William H. Cathey (1815) and Nancy Matilda Carter of Haywood, Jackson and Swain Co, NC and Union and Towns Co, GA

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·        28 Apr 2008 – Reformatted by Marty Grant.

William H. Cathey was born 22 Aug 1815 (per William Cathey Family Bible) in Haywood Co, NC. I don’t know what William’s middle initial of "H" stands for. It could be "Holmes" which was a popular middle name in his mother’s family.

William H. Cathey is a son of William Cathey and Elizabeth Bryson as named in William Cathey’s Family Bible.

William would have been 4 or 5 years old by the time of the 1820 census, so he should be enumerated in the "Under 10" age group (born ca 1810/20). His father William Cathey did have three sons in that age group with him in Haywood County, North Carolina that year.

William would have been 14 or 15 years old by the time of the 1830 census. His father William had two sons age 15-19 with him (born 1810/15) and one age 10-14 (born 1815/20) in Haywood. William H. is probably in the 15-19 age group as his younger brother Samuel was born 1818 and would be the one in the younger category.

The family moved to Union County, Georgia in the 1830's, settling in the section that later became Towns County (in 1856).

On 23 Feb 1837, William Cathey married Nancy M. Carter in neighboring Rabun County, Georgia. They were married by Robert Woods. An alternate source gives their marriage date as 27 Feb 1837, which if correct probably means the record I quoted above is a marriage bond, and not an actual marriage. However, I don’t know what the source is for the marriage date on the 27^th. Nancy Matilda Carter was born 5 Dec 1814 (source?) in Buncombe Co, NC, daughter of Jesse Carter and Lavina Sams.

William H. Cathey did not appear on the 1840 census, but I’m fairly sure that he and his wife were residing with his parents in Union County, for they had people in their household whose ages that matched William, Nancy and their first child Rebecca.

William and Nancy and family were listed on the 1850 census in Union County, Georgia, next to widowed sister-in-law Mary Parker Cathey (widow of Samuel B. Cathey), and just two houses from William’s parents.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 UNION CO, GA Page        House/Family #  239/ 239 -- 85TH DISTRICT Twp

CATHEY WILLIAM H      36 M W FARMER                     NC           1813/1814

CATHEY NANCY          36 F W                            NC           1813/1814

CATHEY REBECCA        11 F W                            NC           1838/1839

CATHEY JOSIAH          9 M W                            GA           1840/1841

CATHEY ELIZABETH       7 F W                            GA           1842/1843

CATHEY JESSE           4 M W                            GA           1845/1846

CATHEY LUCINDA         0 F W 11/12                      GA           1849/1850

In 1856, Towns County was created from the eastern portion of Union County, Georgia, and the western portion of Rabun County. The Catheys fell into this new county.

William and family were listed on the 1860 census in Towns County, Georgia just four houses from his brother James Cathey.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 TOWNS CO, GA Page 131   House/Family #  121/ 121 --  Twp   P.O.

CATHEY WILLIAM        44 M W FARMER            1200   250 NC         1815/1816

CATHEY NANCY          44 F W                              NC         1815/1816

CATHEY JOSIAH         18 M W                              GA         1841/1842

CATHEY LAVINA         15 F W                              GA         1844/1845

CATHEY JESSE          12 M W                              GA         1847/1848

CATHEY LUCINDA        10 F W                              GA         1849/1850

CATHEY LASE            0 M W 1/4                          GA         1859/1860

It would seem that they moved to the Gum Log region of neighboring Union County, Georgia by 1861, for on 2 Sep 1861 William Cathey was listed on the Roster of Eligible Men from that district. This was a list of those qualified (old enough, etc.) to be Confederate Soldiers should they be called up. I have not found any record (so far) showing that William H. Cathey served during the Civil War. He was somewhat too old (in his 40's) initially, though later in the War, men his age and older joined up.

I should note that Gum Log is right on the Union - Towns County border, and also very close to Clay and Cherokee County, North Carolina.

In the 1860's, the Cathey’s moved to Jackson County, North Carolina.

They were listed on the 1870 census in Jackson County in Deep Creek Township. This area is mostly present day Swain County, but I’m not sure exactly where they were living. They later lived over in the Grassy Creek area near the Judson Community on the Tennessee River (area now under Fontana Lake). This area was right along the area known as "Jackson Line" because the ridge was the boundary between Jackson and Macon County, though when Swain County was formed (in 1871) it included the entire region. In 1870, they were two houses from my Aunt Olly Grant Burns, and just ten houses from my ancestors John P. Grant and Darthula Evans whose daughter Hattie would later have a relationship with the Cathey’s grandson Carroll Alonso Patterson. That makes me think they were all already in the Grassy Creek area.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 JACKSON CO, NC Page 249B  House/Family #   32/  33--DEEP CREEK Twp

CATHEY WILLIAM H      54 M W FARMER                 150   330 NC     1815/1816

CATHEY NANCY C        54 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    NC     1815/1816

CATHEY MARTHA L       18 F W                                  GA     1851/1852

CATHEY ALONZO R       10 M W                                  GA     1859/1860

William H. Cathey died sometime before 29 Aug 1878, for on that date his death was reported at the meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Association, which listed him as "W. H. Cathey of Cold Springs". This must mean that he was a member of the Cold Springs Baptist Church, which was not too far from where his family lived.

I don’t know where William is buried. He may have been buried at the Judson Cemetery, though he was not listed in the cemetery removal records.

I did not find Nancy Matilda Carter Cathey on the 1880 census, though she was apparently still alive at that time.

Nancy died in 1890 according to her cemetery removal records. When they were building Fontana Lake in the 1940's, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) moved Nancy and others from the Judson Cemetery to Lauada Cemetery. The records showed her as "Matilda Cathey, died 1890 aged 70. Her grandson James Patterson was the one who gave the information. Her tombstone (which was created at the time of removal) shows her as "Malinda Cathey 1820-1890". Her birth date is off, and that makes her death date questionable as well. Since I didn’t find her in 1880, could she have already been dead by then?

1.      Rebecca Cathey (c1839)

2.      Josiah Andrew Cathey (c1841)

3.      Lavina Elizabeth Cathey (1844)

4.      Jesse Cathey (c1846)

5.      Martha Lucinda Cathey (1850)

6.      Alonzo R. Cathey (1860)

She was probably named after her aunt Rebecca H. Cathey.

Rebecca seems to be home with her parents in 1840, aged "under 5" (born ca 1835/40), and she was with them in 1850 ("Rebecca", age 11, born NC).

She was not home in 1860, so probably married or dead by then. I have not yet found who, if anyone, she married.

He was home with his parents in 1850 ("Josiah" age 9, born GA), and home with them in 1860 ("Josiah" age 18, born GA).

On 2 Sep 1861, Josiah Cathey was listed on the Roster of Eligible men from Union County, Georgia in Gum Log Community. Shortly afterwards, he enlisted on 5 Jul 1862 in Company B, 7^th Battalion North Carolina Cavalry. He enlisted as Josiah A. Cathey, a Private in Clay County, North Carolina (just about 2 miles from where he lived in Georgia). He was present and accounted for through February 1863 with no record after that.

I did not find Josiah on the 1870 census.

On 17 Dec 1876, Josiah Andrew Cathey, age 35, of Swain County, North Carolina, married Samantha H. Davis, age 16 also of Swain. They were married by J. M. Smiley, Baptist Minister at A. W. Davis’s home. Witnesses were S. D. Davis, W. M. Davis and B. L. Davis. Samantha Haseltine Davis was born ca 1860/61 in Macon Co, NC, daughter of Anderson W. Davis and Mira — Davis.

They were listed on the 1880 census in Swain County, clearly near the Judson area. They were two houses from my ancestors William and Phebe (Graham) Evans. ** I don’t have this census entry typed up yet.

They were not in Swain County in 1900. Another researcher has told me that they moved over into nearby Monroe County, Tennessee. I have not followed up on the family there.

She was home with her parents in 1850 ("Elizabeth" age 7, born GA), and home with them in 1860 ("Lavina" age 15, born GA).

She married Carroll Moore Patterson on 22 Dec 1861 in Union Co, GA. He was born 7 Mar 1832 in Macon Co, NC, son of Samuel Patterson and Jane Moore.

See their own page for additional information.

He was home with his parents in 1850 ("Jesse" age 4, born GA), and home with them in 1860 ("Jesse" age 12, born GA). He was not with his parents for the 1870 census. He may have died or moved away by then.

She was home with her parents in 1850 ("Lucinda" age 11 months, born GA), and home with them in 1860 ("Lucinda" age 10, born GA). She was still home in 1870 ("Martha L." age 18, born GA).

On 19 Sep 1877 Martha J. Cathey age 27 of Swain County, North Carolina, married Nathan T. Sawyer age 42 of Swain County. They were married by M. T. Battle, Justice of the Peace at W. H. Cathey’s home in Charleston Township. Witnesses were J. M. R. Smiley, C. M. Patterson and H. Durham. Nathan Thompson Sawyer was born 17 Nov 1835 in Macon Co, NC, son of Joel A. Sawyer and Ester E. Thompson.

They were listed on the 1880 census in Swain County. ** I don’t have this entry typed up yet.

They were still in Swain for the 1900 census. ** I don’t have this entry typed up yet.

I don’t have them in 1910 yet, but they should still be in Swain County.

Nathan T. Sawyer died on 31 Aug 1910 in Swain County. He is buried at the Sawyer Cemetery in Swain County next to his wife Lou. His only marker is a Civil War Marker "Nathan T. Sawyer Co. C. 3 Tenn. Mtd. Inf."

Martha Lucinda Cathey Sawyer was listed on the 1920 census in Swain County with her daughter Lou Sawyer Fox.

1920 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page 218B House/Family # 138/ 142--NANTAHALA Twp

FOX D ELMORE         HD R   M W 41 M NC  NC  NC                      1878/1879

FOX LOU ELLEN        WF     F W 35 M NC  NC  NC                      1884/1885

FOX JOEL             S      M W  0 S NC  NC  NC  3 6/12              1919/1920

FOX HERMA            D      F W  0 S NC  NC  NC  11/12               1919/1920

SAWYER LOU           ML     F W 69 W NC  NC  NC                      1850/1851

Martha Lucinda Cathey Sawyer died on 21 Sep 1931 (per tombstone) in Swain County. She is buried at the Sawyer Cemetery next to her husband, and in the next row just behind her sister Lavina Patterson. Her stone says "Martha Lou C. Sawyer Apr. 29, 1850 Sept. 21, 1931.

He was home with his parents in 1860 ("Lonse" age 1/4?, born GA). He was still home in 1870 ("Alonso R.." age 10, born GA). I did not find him in 1880 or after.

• See the Cathey Family Researchers List

First Generation

1.     William H Cathey was born on 22 Aug 1815 in Haywood Co, NC. He died before 29 Aug 1878 in Swain Co, NC.

William married Nancy Matilda Carter, daughter of Jesse Carter and Lavina Sams, on 27 Feb 1837 in Rabun Co, GA. Nancy was born on 5 Dec 1814 in Buncombe Co, NC. She died in 1890 in Swain Co, NC. She was buried in Judson Cem, Lauada Cem, Swain Co, NC.

They had the following children.

                2    F           i.    Rebecca Cathey was born in 1838/1839 in Haywood Co, NC. She died after 1850 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

+              3    M        ii.    Josiah Andrew Cathey Pvt was born in 1840/1841.

+              4    F         iii.    Lavina Elizabeth Cathey was born on 29 Jul 1844. She died on 21 May 1917.

                5    M       iv.    Jesse Cathey was born in 1845/1846 in Union Co, GA. He died after 1860 in Towns Co, GA.

+              6    F          v.    Martha Lucinda Cathey was born on 29 Apr 1850. She died on 21 Sep 1931.

                7    M       vi.    Alonzo R Cathey was born in 1860 in Towns Co, GA. He died after 1870 in Jackson Co, NC (now Swain Co, NC).

Second Generation

3.     Josiah Andrew Cathey Pvt (William H) was born in 1840/1841 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). He died in Monroe Co, TN.

Josiah married Samantha Haseltine Davis, daughter of Anderson W Davis and Mira, on 17 Dec 1876 in Swain Co, NC. Samantha was born in 1860/1861 in Macon Co, NC.

They had the following children.

                8    F           i.    Hattie T E Cathey was born in 1878/1879 in Swain Co, NC.

                9    M        ii.    William J A Cathey was born in 1880 in Swain Co, NC.

              10    M       iii.    Arthur J Cathey was born in 1882 in Swain Co, NC.

              11    M       iv.    Andrew R Cathey was born in 1884 in Swain Co, NC.

              12    M        v.    John M Cathey was born in 1886 in Swain Co, NC.

              13    F         vi.    Alice J Cathey was born in 1889 in Swain Co, NC.

              14    F        vii.    Annie W Cathey was born in 1891 in Swain Co, NC.

              15    M     viii.    Josiah Linley Cathey was born in 1893 in Monroe Co, TN.

              16    F         ix.    Martha Cathey was born in 1895 in Monroe Co, TN.

Martha married Jerry Nichols before 1916 in Monroe Co, TN.

              17    F          x.    Nancy Cathey was born in 1898 in Monroe Co, TN.

4.     Lavina Elizabeth Cathey (William H) was born on 29 Jul 1844 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). She died on 21 May 1917 in Swain Co, NC. She was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Lavina married Carroll Moore Patterson, son of Capt Samuel Patterson and Jane Moore, on 22 Dec 1861 in Union Co, GA. Carroll was born on 7 Mar 1832 in Macon Co, NC. He died on 4 Jan 1914 in Swain Co, NC. He was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

They had the following children.

              18    M         i.    Julius Decater Patterson was born on 22 Jan 1863 in Union Co, GA. He died on 22 Jun 1917 in Swain Co, NC. He was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Julius married Amanda J Jenkins, daughter of Francis Marion Jenkins and Rutha A Hyde, in 1885/1886 in Swain Co, NC. Amanda was born on 21 Mar 1870 in TN. She died on 31 Jul 1928 in Swain Co, NC. She was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

              19    F          ii.    Nancy Angeline Patterson was born on 14 Apr 1866 in Macon Co, NC (now Swain Co, NC). She died after 1920 in Fannin Co, GA.

Nancy married William A Revis in 1885/1886 in Swain Co, NC. William was born in Mar 1863 in NC. He died on 28 Jan 1935 in Fannin Co, GA.

              20    M       iii.    William Homes Patterson was born in Sep 1868 in Macon Co, NC (now Swain Co, NC).

William married Mary Adeline Delozier, daughter of Jesse R Delozier and Mary R Emaline Stillwell, on 29 Dec 1892 in Swain Co, NC. Mary was born in Apr 1876 in Swain Co, NC.

              21    F         iv.    Rebecca Maranda "Rindy" Patterson was born in Feb 1871 in Macon Co, NC (now Swain Co, NC). She died after 1910 in Cherokee Co, NC.

Rebecca married Deley B "Zack" Guffey, son of James M Guffey and Mary E "Polly" Smiley, on 11 Jul 1888 in Swain Co, NC. Deley was born in Feb 1866 in Rutherford Co, NC. He died on 22 Aug 1926 in Cherokee Co, NC.

              22    F          v.    Julie Lucinda Patterson was born on 9 Apr 1873 in Swain Co, NC. She died on 14 Oct 1955 in Swain Co, NC. She was buried in Lauada Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Julie married Nelson Thaddeus Green, son of William M Green and Melvina Green, on 24 Mar 1889 in Swain Co, NC. Nelson was born on 15 Jun 1867 in Jackson Co, NC. He died on 20 Sep 1906 in Swain Co, NC. He was buried in Judson Cem moved to Lauada Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Julie also married William Henry Green, son of Elias David Green and Sarah, in 1906/1907 in Swain Co, NC. William was born in Dec 1881 in Swain Co, NC. He died after 1910 in Swain Co, NC.

              23    F         vi.    Lavina M "Jenny" Patterson was born in Sep 1878 in Swain Co, NC.

Lavina married Marion Curtis Fox on 19 Oct 1901 in Cherokee Co, NC. Marion was born in 1880/1881 in Cherokee Co, NC. He died in Cherokee Co, NC.

              24    M      vii.    Carroll Alonso "Lon" Patterson was born on 6 Mar 1880 in Swain Co, NC. He died on 9 Feb 1922 in Swain Co, NC. He was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Carroll married Nora B Cambey, daughter of Christopher Isaac Cambey and Mary, on 15 Jun 1907 in Swain Co, NC. Nora was born in Apr 1888 in Swain Co, NC. She died after 1920 in Swain Co, NC. She was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Carroll also married Hattie Thermudas Grant, daughter of John Patton Grant and Darthula Jane Evans, in Not Married. Hattie was born on 18 Oct 1879 in Swain Co, NC. She died on 25 May 1953 in Kennesaw, Cobb Co, GA. She was buried in New Salem Cem, Cobb Co, GA.

              25    M     viii.    James Wesley Patterson was born on 20 May 1881 in Swain Co, NC. He died on 17 Apr 1969 in Swain Co, NC. He was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

6.     Martha Lucinda Cathey (William H) was born on 29 Apr 1850 in Union Co, GA. She died on 21 Sep 1931 in Swain Co, NC. She was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

Martha married Nathan Thompson Sawyer, son of Joel Alexander Sawyer and Esther Eliza Thompson, on 19 Sep 1877 in Swain Co, NC. Nathan was born on 17 Nov 1835 in Macon Co, NC. He died on 31 Aug 1910 in Judson, Graham Co, NC. He was buried in Sawyer Cem, Swain Co, NC.

They had the following children.

              26    F           i.    Mary R Sawyer was born in Jul 1879 in Swain Co, NC.

              27    F          ii.    Louella E Sawyer was born on 14 Feb 1885 in Judson, Swain Co, NC.

Louella married Douglas Elmore Fox, son of William Fox and Malvina, on 28 Nov 1901 in Swain Co, NC. Douglas was born in 1878/1879 in Cherokee Co, NC.

              28    M       iii.    William Joel Sawyer was born on 27 Apr 1889 in Judson, Swain Co, NC.