey though I’ve not seen any direct proof of that. If so, perhaps she’s George’s aunt.

An abstract of the Will from Anson Co, NC Deed Abstracts 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills and Estates 1749-1795

24 Jan 1754 Anson Co., NC Wills Charles McDowell of Anson pr 4 Jun 1754

Wife Rachel exr and George Cathee her assistant.

To wife Rachel one third part of Estate and desire she make her home with her daughter Hannah Callow ...

to son John McDowell, L10 VA money

to daughter Rachel Eagan of Augusta Co., VA 200a on Broad River in Anson Co., NC.

To brother Joseph McDowell of Frederick Co., VA, one brown broad cloath coat & one beaver hat and one pare of Show bootes

my four daughter Anne Evanes, Elizabeth Barns, Mary McPeters, & Hannah Calloe ...

S: Charles McDowell.

Wit: Evan Morgan, John Davis.

At court held for Frederick County on Tuesday the 4th day of June 1754 ... Evan Morgan and John Davis proved will. Test. J. Wood

Note from published version:

The land on Broad River bequeathed to Rachael Eagan was sold by Rachel and her husband Barnaby Eagan by their attorney John McDowell. See Mecklenburg Co., NC Deeds Vol II pp 471-474. The land was granted to Charles McDowell 4 Apr 1751 and is now in Cherokee County South Carolina;

In the original Will (shared by Kyle Wear), the wording is: “I do appoint and constitute my well beloved wife Rachal McDowell Executor of this my Last Will & Testament & I do appoint my good friend and neighbor George Cath[cut off] of the county and province aforesaid to be her assistant in the Executorship.”

On 16 Jul 1755, George Cathey and wife Sarah of Anson sold 150 acres to William Alexander of Rowan Co., NC. This was the land grant to George dated 29 Mar 1753. Witnesses were James Armer and Michael Ouster. (Anson Co., NC Deed Book C1, p. 298).

George Cathey’s father James Cathey made his Will in Rowan County on 5 Dec 1756 and was dead by Jan 1757. He named, among others, Margaret Cathey daughter of my son George. He also named sons John Cathey and George Cathey executors. (Rowan Co., NC Will Book A, p. 50).

George apparently did not serve as executor of his father’s estate, opting to let his brother John be the sole executor. This was likely because George lived a considerable distance away at the time.

At some point between 1755 and 1762, George’s wife Sarah died and he married Margaret, probably in Anson Co., NC. There is a possible six year gap between George’s daughters Violet (c1761) and Esther (1767), so it may be that Violet was Sarah’s last child and that he married Margaret shortly after Violet’s birth. They were definitely married by 20 Jan 1762.

BHC speculated that Margaret might be a Coburn, a sister of Samuel Coburn who married Margaret Cathey daughter of James. However, Kyle Wear has found proof of Samuel’s siblings and he didn’t have a sister named Margaret. I’ve also seen her listed in online trees as a Moffatt and a McKinley, never with any proof offered, nor even an explanation as to why someone might think that was her maiden name, so take it for what it’s worth.

Regardless, Margaret was married to George by 20 Jan 1762, but after 16 Jul 1755 the last record we see with Sarah’s name on it.

George Cathey doesn’t appear on any records again until 1762 when he and his wife sell his 1753 land grant to Peter Kuykendall.

Anson Co., NC Deed Book 3-11

20 Jan 1762 George Cathey and Margaret Cathey, his wife, of Anson to Peter Kuykendall of Anson, for 10s, 800a. South side of Catawba in the fork of Fishing Creek granted to the said Cathey in 1753.

S: George (X) Cathey, Margaret (X) Cathey

Witness Richard Barry, John Black, John Thomas.

[Note: “This land now in S. C.” is typed under this deed in the published abstracts.]

[Note: This is the first record showing George’s wife as Margaret. This means they married before 20 Jan 1762.]

[Note: Granted 3 Apr 1753 to George Carthey]

Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762, effective 1763 from western Anson. All of the Cathey’s of Anson fell into the new county.

On 29 Jan 1764, George’s brother John Cathey made his Will in Rowan Co., NC. He named his wife and several children. He named “my beloved wife Jean and my brother George Cathey” to be executrix and executor. (Original Will and also Rowan Co., NC Will Book A, pp. 51-53.)

The Will was proven in court in Feb 1764 meaning John had died by then.

On 6 Apr 1765 two land grants were issued to George Cathey, one was mine (1735) the other was his cousin George (1724) son of George (c1692). Their identities weren’t evident in the grants themselves, but became clear when they later sold the land at different times.

NC Land Grants

6 Apr 1765 Geo. Cathey, 300a Mecklenburg. S. Fork of Second Broad River, called Cathey’s Creek. Grant No 19, Book 17, p. 151, file 402.

Surveyed for George Cathey (no date). Begn at a hickery on west side of the fork, and running thence N 50 W 300 poles to a hickery then N 40 E 160 poles to a post, then S 50 E 300 poles to a post then to the beginning. S: Francis Beatey, D. Survr.

Chain Bearers: John McDowell & William Moore.

[Note: George and Margaret Cathey sold this land to Samuel Coburn in 1766.]

Cathey’s Creek rises in north Rutherford County and flows south easterly into Second Broad River east of Rutherfordton. This area became Tryon County in 1768, and Rutherford in 1779. George had sold it before either of those new counties were formed. However, the creek there still bares his name.

Note that William Moore (1726-1812) was one of the chain bearers for the survey of George Cathey’s land grant. John McDowell might also be related, but I don’t know anything about him yet.

Less than a year after being granted the land on Cathey’s Creek, George and wife Margaret sold it to Samuel Coburn. Coburn was married to Margaret Cathey daughter of James (d 1756).

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed Book 1-178

20 Jan 1766 George Cathey & Margaret his wife of Mecklenburg to Samuel Coburn of same place. £5, On South Fork of the Second Broad River ... Cathey’s Creek ...

Beginning at a Hickory ... [illegible] ... the fork Running thence N 50 W 300 poles to a hickory then N 60 E 160 poles to a post then S 50 E 300 poles to a post and thence S 40 W 160 pole to the beginning. [Acreage not given or in stained section and illegible.]

S: George Cathey, Margrat Cathey

Witnesses: Richard Barry, William Dr???

[Note: Above deed is badly stained and a large section illegible. The release copy is the same, but not stained in same places, so between the two I got the gist of it.]

[This is the 300 acres granted to George Cathey on 6 Apr 1765.]

[Samuel Coburn is married to Margaret Cathey, daughter of James d 1756.]

George purchased a large tract of land from Henry Eustace McCulloh in 1766. It was 710 acres on McDowell’s Creek. McCulloh was the largest land speculator in North Carolina in those days owning vast amounts of land. John McKnitt Alexander was one of the witnesses to this deed. He and George Cathey were associated over several years on various records. John Frohock was another witness.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed Book 1-188

6 May 1766 H. E. McCulloh to George Cathey, 710a McDowell’s creek

[Note: Above deed is badly stained and a large section illegible. Below from published source shared by Kyle Wear]

6 May 1766 Henry Eustace McCulloh of Chowan Co., NC to George Cathey for 85 pounds sterling…land on McDowell’s Creek…adjacent John McDowel & John Potts land…710 acres. Wit: John Frohock, J McKnitt Alexander. S: H. E. McCulloh

McDowell’s Creek rises in north Mecklenburg near the modern town of Cornelius, and flows generally southward until it joins the Catawba River on it’s eastern side in the present Mountain Island Lake reservoir. George Cathey sold 218 acres of the above tract to his in-law William Moore in 1769, and the rest to James Knox in 1770.

In 1767 George Cathey purchased another tract from McCulloh, being two tracts combined into a total of 210 acres. This land apparently bordered the land purchased the year before.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 4-529

22 Feb 1767 Honorable Henry Eustace McCulloh, Esquire to George Cathey of Mecklenburg Co., NC, £10,

One: 160 acres waters of McDowell Creek

Beginning at a W.O. in sd Cathey’s former line being a corner to Matthew McClure’s survey, then with McClure’s line ...

Two: on waters of said Creek North East side of Cathey’s old survey corner to Robertsons survey. 50 acres.

210 acres in total.

S: Henry E. McCulloh.

Witnesses: William Frohock, Wm Giles

George sold the 160 acres to James Knox in 1770 and the 50 acres to William Moore in 1783.

George obtained a land grant in 1767 on McMichael’s Creek in Mecklenburg. I have yet to figure out where this was exactly. The name of the creek may have changed since then. It isn’t listed in the NC Gazetteer. George sold this land the following year to William Wilson who was one of the chain bearers for the survey in 1767. This time the waterway is referred to as Sugar Creek which is a known body of water. See the 1768 deed where he sold this land for a better description.

NC Land Grants

26 Oct 1767 George Cathey 300a Mecklenburg, both sides of McMichael’s Cr. Grant No 196, Book 23, p. 116, File 2144. Entered 2 Oct 1767, granted 26 Oct 1767.

Surveyed (no date). East side of Catawba upon both sides of McMichael’s Creek.

Chain Bearers: Wm Willson, Joseph Sample.

Tryon County was formed in 1768 from the western part of Mecklenburg. It doesn’t seem that George lived in Tryon, but he was mentioned in several deeds as adjoining land owner despite having already sold that property on Cathey’s Creek. He still lived in Mecklenburg at the time.

In 1768 George sold his 300 acre land grant from the prior year. This time it mentions “Shugar Creek” instead of McMichael’s. Sugar Creek rises just west of Charlotte where Harris Creek and Irwin Creek meet. It flows southerly eventually crossing into York Co., SC eventually joining the Catawba River.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 7-431

7 Jun 1768 George Cathey of Mecklenburg to William Willson of Mecklenburg for £5, E sd of Catabo River on the waters of Shugar Creek ... Henry Walker’s line ... Springsteen’s line ... Polk’s line ... 300 acres being the full patent to George Cathey 27 Oct 1767.

S: George (X) Cathey

Witnesses: Jane Alexandeer, Jn Mkl Alexander

[Note: This may be a different George Cathey. Can’t be certain, but he did sign with a mark, and my George was acquainted with John McKnit Alexander per other records.]

In 1769 George Cathey sold 263 acres on McDowell’s Creek to his in-law William Moore. This was part of this 710 acre tract. Witnesses were Matthew McClure and John McKnitt Alexander. George’s wife Margaret didn’t sign this deed for some reason.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 7-241

30 Aug 1769 George Cathey of Mecklenburg to William Moore of Rowan, £100, Forks of McDowell’s Creek, being part of George Cathey’s original 710 acres ... Sharps Branch ... being 263 acres, part of land granted by Henry Eustace McCulloh to George Cathey 6 May 1765.

S: George (X) Cathey

Witnesses: Mathew McClure, Jno Mcl Alexander

George Cathey is named in a 1770 deed in Tryon Co., NC between Andrew Woods and wife Martha to James Stafford and Dan Alexander. This deed seems to be referencing the land grant to George Cathey on 3 Apr 1753. He had sold that land several years before 1770, but it wasn’t uncommon for subsequent deeds to continue to refer to neighboring landowners who no longer owned the land as the information was often copied verbatim from prior deeds. Andrew Woods appears on a Burke Co., NC record with George Cathey in 1783. However, that might be a different man of the same name for other researchers have Andrew Woods of Botetourt Co., VA dying there in 1781.

Tryon (Lincoln) Co., NC Deed Book 1-351

19 Sep 1770 Andrew Woods and wife Martha of Botetourt Co., VA to James Stafford & Dan Alexander of Mecklenburg Co., NC. land on S sd of Catawba on a branch of Fishing Creek adj. George Cathey granted to sd Woods by patent 31 Mar 1753, 400a. S: Andrew Woods, Martha Woods, Wit: Wm Wallace, Garet Wilson.

George Cathey is named as an adjoining land owner in a 1772 deed in Tryon Co., NC between Samuel & Margaret Coburn and Philip Alston. George Cathey had sold this land about 10 years earlier. Samuel Coburn’s wife Margaret was a daughter of James Cathey d 1756. George was also mentioned in another 1772 Tryon County deed.

Tryon (Lincoln) Co., NC Deed Book 1-700

3 Sep 1772 Samuel Coburn & wife Margaret of Tryon to Philip Alston. 400a S side of the N Branch of Catawba River adj. George Cathey. S: Samuel (X) Coburn, Margaret Coburn, Wit: George Lamkin, John Alston, John Skrimshire.

Tryon (Lincoln) Co., NC Deed Book 1-734

15 Sep 1772 William Wray of Tryon to William Gilbert of same, for L260, 300a both sides of Catheys Creek, a S fork of Second Broad River granted to George Cathey and conveyed by deed to Samuel Coburn, then by deed 20 Jul 1765... S: Wm Wray. Wit: James Cook, John Morris, Alexander Coulter.

In the late 1760s, George Cathey began entering land in the section of Rowan County that would become Burke in 1777. He moved to that area between 1769 and 1774 because by that latter year he began appearing in Rowan County records.

George Cathey signed the Rowan Resolves in 1774. In the 1974 edition of the Cathey Kith and Kin the author of an article on this document determined it was indeed George Cathey (1735) who signed. He was the only George Cathey in Rowan at that time. Andrew Neal signed right next to him. That might be his son-in-law Andrew Neill (1755) or possibly an older man of the same name.

Here is a portion of the Rowan Resolves:

At a meeting of the Committee at Salisbury on the 23^rd Day of September 1774, William Kennon, Esqr in the chair. Adlai Osborne, Esqr clerk.

The Resolves of the Provincial Congress met at New Bern on the 25th Day of August last, were read and unanimously agreed to—

Resolved, That 25 Persons be appointed a Committee to correspond with the Provincial Congress and to see that the Resolutions of the Continental and Provincial Congress be carried into Execution by the Inhabitants of this county.

Resolved, That in case of the death of any of the said Committee, or refusing to act, the Survivors or Residue have power to elect others to maintain the Number of twenty-five.

Resolved, That the following Persons constitute the said Committee, Viz. James McCay, Andrew Neal, George Cathy, Alexander Dobbin, Francis McKon, Matthew Locke, Maxwell Chambers, Henry Harmon, Abraham Denton, William Davison, Samuel Young, John Brevard, William Kennon, George Henry Barger, Robert Bell, John Bickerstaff, John Couden, John Lewis Beard, John Nisbet, Charles McDowell, Robert Blackburn, Christopher Beckman, William Sharp, John Johnson, Morgan Bryan.

Resolved, That this Committee meet at Salisbury on the Second Day of each County Court, or on the Second Day of the week on which the County Court used to be held.

(More, but no more mentions of Catheys).

Above from North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Volume 9, p. 1073. I highlighted Matthew Locke because his wife is part of the Cathey family.

The 1923 SAR Application states that George Cathey served on the Committee of Safety in Rowan Co., NC in 1774. It further states that he was “commissioned a 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.”

I haven’t yet found evidence to support the above claims, but they may be true. I haven’t exhausted the records by any means. He was certainly mentioned in one of the Committee of Safety meetings, so perhaps a member.

Another mention from Rowan, via North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Volume 10, p. 9.

Minutes of the Rowan County Committee of Safety, Jun 1, 1775, Volume 10, pages 9-10

Resolved, That Messrs George Cathy and John Montgomery carry an Express to Col. Walker requesting him to take into his possession a certain Quantity of powder now in possession of Comrade Hildebrand, and on his Refusal to act agreeable to his Majestys Proclamation and the Acts of Assembly of this Province, that the Bearer of this Request immediately return his answer to Will. Berry, that he return it to Chrisr Beakman, and in case of refusal he do forthwith take in possession the said powder, or take sufficient Security of said Hildebrand that he will not remove said powder out of the County, or sell it to our enemies, nor take advantage of the present difficulties by raising the price on those who purchase of him.

In 1775 George Cathey purchased 200 acres from James Black in Mecklenburg County. Both men were residents of Rowan at the time. Were they considering moving back to Mecklenburg? Probably not as George and Margaret sold this land two years later while still residents of Rowan.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 10-51

29 Oct 1775 James Black of Rowan to George Cathey of the county and province affsd [meaning Rowan], for £100, North side of Catawba River being part of a grant to John Cowan dated 17 May 1754 ... on the river bank ... 200a

S: James Black

Witnesses: Wm Moore, George Cathey, Robt Cain

The witnesses were all close relatives. William Moore was married to Ann Cathey, relationship to George unknown. The other George Cathey must be George 1755-1840, George’s son. Robert Cain is George’s son-in-law having married Elizabeth Cathey.

Burke County was formed from western Rowan in 1777. Unfortunately, Burke County lost most of its early records during the Civil War when union soldiers burned them in 1865. Only a precious few early records survive.

In 1777, as residents of Burke County, George and Margaret sold the 200 acres purchased from James Black two years earlier.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 10-242

11 Dec 1777 George Cathey & Margaret his wife of Burke Co., NC to Hugh Lucas of Mecklenburg. £100, North Side of Catawba River part of parcel granted to John Cowan by patent 17 May 1754 ... 200 acres.

S: George (X) Cathey, Margaret (X) Cathey

Witnesses: Joseph Jack, James McMahan, Jos. McDowell

In 1777 George Cathey was one of several men tasked with setting up the new Burke County court house, etc.

1777. “The from and after the first day of June next the said county of Rowan be divided ... beginning at the Catawba River ... and all that other part of the said county of Rowan which lies west and south of the said dividing line shall be erected into a new ... county ... Burke.

“And ... Christopher Beekman, Charles McDowell, George Cathey, Hugh Brevard, George Welfong, James Davidson and John Connelly ... hereby impowered and directed to ... contract for erecting and building a court house prison and stocks ...

“And (same names as above) hereby appointed Commissioners for fixing a place for the Court-House, Prison and stocks. (Two more name are included: Andrew Woods and William Sharp.)

From: Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1779-1790 Volume II, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press. [Note: Hereinafter if this book is cited it will be as “Huggins, Vol. 2.”

On 20 Jan 1778 George Cathey entered a 640 acre tract of land in Burke on “Main Swanano” (Swannanoa River). The entry mentions Davidson’s line, Bee Creek and McCafferty’s Lick blocks. Bee Creek is modern Beetree Creek which is between Asheville and Black Mountain which was part of Burke at this time. Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1778 Volume I, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press, 1985, hereinafter referenced as (Huggins, Vol 1), Land Entries # 19, p. 7.

I didn’t find where the above land was ever granted to George Cathey. His entry was mentioned in a few other entries the same year:

29 Jan 1778 James Greenlee, John Bowman, David Greenlee, 640a on Swaneno River joining George Catheys entry below, down river for compliment. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 39 p 13

3 Feb 1778 Thomas Lyttel, 200a on Bee Creek adjoining George Cathey’s entry on Swanano including mill seat for compliment. Huggins, Vol 1. Entries # 267 p 90

I didn’t find where either of the above two entries were ever granted either. Perhaps the claims were rejected due to prior claims or other reasons.

On 16 Feb 1778, George Cathey made an entry for 640 acres in Burke on the French Broad River above Sugar Loaf Mountain. Mention is made of an “old field unmarkable round hill below forks.” Sugar Loaf Mountain is south east of Morganton near the modern community of Pleasant Grove. The reference to it being on the French Broad is confusing because it isn’t. There is a Sugar Loaf Mountain in present day Transylvania County in the south part of Brevard in a bend of the French Broad river. This may not be the same Sugar Loaf Mountain referenced in the entry even though it fits the description pretty well. The problem is that this Sugar Loaf Mountain in Brevard was never in Burke County. In 1778 it would have been part of Tryon County, then 1779 Rutherford County. Furthermore it was still within the bounds of Indian lands until ca 1791. This might be why it was never granted to him. Either that, or it’s a different Sugar Loaf Mountain from that one and perhaps not the same one at Pleasant Grove either. It is referenced in other grants and records, so it must have been within the bounds of Burke at that time, or thought to be.

Joseph McDowell entered 640 acres “above” George Cathey’s entry the very same day he did. Charles McPeters also entered 640 acres adjoining it. The same land was mentioned in another entry in March.

16 Feb 1778 George Cathy, 640a French Broad River above Sugar Loaf Mountain ... old field unmarkable round hill below forks. White Oak marked J M D. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 223 p 75

16 Feb 1778 John McDowell, 640 acres on main fork of Brench (French) Broad River above George Cathey’s entry ... Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 220 p 74

16 Feb 1778 Charles McPeters, 640 acres French Broad River joining below George Cathys ... including old fields for compliment. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 224, p 75

31 Mar 1778 George Reep, 340a French Broad River upper entry George Cathey the best bottom of land between that land and entry of Griffey Rutherford’s entry. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 389 p 131

On 23 Feb 1778 William Cathey (George’s son, presumably) entered 100 acres on the North Fork of Catawba “adjoining survey of George Cathey including Spring said William Cathey takes his drinking water out of and a lime kill (kiln) of Henry Young.” Warrant ordered (meaning it was granted to him). Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 276 p 93

It isn’t clear what survey of George Cathey is being referenced. However, the above was granted to William Cathey on 20 Sep 1779, Grant No. 95, for 64 acres. The grant refers to entry number 277 dated 10 Oct 1778 neither of which agree with the original entry, but it is clearly the same entry based on the description. The actual grant is described as On the So. West side of the North Fork of Catawba River. The survey is dated 10 Dec 1778. George Cathey isn’t mentioned in the survey suggesting his entry was rejected by this time. Note that Limekiln Creek is in present day McDowell County. It rises in the north part of the county and flows easterly into the North Fork of The Catawba River. This is north of the present town of Marion near the Woodlawn community. Note that William Cathey entered 640 acres in this same area later that was described as originally being George Cathey’s entry. That is probably what was being referenced in this entry.

On 7 Mar 1778 George Cathey sold off some of the last of his Mecklenburg County land.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 11-211

7 Mar 1778 George Cathey of Burke Co., NC to James Knox of Roan (sic) for £608,

Two tracts joining one the other, 607 acres total. In Mecklenburg on the south fork of McDowell’s Creek joining John McDowell’s land, Wm Moore ... 437 acres, being part of a tract of 710 acres conveyed by Henry Eustice McCulloh to said George Cathey 6 May 1765.

Second tract beginning at first ... Cathey’s corner ... Matthew McClure’s ... 160 acres being same as tract conveyed by Henry Eustice McCulloh to said George Cathey 22 Feb 1767

S: George (X) Cathey

Witnesses: Thomas Gillespy, Isaac Gillespy

Registered 13 Mar 1778.

The 160 acres was a McCulloh grant from 1767. The 437 acres was the remainder of his 710 acres grant from 1765, having sold 263 acres of it to William Moore previously. That actually leaves 10 acres unaccounted for, but perhaps the original survey was off slightly.

On 3 Apr 1778 a curious land entry is recorded in the entry records for Burke:

3 Apr 1778 John Cathey, 640a North Fork of Catawba, North Cove. Surveyed for Alexander Cathey, Reentered by Richard Morrow. John Cathey to Richard Morrow. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 399 p 134

The above is interesting because neither John or Alexander Cathey are immediate family members to George Cathey as far as is known, so who are they? Fortunately the above entry was actually granted so there is more information in the grant file.

On 3 Apr 1778 Richard Morrow entered 640 acres of land in Burke Co., NC (entry no 399), which was granted to him on 14 Mar 1780. The warrant reads thus: On the North side of the Catawba River in the North Cove, the land that was surveyed for Alexander Cathey by virtue of a warrant issued out of the Late Earl Granville’s office and now Reentered by the said Richard Morrow entered April 3d, 1778.

The survey, dated 4 Sep 1779, is even more interesting: Surveyed for Richard Morrow a tract of land containing 640 acres lying on both sides of the No. Fork of the Catawba River between the lands of William Cathey and Pepper.*

Wm Cathey, Robt Cain, Chain Bearers.

* This is likely Robert Peper/Pepper who died before 1784 in Burke.

William Cathey was George’s (1735) son. Robert Cain was George’s son-in-law. But who was Alexander Cathey? Granville grants were from 1744 to 1775, so any land entry by Alexander would be pre 1775 and in Rowan County the parent of Burke (formed 1777). Alexander (1709-1766) son of John (d 1742) is the only one I’m aware of who is old enough, though if dead by 1766 that entry would have to predate that.

Notice that the actual land grant makes no mention of John Cathey whose name appeared in the entry taker book related to this entry.

My best explanation for the above is that Alexander Cathey (1707-1766) of Rowan, originally entered this land (before 1766 obviously). His son John Cathey (c1744-1823) transferred the entry to Richard Morrow, relationship unknown, ca 1778. That William Cathey son of George was a neighbor was either a big coincidence or evidence that Alexander and William’s father George had been in contact in the 1760s and had entered land near each other. However, having William Cathey and Robert Cain as the chain bearers makes coincidence seem much less likely. We do know that Alexander Cathey is not George (1735)’s father for he didn’t name him in his Will. However, John Frohock was one of the witnesses to Alexander’s Will, and he was someone George Cathey was also acquainted with.

Richard “Murrow” obtained a marriage bond in Burke Co., NC to marry Winney Welshe. There was no date on the bond but it was during one of Richard Caswell’s terms as Governor, so 1776-1780 or 1785-1787. I’m aware of no connection between Richard Morrow and the Catheys.

On 16 May 1778 George Cathey entered 640 acres in Burke on the Catawba River described as beginning on former corner of John McDowell’s west line on north side of river, north east, south, west, including own improvement for complement. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 403 p 136

The above land was granted to him on 20 Sep 1779, grant number 90, Patent Book 28, p. 90. The entry was described as number 403 dated 10 Oct 1778 which disagrees with the actual entry, but it’s clearly the same one:

George Cathey Sr, 640a both sides of Catawba R below the Pleasant Garden. Bounded on the south by John McDowell’s Garden Creek. Beginning on the North side of the river at his former corner black oak on the west side of the waggon road in the lower line of said McDowell’s Garden survey a few chains west of his N.E. corner running thence North three hundred poles crossing a branch and said road to a pine on a ridge, Then east three hundred and forty two poles crossing John’s creek four times to P. McPeters’ upper line in the channel of the river thence south with said line three hundred poles to a stake and pointers on a ridge. Then west three hundred forty two poles crossing the river to the beginning, containing 640 acres.

Surveyed 19 Nov 1778. David Vance, D. Surv.

Jos. McDowell, Geo. Cathey, chain bearers.

The chain bearer, also named George Cathey, would be his son, George Jr (1755). This land is in present day McDowell County just west of Marion. “Pleasant Gardens” was the name of Joseph McDowell’s home and now it’s the name of the community as well.

The above land was mentioned in an entry by John McDowell.

16 May 1778 John McDowell, 260a Catawba River joining upper line of George Cathey’s survey, up branch on both sides of Waggon road from the Garding (Garden) to Silver Creek. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 402 p 135

I believe the Pleasant Garden tract is where George Cathey was living at this time. This area remained Burke County until 1842 when McDowell County was formed, named for Joseph McDowell (1758-1795), George Cathey’s neighbor and probable cousin. Joseph’s grandfather was Charles McDowell (c1688-1754) married to Rachel Cathey, relation to George Cathey unknown.

On 8 Jul 1778, William Cathey entered 640 acres of land on Turkey Cove described as land George Cathey formerly entered and had surveyed by warrant out of late Earl Granville’s office, and now re-entered by Cathey this 8 Jul 1778. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 474 p 158.

The above was granted to William Cathey on 20 Sep 1779, grant number 45, described as entry 474 dated 19 Oct 1778 (a few months after originally entered). It isn’t clear why George Cathey’s original entry was invalidated, or perhaps he simply transferred it to his son. The land was on “Slime Kiln” Creek (now Limekiln Creek), which is north of Marion in present day McDowell County.

George was mentioned as a neighbor in a Burke land entry dated 19 Dec 1778 for James Cathey.

19 Dec 1778 James Cathey, 100a North Side of Catawba River on west line of John McPeters old survey, on north east of George Cathey including own improvements. Transferred to John Reed by Jonathan McPeters. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 1191 p 392

Who is this James Cathey? I strongly suspect he is a son of George who died without heirs sometime after 19 Dec 1778. That could explain why John Reed wound up with the entry. George Cathey has a son-in-law named John Reed (1767-1847). There was no date mentioned for the transfer so I don’t know when that occurred. It could have been many years later after John was old enough and married into the family (before ca 1790). On the other hand, I didn’t find where this land was actually granted to James Cathey, John Reed or Jonathan McPeters.

Note: Jonathan McPeters, son of Charles, married Nancy Moore daughter of William Moore and Ann Cathey.

The following land entry may have some bearing on the above, though I’m not sure what the connection is other than it also borders George Cathey’s land and also includes some McPeters family members.

31 Dec 1778 Margrat, Marey and Rachell McPeters, 600a on the Catawba River joining George Cathey’s lower line, between William Deavor and James Neal, including own improvements whereon they live for complement. Huggins, Vol 1. Land Entries # 1662 p 550

In the actual grant for the above, the three ladies transfer their claims to John Carson. They sign on 31 Mar 1791 as Margaret Michel, Mary Inman and Rachel Inman. All three signed with marks. The different surnames show they married between 1778 and 1791.

In 1781 and 1782, during the Revolutionary War, Col. Charles McDowell and several of his men were tried for various things including taking bribes from Torys. The case is abstracted in Huggins, Vol. 1. pp 156-162 in a section titled: Burke Co., NC Proceedings of Tryal (sic) of Col. Charles McDowell. George Cathey and William Moore and George Cathey Jr are mentioned in the testimony. I’ve only included that part here. Refer to the book for more information about the trial.

31 Dec 1781 Date charges were brought.

4 Mar 1782 Date of Trial. None of the affidavits, etc., had dates on them.

George Cathey sworn. Wm Moore sworn. Stated class to which he belonged hired Benjamin Whitson deemed a Tory and said taken prisoner at Kings Mountain.

[Note: William Moore is also my ancestor. His 1^st wife was Ann Cathey]

Nicholas Trosper sworn. James Davidson sworn. Stated that two horses taken from Joshua Young (and horses were Tory property), and widow Brandon and Young appraised about the latter end of September 1780 by me and George Cathey Jr at 1,000 pounds which horse was delivered to Michael Kirkpatrick ... and ... (much more, but last mention of a Cathey).

The above isn’t the same Charles McDowell who was married to Rachel Cathey for that one had died twenty years earlier. This is Col. Charles McDowell (1743-1815) brother of the other Joseph McDowell (1756-1801) of Quaker Meadows.

George Cathey and some of his kin were named among the accounts for the estate of John Montgomery, Jr in 1782. This doesn’t prove they were related to him, only that they had done business with him. This probably isn’t the same John Montgomery who married William Moore’s daughter Sarah. I believe that was a younger man of the same name.

Huggins, Vol 1. p. 176 Estate Papers 1777-1795

20 Oct 1782 John Montgomery, Jr. Adm. Bond: Margaret Montgomery, Hamilton Montgomery. Many papers and accounts. Names: Thomas Womack, William Morrel, James Davidson, JP, Cornelos Reddick, Daniel Russell, Robert Cain, Elizabeth Cain, Jas Dever, Wm Farris, George Cathey Sr, John McClatchey, William Sharpe, David Vance, William Cathey Jr, Joseph McDowell, Robert Mitchell, John Hardin JP, Robert Patton, John McCulloh decd, Henry Graham, Wm Harris, Jonathan Kemp, Willm Moral, John Chambers, Willm Cathey Juner. Receipts to John Montgomery, Sr. adm of John Jr July 19 and 20 1786.

Robert Cain’s wife Elizabeth was a daughter of George Cathey 1735. Robert Patton was married to Rebecca, daughter of George Cathey 1735.

Why was William Cathey listed as “Jr” and “Juner” in these accounts? George’s son William (c1753) was the only William Cathey in Burke at the time, wasn’t he? The only other known William Cathey was a small child at this time so why the distinctive suffix? I believe this suggests there was indeed a second adult William Cathey in the area, though perhaps only for a short time. The question is who was that other William? Was he older than George’s son or younger? There weren’t many other known William Catheys of age ca 1782. There was William of Lincoln Co., NC. He was probably older than George’s son, but was he ever in Burke? We think that one is Andrew’s son, born 1741. There was William son of John Cathey (c1718-1764) of Rowan. We lost track of that William after 1764 in Rowan. He could have passed through Burke. Next is Alexander Cathey (1707-1766)’s son William (1747-1799). He certainly could have been in Burke briefly. We do know his father had entered land there per the records I mentioned earlier.

The last known William Cathey is the one in Shenandoah Co., VA in the 1780s. I don’t know if he was ever in NC at all, but he certainly could have been because my William, son of George, went to Shenandoah and lived there awhile and was associated with that other William. However, I think Shenandoah William is younger than my William son of George.

On 22 Jan 1783, George Cathey sold off the very last of his Mecklenburg land to his in-law William Moore. This was the remainder of the 210 acre McCulloh grant from 1767.

Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed 11-276

22 Jan 1783 George Cathey of Burke to William Moore of Burke, for £10, on a branch of McDowell’s Creek in McCulloh’s NW Barony in tract no 4 ... 50 acres. Granted to said Cathey by Henry Eustice McCulloh 22 Feb 1767.

S: George (X) Cathey

Witness: Dav. Vance, Benjamin Knox

On 23 Apr 1783 George Cathey made a statement in court. It isn’t clear whether this would be George Sr or his son George Jr.:

Estate Papers 1777-1795 Huggins, Vol 1. p 173

23 Apr 1783 William Gray. Adm. Bond Lydda Gray, Greenberry Wilson, William England. Inv. July 7, 1783 by Lydda Gray. Statement by George Cathey June 4, 1785 re “Lyday Gray, deft., that Mrs. Rebecca Cathey took up a negro wench of Willm Gray decd and brought to Cathey’s house.” Jas. Davidson, JP.

Mrs. Rebecca Cathey is the wife of William Cathey (son of George). I believe this record may be for George Jr instead of Sr because Jr was a slave owner and I’ve seen no record of George Sr ever having slaves.

On 1 Aug 1783 George Cathey and John Carson together entered 640 acres on the French Broad River. I don’t know if this was George Sr or Jr. I suspect it was the younger George considering he and Carson were about the same age. Col. John Carson (1752-1841) married Rachel McDowell, a grandchild of Charles McDowell and Rachel Cathey.

NC Land Grant

1783 George Cathey and John Carson, 640a Burke. Entered 1 Aug (Nov?) 1783. Granted ?

Entered 1 Aug 1783 (or 1 Nov 1783, both dates listed), George Cathey & John Carson, 640a on French Broad River. File No. 89. To Jonathan Hampton, Entry officer of claims for Rutherford Co., NC ordered to lay off a survey for George Cathey & John Carson ... 640a in Burke on Main Fork of French Broad River about three or four miles above the Sugar Loaf Mountain were a small fork comes in on the north side of the river.

Survey 19 Dec 1783 Jos. McDowell, D.S.

Ben Davidson and Wm Davidson, chain bearers

On 1 Apr 1784 George Cathey Sr entered two tracts of land in the Middle District of Tennessee (then still part of North Carolina), one for 2,500 acres and another for 3,000 acres. These were bounty land for his Revolutionary War service. They were both on the Duck River though not adjacent to each other or particularly close at all. On the same date, his son George Cathey Jr entered 1,130 acres also on Duck River next to his brother-in-law Robert Patton’s entry. However, the land George Jr and Patton entered turned out to have been previously claimed so they were granted replacement land far, far away from George Sr’s, which I’m sure wasn’t the desired outcome.

A cousin, William Cathey, entered 4,000 acres about a year earlier also on Duck River. It isn’t known if George entering his claim in the same area was on purpose or if that was simply the land that was available at the time. Andrew Cathey, another cousin, entered land in the same area as well.

See the attached map for the approximate location of the grants.

George’s 2,500 acre tract was surveyed on 10 Mar 1785. His 3,000 acre tract surveyed 28 Mar 1785. Both were granted to him on 10 Jul 1788 by the State of North Carolina.

NC Land Grants - Tennessee Middle District, File No 105. Grant No 107, Book 67, p. 462.

10 Jul 1788 George Cathey Senr. 2,500 acres south side of Duck River and both sides of Rock Creek. Beginning at a hickory dogwood and elm on the East side of said creek and runs West seventy five chains to the creek the same course forty five chains to a black walnut and elm thence south two hundred eight chains and one fourth to a cedar thence east one hundred and twenty chains crossing both forks of said creek to a stake thence North to the beginning. S: Sam Johnston (Governor). J. Glasgow, Secretary.

Entered 1 Apr 1784 Entry No 1578.

One page of file says: No 1578 George Cathey, Vilate Cathey & Esther Cathey, 2,500 acres, Apr 1, 1784. Gr No 107 dated 10 Jul 1788.

Surveyed 10 Mar 1785 by Dav. Vance, D. Surv.

Chain Carriers: Danl Williams, Wm Dever.

George included his daughters Violet and Esther on the title for this tract, presumably so they would have it after his death without any hassle.

This area was unorganized in the 1780s, but attached to Greene County until 1801 when Williamson County was formed. Bedford and Maury Counties were created in 1807 taking in this region with this land falling into Bedford. Marshall County was formed in 1836 and the land wound up there, thus the land had gone through several county changes.

NC Land Grants - Tennessee Middle District, File No 131. Grant No 133, Book 67, p. 473

10 Jul 1788 George Cathey Senr, 3,000a North side of Duck River on Nobb Branch.

Beginning at an Ash and ironwood sapplin on the river bank about ¾ of a mile above the mouth of Little Tombigby creek runs North 220 chains to a beach thence West 170 chains to a stake thence South 109 chains to the river bank thence up the meanders of the river to the beginning.

Entered 1 Apr 1784 Entry # 1568.

Surveyed 28 Mar 1785 by H. Rutherford DS.

Chain Carriers: John Tate, Charles Crayton

Knobb Creek is in modern Maury Co., TN. North of Columbia, Tennessee. Little Bigby Creek is probably in the city limits of Columbia now. This area, like his 2,500 acre grant, was in unorganized territory in the 1780s through 1801 when Williamson County was formed. It remained in that county until 1807 when Maury was formed.

On 22 Nov 1785 George Cathey, with William Campbell, entered 640 acres in what was then Davidson County, North Carolina (now Wilson Co., TN). They did this on behalf of William Neill who they immediately signed it over to. This land became the subject of an 1823 lawsuit in Wilson Co., TN that names George Cathey’s heirs who were living at that time, thus proving an invaluable document. William Neill’s heirs are also named thus making it a good document for Neill researchers as well.

NC Land Grants - Davidson District. File No 1814. Grant No 387, Book 80, p. 337

26 Jun 1793 George Cathy and William Campbell, 640a S Side of Cumberland River, Tennessee Davidson District on the waters of a Spring. Beginning at a sassafras and white oak North west corner to a survey of Andrew Boyd’s runs thence North with Boyd’s line one hundred and twenty poles to a his North West corner stake continued North one hundred and seventy two poles further to a stake in all 342 poles thence west 352 and a half poles to a sugar tree and elm North east corner to a survey made by John Jennings passing Benjamin Eason’s south east corner at three hundred and thirty four poles, thence south one hundred and fifty poles to a stake on the north boundary line of Michael Gleaves’ survey, thence east with his line seventy six poles to said Gleaves north east corner locust & hickory thence south with said Glean’s line 226 poles to his south east corner white oak and cherry being on the north boundary of Stokely Donnelson survey which includes the main fork of Spencer’s Creek thence east 276 poles and a half to the beginning.

Entered 22 Nov 1785, Warrant 774

Surveyed 5 Dec 1789 by Danl Smith, Survr.

Chain Carriers: John Donelson, Samson Williams.

George Cathey apparently went back and forth from his North Carolina home to his Tennessee land holdings as it was necessary to improve the land in order to keep it. That was one of the conditions for land grants. He may have been gone from home for long periods of time. It is reasonable to assume his sons or sons-in-laws may have accompanied him on some of the trips. The land was in unorganized (Indian) territory. Thus, every time George traveled there he was risking his life as the Indians had not yet officially ceded that territory.

George Cathey is listed in several Burke Co., NC court records in 1784, these from Burke County North Carolina Land Records and More Important Miscellaneous Records 1751 - 1809 Volume 3, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press, 1987.

p. 94 1784. Geo. Cathey, Sr. for Jno. McDowell, pltff., and Wm. Sharp and Jno. McKnitabrand (Alexander?), defts., state the day Charles McDowell was elected Entry Taker in Jan. 1778 ... he said he suspected a scuffle about entering land and told Cathey to stand near him and as soon as he was elected he handed him several locations, one he handed was for Jno. McDowell and one for the Big Cane Break at the forks of Cain R. That night he had Geo. Cathey and Wm. Sharpe go with him ... and acted as clerk to McDowell and give in a large number of locations in his own name and John McKnit Alexanders.

p. 95 1784. John McDowell, William Sharpe and John McKnit Alexander, cavit (caveat) in the Big Cane Break at the forks of Cane R., July 22. Sub: to Geo. Cathey, Sr. as wit.

p. 96 1784. Robert Patton vs. Lydia Gray, Sept. 12; appealed. (2) Sept. 10. Judgment for pltff. Wits: Henery Glaspay and George Cathey, the latter stated he heard Lydda Gray’s husband promise to pay Miss Rebecca Cathy.

[Rebecca is wife of William Cathey, son of George (1735). There is another record of this case which refers to her as Mrs. instead of Miss. That is given earlier in this web page. I think this reference might be for George Jr instead of Sr.]

There is a reference in BHC’s work that George Cathey was chain carrier (also known as chain bearer) along with Joseph Kerr for a survey done by David Vance in Feb 1785 in that part of Tennessee where his land was, suggesting he was there at that time tending to his own land as well as helping others. This from a book called The Cook Family in America - A Family History of Thomas and Milly (Marcum) Cook and their Descendants of Bedford County, Tennessee c. 1770-1973, by Jerry Wayne Cook, Normandy, Tennessee 1973, p. 12. I have not seen this book so I don’t know exactly what survey(s) had George Cathey’s name on it as chain carrier.

George Cathey died before the 1790 census for his widow Margaret was listed as head of household that year. Also, he was mentioned in a Burke court record dated September 1790 as George Cathey, Sr., now deceased. (From Huggins, Vol 3.)

p. 157 1790. Robert Wright, Robert Montgomery, agent., vs. Francis McClewer, narrative case, Sept. 9. Brig. Gen. Rutherford as wit. for 1763 survey. Names: survey for Geo. Cathey and James Black in then Rowan Co., Geo. Cathey, Sr., now dec’d. Thomas Frohock of Rowan dep. Abraham Collett. Several pages.

Kyle Wear found the original case among the Civil Action papers. It is in reference to a survey made for George Cathey Sr in 1763 for land apparently never granted to him. The case very explicitly states that George Cathey Sr was dead by the date of the suit.

What we don’t know is whether George Cathey died near home in Burke Co., NC or while off checking on his Tennessee land. For lack of evidence either way, I’m going to assume he died near home.

He apparently left a Last Will and Testament. However, that, along with most other Burke County Wills, probate and estate records for this era were destroyed in 1865 during the Civil War.

We have one reference to it in a deed from 1812:

Bedford County, Tennessee Deed Book D, p. 82

20 Feb 1812 Violet Cathey of Bedford Co., TN and Joseph McDowell of Maury Co., TN to John Dysart of Bedford Co., TN. For $200, 200 acres in Bedford on the waters of Rock Creek being part of a tract of 2,500 acres granted to George Cathey by grant No 107 and by his Last Will & Testament devised to Violet Cathey, Esther Cathey and Ann Moore and being part of Violet Cathey’s lot agreeable to a division amongst the legatees ... Joseph C. McDowell ...

S: Violet (X) Cathey, J. C. McDowell

Witnesses: Alexander Neill, Francis Dysart

Unfortunately no other portion of his Will has been discovered so far. Fortunately, the 1823 Wilson County court case proves his family rather well. More on that later in the children’s section.

The 1790 census was as of 2 Aug 1790, so we can probably assume that George was dead before then since Margaret was listed as head of household on that census in Burke Co., NC. Her sons George (Jr) and William were listed near her. Her son-in-law Andrew Neill was listed next door. Son-in-law John Reid was a few houses away. Martin Brandon was next to George (Jr). He might be connected to the Rowan County Brandons who were related to the Catheys. I know nothing else about him though.

1790 Burke County, North Carolina, Morgan District, 1^st Company

Pg	Name	Males 16+	Males under 16	Females	Others	Slaves
88	George Cathey	2	3	4	-	5
88	Marget Cathey	-	1	4	-	-
88	William Cathey	3	4	5	-	3

Margaret Cathey no ages (bef 1790) 0-1-4-0-0

My analysis (who each person *might* be)

1m -16 (1774/1790) Son? Grandson?

4f no age (bef 1790) 1. Margaret (—) Cathey, widow of George 1735

2. Violet Cathey (1761) daughter

3. Daughter?

4. Daughter?

Buncombe County was formed from part of Burke in 1791, but the Catheys didn’t fall into the new county, rather moving there soon after. The section of Burke they lived in at the time remained Burke for a few more decades and is now McDowell County, North Carolina.

We have no other records for Margaret until she appears on the 1799 tax list in Logan Co., KY where several of her daughters were then living. (Thanks to Kyle Wear for locating this record.) Margaret wasn’t listed in that county on the 1792 through 1797 tax lists. The 1798 list is missing. In 1799, “Margt Cathey” was taxed for 200 acres of land on Muddy Creek entered by her and surveyed for her. The land had not yet been granted (patented) to her by then. Her sons-in-laws Andrew Neill, Archibald Neill and John Reid were also listed in 1799 each with 200 acres on Muddy Creek or Big Muddy Creek. Margaret had no taxable males at home nor any horses.

Muddy Creek rises in northern Logan County and flows northerly into Butler County eventually joining the Green River.

Margaret was not listed on the 1800 or later tax lists. By 1801, John Reed had 400 acres of land he was taxed for, which probably included her 200 acres along with his.

The 1800 census is lost for Kentucky, unfortunately.

There is a marriage record in Logan Co., KY for Peggy Cathey and John Bailey in 1805. However, that is almost certainly a daughter of Hugh Cathey and his wife Jane Bailey and not George Cathey’s widow Margaret. (“Peggy” is a common nickname for “Margaret.”)

There is a Margaret Cathey on the 1810 census back in Burke Co., NC, but that one is far too young to be the same person. It seems likely that our Margaret Cathey died between 1799 and 1801 in Logan Co., KY. Then again, she may have lived long enough to have moved to the Tennessee land grants ca 1806 and died there instead. We may never know for sure.

Kyle Wear gave a good explanation why the Cathey family members went from western NC to Logan Co., KY first instead of directly to their inherited Tennessee lands in middle Tennessee.

In fact a lot of people who had obtained their Revolutionary War grants in the military district did this too, and for very good reason. If you look at your county formation map of Tennessee, you will see that the military District (Davidson County) was in north central Tennessee in the 1780's and 1790's. The other settled portion was eastern Tennessee. But these areas were separated by Indian lands. So during the 1780's and 1790's if you lived in North Carolina and wanted to get to the military district safely, then you had to go north through the Cumberland Gap and then west into Kentucky to get there. Also, the area that became Bedford County was not a safe area for a long time--Indian incursions caused a lot of havoc in the post-Revolutionary era. As a result, people who wanted to improve their lands in that area frequently had a homestead in Logan Co., Kentucky which was due north of Davidson County, Tennessee at that time. They would do their improvements during the summer and then return to safety in Kentucky for the winter. It wasn't until the ceding of the intervening parts of Tennessee by the Indians in 1806 that one could travel straight from Knoxville to Nashville without going into Kentucky.

We can account for all of George Cathey’s Anson and Mecklenburg land, when he got it, when he sold it, but not his Burke County land. As noted the Burke County deeds were destroyed during the civil war along with many of the early court records.

Click here for a map showing where all of George Cathey’s known North Carolina land was located.

His Tennessee land can be mostly accounted for. We know he divided his 2,500 acre tract among three daughters, Violet, Esther and Ann. They sold some of it off, but kept some and remained there.

George’s grandson, Joseph Cathey McDowell, sold one half of the 3,000 acre tract in 1803. He may have kept the other half and sold it off in pieces over the years or else he only inherited one half, thus someone else had the remaining 1,500 acres. More research is needed on this subject.

George and Margaret’s grave sites are unknown. He is probably buried somewhere in what is now McDowell Co., NC near Pleasant Gardens. She may be buried in Logan Co., KY or perhaps in Marshall Co., TN if she lived long enough to make the move there. If their graves were marked, they have probably eroded away and been lost to time.

On 20 Oct 1808, John Reed, Alexander Neill and Violet Cathey had George Cathey’s 2,500 acre land grant re-surveyed by George Mitchell, Deputy Surveyor for the Second District of Tennessee. Andrew Neill and William Dever were chain carriers. This new survey is recorded in the state records as well as in Bedford Co., TN Deed Book BB, pp 107-108 with a plat map, registered 10 Nov 1830.

Children

George Cathey had nine proven children as named in the 1823 court case. In his now lost Will he probably named all of those children and perhaps some grandchildren. There may have been other children who died without heirs whom we don’t know about. One such potential child is the James Cathey who appeared in 1778 land record right next to George Cathey in Burke. There is also the matter of the children baptized in the 1740s in Augusta Co., VA. If those are children of this George Cathey, they must have all died young since the same names got used again for younger children.

Click here to read the Wilson Co., TN court case.

1. Cpt. William Cathey (bef 1755-1812) married Rebecca Holeman ca 1772. He died in Haywood Co., NC, she in Macon Co., NC. William and most of his children were named in the 1823 court case. See his own page for more information.

2. Elizabeth Cathey (bef 1755-after 1810) married 1 Robert Cain (d bef 1785), and 2 Robert Reed (c1757-1842). Elizabeth died sometime between 1810 the time of the 1823 case which named her as deceased. Robert Reed died in Alabama.

3. Rebecca Cathey (bef 1755-1823/1830) married Robert Patton (1742-1832) ca 1780. She was still alive in 1823 so only she and her husband were named in the court case.

4. Cpt. George Cathey (1755-1840) married Margaret Chambers ca 1776. George died in Cooper Co., MO. He was still alive at the time of the 1823 court case so only he was named and not any of his children, though his family is well documented elsewhere.

5. James Cathey (bef 1757-aft 1778). James Cathey might be a son of George Cathey, or he might not be. The only record we have for him is Land Entry in Burke Co., NC dated 19 Dec 1778 where James Cathey entered 100 acres on the North Side of the Catawba River, on the west side of John McPeters old survey, north east of George Cathey, and including his own improvements (meaning he already lived on the land or was farming it at least). There is no indication the land was ever actually granted to him. A note on the entry said it was transferred to John Reed by Jonathan McPeters. Since this land was next to George Cathey’s land, that strongly suggests James was either his son, a brother or a nephew. That John Reed wound up with it suggests James Cathey was George’s son since Reed was a son-in-law. However, I should point out that John Reed didn’t marry into the family until ca 1787. There was no date on the note regarding the transfer of the entry. It could have been that many years later, or perhaps it’s a different John Reed being referenced. There was an older one in the area. That Jonathan McPeters was the one to transfer it suggests he was the entry taker at the time or else it had been transferred to him before being transferred to John Reed. Regardless, this 1778 land entry is the only record I’ve found for this James Cathey. It isn’t much to go on, but for now I’m going to consider him a son of George Cathey who died as a young man sometime after 1778 leaving no heirs.

6. Margaret Cathey (1755/65-1813) married Elijah Patton (bef 1755-1829) ca 1770. She was dead by 1823, so her children were named in the court case.

7. Mary Cathey (1750/60-aft 1840) married 1 — McDowell, and 2 Andrew Neill. She was still alive in 1823 so only she and her husband were named in the court case.

8. Violet Cathey (1761-1848) never married. She was named in the 1823 court case. She was also named in her father’s Will as cited in the 1812 deed.

9. Esther Cathey (1767-1840) married John Reed (1767-1847) ca 1788. She was still alive in 1823 so only she and her husband were named in the court case. She was also named in her father’s Will as cited in the 1812 deed, though listed as Cathey, so the Will was from before she married Mr. Reed.

10. Ann Cathey (c1773-1852) married 1 — Moore, and 2, Alexander Neill. She was still alive in 1823 but for some reason wasn’t named in the court case. However, her husband Alexander was named as an heir of William Neill in the case. They apparently forgot to include her. However, she is a proven child of George Cathey via his Will (as “Ann Moore”) and in deeds where she sold off parts of her inheritance as Ann Neill.

Each of the above have their own web pages, so refer to them for more information.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for George Cathey and Sarah Ann Price and George Cathey and Margaret ---

Revised: September 27, 2023

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