Kathleen, I did some research last night and found some of what you just
posted. When I mentioned that the father of your David Thomas Cates
probably died in the Civil War I was not aware that his father was Samuel
Cates.
Mahala Horn's supposed brother, Riley Horn, had a connection to my Adams
line so I had followed Riley's movements.
It appears that you now need to determine what Cates line that Samuel
belonged to. Some of the line from early Jefferson Co TN 'drifted' down
into the Knox Co TN area so you might want to search those lines out.
I went through my Cates paper files today and posted what little I have on
Samuel Cates and Mahala Horn. I wish it was more to help you.
If I do come across anything else I will post it.
I know that there are people that have researched Samuel Cates' son, Felix
Gundy. Perhaps you can make contact with some of them as you need to take
your research back to find Samuel's parents.
Regards, Bettye