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Cpt. George Cathey (1755-1840) and Margaret Chambers of North Carolina (Burke, Buncombe, Haywood) and MO (Cooper, Pettis)
[Cathey Home] - [Table of Contents] - George Cathey (1755-1840)
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George Cathey (1755) is my 6 times great uncle.
George Cathey was born January 1755 in Mecklenburg Co., NC per his Revolutionary War Pension statement. It should be noted there was no Mecklenburg yet in 1755 as that area was still Anson County until 1762/1763 when Mecklenburg was created. Even then it was a much larger county than it is today, geographically speaking.
Several online trees list this George as George M. Cathey. However, I have never seen any public record showing him with a middle initial. Such a record might exist but I have yet to come across it.
George is a proven son of George Cathey (1725-1790). The elder George’s only proven wife was named Margaret, but there is a tradition that he had a wife named Ann Price. If so, she would have to be his first wife since Margaret outlived him by about a decade. Thus, Ann would have to be George’s mother. This is somewhat supported by George naming his first second daughter Ann, presumably after his mother.
To avoid confusion, whenever I refer to this George I’ll simply call him George, or George (1755). His father will be referenced as George (1725). There are some early records where George (1755) is referred to as George Jr to distinguish him from his father.
Refer to this page for quick outline of the various contemporary George Catheys.
In the 1750s, George Cathey (1725) resided in Anson Co., NC in the part that became Mecklenburg County in 1762/63. Thus, George (1755) would have been born in what was then Anson Co., NC, later Mecklenburg. He would have moved around with his parents and wound up in far western Rowan County by the early 1770s in the section that became Burke County in 1777.
George Cathey married Margaret Chambers ca 1776, presumably the area that became Burke the following year. Her maiden name is not proven. In fact, I don’t know where Chambers comes from, but it has been listed this way in various family histories for years. One even listed her as Margaret Chamberlain. However, there were Chambers in the same areas with the Catheys over several decades and multiple counties and states. That, in my opinion, makes Chambers far more likely for her surname than Chamberlain. James Chambers (d 1805) and wife Abigail are likely candidates to be Margaret’s parents. One, George Cathey was administrator of James Chambers’ estate. Two, George and wife named a daughter Abigail and a son James. Three, George was associated with William Chambers and Joseph Chambers, both proven sons of James. William Chambers even went to Cooper Co., MO where the Cathey’s went. None of this proves that James Chambers is Margaret’s father, but it makes him a top contender. More research is needed on this subject to be sure. (Thanks to Kyle Wear for finding and sharing the Chambers information.)
Margaret was born before 1755 per her age on the 1800 census. This is supported by the 1810 census. Unfortunately we don’t have them in 1820 and she seems to have died prior to 1830 so we can’t narrow her birth down any better. We can probably assume she wasn’t much older than her husband.
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.
George Cathey enlisted for Revolutionary War service in 1776 or 1777 while a resident of Burke County. (Click the link above to see his full pension application.) He was a private soldier his first tour. He enlisted again later as a Lieutenant, later promoted to Captain. He was at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. He served until the close of the war, though home frequently during the same time. Three months as a Private, six months as a Lieutenant, fifteen months as a Captain.
George Cathey Jr was mentioned in the trial of Col. Charles McDowell 1781-1782:
(p. 158) 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 ... (there is more but I didn’t abstract it as it didn’t pertain to George Cathey).
Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1779-1790 Volume II, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press.
On 19 Dec 1783, George Cathey and John Carson had 640 acres surveyed on the French Broad River near Sugar Loaf Mountain. Chain Bearers were Ben Davidson and William Davidson. It isn’t clear whether this was George (1755) or his father.
On 1 Apr 1784, George Cathey Jr, and his brother-in-law Robert Patton both made use of their military warrants to enter land in Middle Tennessee near George Cathey Sr’s land on Knob Creek of Duck River (modern day Marshall Co., TN). George Jr’s entry was described as:
1,130 acres in Green County lying on Nob Creek a branch of Duck River running into said river on the north side joining the lower end of Robert Patton’s survey No 1569. running down both sides of said creek for compliment.
Robert Patton’s entry was nearly identical except it was listed as bordering the lower end of George Cathey’s survey. It isn’t clear if it meant George Sr or Jr’s, but they were all in the same area.
Unfortunately for George (1755) and Robert, the lands they entered already had previous claims so they weren’t able to get them. However, as they were entitled to land for their military service, the surveyor, Henry Rutherford, entered land in the same amounts for them both in an area where there was vacant land. There was a catch though. The land was around 170 miles away from where they wanted it! George Jr received 1,130 acres on the Rutherford Fork of Obion River in the Western District of Tennessee. Robert Patton received a thousand acres in the same area. The land was surveyed for them on 29 Sep 1785, so that’s probably around the time they learned of it’s location. It was granted on 10 Jul 1788.
This region was unorganized territory in the 1780s when entered, surveyed and granted. The Native Americans still claimed it as their own. It was tentatively attached to Greene County though not actually part of that county. It remained unorganized until 1821 when it was attached to Carroll County. Finally, in 1823 Gibson County was formed and the region had it’s own local government.
Robert Patton held onto his land grant and actually moved there in his old age and died on his tract in 1832, in what was then Gibson Co., TN. It isn’t certain that George Cathey Jr ever set foot on his tract. He apparently had a hard time getting rid of it. He sold it in 1799, but apparently it reverted back to him, then he sold it again in 1814, then again in 1829! Then, that last deed had to be made one more time because he thought it had gotten lost in the mail! See each of those entries below in their chronological sequence.
On 4 Jun 1785 George Cathey made a statement in court. It isn’t clear whether this would be George Sr (1725) or his son George (1755). Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1779-1790 Volume II, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press.
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.
This same incident is referenced again in Burke County North Carolina Land Records and More Important Miscellaneous Records 1751 - 1809 Volume 3, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press, 1987.
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.
George Cathey (1725) apparently left a Last Will and Testament ca the late 1780s. However, that, along with most other Burke County Wills, probate and estate records for this era were destroyed in 1865 during the Civil War. An 1823 Wilson Co., TN Court case states that William Cathey and George Cathey (1755) were the executors of George Cathey Sr.’s Will.
We have one reference to the Will 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.
George Cathey was listed on the 1790 census in Burke Co., NC two houses from his widowed mother (or step-mother), Margaret Cathey. He was listed between Martin Brandon and Charles Brown.
1790 Burke County, North Carolina, Morgan District, 1st Company
Pg |
Name |
Males 16+ |
Males under 16 |
Females |
Others |
Slaves |
88 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
- |
5 |
My analysis (who each person *might* be)
2m 16+ (before 1774) 1. George Cathey (1755)
2. Son? Brother? Brother-in-law?
3m -16 (1774/1790) 1. William Cathey (1777) son
2. George Cathey (1787) son
3. James Cathey (1790) son
4f (before 1790) 1. Margaret Chambers Cathey (bef 1755) wife
2. Nancy Cathey (1780) daughter
3. Ann Cathey (1783) daughter
4. Sarah Cathey (1784) daughter
5 slaves ? --> gone by 1800
? --> gone by 1800
? --> gone by 1800
? --> gone by 1800
? --> gone by 1800
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 fifty more years and is now McDowell County, North Carolina.
George Cathey was listed on the 1793 tax list in Burke with 589 acres and one white tithable (himself). Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1779-1790 Volume II, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press.
On 30 Jul 1794, John Welsh, James Neill and George Cathey were listed as administrators for the estate of John Welsh. Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1779-1790 Volume II, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press.
On 25 Oct 1794 James Neill resigned as the overseer of the road from Pleasant Gardens to the Turkey Cove. He recommended either William Cathey or George Cathey be appointed in his place. They chose George Cathey. Burke County North Carolina Land Records, 1779-1790 Volume II, Edith Warren Huggins, Southern Historical Press. Road Papers, Petitions and Orders 1787-1795
On 14 Mar 1795, George B. Cathey, nephew of George (1755), turned 21. Thus from this point on their may be confusion in the records between the two Georges. George (1755) was sometimes listed as George Sr after this point though not always.
On 22 Aug 1795 William Cathey was granted 50 acres in Burke Co., NC on North Fork of Hawkins Branch on Guardian Creek. The land was entered 22 Oct 1792. The land was surveyed – Dec 1794. George Cathey and Robert Reed were chain carriers (William’s brother and brother-in-law). (NC Land Grants Book 88, p. 45, No. 1356. File 2297.)
On 25 Sep 1795, Martin Antoni of Fayette Co., KY, deeded land on the East Fork of Pigeon River to George Cathey and William Chambers for £300. The land was 620 acres in Buncombe (now Haywood) being part of a 700 acre grant to Joseph Dobson in 1787. Witnesses were Joseph Dobson, John Penland and John Reed. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 4, p. 408).
John Penland was married to Alice Moore, George Cathey’s 1st cousin. John Reed was married to Esther Cathey, George’s sister. William Chambers *could* be a brother of George’s wife.
On 5 Mar 1796, Col. James Miller of the town and county of Rutherford, deeded 640 acres on the Pigeon River to George Cathey of Buncombe for £480. The land was described as in Burke, now Buncombe County beginning at the bank of the river “at the fouard (sic) where General Rutherford army crossed ...” Signed by James Miller. Witnessed by Edmd. Sams. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 2, p. 438.)
On 18 Oct 1797, George Cathey and James Rutherford witnessed a deed from John Carson to William Cathey (George’s brother). (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 4, p. 262).
James Rutherford was married to George’s 1st cousin, Margaret Moore.
On 5 Dec 1798, the State of North Carolina granted 100 acres (Grant # 507) to George Cathey and Joseph Henry. No waterways are named, but it does mention Dobson’s corner, so it may be adjoining the land he purchased from Martin Antoni in 1795. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 7, p. 344. Also NC Land Grants, Book 97, p. 223, File number 476, entered 19 Apr 1796, surveyed 13 Jun 1797 by Hamilton Kyle, Deputy Surveyor. John Kyle and James Chambers, chain carriers.)
I would assume John Kyle was closely related to the surveyor. James Chambers is probably closely related to George Cathey’s wife, either her father or a brother. I don’t know if Joseph Henry is related at all.
On 24 Oct 1799, “George Cathey Senior” of Buncombe made a deed with Phillip Hoodenpile of Buncombe. For £200, he sold him 1,130 acres of land on Rutherford’s Fork of Obion River, granted by the State of North Carolina 10 Jul 1788. George Cathey signed. Alexander Hollingsworth and John Strother witnessed. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 12, p. 506).
On the 3rd Monday of October, 1799 (21 Oct 1799), the deed from George Cathey to Philip Hoodenpyl for 1,130 acres of land on Obion River was acknowledged in Buncombe court and ordered to be registered. It is interesting that Philip Hoodenpyl was also one of the presiding justices for that session of court (with Edmund Sams and Daniel Jarrott).
The above is the land George Cathey was granted in far western Tennessee in lieu of the land he’d entered in middle Tennessee near his father’s. Since George sold this very same land again in 1814, I have to wonder what happened with this deed. Did it revert to him somehow for non payment? Or was the 1799 deed not an actual deed of conveyance, but rather a mortgage deed, null and void once a loan had been paid back? It didn’t say so, but that could explain it.
George Cathey is listed on the 1800 census in Buncombe as was his nephew George B. Cathey (son of William). This census was alphabetical so we can’t determine neighbors.
1800 Census - Buncombe County, North Carolina
Page |
Name |
M0-9
|
M10-15
|
M16-25
|
M26-44
|
M45+
|
F0-9
|
F10-15
|
F16-25
|
F26-44
|
F45+
|
FPC
|
Slaves
|
165 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
165 |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
2 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
My analysis (who each person *might* be)
1m 45+ (before 1755) George Cathey (1755)
1m 10-15 (1784/1790) George Cathey (1787) son
3m 0-9 (1790/1800) 1. James Cathey (1790) son
2. John Cathey (1792) son
3. Joseph Cathey (1795) son
1f 45+ (before 1755) Margaret Chambers Cathey (bef 1755) wife
1f 10-15 17784/1790) Sarah Cathey (1784) daughter
2f 0-9 (1790/1800) 1. Rebecca Cathey (1798) daughter
2. Abigail Cathey (1800) daughter
On 21 Apr 1801, George Cathey of Buncombe made a deed with John Wilson of Lincoln Co., NC. For 950 Spanish Milled Dollars, he sold Wilson 320 acres in Buncombe on the West side of Pigeon River. This was half of the land sold to him by James Miller. Witnesses were Benjamin Smith and John Fullbright. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 5, p. 218).
On 18 Apr 1804 George Cathey made a deed with Joseph Henry. For $25 he sold him land on the west side of Pigeon River on both sides of the branch of the North Fork of the First Creek that runs into Pigeon River above Dever’s Ford including the Sugar Tree Cove and joining Joseph Dobson’s line. This was George Cathey’s half of the 100 acres he and Joseph Henry were granted in 1798. Witnesses were John Patton and Benjamin Posey. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 9, p. 181).
On 20 Apr 1804, George Cathey of Buncombe, sold 65 acres to Jacob McFarlin (McFarland) (his son-in-law) also of Buncombe for $275. The land was on the east side of Pigeon River where Jacob now lived. There were no witnesses. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 8, p. 271).
On 17 Jul 1804, George Cathey and Robert Reed (brother-in-law), and John Fergus, witnessed a deed from Joseph Dobson of Burke to William Cathey, son of George (stated as such in the deed, presumably to avoid confusion with George’s brother William). (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 10, p. 120).
On 3 Aug 1805, George Cathey and Jacob McFarland (his son-in-law), witnessed a deed from Robert Reed (brother-in-law) to Andrew Swallow. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 10, p. 143).
In April 1806, the Buncombe court ordered George Cathey to oversee the road from the Waggon ford on Pigeon, to John Reid’s and to keep open the road from the forks of the road at the head of Hominy to said Reid’s. John Reed was his brother-in-law’s name, but that particular John Reed was in Kentucky well before 1806, so this must be another John Reed in this record.
On 5 Dec 1806, the State of North Carolina granted 150 acres on the Pigeon River (Grant # 1529) to George Cathey. Described as on the west side of Pigeon and on both sides of a branch that runs through his plantation. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 7, p. 609. Also NC Land Grants # 1529, Book 121, p. 331, File 1499. Surveyed 7 Oct 1806 by John Patton, Chief Surveyor. James Duff and John Ford were chain bearers.)
In 1806, residents of western Buncombe Co., NC petitioned the state for the creation of a new county named Haywood. George Cathey was one among several of his kin to sign. He was one of three Georges to sign. One being his son, the other being his nephew.
(Only names of interest abstracted, anything in brackets was added by me)
Daniel Cathey [Son of William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
James Cathey [Son of William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
George Cathey, Pigeon [George 1755-1840]
William Mehaffey [Son-in-law of William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
George Cathey [Son of William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
George Cathey Jr [Son of George 1755-1840]
James Cathey [Son of George 1755-1840]
William Cathey, Pigeon [Son of George 1755-1840]
William Cathey [?]
William Cathey [?]
William Cathey Sr [William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
William Cathey Jr [Son of William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
Andrew Cathey [Son of William Cathey 1750/55-1812]
James Cathey [?]
William Cathy, Ens. [?]
On 2 Jul 1807, the State of North Carolina granted 150 acres to George Cathey. Described as between his line and James Chambers, deceased, including a mill seat. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book 7, pp. 609-610. Also NC Land Grants # 1612. Book 122, p. 324. File 1590. Entered 10 Feb 1806, Entry # 10647. Surveyed 7 Oct 1807 by John Fergus, Deputy Surveyor and John Patton, Chief Surveyor. James Duff and John Ford were chain bearers.)
On 17 Jan 1808, George’s son George Cathey (1787) turned 21. That means there were then three adult George Catheys in the area further complicating the records.
On 5 Apr 1808, John McFarland sold 150 acres to George Cathey and William Cathey of Buncombe, for $1000. The land was on the East side of Pigeon River. Witnesses were Jonathan McPeters and John Gooch. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 10)
William Cathey was George’s son. Jonathan McFarland was married to George Cathey’s first cousin, Nancy Moore. John McFarland was likely a close relative to Jonathan as well as Anna McFarland, George McFarland and Jacob McFarland all of whom married children of George Cathey.
In 1808 Haywood County was created from western Buncombe, including Richland Creek and Pigeon River areas where the Catheys were.
George Cathey Sr is listed on the 1810 census in Haywood Co., NC as was his son George and nephew George. The census was alphabetical so we can’t determine neighbors.
Page |
Name |
M0-9
|
M10-15
|
M16-25
|
M26-44
|
M45+
|
F0-9
|
F10-15
|
F16-25
|
F26-44
|
F45+
|
FPC
|
Slaves
|
60 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
60 |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
60 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
My analysis (who each person *might* be)
1m 45+ (before 1765) George Cathey (1755)
2m 16-25 (1784/1794) 1. James Cathey (1790) son
2. John Cathey (1792) son
1m 10-15 (1794/1800) Joseph Cathey (1795) son
2m 0-9 (1800/1810) 1. Son?
2. Son?
1f 45+ (before 1765) Margaret Chambers Cathey (bef 1755) wife
1f 10-15 (1794/1800) Rebecca Cathey (1798) daughter
1f 0-9 (1800/1810) Abigail Cathey (1800) daughter
On 18 Mar 1813, George Cathey Senr made a deed to William Chambers. A quit claim to several tracts on the north east side of Pigeon River on which said Chambers, Jacob McFarland and John Ford then lived, being part of 640 acres conveyed to George Cathey and William Chambers from Philip Anthony on 7 Aug 1787, originally granted to Joseph Dobson. George Cathey signed with a mark. There were no witnesses. (Haywood Co., NC Deed Book A., p. 206).
There is no record of the original 1787 deed cited as that would have been in Burke Co., NC and those deeds were lost during the Civil War. However, it’s entirely possible that this should actually refer to the 1795 deed from Martin Antoni which was for 620 acres originally granted to Joseph Dobson in 1787.
On 22 Jun 1813, George Cathey Senr sold 150 acres to James Cathey [his son] for $200. The land was on the west side of Pigeon River. He made a second deed on the same date to James Cathey for another 150 acres, this one for $500. Neither deed had witnesses, George himself acknowledging them in court. (Haywood Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 217-218).
On 12 Dec 1814, George Cathey Senr sold 100 acres to George Cathey Junr [his son] for $500. The land was on the west side of Pigeon River at Cathey’s Ford. Witnesses were Zachariah Clark and William Cathey [his son]. (Haywood Co., NC Deed Book A., pp. 322-323).
On 20 Dec 1814, George Cathey of Haywood Co., NC sold land to Robert Love of same place. For $100 he sold an equal half “or moiety” of a tract of land in the Western District of Tennessee on Rutherford’s Fork of Obion River, granted by the State of North Carolina 10 Jul 1788, no 93. George Cathey signed. Witnesses were John Dillard and Stephen Williams. (Buncombe Co., NC Deed Book H, p. 141).
In this deed, George Cathey sells half of his 1,130 acre tract to Robert Love. However, he sold all of the same tract to Phillip Hoodenpyl 15 years earlier in 1799. What happened that caused it to return to George Cathey’s hands? And why did he sell it yet again in 1829? One explanation is that these weren’t deeds of conveyance but mortgage deeds using the land as collateral for a loan. If he paid the loan back, the land didn’t actually change hands.
On 10 Aug 1815 George Cathey Senr sold land to Hodge Rayborne for $1,550, being two tracts on the Pigeon River including the plantation he (George Cathey) lived on. That was 300 acres part of a 400 acre grant to George Cathey dated 14 Dec 1804. Also 200 acres. George Cathey signed. Witnesses were William Parkam and Jonathan Osborne. (Haywood Co., NC Deed Book B, pp 159-160).
The above deed is George Cathey selling his home place meaning he was preparing to move.
On 19 Sep 1815, Jacob McFarland deeded 67 acres to Daniel McDowell for $700 being the land he lived on. George Cathey was the sole witness and proved the deed in Sep 1815 court. This seems to be the same land George Cathey deed to Jacob McFarland in 1804 though that deed listed it as 65 acres while this one showed 67. (Haywood Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 363).
The above is the last record I found for George Cathey (1755) in Haywood Co., NC. There may be others, but it was around this time (late 1815) that he moved his family west.
In 1812, part of the Louisiana Territory was separated and named Missouri Territory. In 1816 Howard County was formed in the westernmost part of the new territory. In 1819 Cooper County was formed from the southern part of Howard. I mention all of this because sometime after 19 Sep 1815, George Cathey moved to what became Cooper Co., MO. Some of his children had already gone there ahead of him including Ann Cathey Moore, son George Cathey, and perhaps a few others. The rest probably accompanied him on his trip.
It isn’t clear yet whether George’s wife Margaret Chambers Cathey made the trip to Missouri or not. She died sometime prior to 1830, but I don’t know how early, whether still in NC or during or after the move to MO.
Unfortunately, the 1820 census for Missouri is lost, but George was undoubtedly in Cooper Co., MO by then.
I should note that I didn’t find any deeds for George Cathey recorded in Cooper Co., MO from 1819 through 1850. Perhaps he didn’t own any land there unless he received it prior to Cooper’s formation in 1819.
On 31 Jan 1821, one George Cathey entered a tract of land of 613 acres in “the fifth section of the eighth range near Obion River” in what was then Gibson Co., TN. I don’t know for certain that this is the same George Cathey, but since ours had 1,130 acres in that area, it seems likely this was him, or perhaps his son. However, I don’t know if this land was ever actually granted to him. I found no record of it being sold. (Gibson Co., TN Land Records p. 393/371).
In May 1823, Robert Neill (c1761-1840), brought a suit in Wilson Co., TN regarding land his father William Neill had once owned. The land had been originally entered by George Cathey (1725-1790) (father of our George Cathey) and William Campbell. They entered it in 1784 on behalf of William Neill who they immediately signed it over to. That should have ended the Cathey’s involvement with the land. However, some dispute about ownership of the land arose among the Neills a few decades later, long after William Neill and George Cathey had died. Since both William Neill and George Cathey were dead by May 1823, many of their heirs were named in their place. George Cathey (1755) was named as a son of George (1725) in the court record, and noted as one of the executors of his Will. (Wilson Co., TN Court Minutes, May 1823 Robert Neill vs. George Cathey, et al.)
On 7 Dec 1825, Briton Williams and wife Elizabeth Williams deeded land to George Cathey, all of Cooper Co., MO. George paid $300 for 80 acres. Witnesses were William Bryant and Joseph Brown. This deed is actually for George (1787) son of George (1755) as proven when George and wife Ann sold it in 1829. (Cooper Co., MO Deed Book B, p. 408 and Book C. p. 264).
On 14 May 1827, George Cathey of Cooper Co., MO appointed John Reed (brother-in-law) of Bedford Co., TN his attorney to deal with all his lands in Tennessee including any he might have rights to as an heir of George Cathey Sr, deceased. (Bedford Co., TN Deed Book Y, p. 450 and Gibson Co., TN Deed Book A, p. 371).
On 12 Mar 1829, George Cathey of Cooper Co., MO made a deed to his son Joseph Cathey of the same place. He sold Joseph his 1,130 acres in Gibson Co., TN on the waters of Rutherford Fork of Obion River. This is the same land he “sold” in 1799 and again in 1814. This time would be the final time. Sort of. See 1832 below. Witnessed by Robert P. Clark. (Gibson Co., TN Deed Book B, p. 26).
George Cathey (1755) was not listed on the 1830 census, but I believe he is the older male living with son-in-law Jacob McFarland that year in Cooper Co., MO. There is no one Margaret’s age there, so unless she’s residing elsewhere, she probably had died before 1830.
1830 Census - Cooper County, Missouri
Page |
Name (Males first row, females on second) |
0-4
|
5-9
|
10-14
|
15-19
|
20-29
|
30-39
|
40-49
|
50-59
|
60-69
|
70-79
|
80-89
|
90-99
|
100+
|
212 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
My analysis (who each person *might* be)
1m 70-79 (1750/1760) George Cathey (1755) father-in-law
1m 50-59 (1770/1780) Jacob McFarland (1772)
1m 20-29 (1800/1810) Son?
1m 15-19 (1810/1815) Son?
1m 10-14 (1815/1820) Son?
1f 40-49 (1780/1790) Nancy Cathey McFarland (1780) wife
On 13 Jun 1832, George Cathey of Cooper Co., MO made another deed to his son Joseph Cathey for the same 1,130 acres in Gibson Co., TN which included this comment: “That whereas I the said George Cathey have heretofore executed a deed to the said Joseph for the premises hereinafter described which it is now alleged has been lost or miscarried by mail before it was registered.” However, I don’t think the original was lost at all as it is now in the deed books twice. There was apparently a mis-communication due to the distances involved. In this deed he said he sold the land for $200 and natural love and affection. The prior deed said $300 and didn’t mention the natural love and affection. Witnesses were John Wilson and Stephen T. Clark. (Gibson Co., TN Deed Book C., p. 51).
This wasn’t the final disposition of the 1,130 acres. Joseph Cathey sold it to his uncle John Reed and cousin Alexander B. Reed in 1830. John Reed, in turn, sold it to William Gilchrist in 1837, or at least his half of it. (Gibson Co., TN Deed Book B, p. 86, and Deed Book E, p. 511.)
On 6 May 1833, George Cathey appeared in Cooper Co., MO court to give a statement about his Revolutionary War Service. Click on the link to see the full document. He was listed as George Cathey of Boonville Township, age 77 in January last. When asked if he had a written record of his age he stated:
“My age is recorded in my father’s Bible which is now in the state of Kentucky in the possession of my brother in law.”
It isn’t entirely clear which brother-in-law he meant for none were living in Kentucky in 1833 as far as I’m aware. Robert Reed was in Alabama then and had never lived in Kentucky. Robert Patton and Elijah Patton were both dead, neither having lived in Kentucky. Alexander Neill was dead in Tennessee. Andrew Neill and John Reed were both alive in Tennessee but had lived in Kentucky some 30 years earlier. George Cathey definitely should have known that though it’s possible he hadn’t kept in contact with all his family members. Could he have been referring to a brother-in-law via his wife’s side? Possibly, but it wouldn’t make sense for someone on that side to have his father’s Bible unless they were also related to him. Maybe this Bible will turn up someday. That would be an incredible record to have.
Pettis County was formed in 1833 from the western edge of Cooper and from other counties. I don’t know if the Catheys fell into the new county or else moved there, but some were in Pettis Co., MO for the 1840 census, others were still in Cooper. George Cathey was in Pettis, residing with son-in-law James McCormick. We know it’s him because he is listed by name in the column for Revolutionary War Pensioners as George Cathey age 85.
1840 Census - Pettis County, Missouri
Page |
Name (Males first row, females on second) |
0-4
|
5-9
|
10-14
|
15-19
|
20-29
|
30-39
|
40-49
|
50-59
|
60-69
|
70-79
|
80-89
|
90-99
|
100+
|
34 |
James McCormick |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
|
|
~ |
1 |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
My Analysis (who each person *might* be)
1m 80-89 (1750/1760) George Cathey (1755) father-in-law
1m 50-59 (1780/1790) James McCormick (1790)
2m 20-29 (1810/1820) 1. Son?
2. Son?
1m 15-19 (1820/1825) Son?
1m 10-14 (1825/1830) Son?
1m 5-9 (1830/1835) Son?
1m 0-4 (1835/1840) Son?
1f 40-49 (1790/1800) Rebecca Cathey Henry McCormick (1798) wife
1f 10-14 (1825/1830) Daughter?
1f 5-9 (1830/1835) Daughter?
George Cathey died on 14 Dec 1840, presumably in Pettis Co., MO. The date of death is recorded in his pension papers though it doesn’t state which county he died in. He has markers at two different cemeteries, though it is noted he might not actually be buried at either one.
In the Crown Hill Cemetery he has a marker inscribed:
Geo. Cathy VA. Regt Rev. War 1755-1840
At the Union-Williams Cemetery, he has a bronze marker inscribed:
George Cathey Capt Continental Line Revolutionary War 1755 1840
Both markers were likely placed well over a century after his death. The one at Crown Hill Cemetery is wrong. He wasn’t in a Virginia Regiment, at least not according to his pension papers.
On 3 Jan 1846, Joseph Cathey applied to the Pettis Co., MO court to be named administrator of the estate of George Cathey Senr, deceased. He was issued letters of administration. (Pettis Co., MO Administrator, Guardian and Curator Bonds, Vol 1-2 1833-1865 pp 79-80).
George Cathey and Margaret Chambers have ten children as named in his Revolutionary War Pension files.
All ten moved from Haywood Co., NC to Missouri in the 1810s in at least two different migrations. Of the ten, only two didn’t remain. William Cathey (1777) returned to Haywood Co., NC in the 1820s and died there in 1864.
Sarah Cathey McClure left MO in the 1820s or early 1830s and came most of the way back home, stopping in Union (now Towns) Co., GA where she died in 1863.
The other eight children died in Missouri.
See the family group sheet below for more on them.
For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for George Cathey and Margaret Chambers.
Revised: September 3, 2023
Copyright © 1996-2023 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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