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Jackson, Saturday Sept 18, 1819
For the Missouri Herald
To the People of Cape Girardeau
(continued from our last)
Fellow citizens,
Pursuing the protestation against a division if we are not more than
40,000 strong, what right have we next need to expect greater
favors from congress than last, and if we should be again met with
the restriction and divide too, by which we will be reduced, how will
we extracate ourselves, then will all the slaves be satisfied
that we cannot hold them here, and the people from those states
where slavery is not tolerated, will be encouraged to move here,
believing they will have a government of their own making, and
every man now here and holding slaves may just prepare himself to
be rode over without the power of help; and is it not bad policy to
say we are too strong, when all crying out against the
illiberality of congress towards ??. And my fellow citizens, is it
not ??? strange to see men, who, when in the legislature from this
county, voted for much larger lines then we are now and at this time
doing all they can to make them much smaller than they now are, in
direct opposition to their own public acts-and yet the mighty Lucius
tells you of intrigue and empty propositions on the part of those
opposed to the division. I ask all, what does this conduct
indicate, is it consistent, does it show that love of country which
Lucius so loudly speaks, or does it not rather show some design
behind the curtain in this petition which they do not wish the people
to see and understand.
This said Lucius has got to be a prophet in the plenitude of his
wisdom, the influx of the population to us will come from the slave
states. Great Luciius tell me how you know this.-when I see people
undertake to do that which they do not understand, or when I hear
them loudly telling what they cannot know, I always for my part set
them down as pretenders and pay no attention to what they say or do.
Lucius you have a head and so has a sheep, your assertion of
emigration is just as certain as that of numbers. How great to is
your opinion of the candor and independence of your neighbors, when
you attempt to dive them into your puerile capers by telling them
the petition will be popular. Have you forgotten that honest free
men will act from their own judgements without regard to popular
clamour, and when men act thus depend on it they will always be
respected and loved by the people. Never sell your soul for
popularity or money, it is a good rule, and when people differ with you
do not impate it to prejudice or empty professions, and if you are
honest be charitable enough to think others may be too, lest your
own motives be strongly questioned. Under a belief of soon going
into a state people have moved in and raised our property-what were
lands in Cape Girardeau two years past and what are they worth now,
then drive us again to a lingering territory and you take away the
spring to emigration and at once reduce landed property. Let us then
not be intimidated by facetious denunciation, from doing that which
is for our good but in the mean time let us not be rash or precipitate,
but wait at least til the enemy's near approach force us to yield-it
will never be to late to sue for chains and own a conqueror; no, let
us spin our term of freedom out to its full length and oppose them to
the last, and let me perish but in CATO'S judgement-one conscious
thought of self approbation in independent rectitude, is worth a
world of ??ctious submission.
CATO
state; but this is by no means the greatest absurdity. To the two
territories proposed to be thrown off he only gives a population of
25,000 or 30,000 which any body who has ever ???? of enquired
after the strength of these two territiries in point of population,
will see is correct. We do certainly believe that at the time a
population of at least double that number was in those two countries
for in the forks their are five counties which will average a
population of 6,000 each which will make a population in all of
30,000; and in Arkansas we must believe there are 25,000 souls,
which shows a very great error in the calculation of the friend, and
that his evidence ought to be relied on as authentic in so great a
question as the formation of a government-by taking his statement
as correct as it stands, yet we must be kept in a territorrial
government fourteen years, for in seven years the whole territory,
Arkansas and the forks, with us in the center, only produced 29,000,
and now take the third of that and it will give us a population of
about 10,000 souls in seven years-well twice seven is fourteen,
(years) and in calculation I have given to the centre part of the
territory(which is the part within the limits prescribed) and
increase equal to the forks and Arkansas and Red River, which is by
short of their increase; but if we are to remain in territory fourteen
years longer who will support a division unless he wishes to see us
flooded by a swell of yankeys who will take away our slaves. Then
under such circumstances is it not clear to the mind of any man that
the project is uncertain and dangerous-it is true, the lines as they
now run are somewhat objectionable, but we ought to take a little of
the bitter with the sweet, let us secure what we now have and not
too avaricious lest we lose all. Again, these lines were laid down
nearly as they are by the legislature of the territory when we were
all equally represented,and now for us in one county to be using
the names of other counties without their consent in objecting to
them, is clearly and unwarrantable liberty with the feelings of our
neighbors. The friend has said we are 40,000 strong which is as
strong as Illinois and she went into a state-but we do not wish to go
into a state like her, she gave up the right of holding slaves, which
we will never do, but which we must do if we form a state before
we are 30,000 strong if we are to judge from what the yankey
members in Congress have said.
CATO
To be continued
evidence of that remark I have not seen, nor can I bring my mind to
believe in the doctrine. It is remarked in a publication made by a
friend, that the position has received much encouragement-I
acknowledge it am sorry to see that a question fraught with so much
evil to us all has been, without proper reflection, so warmly
supported in direct opposition to the true interest of some who
support it: but it is however a matter of great pleasure to see many,
who being convinced of their, withdrawing their support and now
remonstrating against it, for (in language of t? friend) 'tis in
this firmness and this zeal we discern a germ of virtue, the pledge
of our future good, and on the duration of which will in a great
degree depend the energies of our laws as well as the faithfulness
of their execution when we shall be allowed to legislate for
ourselves with equal rights and priviledges with other states; for
'tis godlike magnanimity to acknowledge in error and is virtuously
firm to correct it. He says further, the public mind is not to be led
by the weight of times or example unhesitatingly to adopt that
which is pernicious or even doubtful, nor can they be intimidated by
these or any other circumstances, from seconding what is clearly
and definately for their good by some other means than bare assertion by
gentleman
without proof before they would undertake so important a project as
to form a government by changing another for my fellow citizens,
remember if this measure should not result beneficially it must
perniciously, and if so we have no way by which we can help
ourselves, we must bear it; but to convince you of its good they have
told you a plausible tale about boundary and navigation, but have
given you but little knowledge of the lands back of us, which are
very poor and broken.
That writer has attempted to anticipate and to answer certain
objections to the petition in order to satisfy the public mind, none
of which I think merit answer except that which speaks of the
numbers, in that he is frank enough to acknowledge his ignorance,
yet goes on to make statements like all the others by guess; if he
rightly recollected in 1810 the population in the territory was about
21,000, and in 1817 about 50,000, making an increase in seven years
of 29,000 souls, inclusive of (at that time) all the territory of
Arkansas and the forks of Missouri and Mississippi rivers, then after
striking off that part of Arkansas and the forks of Missouri and
Mississippi he says we will have a population of 10,000 left, which
you well see lacks 20,000 of being a sufficient number to form a
Wanted to share this letter with you-it is quite lengthy and
in two parts so that is the way I will send it. I think it was
written by Lewis Cato in Mo, but don't know as it was only signed
CATO. Lewis was probably the biggest slave owner at this time
in Wayne Co. Mo. He was also a Justice of the Peace at this
time. Since Sterling was a lawyer he could also have written it.
Actually it is a page at a time and the first part has three pages.
I was putting it in the computer so wanted to share it.
Adruain
HERALD
"Principles and not men"
Jackson, Saturday Sept. 11 1819
For the Missouri Herald
To the people of CAPE Girardeau
Fellow citizens,
It is with much difference that I have been tempted to come
before you on the present question, because I have not vanity enough
to believe the weight of my reasoning powers sufficient to lead the
mind of any body: but when I see the whole country convulsed with
concern for what will be the consequence of adopting such a measure
as that which is now proposed to be adopted by a division of our
territiry, and as I find many engaged in promoting that measure by
every means in their power, and I am opposed to that division. I have
thought proper to give my views of the subject to the public, and in
doing so, I do not wish to touch the feelings of any gentleman, but
my entire wish is to convince by a fair course of reasoning my
fellow citizens, and in doing so, to render my country a service. I am
then distinctly to be understood as opposed to any division or
divisions at this time, and under our present embarrassmments. I do
think that it is the duty of the good people of this territory, at this
time, to stick firmly to the main question of state sovereignty, and
not to be misled by new and uncertain projects, thereby weakening
our strength on that first great and universal question; let us form a
state government, let us show Mr Taylor, Mr Talmadge, and their
partizans, that we are and will be free, and that we do not intend, in
order to be honored with their brothers and yankey friends. as our
citizens, to give up our slaves or any other property which we have,
but that we will first accomodate ourselves, and if they will
settle among us we will receive them as citizens and friends. Let us
form a state government and settleby wise legislative provisions
those unconfirmed land claims, and give to each citizen his due. Let
us form a state government in which we will have the power and
right to elect and appoint our own officers, and no longer be
compelled to bow and yeild to the arbitrary contempt and negligence
of those whose duty it is to serve the people: this is and should be
our great aim, and any measure which is calculated to postpone the
period when these advantages shall be secured, is a war with the
interest of the people, and might well be called suicide to those
engaged most. But it has been asserted that a division of the
territory will not much delay our arrival at a state government-the
Hey Tom!
Got any more of those rabbits in your hat?!! I was surprised, needless
to say, by a couple of names you sent!! (Great thinking Cynthia!)
First & foremost, I'd love to see ALL these records <tee hee!>! BUT,
since I know how pressed for time you'll be, I'll put the ones that I
feel are no. 1st priority & my reason why I think so - check my list
against Cynthia's & get hers first!
1. Blunt W. D. Cato - 2 Rgt. (Ballowe's) Virginia Militia (Pvt)
Is this our missing Blunt/Blount in Mississippi?? Did he come back to
Virginia?? (If so, where did he live in Virginia? Did he inherit land
maybe & if so, from whom? Was Sterling, son of John his daddy?)
2. Josiah Cato - Col. Claiborne's Rgt., Mississippi Militia (Pvt)
Josiah Catoe - Hind's Bn Cav, Mississippi Militia (Cpl)
John Catoe - Hind's Bn Cav., Mississippi Militia (Pvt) (is the Josiah
also called John or are these different people???)
Is this the Josiah Cato from Johnston Co., NC? What's his relationship
to the others in MS/AL??
3. Cullen Cato - Capt. Allen's Co., Artillerists, Louisiana Vols. (Pvt)
Cullen Cato - 2 Bn (Peire's), Louisiana Vols. (Pvt)
Cullen in LOUISIANNA?!! Whaaaat?? Dr. Henry & I have searched all over
the wonderful state of Kentucky for this boy!!! What on earth is he
doing HERE??
4.Nehemah Cato - 26 Rgt., Tennessee Militia (Pvt)
Needham Cato - 1 Rgt. (Caldwell's) Mounted, Kentucky Vols. (Pvt)
I want these 2 for purely selfish reasons!!! I want to see FOR SURE
that they are indeed 2 completely different individuals! My Needham's
sons seem to inherit land that was part of or at the very least adjacent
to the land originally deeded to Nehemiah in Ark.
5. James Cato - LTC Dodge's Command, Missouri Militia (Pvt)
James Catoe - LTC Dodge's Command, Missouri Militia (Pvt)
Just to see WHERE he was in Missouri in the war. Why was he there so
early???
By the way... I've seen some of them thar Cato brides & trust me - some
of them boys weren't THAT turribly picky!!! (Check out the Wyche woman
on the Cato Picture Gallery page <big grin>
http://www.webkeeper.com/cato/Cimage.html )
Bonnie
Cynthia!
I loved the letter from Rebecca Wyche that you posted to the list.
I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of that book!!! Hope it's still in
print :-)
Crista Cato Manieri
p.s.) Tom, your posting was a hoot! Thanks for adding a little humor to
the list!
Tom,
Thank you so much for taking a look at the War of 1812 lists! I will look
through and see if any look worthwhile.
I have often wondered about that Green name that pops up in the Cato
family, too. I thought it was all probably for the war hero, Nathaniel,
but isn't it interesting that there is a definite connection in Virginia
with the family. I guess you never know.
Thank you again, I will get back with you as soon as I can!
Cynthia
Folks,
I certainly agree that we must consider the possiblility that there
was
a man as old as William of Fairfield or older named Stephen Francis
Cato for whom William of Fairfield surveyed land and then recorded
the survey for him. Such a man would likely be the brother or father
or uncle of William. However if we fail to demonstrate the existence
of this man do not be surprised. I think that this could very
possibly
be an example of fraud. A District Surveyor would be in a perfect
position to survey and record a grant for a ficticious person or some
one in his family who was not otherwise eligible. An example of what
I am talking about may be seen in the following portion of a booklet
I have written on the Lewis family that my wife is a member of.
"RICHARD LEWIS arrived in the America's in Sept. 1635 at St.
Christopher's in the British West Indies on the ship William and John,
captained by Rowland Langram, having embarked from Gravesend,
England. He was 26 years old. From this island he was transported
to Va. as the headright of Captain Christopher Wormeley when
Captain Wormeley patented land in Charles River Co. 1/27/1638.
According to Cavaliers and Pioneers by Nugent, there are 3 different
land grants for transporting Richard Lewis to Va. between 1638 and
1649. These 3 land grants in 1638, 1649 and 1649 seem to be the
same Richard Lewis since there are 3 other men; Jeremiah Lynch,
Richard Marmaduke, and William Ginsey; all four were on the first
2 grants and the 3rd seems to involve the same people receiving
the initial grant. The first land was in Charles River Co., the
second
in Lancaster Co., and the third in Gloucester Co. There would seem
to have been element of fraud going on between the 4 men being
transported repeatedly and those receiving the land, one of whom
was Richard Kemp, Esq., the Sec. of the State of Va. Apparently
this was a common occurrence."
I am not saying that this was fraud on William's part but I am saying
that it is a possibility.
Henry.
from book "The Walltons of Brunswick Co, Virginia" by Joe Tinney, 1983.
p 104
"The following letter was written by Rebecca Wyche (married name unknown)
to her cousin Virginia (Walton) Butler in 1896. Rebecca was the great,
great, great granddaughter of George and Elizabeth (Rowe) Walton and
Virginia was their great, great granddaughter. The letter is full of news
about family and names several descendants who would not have been known,
Rebecca lived at Emporia, Virginia and Virginia lived at Madison, Georgia.
Mrs. Lowry Hunt of Madison, Georgia, sent the letter which is from the
David E. Butler Family Collection in the University of Georgia Library
Special Collection, University of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia.
The letter:
May 28, 1896
Dear Cousin,
It is Whitsuntide. As usual the young folks are away and I
...(some words lost) clerk, so I will amuse myself trying to entertain you.
I must first thank you for the nice present-the picture which I
appreciate so much. I was just charmed with it and will have it framed
soon. I am sure the artist must be an expert. I am certain there is not a
defect in the portrait. I have taken it around for the kinspeople to see
and they all agree with me that they are fine looking handsome picture,
proving that the world and this life have been kind to you all. I hope you
will not think us inquisitive but we wish to know the names of your
children and which is the youngest. We are equally divided in our guess.
I think the one on the left.
Your picture reminds me very much of aunt MARTHA CATO while that of
your youngest has a striking resemblance to Mr. R.C. Walton of this county
who is the son of Mr. Henry Walton by a second wife.
I am sorry that I have not been able to get the date of grandmother
Wyche's birth, but I have not given up all hope yet. I will make another
effort and if I succeed will notify you at once.
Cousin Mary Manning is the youngest daughter of aunt Nannie Rowe
(Wyche m Wm. Walker.) She has not walked a step in more than a dozen
years. her older sister, Matilda, died several years ago. Dr. B. Wyche
Walker, her oldest borther, died young. Her younger brother, Wm Peter
Walker, married the oldest daughter of uncle Ira Wyche. Cousin Mary's
husband died two years ago or more. Uncle Wm Manning left them a
sufficiency to live on but they were poor managers and she is now dependent
on the wishes of her children. A specialist examined her and decided that
her brain was the only sound organ of her body. Though she cannot use her
hands, even to comb her hair, she is cheerful and high minded and
independent of mind as ever.
Cousin Peter's son, Willie Walker, age 35, has his third wife. He
weighs 315 pounds and is one of he handsomest, finest specimen of mankind I
ever saw, well proportioned and not at all clumsy or burdensome to himself
as you may judge as his is conductor of cars from Weleller to Wilmington.
He is very much like his mother's family, the Wyches.
....(skip, quite a bit)....
After seeing the picture I feel as if I knew you and could love you
all without half trying. If this be worthy an answer, write again to
Cousin Rebecca
I just thought this might be interesting to someone. There are more
letters in this book, mostly discussing genealogy of the Walton and Wyche
families, some in great detail.
Cynthia
Cynthia,
I looked into the Cato veterens of the War of 1812 at the archives today that
you asked about. I looked at the roster of service records, which was on
microfilm. The individual service records have to be requested for 1812. This
takes at least 1-2 hours, so I'll have to start on this next time I go to the
archives. Let me know which ones you're most interested in and I'll start with
those. Here's what I found in the sevice records:
Blunt W. D. Cato - 2 Rgt. (Ballowe's) Virginia Militia (Pvt)
Cullen Cato - Capt. Allen's Co., Artillerists, Louisiana Vols. (Pvt)
Cullen Cato - 2 Bn (Peire's), Louisiana Vols. (Pvt)
Harris Cato - 6 Rgt. Virginia Militia (LTC's Dickinson, Scott, Coleman)
(Pvt)
Henry Cato - 26 Rgt. Tennessee Militia (Pvt)
James Cato - LTC Dodge's Command, Missouri Militia (Pvt)
Josiah Cato - Col. Claiborne's Rgt., Mississippi Militia (Pvt)
Needham Cato - 1 Rgt. (Caldwell's) Mounted, Kentucky Vols. (Pvt)
Nehemah Cato - 26 Rgt., Tennessee Militia (Pvt)
Robert Cato - 1 Rgt. Mtd (Perkin's), W. Tennessee Vols. (Pvt)
Sterling Cato - 1 Rgt. (Byrne's), Virginia Militia (Pvt)
William Cato - Bowling's Detachment, Georgia Militia (Pvt)
William C. Cato - 2 Rgt. (McWillie's), South Carolina Militia (Sgt)
The following names were spelled either Cator or Catoe. The more I looked at
it the more it looked liked Catoe.
George Catoe - 17 Rgt. (Beall's), Maryland Militia (Pvt)
James Catoe - LTC Dodge's Command, Missouri Militia (Pvt)
John Catoe - Hind's Bn Cav., Mississippi Militia (Pvt)
Josiah Catoe - Hind's Bn Cav, Mississippi Militia (Cpl)
Rowland Catoe - Coffee's Rgt., Cav, W. Tennessee Vols. (Pvt)
I also looked in the pension application files and all I found was this:
Soldier - William Cato
Wid Orig - 11012
Wid Af. - 6437
Widow - Nancy Cato Bounty Land - 75418-160-'55
Service - Pvt. Capt. R. L. Gamble's Co., Ga. Militia
Enlisted - 26 Mar 1814 Discharged - 1 Jun 1814
20 Aug 1814 26 Sep 1814
Residence of soldier - 1857 Telfair Co., Ga.
Residence of widow - 1874 MacRae, Telfair Co.,Ga.
Widow's maiden name - Nancy Rainey
Marriage - 25 Nov 1813 Telfair Co., Ga.
Death of soldier - 10 Jan 1859 Coffee Co., Ga.
Death of widow - 23 Nov 1894
I saw the postings about the Green family today when I got home . Judy, Henry
and I had a discussion about this a couple of weeks ago. Henry's explanation
was that it was from Gen. Greene, which is very possible. However I still have
a feeling it also might be marriage related. I took a quick look at Va. census
records from 1780's and 1790 today and there's a whole truck load of Greens up
in that neck of the woods. I'd put my money on a Cato - Green marriage
somewhere along the line. The odds would be for it with that many Catos and
that many Greens in the same location. All the Greens couldn't have been that
butt ugly. There must have been at least one decent looking one in the bunch
that a Cato could marry. I know this isn't scientifc proof, but we're talking
LOVE. Look at all the Catos and Brewers. Anyway that's all for now.
Tom
Bonnie,
The 1800 census has William of Fairfield as over 45ys. (b. before
1755). The 1830 census has him 70-80 yrs. (b. 1750-60). This would
indicate a birth of 1750 -55. I believe he was born close to 1750 and
could have been old enough to have bought land in 1772. If this is
the man, then he is probably not the William in Northampton who sold
land with signature to John Haithcock in 1778. He might be then
William son of Francis Cato. Then would mean that the William, Rev.
War soldier of Ga., b. in Halifax Co., may be the son of William of
Northampton.
As I see it we have 3 Williams to determine who they are: William of
Fairfield (Rev. Sol), William of Washington Co., Ga. (Rev.Sol, b. in
Halifax Co.) and William of Halifax. Co. in 1790. Since Stephen Cato
Jr. was also in the 1790 census of Halifax Co, I think the William
there is his son. Syrack had no children and George had only one son,
John. This leaves us with Francis and William of Northampton to the
father of the 2 Williams: of Fairfield and Washington Co, Ga. I keep
swinging back and forth as to who is who.
Henry
Dear Crista,
I have often wished that Henry Cato had been a son of Daniel instead of
John Cato, because Daniel's family did not gallivant off into the NC and SC
wilderness. Thanks for posting the information on the Roundhill Cemetary
and the Green family; I have often wondered about the name Green in the
Cato families.
Somewhere I have a copy of a letter from a girl in Georgia, who refers to
her Aunt Martha Cato (I believe in Va.) I believe she was a Butler. I
will dig this up and post it to the list.
Cynthia
Here is the information I have on how the Green family is related to
Daniel Cato , Jr. of Greensville Co., VA~
The Cato cemetery at Roundhill Methodist Episcopal Church in Greensville
Co., Va. has several Greens buried there. ALL THE CATOs descended from
John Cato (m. Sarah Edwards Walker), son of Daniel Cato, Jr. are buried
there.
John Cato's eldest son William Walker Cato (b.1805) m. Martha Ann "Patsy"
Wyche (dau. of Nancy Cooke and Capt. Henry Wyche.) Her brother was Ira
Wyche m. 1st Ariadne Powell and 2nd Sarah Powell. Ira & Sarah's son,
Benjamin Walker Wyche (treasurer of Greensville Co. for many years) married
Mattie Green.
I presume the rest of the Greens buried at Roundhill are related to her, as
one must have a Cato link to be buried there. Wish I had more on Mattie
Green's ancestry, as we would probably find her to be a descendant of the
Gen. Nathaniel Green. There are also several Catos in Rowland's line with
the name "Green". Did Rowland serve under Gen.Green?
GREENsville, Co. was formed in 1780-1781 from Brunswick in that part of the
county where the Cato, Wyche, Walker, Cooke and allied families were
living. Anyone know the origin of the county name?
Crista Cato Manieri
FYI: One of our family heirlooms is an engraved silver cup won by
William Walker Cato (b.1805) for the first bale of cotton brought into
Petersburg following the Civil War. :-)
> "... There was a Wm Cato that bought 600 acres from
> Thos. Parrott in Fairfield (Camden. Dist) 28 Aug 1772) (Our Wm was age
DUH! OK, I'm tired!!! This guy was here BEFORE the 1790 census which
showed Stephen & William in Halifax, NC! Could he have been their
father???? It's really perplexing - especially since he was apparently
a surveyor & George, early on in NC seem to have been, also. Now, the
surveyor George seems to be a son of Stephen, according to the Bertie
Co. records of Stephen's household, where a Stephen Jr. is also listed,
but no William.
Also, speaking of the Halifax Stephen, I'm still a bit bothered by the
Etheldred WEBB question. There's an Etheldred WEBB shown on the taxroll
in Northampton Co., NC, with William CATO & also, Stephen CATO is shown
as a "hand" under Etheldred WEBB in Bertie Co. in 1771. Are these one &
the same???
We have a Parthenia WEBB of Alabama who m. John CATO in Tenn. (assc.
with the Daniel Sr.>Roland>Roland Jr.>John m. Parthenia WEBB line in
Tenn.). Parthenia, I believe was the grandaughter of Etheldred WEBB Sr.
(& dau. of his son, John WEBB) who's shown in Northampton & Bertie.
http://www.webkeeper.com/cato/webb.html (Yes, more of my circular
thinking, but it bugs me!) These people all seem to lead back to Bertie
& in William's case, possibly to Northampton, but it's confusing, to say
the least!! Does anyone have access to the plats in Northampton? Is
the William there a surveryor???
Bonnie
Peter Benua wrote:
>
> I am confused about the family of William Cato of FF m Susannah Echols:
> His son Stephen Francis CATO, accding to my info, was born 1787.
>
> Land grant on file in SC:
> Pursuant to a warrant from John Winn Esq Commr of Locations in Camden
> District.
> I have surveyed and laid out to STEPHEN FRANCIS CATO a Tract of land
> containing 434 acres situate in the District of Camden in Fairfield County
> on the branches of Lick Creek and Addisons Branch waters of Little River
> bounded NW by William CarnahamNE on Akins land SE and Sward on John
> Buchannan and WILLIAM CATO NW and SW on James McGill and hath such shape
> and marks as the above Platt represents. Certified this 26 Nov 1795.
> W CATO DS
> Rec'd by W CATO
> 30 Nov 1795
>
> Now, is it possible that Stephen Francis CATO was granted land when he was
> 8 years old? This would not be a legal transaction, as I understand it.
> I am confused by this. Can anyone help?
>
> Cynthia
You're confused??? <GRIN> So am I! Mary Waters sent me a write-up on
some of her questions & observances on the Wm. of FF line after I asked
her opinion (this is her line) & this was a part of it:
"... There was a Wm Cato that bought 600 acres from
Thos. Parrott in Fairfield (Camden. Dist) 28 Aug 1772) (Our Wm was age
15??????). This land was 15 miles N.W. of present day Columbia,SC.
Maybe deeds may show later sales or transfer of this property.
If this was our Wm. where were his parents???, If not our Wm.-- who
was the buyer of this land... Its a bit confusing as whether there were
one or two Williams. Im not sure a 15yr old could own property. The
reason I think it MAY have been Wm of Ff is there was an affadavit by
Thomas Parrot in Wm pension application..."
I've had her e-mail pulled out probably about 10 times since I recieved
it thinking, "I've got it!" just to find flaws in whatever my "lightbulb
logic" was at the time!!!
One thing that I do find terribly intriguing is that the Stephen in
North Carolina is gone sometime between the 1790 census & the 1800 one.
Don't you think the above Stephen Francis might have been him? There's
no way an 8 year old could own land - a 15 year old would be an almost
impossibility - I've seen 1 instance in all my years of research where a
16 year old was granted land in a hardship-type of case, but it took a
court & guardian & a lot of paperwork to do it (sure was nice as far as
research!!!). An 8 year old would not be able to own it outright until
he came of age, according to the laws back then. It could be willed or
granted, but would have someone else's name (an adult) asscociated with
it as guardian or administrator or something along those lines, or
include the words "a minor" or "when he comes of legal age".
Mary Water's Stephen Francis CATO line seems to be fairly well
documented, so we'll assume the twins, Stephen F. & Phillip are correct
with their 1787 birthdates. Also, since they're mentioned in William's
pension application, we can also assume they're indeed William's sons.
Their birthdate seems to fit nicely with William's birthdate & their
children's also. The Stephen you have above has to be a different
Stephen - possibly a brother or father of William??? (I think a
brother!)
*IF* the Stephen in the above grant is the same one as is shown in
Halifax Co., NC, we can assume that he was born before 1755. He's got a
son over 16 in 1790 & 2 other sons under 16, in addition to 3 female
children & is shown there with a William who in 1790 has 2 boys & 3
girls. Because of the assumed ages of the children, these 2 APPEAR to be
brothers - at least on the surface! We know that there was a William
who stayed in North Carolina until at least 1800. We've also found that
the William in NC in 1800 seems to be the one in Wilkes Co., GA, who
married Lucy IVEY (VERY, VERY STRONG circumstantial evidence as shown in
a previous e-mail!).
I believe the William who stayed in NC until 1800 was a son of either
Stephen or William. I also feel that the Stephen Francis & William that
are shown in the above deeds as being too old to be the children of
William of FF are these 2. As to who was the father of William of FF,
I'm not sure!!!
I'm really curious to see what others may think about this, also! My
head's getting sore from banging it against wall on these guys!!! Maybe
someone else can see something I can't??!!!
BTW, I'm showing a land plat from 1790??? Looks like the same amount of
ac. - Cynthia, is yours an original & should I change this???
Bonnie
Hi Gail & other SC researchers!
I'm forwarding this to the list so others can introduce themselves to
Gail & possibly help her with her CATO/SIMS line in SC!
Bonnie
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject:
Cato genealogy
Date:
Tue, 3 Mar 1998 13:01:43 -0800 (PST)
From:
Gayle Lee <gayle_les(a)yahoo.com>
To:
bpalmer(a)BIHS.NET
I found your name when I was doing research into my Catoe family line.
My grandmother was Ida Alice Catoe who married James Willie Sims and
my gggggmother was Eleanor(Nellie) Catoe who married Jefferson Jackson
Sims. I am curious to find out if these two ladies were related. All
were from the Lancaster Co. area as far as I know. However I have
found some relatives buried right over the county lines of Kershaw or
Chesterfield so I'm not sure. Please let me know if this might be the
same line you are researching.
Thanks, Gayle Sims Lee
Hi Kentucky>Missouri people! I just got this in from someone else
researching our line! I'm forwarding it so everyone can say hi &
introduce themselves to Deborah! (Deborah, I'll send a separate message
to you from me!)
Bonnie
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject:
Cato lineage
Date:
Tue, 3 Mar 1998 19:36:25 EST
From:
Rowoak <Rowoak(a)aol.com>
To:
bpalmer(a)bihs.net
Hi!
My name is Deborah Carvalho, and my great grandfather was James Cato,
whose
father was Chapman Cato from Cape Gerardeau, MO. Chapman's other sons
and
daughters were Chapman, Sarah Jane, and Sanford.
I'd love to exhange information with you!
----------------------------------------------------------------------