James Cathey (c1685) of Ulster, Ireland, Cecil Co, MD, Chester Co, PA, Augusta Co, VA and Rowan Co, NC

Contents: Children | Researcher List | Register Report | Download as a Word doc

Revision History:

· 28 Apr 2008 – Reformatted by Marty Grant.

RN=401 in Cathey book.

For a thorough account of James and his family, I refer you to Boyt Cathey’s excellent book "The Cathey Family History and Genealogy, Volume I (1700-1900)", 1993. Unfortunately the book is out of print, but copies can be found at certain libraries such as the North Carolina Genealogy Library in Raleigh.

James Cathey was probably born in Ulster, Ireland (Northern Ireland) sometime in the late 1600's. The first public record known for him is dated 1724 when he sells some land, so he had to be at least 21 then, so born before ca 1703. However, he is the proven father of several children who were born in the 1700-1720 general time-frame. This means that James was likely born in the 1680's or before. In the Cathey Book he is listed as born ca 1685 which works for me.

I don't know who James Cathey's parents were, but he had several likely siblings: John Cathey (d 1743), Sarah Cathey Givens (wife of Samuel Givens), and probably others.

James married Ann — before ca 1710, probably in Ulster. I have seen no record, nor even a hint of what Ann’s maiden name might have been.

James and Ann Cathey left Ulster for America, probably ca 1720 or thereabouts. They settled first in Cecil County, Maryland, and later moved to Chester County, Pennsylvania (by 1724).

The first record I have for James is a Cecil County, Maryland deed dated 5 Dec 1724 where James Cathey of Chester Co, PA sold 75 acres to John Hogshead of Cecil Co, MD. I don’t know when exactly James acquired this land, but the deed history included in the deed started in 1719, so he must have acquired it between 1719 and 1724. ("The Cathey Family History and Genealogy, Volume I (1700-1900)", 1993 page 296).

By 1739, James and his family had moved to Augusta County, Virginia. They lived in the area just west of present day Staunton. At that time Augusta County was still unorganized, so public business was handled by neighboring Orange County, Virginia.

An "importation" record dated 28 Feb 1739 shows that James Cathey, Ann, his wife and William, Elizabeth, Andrew, George, Margaret and Ann Cathey were imported into Virginia (this is like a passport or something). (Orange County, Virginia Record Book II page 109).

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 Cathey’s River adjoining Beverly Mannor adjoining James Cathey and James Carr. (Virginia Land Patents Book 20 page 354).

On 30 Aug 1743, James Cathie received a Land Patent of 1,350 acres in Orange County, on west side of Blue Ridge on "Shanandore" River, adjoining John Givings, John Ker and said Cathie. (Virginia Land Patents Book 21 page 451).

James Cathey was mentioned as a neighboring land owner in a Patent dated 12 Jan 1746/1747 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).

Sometime before 1752 the Catheys moved to Rowan County, North Carolina. Depending on when they arrived, it was still part of another county. The area was Bladen County until 1750 when Anson County was formed. Rowan County was created in 1753.

James Cathey made his Will in Rowan County on 5 Dec 1756. Here is a transcription I made from a photocopy of the original. I’ve retained original spelling. I have bolded names to make them stand out for quick reference.

In the name of God amen the 6^th 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 Basford

James* Gillespie (or *Tomas Gillespie)

Daniel McPeters

The Will was proven in January 1757, so James Cathey had died by then. (Rowan Co, NC Will Book A page 50).

I don’t know when Ann Cathey died, but someone years ago gave me "1761" as her death date, but I don’t know what the source for that is.

Children of James Cathey and Ann. James and Ann had seven children, proven by several records, including James’ Will of 1756. The 1739 importation record names six of the children: William Cathey, Elizabeth Cathey, Andrew Cathey, George Cathey, Margaret Cathey and Ann Cathey (in that order), suggesting that all of them were single at that time, and still living with their parents. Son John was not named then, for her was probably already married then. The 1756 Will names five children: John Cathey, George Cathey, Andrew Cathey, Margaret Cathey Coburn, and Ann Bashford. William was not named for he died in 1746. Daughter Elizabeth was not named, so perhaps she was dead also.

1. John Cathey (c1709)

2. William Cathey (c1711)

3. Elizabeth Cathey (c1713)

4. Andrew Cathey (c1715)

5. George Cathey (c1717)

6. Margaret Cathey (c1719)

7. Ann Cathey (c1721)

John Cathey was born ca 1709 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. He is a proven child of James as named in James’ 1756 Will.

John Cathey married Jean — before 1740 in Augusta Co, VA.

See their own page for additional information.

William Cathey was born ca 1711 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. He is a proven child of James as named in James’ 1739 importation record. When he died his land holdings were divided up among his siblings.

He never married, and he died in 1746 in Augusta Co, VA.

Elizabeth Cathey was born ca 1713 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. She was named in the 1739 importation record as coming into Augusta Co, VA with James and Ann Cathey. She was not named in James’ 1756 Will, so she may have died before then.

Andrew Cathey was born ca 1715 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. He is a proven child of James as named in James’ 1756 Will.

Andrew Cathey married someone before ca 1740 in Augusta Co, VA.

See their own page for additional information.

George Cathey was born ca 1717 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. He is a proven child of James as named in James’ 1756 Will.

George Cathey married Margaret — before ca 1743 in Augusta Co, VA.

See their own page for additional information.

Margaret Cathey was born ca 1719 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. She is a proven child of James as named in James’ 1756 Will. She was also named in the 1739 importation record.

Margaret Cathey married a Mr. Coburn sometime before 1756. Other researchers give his name as Samuel Coburn. I have not attempted to prove this.

Ann Cathey was born ca 1721 (guess) in Ulster, Ireland. She is a proven child of James as named in James’ 1756 Will and in the 1739 Importation record.

Ann married a Mr. Bashford before 1756 in Rowan Co, NC. There was a Thomas Bashford who witnessed her father’s Will. Perhaps he was her husband.

Other researchers show that Ann married William Brandon first, then Thomas Bashford, then later a Mr. Troy. I have not attempted to confirm any of this yet.

Researcher List

See the Cathey Family Researchers List

Register Report

First Generation

1. James Cathey was born in 1680/1689 in Ulster, Ireland. He died in Jan 1757 in Rowan Co, NC.

James married Ann about 1708 in Ulster, Ireland. Ann was born in Ulster, Ireland. She died in 1761 in Rowan Co, NC.

They had the following children.

+ 2 M i. John Cathey was born about 1709. He died about Feb 1764.

3 M ii. William Cathey was born about 1711 in Ulster, Ireland. He died in 1746 in Augusta Co, VA.

4 F iii. Elizabeth Cathey was born about 1713 in Ulster, Ireland. She died before 1756.

+ 5 M iv. Andrew Cathey was born about 1715. He died in 1756/1768.

+ 6 M v. George Cathey Esquire was born about 1717. He died before 1790.

7 F vi. Margaret Cathey was born about 1719 in Ulster, Ireland. She died in Mercer Co, KY.

Margaret married Samuel Coburn before 1756 in Rowan Co, NC. Samuel died in Mercer Co, KY.

+ 8 F vii. Ann Cathey was born about 1721.

Second Generation

2. John Cathey (James) was born about 1709 in Ulster, Ireland. He died about Feb 1764 in Rowan Co, NC.

John married Jean before 1740 in PA. Jean died after 1764 in Rowan Co, NC.

They had the following children.

9 M i. James Cathey was born on 1 Aug 1740 in Ulster, Ireland. He died in 1801 in Iredell Co, NC.

James married Isabell Sloan, daughter of Archibald Sloan, on 14 Feb 1770 in Rowan Co, NC. Isabell was born on 10 Jul 1742. She died on 19 Sep 1837 in Iredell Co, NC.

10 F ii. Agness Cathey.

Agness married William Penick in Rowan Co, NC.

11 F iii. Jean Cathey was born in 1744 in Augusta Co, VA. She was christened on 30 Dec 1744 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA.

Jean married James Bailey in Rowan Co, NC.

12 M iv. Hugh Cathey was born in Rowan Co, NC. He died after 1817 in Bedford Co, TN.

Hugh married Jane Bailey, daughter of Charles Bailey, on 4 Aug 1774 in Rowan Co, NC.

13 M v. John Cathey was born in 1750/1764 in Rowan Co, NC. He died after 29 Jan 1764 in Rowan Co, NC.

14 M vi. William Cathey was born in 1750/1764 in Rowan Co, NC. He died after 29 Jan 1764 in Rowan Co, NC.

15 F vii. Ann Cathey.

Ann married Joshua Penix on 15 Jul 1784 in Rowan Co, NC.

5. Andrew Cathey (James) was born about 1715 in Ulster, Ireland. He died in 1756/1768 in Berkeley Co, SC.

Andrew married ? about 1740 in Augusta Co, VA. ? was born about 1720. She died before 1768.

They had the following children.

16 M i. William Cathey was born in Apr 1741 in Augusta Co, VA. He was christened on 26 Apr 1741 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA. He died after 1768 in NC.

17 F ii. Mary Cathey was born in Jul 1742 in Augusta Co, VA. She was christened on 26 Jul 1742 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA.

18 M iii. James Cathey was born in Apr 1744 in Augusta Co, VA. He was christened on 15 Apr 1744 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA. He died after 1768.

19 F iv. Margaret Cathey was born in Nov 1745 in Augusta Co, VA. She was christened on 21 Nov 1745 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA.

20 F v. Ann Cathey was born about 1747 in Bladen Co, NC (now Rowan Co, NC). She died after 1768.

6. George Cathey Esquire (James) was born about 1717 in Ulster, Ireland. He died before 1790 in Burke Co, NC.

George married Margaret before 1743 in Augusta Co, VA. Margaret was born about 1715. She died in 1790/1800 in Burke Co, NC.

They had the following children.

21 F i. Ann Cathey was born in 1743 in Augusta Co, VA. She was christened on 3 Apr 1743 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA. She died before 1774 in Rowan Co, NC.

Ann married Captain William H Moore, son of Moore, before 1765 in Rowan Co, NC. William was born in 1726 in Ulster, Ireland. He died on 6 Nov 1812 in Buncombe Co, NC. He was buried in Captain Moore Cem, Buncombe Co, NC.

22 F ii. Margaret Cathey was born in 1744 in Augusta Co, VA. She was christened on 21 Oct 1744 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA. She died in Iredell Co, NC.

Margaret married John Moffitt before 1768 in SC. John was born about 1745. He died in Mecklenburg Co, NC.

23 M iii. James Cathey was born in 1746 in Augusta Co, VA. He was christened in Jun 1746 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA.

24 M iv. George Cathey was born in 1747 in Augusta Co, VA. He was christened on 15 Nov 1747 in Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church, Augusta Co, VA.

8. Ann Cathey (James) was born about 1721 in Ulster, Ireland.

Ann married William Brandon, son of John Brandon and Elizabeth Cathey. William was born in 1726 in England. He died in Dec 1755 in Rowan Co, NC.

They had the following children.

25 M i. James Brandon Colonel was born in 1752 in Rowan Co, NC. He died in 1813 in Rowan Co, NC.

James married Esther Horah. Esther was born on 17 Dec 1755. She died on 22 Jan 1822 in Rowan Co, NC.

26 M ii. John Brandon was born in 1754 in Rowan Co, NC.

John married Mary Dunn, daughter of John Dunn Major.

Ann also married Thomas Bashford in 1755/1756 in Rowan Co, NC. Thomas died after 1756 in Rowan Co, NC.

Ann also married Troy after 1756 in Rowan Co, NC.