I need to resolve my WILLIAM CATES' parentage...so I need all the help out
there.
Wm Cates m. Frances McGee on 12 June 1797 with Henry Hunt as bdm in
Orange CO NC. It is for certain this Wm is my direct ancestor.
Wm Cates m. Elizabeth Wilson on 11 Nov 1799 with Archlaud Wilson as
bdm. Orange CO NC.
My problem is determing whether Lazarus of Benjamin Cate is the father of my
Wm Cates. There are items that point to one then the other. Benjamin and
Lazarus were sons of Benjamin, son of Robert Cate the shoemaker.
Dr Banks Cates suggested that Benjamin is the correct father choice for Wm
because his marriage bondsman was Henry Hunt. Henry Hunt's son was named in
Benjamin's will without any explanation as to whether there was a family
connection. Benjamin's son Wm signed his father's will so Dr Cates
suggested that I obtain a copy of that will and of Wm's m bond and compare
the signature or mark on each that Wm did. They were made only a few months
apart yet I do not see any comparison btw the 2 marks of Wm.
I think that Lazarus is the correct choice for my Wm's father due to naming
patterns used in his descendents. Wm had a son named Lazarus that was
appointed as administrator of his estate. Wm had a brother Isaiah and that
name was also used in the family.
SO if anyone out there has data on the Wm Cates that married Elizabeth
Wilson it would really help me settle this problem. I can find nothing on
them after their marriage. I do not have any data on the Wilson family so I
do not know what given names they used.
All of the persons named above lived in or near the Eno River area of Orange
CO NC.
Regards, Bettye