Hi All, here is what I have on Benjamin Cate from Banks Cates research.
Lazarus and Matthew are mentioned in the notes and may be children.
If anyone has corrections please let me know.
Benjamin Cate, son of Robert Cate, Shoemaker, from Roberta Pierson
26 July 2000 (Research by Dr. Banks R. Cates, Jr.)
(1) Benjamin Cate, was born about 1704 in Prince George Co, VA, and
married spouse unknown. Benjamin died in Orange Co., NC.
SOURCE: Dr. Banks R. Cates, Jr., Charlotte, NC.
1751 Granville to William Bogen, planter, 419 acres on the south side of
the south Fork of the Little river, in John Dunagan's line. 15 Jun 1754.
Surveyed 19 Nov. 1751, Chain Carriers: John Dunagon & BENJ. CATE.
(Granville Propietary Land Office, Deeds & Surveys, 1752-1660", by
William Bennett)
1754 March Orange Co. Court of Pleas & Qtr Sessions: a deed of sale from
John Wood to BENJAMIN CATE for 84 acres of land was acknowledged in open
court & on motion Ordered to be Recorded.
1755 Benjamin lived on the Eno River, Orange County, North Carolina and
was on the first Orange County Tax List, 2 white polls, no black polls.
10 Sep 1755 - Orange Co. Deed Book 1 Pg. 138, John Gray to Blake Baker
on Mill Creek, Granville to Wade 1753 of which Benjamin Cate has a deed
from John (no surname noted). (AGLL V156-63)
20 Mar 1757 - Johnathan Fincher signed his will in Orange County. He
named as legatees his wife & eldest son: and he mention by name his sons
Jonathan, Richard, Joseph & Benjamin. Son Benjamin was to be bound to
Joseph Mattox. Wit: BENJAMIN CATE, Margaret Whitehear & Charles Jonas.
Jonathan Fincher had been deeded 250 acres on Buck Quarter Creek &
another 416 acres, both adjacent to Michael Synnott's line, by Francis
Day in 1755. Francis Day's 416 acres from Lord Granville in 1755 was on
the waters of Seven Mile creek, adjoining Michael Synnott. The survey
indicates it was on the head of Seven Mile Creek & Pea Creek, adjoining
Whitehead, Capt. Synnot, and Fincher. Amos Whitehead was a CC. Charles
Jones had a warrant for 640 acres on the head of Seven mile Branch
adjoining Thomas Whitehead. Entered 1758. Amos Whitehead had an entry
for 700 acres on Seven Mile Creek, waters of Enoe at the south of Long
Branch in 1762. (Orange Co. Land Abstracts" by William Bennett)
Feb 1761 Orange co. Ct. of Pleas & Quarter Sessions: Nathaniel Cary VS
BENJAMIN CATE, debt.
Aug 1763 Orange co. Ct. of Pleas & Qtr Sessions: David Knight VS
BENJAMIN CATE, SR., petition.
13 Aug 1765 Orange Co. Court of Pleas & Qtr Sessions: Deed from BENJAMIN
CATE to George Horner for 384 acres acknowledged by BENJAMIN CATE.
No further record of Benjamin. (No Will found)
Children:
2+ Benjamin Cate b.c 1730 d. 1798
3+ Richard Cate b.c 1724 d.a 1798
4+ William Cate b.c 1727 d. 1803
(2) Benjamin Cate, (Benjamin) was born about 1730 in VA/NC, and married
in Orange Co., NC, (5) Mary Ann who was born before 1755. Benjamin died
1798 in Orange Co., NC. Mary Ann died after 1810 in Orange Co., NC.
SOURCE: Kay Craft, Tax Lists and Deeds.
1780 Orange County Tax List, St. Mary's District, Pg. 200 Benjamin with
75 acres State entry, 3 horses, 23 cattle - Tax 649 pds. (Richard,
Lazarus & William Cate also in St. Mary's District.)
Benjamin's children's ages estimated from being of age in his 1798 will.
1798 Will Book C, Pg. 136, Benjamins will names wife Mary sons: John,
Timothy, Jesse, James, William, daughter Mary (under age), to Henry
Hunt's oldest son Elijah Hunt, to David Nutt's oldest son John Nutt.
Exec. Brother Richard Cate, Wm. Cain, Merchant. Wit: William "X" Cate,
Alex. McMullan, Edward Wortham.
BURIAL: Benjamin was to be buried at "Reading House".
28 Aug 1800, Orange Co. Court Minutes, Timothy & Jesse Cate of lawful
age chooses Mary Cates their guardians. Bond with David Nutt and Wilkan
Maddison. (AGLL V156-64)
1800 Orange co. NC Census Index, Pg. 556, MARY CATIS 45 & over 1 male
16-26, 2 males 10-16, 1 male 0-10 & 1 female 0-10.
10 Aug 1802 Orange Co. NC Deed Bk 10, Pg. 209, Mary Cate to David Nutt
land left by her husband Benjamin Cate. Wit: James Dunnagan & Henry
Hunt.
May 1804 Orange Co. Court Minutes, Mary Cate is appointed guardian of
Mary, ?, & James Cate who entered into bond with George Carrington &
James Woods.
1810 Orange co. NC Census, NA M252-41, Pg. 164, MARY CATE 45 & over, 1
male 0-10 & 1 female 16-26.
Children:
6 John Cate b.c 1768
7 Timothy Cate b.c 1771
8 Jesse Cate b.c 1780
9 James Cate b.c 1775
10 William Cate b.c 1777
11 Mary Cate b.c 1780
(3) Richard Cate, (Benjamin) was born about 1724 in VA. Richard died
after 1798 in Orange Co., NC.
Richard is named brother in the will of Benjamin in 1798 Orange Co.
(4) William Cate, (Benjamin) was born about 1727 in VA, and married (12)
Elizabeth Messersmith, daughter of Conrad Messersmith, who was born
before 1765. William died 1803 in Orange Co., NC.
SOURCE: Dr. Banks R. Cates, Charlotte, NC.
There is no document that says that WILLIAM CATE was the son of
Benjamin, who left no will. However, the following circumstantial
evidence points to this conclusion: (a) Both lived on Little river, near
the eventual Orange-Person line. (b) WILLIAM CATE had a son named
Benjamin. His presumed brother Matthew had a son named William. The
names William & Benjamin were almost unheard of in the descendents of
Robert-2 and Thomas-2 of Haw River in Orange county and in the
descendents of John-2 of Flat River. This leaves only Benjamin-2 -
unless WILLIAM was a son of William-2, who made it as far as Northampton
County & the Roanoke River - and left no trace after 1749. (Dr. Cates)
March 1762 Lord Granville granted to Reuben Young 240 acres in Orange
County on both sides of Buffalo Creek of Little River. Wit: Jas Watson &
Matt Brown. 6 Mar 1762. Surveyed 27 Jan 1762 by W. Churton. Sworn CC:
Alexr Torrington & WM CATES. March 1762.
1768 - WM CATE was one of the signers of a petition to pardon John Fruit
as a Regulator.
4 Dec 1778 - Warrant for WILLIAM CATE 200 acres Beginning at a pine on
the District Line Alexdr Torringtine Corner runing East with the
District line. Surveyed ye 17th June 1780 by thos Mulhollan, Thos Tayloy
CS, Chain Carriers: Alexand Torringtin & Joseph Parker. On the head of
Buffalow a branch of Little River Bounded by the lines of Alexander
Torringtine & Robert Wilson. Including the improvement where he now
lives. (Orange Co. Records, by Bennett)
1779 Orange Co. Tax List: WM. CATE L1408.
25 Oct 1782 - State of NC granted to WILLIAM CATE 200 acres on the head
of Buffalo Branch of Little River, bounded by Alexander Torrentine &
Robert Williamson on the District Line.
9 Nov 1784 - State of NC to William Robison 200 acres adjacent Wilson &
James Morrow. Surveyed 2 Dec 1782 by Thos. Mullhollan. CC: Robt Gray &
Wm Dinnis. On the water of Flat River & Little River adjoining the lands
of Joshua Hawkins, Robert Gray & WILLIAM CATE.
10 Nov 1784 - State of NC to Paul Jeffreys 529 acres in Caswell Co. on
Flat river adjacent Robert Cate, the Orange co. line, Conrad Messer
Smith, Samuel Sneed, Orburn Jeffreys. 10 Nov 1784.
9 Nov 1784 - State of NC granted to John Smithurst(Smith Hust) 640 acres
on Caswell County Line adjacent Ann & Sarah Parker. Surveyed 19 Jun 1780
by Thos Mulhollan. CC: Wm Wall & Jno Fridrick. On the waters of Flat
River adjoining the lands of WILLIAM CATE, including the improvements
which he purchased of Conrad Messer Smith.
1786 - Orange Co. Ct. of Pleas & Qtr Sessions: WILLIAM CATE on Jury.
18 May 1789 - State of NC to Arthur Mangum 253 acres on the Waters of
Flat River bounded on the west by Land of WM CATE & on the south by land
of Torrintine & on the north by land of John Smith Husk. Surveyed 27 jul
1785 by Andw Borland DS. CC: William Cholins & William Mangum. On the
prickley pair branch of Flat River adjoining the lands of WILLIAM CATE
and an Entry made for the orphans of Jonathan Parker including tow
improvements which he bought of Robert Forsyth.
1790 Orange co. Tax List, St. Mary's District: WILLIAM CATES, 200 acres.
Order of listing: Henry Pickle, WILLIAM CATES, Thos. Wilson.
17 Oct 1799 - Conrad Messer Smith signed his will in Orange County. He
named as legatees Rhitte Messer Smith; his sons Leonard, Stephen,
Conrad; his daughters Mary & ELIZABETH CATES. "Mary gets 10 shillings to
disinherit her." Wit: Jno McMullan & Alexander Turrentine. Probate Nov.
Court 1799, when Sam'l Turrentine was named as executor. Will Book C, p.
155.
4 Jan 1800 - Daniel Turrentine of Orange Co. to Alexander Turrentine of
same 170 acres on water of Little River bounded by Henry Waggoner,
Samuel Turrentine, Thomas Wilson, WILLIAM CATES, James Turrentine, &
Alexander Turrentine, on William Roark's corner. Part of a grant to
Alexander Turrentine Sen. by the State. Wit: James Turrentine & Jno.
Watson Senr.
1800 Orange Co. NC Census WILLIAM CATE 45 & over, 1 male 16-26, 1 male
10-16, 1 female 45 & over & 1 female 10-16.
1803 WILLIAM CATE died in this year, according to the 1825 deed of his
children.
Feb 1803 Orange Co. Court - Inventory of WILLIAM CATES - ELIZABETH CATE
Admr., J. W. Cate & James Turrentine.
Aug Term 1803 Return of Amount of Sales the estae of WILLIAM CATES,
Purchasers: ELIZABETH CATE, John Cate, William Berry, Thos. Berry,
Joshua Berry, Robert Berry Sen, Jane Holeman, Robert Berry Jr., John
Neely, Rachel Neely & others.
(The fact that John Neely bought 4 items & that his daughter Rachel
Nealy bought 1 item at this estate sale suggests that he was the
father-in-law of one of WILLIAM CATES's sons, John or Benjamin. On 13
Oct 1815, John Nealy signed his will in Orange county. He named as
legatees wife Mary and daughter Sally Cates and her son Nealy Cates -
along with other son & daughters including Rachel Pickle. Will book D,
p. 455.) (Dr. Cates)
The fact that Jane Holeman bought 1 item at this estate sale suggests
that she was the mother-in-law of the other of WILLIAM CATE's sons. In
1815 Person Co. ct of Pleas & Qtr Sessions. Charles Holeman's will of
Feb. 1813 was probated. His mother Jane Holeman was to receive a slave.
Land in Wilson Co. Tennessee, to be sold. He named nephews Charles
Holeman & James Holeman. Executors: Thomas Paine of Granville Co. &
Samuel Dickens. Wit: Abner Williams, Lambert S. Moore & Portious Moore.
May Ct. 1815. Then in Feb 1817 in Person co. Ct. of Pleas & Qutr
Sessions: Inventory of estate of Jane Holeman decd, taken 4 May 1816 by
Rachel Cate Administrator.) (Dr. Cates)
1810 Orange Co. Census: ELIZA CATE 45 & over, 1 male 26-45, 1 male 0-10,
2 females 16-26, 1 slave. Orders of listing - Thomas Wilson, John Cate,
ELIZA CATE, Henry Pickle.
31 Aug 1815 - Person Co. NC Deed book D, Pg. 545-6 - ELIZABETH CATES of
Orange Co. to Laurence Vanhook Hargis of Person Co., for $40, all her
right & claim to an undivided tract left by her late father Conrad
Messer Smith to be divided equally to her & other children; total of 306
acres on flat River adjacent Thomas Sneed, Duncan Cameron & James
Williamson. Wit: Thos. Wilson & Thos. V. Hargis.
1816 Stephen Messer Smith signed his will in Orange co. He left to
daughters Catherine Gates, Mary Smith, Johannah Parker, & Elizabeth
Horner 5 shillings. he left to sons Leonard Smith & William Smith under
age, plantation & grist mill when of age. He named daughters Sarah
Smith, Dice, Agnes; and granddaughter of daughter Mary named Jinnet. He
left to his grandson of daughter Sarah named John 2 years of schooling.
Executors: Jacob Waggoner & John --. Wit: Thomas Hall. Signed: Stephen
Messer (X) Smith. Will Book E, p. 160. (Thomas Hall was a buyer at the
estate sale of WILLIAM CATE in 1803) (This will suggests that ELIZABETH
CATE was originally a MESSERSMITH.) (Dr. Cates)
1820 Orange co. NC Census NA M33-82, Pg. 402, Elizabeth Cate 45 & over 1
female 26-45 & 1 female 10-16.
19 Nov 1825 - John Cate of Maury Co. TN & Hannah Cate Berry of Orange
co., deeded to Thomas Wilson of Orange co. for $150, 2/5 of their
settlement of 200 acres belonging to WILLIAM CATE, deceased, father of
John, Hannah, Sally, Benjamin & Charity Cate. WILLIAM CATE died in 1803.
wit: Chuza Hopkins & Josiah Wilson.
Children:
13 John Cate b.b 1775
14 Hannah Cate b.c 1779
15 Sarah (Sally) Cate b. 22 Dec 1781 d. 7 Mar 1875
16 Charity Cate b.c 1795
17 Benjamin Cate b. 1775/1794