James Cathey (c1700-1757) and Ann (—) of Ireland, MD (Cecil), PA (Chester, Lancaster), VA (Augusta), NC (Anson, Rowan)

Marty and Karla Grant

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[Cathey Home] - [Table of Contents] - James Cathey (c1700-1757)

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James Cathey is my 8 times great grandfather.

Special thanks to Boyt H. Cathey (1927-2011) (referred to herein as BHC). He included much information on James in his book Cathey Family History And Genealogy Volume I 1700-1900, 1993. The work of BHC as well as various articles and studies published in the Cathey Reunion Newsletters (1951-) were quite helpful. Thanks to Kyle Wear for finding some heretofore undiscovered information on James Cathey.

Refer to this page for quick outline of the various 18^th century James Catheys.

James Cathey’s birth date isn’t known, but we can make some educated estimates. By my calculations he was before born ca 1700. I base this on his first public records and the approximate birth dates of his children. That doesn’t mean he was born in 1700, only that he was born no later than 1700. He could have been born five or ten or more years earlier, perhaps. Dr. E. Henry Cathey (referred to herein as EHC) believes this is the same James Cathey who was christened 3 Jul 1694 in Clones Parish, County Monaghan, Ireland, a son of Alexander Cathey. That certainly works age-wise, but in my opinion it’s not enough to go on. While that could be the same James Cathey, we have no way to prove that at present.

To explain my rationale for putting James’s birth date at before ca 1700, I need to also explain how I arrived at the birth dates for his children, which is partly how I came up with his. The first record I’ve seen in James’s name was a 1724 deed where he sold land. I didn’t find where he purchased that land, but according to information in the deed itself it had to be between 1719 and 1724. So, if we use 1724 as the reference point, we can assume James was at least 21 then, so born ca 1703 or earlier. If he bought it closer to 1719, that could push his birth back to ca 1698 or before. To narrow it down a little better we have to figure out when his children were born, and assume James was at least 18 when the first one was born.

We have no primary or secondary sources for the birth dates of any of James’s children. All dates used by other researchers have been approximations or perhaps guesses in some cases. I’m doing the same though I will outline my logic for each date. First, I’m assuming that the children James listed in his 1740 “importation” record were listed in age order. John wasn’t included because he was already married and didn’t come into Virginia with James. However, the rest were listed in this order: William, Elizabeth, Andrew, George, Margaret and Ann.

1. John c1718. Starting with James’s oldest proven child, his son John. John’s oldest son was born in 1740 (though the source for that birth date isn’t known). If we assume that John was at least 18 when said child was born, that means John was born ca 1722 or earlier. That is a starting point. However, as he was the oldest, and his next two younger siblings were also born before ca 1722 using the same logic, I had to push his back a year or two each time, ending with ca 1718. Thus, in my opinion, 1718 is the absolute latest John Cathey could have been born. He could have been born earlier, much earlier in fact, though I doubt that unless he waited later in life to marry. Using only John’s approximate birth date, we can conclude that his father James had to be born ca 1700 or earlier, assuming he was at least 18 when John was born ca 1718. Of course, as with John, James could be a bit older than that, but not younger.

2. William c1720. He received a land grant from William Beverly in 1738. If we assume he had to be at least 18, that puts his birth at ca 1720 or earlier. There are some earlier records for a William Cathey in PA in 1734 along with James, et al, but there is no way to know if that was this same William or not. If it is, it pushes his approximate birth date to ca 1716 or earlier, which could still work. He could be older than John.

3. Elizabeth c1722. Hers is based upon William’s being ca 1720 and the next child after her, Andrew, being ca 1723. She would fit between them if we assume the 1740 importation list is in age order.

4. Andrew c1723. Andrew’s first proven child was baptized in 1741, so if we assume Andrew was at least 18 at the birth of said child, he was born ca 1723 or earlier.

5. George c1725. George received a land grant in 1749. If we assume he was at least 18 then, that puts his birth at ca 1731 or earlier. We must push him back a little further if we assume he fits between Andrew and Margaret per the 1740 importation record where he was listed. Using their approximate birth dates, George must have been born ca 1725 in order to fit between them.

6. Margaret c1727. Margaret’s date is based upon her younger sister Ann’s approximate birth date of before ca 1728 and assuming Margaret is older than Ann per the 1740 list.

7. Ann c1728. Ann’s first marriage took place ca 1744. If we assume she was at least 16 then, she would be born ca 1728 or earlier.

As outlined, the children of James Cathey were born no later than the dates listed (1718-1728). However, they could have been born earlier than the dates listed, though probably not much earlier in my opinion.

The oldest child being born ca 1718 means James was born ca 1700 or earlier. This is compatible with the 3 Jul 1694 christening for James Cathey son of Alexander in Clones Parish, Monaghan, Ireland. That doesn’t mean our James is that same James, but it’s noteworthy.

My birth date estimates differ considerably from those given by BHC as he has each child much older than I do: Elizabeth 1708, John 1709, William 1712, Andrew 1714, George 1715, Margaret 1716, Ann 1717.

Those dates don’t really work in my opinion, but I could be wrong.

This brings us to the question of who James’s parents were and where he was born. We know for a fact that he came from Ireland for he said so himself in a 1740 court record. His son John made a similar statement in a 1751 deed, thus proving the family was in Ireland before coming to America. We don’t know which part of Ireland, though certainly what was then called Ulster. At the time the Catheys left there (ca 1720), Ulster consisted of several large counties: Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Londonberry, Monaghan and Tyrone. Of those, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan are now in the Republic of Ireland while the others make up Northern Ireland. We don’t know which county (or counties) our Catheys came from as so many early Parish and other records were destroyed. We do know there were Catheys in Monaghan thanks to some early surviving parish records, but we don’t really know if they were ours or not.

If the Monaghan James is our James, then we have proof that his father was named Alexander Cathey (Cathy) for that was listed on the Christening record. The mother’s name was not given, nor do any of the other surviving parish records give the name of Alexander’s wife. He (Alexander) died there in 1698, and a woman named Margaret Cathey died later that same year. She could be his widow, but the record doesn’t say so.

Thus, the parentage of James Cathey is unproven as far as I’m concerned. He could be a son of Alexander Cathey of Monaghan, but I’ll need more evidence before I can accept that this James Cathey is ours. I will say he’s age compatible so that’s a point in his favor. Another point in his favor is the associated family names that married into the Catheys of Monaghan: Corruders (Carruthers), Ervine, McMulline (McMullin) and Scott. However, as anyone who has researched their Scots-Irish ancestry will tell you, these are very common surnames.

While we don’t know who James Cathey’s parents were, we do know some potential siblings, though none are proven to be his siblings. John Cathey (d 1742 PA) could be an older brother. John’s son Alexander went to NC along with James, so that shows a familial connection.

Rachel Cathey (c1690-aft 1754 NC) wife of Charles McDowell (d 1754) is another potential sibling though it isn’t proven that she was a Cathey. Charles named his “friend” George Cathey (son of James) as overseer to help his wife Rachel to administer his estate. It may be notable that the name “Rachel” is not used among James’s children or grandchildren, so perhaps she wasn’t a Cathey at all.

George Cathey (c1692-c1765) and wife Jean, is another possible sibling. He also went to Rowan Co., NC.

Elizabeth Cathey (c1696-c1743) wife of John Brandon (c1691-1756) is another possible sibling. They went to Rowan Co., NC.

Sarah Cathey (c1701-c1760s) wife of Samuel Givens (d 1740) and Robert Allen (d 1769) is another possible sibling. They were in PA and in Augusta Co., VA with James Cathey. Although she nor her husbands ever made it to NC, some of their children did.

Whether the above are actually James Cathey’s siblings or not, they were all associated with him, so they were related somehow. I should point out that the James Cathey of the Clones Parish records had no siblings listed in those records, or at least none we can be certain are siblings.

James Cathey married Ann, sometime before ca 1718, assuming she is his first wife. The marriage would have been in Ireland. We know practically nothing about her. If we assume she’s about the same age as James, then probably born ca 1702 or earlier. EHC makes a case that Ann might have been a McKinney, this based upon James Cathey and Benjamin McKinley jointly obtaining a land grant, and due to associations with the Logan one of whom married Benjamin McKinley’s daughter. There may be something to this, but I have not studied it at all. I recommend you read EHC book for more information at present. It is available in full (and free!) on FamilySearch.org. He discusses this connection on pages 110-111.

James and Ann Cathey seem to be in Cecil Co., MD by 1 Oct 1720 when James Cathey and Benjamin McKinley were issued a land patent for 200 acres for a tract called “Drum Greena”. They were listed as residents of Cecil Co., MD on the document. (“Inhabitants of Cecil Co., Maryland 1649-1774” by Henry Peden Jr, found and shared by Kyle Wear.)

EHC notes that the “Drum Greena” tract was probably named for Drumgreeny Townland in County Monaghan, Kilmore Parish, Ireland. This may be true, but we don’t know that James Cathey is the one who named it that. Of course it’s quite intriguing and does provide an additional point in favor of our James being that same one from Monaghan.

EHC further states that James Cathey transferred his rights in the 200 acres to Benjamin McKinley right away, so probably never lived on the land.

James Cathey’s stay in Cecil Co., MD may have been short for he was found in neighboring Chester Co., PA by 1721 (per a tax list). It’s important to note that Cecil Co., MD and Chester Co., PA, or rather their parent jurisdictions, Maryland and Pennsylvania, had a serious dispute as to where the border was between them. This may explain James Cathey’s “move” in that maybe he didn’t move at all but just found himself on the other side of the disputed line. Then again he might have actually moved. I don’t know.

The aforementioned 1721 tax list shows James Cathay in East Nottingham Township, listed as a landholder. I checked the Chester Co., PA deed indexes and found no entries for James Cathey there, so the land he owned in 1721 was probably the same 75 acres he sold in 1724 in Cecil Co., MD, once again showing the border problem.

James Cathey was not listed on the 1722 tax list in East Nottingham.

On 5 Dec 1724, James Cathey of Chester Co., PA, Yeoman made a deed to John Hogshead of Cecil Co., MD for £5. The land was described as part of a 600 acre Warrant to Stephen Knight, Gentleman dated 20 Oct 1719 who then deeded it to Areana Frisby of this county (no date) who then assigned it to James Scott of this county who then conveyed it to James Cathey. The amount of land was 75 acres. James Cathey signed. Witnessed by James Alexander and Hugh Lawson. (From Abstracts of Cecil Co., Maryland Land Records 1673-1751 by June D Brown (1999), found and shared by Kyle Wear.)

Kyle Wear noted that the witness James Alexander may be the same James Alexander (c1690-1779) who was father of John McKnitt Alexander (1733-1817) who was associated with the Catheys in North Carolina, including my George Cathey, son of James. (EHC also discusses this is in his book. See pages 193-194.)

The other witness, Hugh Lawson, is also of interest. He might be the same Hugh Lawson who married Mary Moore who is probably an aunt of my William Moore (1726-1812) who married Ann Cathey (c1730-c1770), whose relationship to James Cathey isn’t quite established, though she and her husband were closely connected to my George Cathey, son of James.

It is also noteworthy who the prior land owner was, one James Scott. There was a Clone Parish, Monaghan, Ireland marriage recorded for a James Scott to Ann Cathey in 1697. This could be the same James Scott, but there is no way to be certain from this one record.

One last connection, John Hogshead, whom the land was sold to, also later went to Augusta Co., VA as did James Cathey.

James Cathay is listed on the 1725 Chester tax list, in East Nottingham Township, in the “Freemen” section which means an unmarried male over 21. This can’t be the same James Cathey from before, or at least not our James Cathey. If he isn’t ours, then who is he? We have no further record of him at present.

James Cathey was not listed on the 1726 tax list in East Nottingham nor elsewhere in Chester Co., PA. He may have been back in Maryland then.

Lancaster County was formed from western Chester County in 1729. The Catheys were living in that county by 1733/34 when several of them received “Blunston Licenses.”

Blunston Licenses were land entries or warrants named for Samuel Blunston (the official who issued them, not the owner of the land) for land in western Lancaster Co. PA west of the Susquehanna river in the area that is now mostly Cumberland County. This was a disputed border area between Pennsylvania and Maryland including land the Indians still claimed. Several of these licenses were issued to Catheys. Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/land/blunston01.txt

March 30th, Samuel ffisher, 300 acres. [1733/1734]

ZB 230

On the North side of Conedogwt on the Back of James Carthey and James

McConnels tract. (NB By virtue of a warrant Bearing date the 4th of June 1737.

Returned into the Secretary office this and the above tract were surveyed to

Thomas ffisher as by the Surveyers return wil appear).

[Note: Conodoguinet Creek a tributary of the Susquehanna River]

March 30th John McCormac, 300 acres. [1733/1734]

ZB 200

On the North side of the Conedogwaint Creek on the Back side of James Carthey's

tract Bounded to the East by Sam ffishers tract.

April 9th, James Carthey, 200 acres. No Survey returned. [1733/1734]

In the South side of Conedogwt Joyning to the west side of the Dry Spring.

April 9th, William Carthey, 250 acres. No Survey returned in the Names of Wm. Carthey ZB [1733/1734]

has returned 212 surveyed to George Carthey.

On the North Side of Conedogwt a little above William Walkers (this tract is now

in possession of George Carthey.)

[Note: This could be William Cathey son of James d 1756, or it may be an older William Cathey instead.]

[Note: This is probably George c1692.]

April 9th Alexr Carthey, 150 acres. No survey returned. [1733/1734]

On the North side of Conedogwt Opposite the Dry Spring.

[Note: Probably Alexander Cathey 1707-1766 son of John.]

Apri 9th, Samuel Given, 200 acres. No survey returned. [1733/1734]

On the South side of Conedogwt Joyning to the Lower side of John Callens tract.

[Samuel Givens married Sarah Cathey, ca 1718, likely sister of James d 1756]

April 23rd, Archie Carthey, 250 acres. No survey. [1733/1734]

On the North side of Conedogwt oppsite to pexton Mannor line Bounded on the

West with James Woods.

[I don’t know who this is. EHC believes this may be Archibald Cathey who married Johanna Cochrane in Clones Parish, Monaghan, Ireland no date, late 1600s.]

July 2nd, John Swaney, 200 acres. No Survey. [1734]

At the head of a Run Deviding the Settlement of James Wood and Jno. Carthey On

the North Side of Conedogwainet.

[Probably John Cathey d 1742 Lancaster PA or perhaps John d 1739 Lancaster PA]

James Cathey apparently was never actually granted the land above. The area was cut off to form Cumberland County in 1750 long after the Catheys had left.

James and several of his kin left the Susquehanna River area of Pennsylvania for the Shenandoah River Valley of Virginia in the 1730's, probably after failing to get any of that land in the Susquehanna River area in 1734. They were in Virginia by 1738 for certain in what is now Augusta Co., VA but was then Orange.

Orange Co., VA was formed in 1734 from Spotsylvania County and had no definitive western border, thus covered all of the frontier including the Shenandoah Valley. In 1738 Augusta Co., VA was formed from Orange, pending organization. It was still administered by Orange County until 1745 when Augusta began operating with its own government.

On 13 Oct 1743, Samuel Smith, “late of Lancaster [PA]” swore out several suits before a Justice in Philadelphia. Among those were Smith vs. James Cathey debtor 22 Sep 1736. As this was filed in Augusta Co., VA in Aug 1750 it seems to show that James Cathey was still in Lancaster Co., PA in 1736 when the debt was incurred, and also proves he is the same James Cathey of Augusta Co., VA. (Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. Extracted From the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume I, by Lyman Chalkley, 1912. pp. 304 and 470.)

In May 1738, several surveys mentioned Cathey’s Creek or River (spelled Cathies, Carthies, etc.), including one dated 10 May 1738 for James Cathey on corner of William King on “Cathey’s Kreek.” (Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. Extracted From the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume II, by Lyman Chalkley, 1912. p. 372.)

James’s land was near present day Staunton, Virginia in Augusta County. They lived near what is now known as Middle River but was then known as Cathey’s River (or Creek), named for him. The same year James had his land surveyed (1738), his son William Cathey purchased 466 acres from William Beverley within“Beverley Manor.” His land was in the general vicinity of the modern communities of Swoope and Trimbles Mill which is south east of Staunton. James lived north east of Staunton, I believe.

In 1740 James listed his family members that he brought with him to Virginia in order to claim a headright grant.

28 Feb 1739/40 Orange Co., VA Court Order Bk 2 p. 109

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.

The above record might lead you to believe they’d only recently arrived from Ireland, but that wasn’t the case. By 1740 James had been in America since at least 1721 (perhaps earlier), thus 19 years or more.

His possible brother in law Samuel Givens also made a similar statement on the same date naming wife Sarah and children John, Samuel, James, Martha, Elizabeth, William, Margaret, Sarah and Jane.

Others listed on that same date included James Lepper and family Margrot, Nicholas, Sarah, Jane, Andrew, James, Guine, Isbell & Mary Lepper, also from Ireland. I mention them because there are several associations between Catheys and Leepers/Leppers in NC and TN later on.

Alexander Blair, Jane, James, Mary & John Blair also from Ireland were listed the same day. I mention them because Elizabeth Cathey Sehorn and husband John Sehorn named one of their sons Alexander Blair Sehorn, perhaps after this man. There may be some familial connection there, but it could be on the Sehorn side and not the Catheys.

Also listed were Robert McDowell, Martha, James, Margrot & William McDowell from Ireland, and a separate entry for John McDowell, Magdalene, his wife; Samuel, his son & John Rutter, his servant, from Great Brittain. The next day (29 Feb 1739/40) (1740 was a Leap Year), Ephraim McDowell (being old), John McDowell, his son, James & Margaret McDowell were listed. I mention the McDowell’s because there are many Cathey / McDowell connections in North Carolina.

Many of the names listed with James Cathey in the “importation records” in 1740 were the same names listed on the 1738 surveys, showing most had already been in that area for two years at least.

On 22 Oct 1740 Samuel Givens made his Will in Augusta. James Cathey was one of the witnesses and also named as the overseer for his executors, his sons John and Samuel Givens. (Orange Co., VA Will Book 2, pp 147-150.)

Many believe that Samuel Givens wife Sarah was James Cathey’s sister. I don’t know if there is any primary evidence that she was actually a Cathey, but that’s a subject for her own page.

James Cathey was named as an adjoining land owner in a Patent dated 24 Mar 1740/1741 in Orange County, Virginia. The patent was to Francis Kirkley for 400 acres in Orange County "called Augusta", on branch of North River, Shannondo (Shenandoah) called the Long Glade, adjoining James Anderson and James Cathey. (Virginia Land Patents Book 18 page 932).

James was mentioned again in another land patent dated 30 Jul 1742. This was a Patent to John Carr for 400 acres in Orange County, Virginia "to be called Augusta, on both sides of Catheys River adjoining Beverly Mannor adjoining James Cathey and James Carr. (Virginia Land Patents Book 20 page 354).

James Cathey was a Militia Captain in 1742 according to a surviving militia roster. Of the several men listed, Andrew Cathey stands out as that was probably his own son. Some of the other names are also of interest. Anything in [brackets] was added by me and not part of the original roster.

1742 Muster Roll of Capt. James Cathey’s list

James Cathey, Capt

John Givens [s/o Sam & Sarah Cathey Givens]

John Case

Andrew Case

Will Brown

David Logan [EHC believes there’s a familial connection to him]

John Case

Sam. Case

Thos. Stephenson

David Stephenson

John McClewer

Joseph Hanna

John Foame

John King

Hugh Camble

Robert Foweler

Michel Dickey

Rob. Brown

Nichos. Leeper [Leepers associated with Catheys in NC and TN]

Rob. McDowell [McDowells associated with Catheys in VA and NC]

Sam Hues

Wm. Hains

Rob. Craig

James Allen

Wm. Morrison

James Chambers [Chambers associated with Catheys in NC]

Wm. Johnston

Sam. Givens [s/o Sam & Sarah Cathey Givens]

James Givens [s/o Sam & Sarah Cathey Givens]

Chas. Landers

David Nelson

Archabel Hamilton

Rob. Koney

James Foweler

Edw. Givens [nephew of Samuel & Sarah Cathey Givens]

James Case

George Anderson

Nathan Underwood

George Anderson

James Scot [probably not same one who married Ann Cathey in 1697, but perhaps related?]

And. Cathey [son of James Cathey]

Frances Raley

John McCown.

(From Lyman Draper Papers Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison Wisconsin, from Augusta Co., VA (Cathey Kith and Kin, 1971))

On 13 Aug 1743, James Cathie received a royal grant of 1,350 acres described as being “in the County of Orange on the West Side the Blue Ridge on Shanandore (sic) River ...” Mentions John Givens’ corner on the south side of the river. Mentions a corner stone that divides John Kerr & the said Cathies land on the River. (Virginia Land Patents Book 21, pp 451-452).

Although not so stated in the grant, this is probably the same land he had surveyed in 1738.

Kyle Wear discovered James Cathey in Frederick Co., VA court records in the 1740s. At that time Frederick bordered Augusta to the north. This was before the creation of Dunmore (now Shenandoah) in 1772 and Rockingham in 1778, both of which now separate Augusta and Frederick. In the 1740s the county line was in what is now northern Shenandoah. It’s possible that James Cathey lived in Frederick Co., VA for a short while during this period though the court records are all we have for him there so far, and those don’t necessarily mean he actually resided there. The gist of the court records, per Kyle’s research, is that John Story died in 1740. James Cathey was named his administrator by Mar 1741. This could be because they were closely related or perhaps because James was the one who the estate owed the most money to at the time of Story’s death. In those days, that was a common reason for someone unrelated to be named an administrator. Today we would call that a clear conflict of interest. Regardless, James Cathey sued various people who owed money to the estate of John Story. By 1750, Thomas Story was the administrator of the estate since James Cathey had moved to NC by then. There isn’t much in those records of genealogical value, at least not for the Cathey family. One thing Kyle found was that Robert Leeper was witness to one of the documents which shows he and James Cathey were acquainted in Virginia. Robert Leeper, or possibly another man of the same name, was associated the Catheys in Anson (later Mecklenburg) Co., NC in the 1750s and 1760s. Robert Leeper of North Carolina’s wife was named Catherine.

On 8 Jan 1745 James Cathie of Augusta made a deed to Andrew Cathie “son of the said James” also of Augusta for 5 shillings, being 675 acres on the Middle River of Shenandoah, being half of James’s 1,350 acre grant from 1743. The deed was signed by James Cathie, and witnessed by Thomas Lewis, Silas Hart and James Blair (or Gilean?). James Cathey acknowledged the deed in court on 23 May 1745. The release was dated 9 Jan 1745 for the sum of £20. Same signature and witnesses. (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 10, pp 29-32. Thanks to Kyle Wear for locating this).

Andrew Cathey sold the above to Thomas Story a few months later on 19 Jul 1745. (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 10, pp 153-156). Thomas Story may be a son of John Story as mentioned earlier.

On 23 May 1745, James Cathey and James Orr were named overseers of a road in Augusta Co., VA. (Kegleys Virginia Frontiers pp. 139, 143, from Cathey Kith and Kin Vol 1, p. 4. 1951.)

On 24 Jul 1745, James Cathie of Augusta Co., VA sold land to Patrick Crawford of the same place, for 5 shillings. The land was 675 acres, the remaining half of James’s land grant of 1,350 acres from 1743. Neighboring land owners mentioned included John Givens and Thomas Story. The deed was signed by James Cathey, and witnessed by Thomas Lewis, Andrew Lewis, and James Robertson. James Cathey acknowledged the deed himself on 6 Sep 1745. The above was the lease, the same was released on 25 Jul 1745, for £170. (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 10, pp 209-212).

James Cathey was mentioned as a neighboring land owner in a Patent dated 12 Jan 1746/47 in Augusta County, Virginia. The Patent was to Robert Davis for 300 acres on West Side of Blue Ridge with line of Beverly Mannor adjoining James Cathey. (Virginia Land Patents Book 25 page 279).

On 21 Apr 1748, James Cathey was mentioned as a neighboring landowner in a deed from Francis Kirkley of Orange Co., VA to John Anderson. The land was 400 acres on a draft (branch) of North River of Shenandoah called the Long Glade joining James Anderson and James Cathey’s land. James Cathey had sold all of this land before then, but it’s not uncommon to see a listing like this as those who made the deeds merely copied the description that was in the previous deed without updating it to reflect current neighboring tracts. (Augusta Co., VA Deed Book 1, p. 482 from Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. Extracted From the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume III, by Lyman Chalkley, 1912. p. 267.)

James Cathey was last mentioned in Augusta records on 19 Mar 1765 in a deed from John Brown and wife Margaret to Thomas Brown for 300 acres “corner of James Cathey’s, now Samuel Wallace’s, Beverly Manor line. This shows the land had gone from Cathey to Wallace before 1765, which we also know from earlier records. (Augusta Co., VA Deed Book 11, p. 838 from Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. Extracted From the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume III, by Lyman Chalkley, 1912. p. 421.)

It would seem that James Cathey and much of his immediate and extended family moved to North Carolina between 1747 and 1749.

The part of North Carolina they settled in was the frontier at the time and part of Bladen County. Unfortunately most of the early Bladen County records are lost. However, they weren’t in that county long anyway, for in 1750 Anson County was formed and they fell into that county. James, his adult children and his likely brethren, spread out in Anson County receiving grants in various sections of the very large county. In 1753 Rowan County was formed from northern Anson. James and his possible brother George and some other relatives found themselves in Rowan while some of the others remained in Anson. Those in Anson at that time were mostly in the part that became Mecklenburg in 1762.

On 11 Aug 1749 James Cathey was appointed a Justice of the Peace in Anson County (though the new county wasn’t actually in effect yet then).

At a Council held at New Bern 11th April 1749

His Excellency the Governour was pleased by and with the Advice and Consent of his Majestys Council to Order that a new Commission of the peace and Dedimus issue for Anson County constituting and appointing James Mackilwean, Joseph White, Charles Robertson, Edmund Cartlidge, William Philips, Samuel Davis, Thomas Smith, James Cathey, John Holmes, Alexander Osborn, Walter Carooth, John Brevard and John Brandon Esqrs Justices of the Peace for and within the County of Anson.

Source: Colonial Records of NC Vol IV, p. 951

Online: https://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.php/document/csr04-0291

James Cathey was mentioned as an adjoining land owner in a grant dated 24 Jun 1750 to George Cathey for 312 acres in Parish of St. George, Anson Co., NC. This is George Cathey Sr (c1690s) who might be James’s brother. (Anson Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 174, also NC Land Grants, Grant No 7, file # 1001, no documents in file).

James was mentioned again in relation to the same land when George Cathey and wife Jane sold it to John Lynn on 6 Feb 1752. (Anson Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 178).

I haven’t yet found where James Cathey was granted or purchased any land prior to 1750. It could be that the deed was in Bladen County records and are now lost.

On 25 Mar 1752, James Cathey received a “Granville Grant” from John Earl Granville for 640 acres. Described as: Forks of Sills Creek beginning at a white and black oak thence S 320 Poles to a white oak and thence E 320 poles to a white oak thence N 320 poles to a white oak corner of a meadow thence W 320 poles to the beginning 640 acres. (Rowan Co., NC Deed Book 8, p. 110).

On 23 Feb 1753, less than a year after acquiring it, James Cathey and wife Anna of Anson Co., NC sold the 640 acres to William Brandon also of Anson. James Cathey signed, Anna made her mark. Witnesses were John Brandon Senr, Alexander Cathey and John Brandon. (Rowan Co., NC Deed Book 1, p. 42).

Of the witnesses, Alexander Cathey (c1707-1766) was a son of John Cathey (d 1742), James’s likely brother, thus Alexander was probably James’s nephew. John Brandon Sr (c1691-1756) was married to Elizabeth Cathey, likely James’s sister. The other John Brandon is probably their son.

On 31 Oct 1755 (lease) and 1 Nov 1755 (release), James Cathey, with James Carter and David Jones, witnessed a deed from George Cathey Sr and wife Jean to George Cathey Jr. (Rowan Co., NC Deed Book 3, pp. 393-394).

On 6 Dec 1756*, James Cathey made his Will in Rowan County. He described himself as “James Cathey of Rowan, Farmer, being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind.” He named:

Ann Cathey my beloved wife ... half of the plantation that I now live on with half of the mill ... after her decease to my nephew John Brandon ...

To Margaret Cathey daughter of my son George ...

My well beloved nephew John Brandon ...

To Ann Cathey daughter of my son Andrew ...

To John Kilpatrick ...

My well beloved son John Cathey and George Cathey and Andrew Cathey and Margaret Coburn and Ann Bashford ...

My son John Cathey and my son George Cathey my sole executors ...

He signed as James Cathey. Witnesses were Thomas Bashford, Thomas Gillespie and Daniel Mfuters. The Will was proven in court in Jan 1757 meaning James was dead by then. (Rowan Co., NC Will Book A., p. 50).

*The court house copy of the Will is dated 6 Dec 1757, however, the original at the Archives is clearly dated 6 Dec 1756.

James was at least 57 when he died, perhaps older.

This is a transcript I made of the original Will. I’ve bolded the names to make them stand out.

In the name of God amen the 6th Day of December 1756 I James Cathey of the County of Rowan farmer being aged sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefor Calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye Do make and ordain this my Last Will and testament that is to lay princbaly and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul unto the hands of God that give it and my Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in Decant Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but att the general Reserction I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give devize and dispose of the saim in the following manner and form.

Impremis I give and bequeth to Ann Cathey my Dearly Beloved Wife the half of the plantation that I now live on with half of the Mill during hir natural life and att her deceas I order it to John Brandon my nephew to him and his hars for ever and further more I give unto my Wife three cows and three calves, plow, Whiteface and Lonely with one grayhound? and all the household etc of to hir and hir heirs for ever. Item. I give and Bequeth unto my well beloved nephew John Brandon an one gray mear now living att (illeg) to him and his heirs. Item I give to Margat Cathey daughter to my son George one three year old hefer to hir and hir heirs forever. Item I give to Ann Cathey daughter to my son Andrew one three year old hefer to hir and her heirs forever. Item I give to John Kilpaterck one matar? And one axe to him and his heirs for ever. Item I give to my well beloved son John Cathey and George Cathey and Andrew Cathey and Margat Coburn and Ann Bashford all reast of my moveble estate to be equally divided among them to them and their ears for ever and I likewise constitute (illeg) and ordain my son John Cathey and my son George Cathey my solde Executors of this my Last Will and testament and I do hereby utterly disavow revoke and illeg all and every other named Willis and Bequethed redefining and confirming this one no other to be my Last Will and testament. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the and eyar above written. Signed sealed and published promissed and declared by the said James Cathey to be his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers James Cathey

Thomas Bashford, Thomas Gillespie and Daniel Mfuters.

A 1763 Rowan Co., NC Court record shows that John Cathey was administrator of the estate of Ann Cathey, which means she died sometime between 6 Dec 1756 and 1763. Others show her death in 1761, so perhaps there is an earlier record mentioning her estate.

Children

James and Ann Cathey have six proven children as named in the 1739/40 Orange Co., VA court record. His Will of 1756 proves one more child for a total of seven proven children.

1. John Cathey (bef 1718-1764) married Jean — before 1740.

2. William Cathey (bef 1720-bef 1751), never married.

3. Elizabeth Cathey (bef 1722-bef 1756), might have married John Kilpatrick.

4. Andrew Cathey (bef 1723-1758).

5. George Cathey (c1725-1790), m1 Sarah Ann Price, m2 Margaret —.

6. Margaret Cathey (bef 1726-c1803?) married Samuel Coburn.

7. Ann Cathey (bef 1728-bef 1803), m1 William Brandon, m2 Thomas Bashford, m3 Matthew Troy.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for James Cathey and Ann.

Revised: September 27, 2023

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