Abner Cates (abt. 1774 - 1842)

Born about 1774 in Orange County, North Carolina

Husband of Stacey (Turner) Cates — married 18 Nov 1797 in Orange County, North Carolina, USA

Husband of Hannah (Arnett) Cates — married 1830 in Henderson, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 1842 at about age 68 in Hopkins County, Kentucky, USA

Problems/Questions Profile managers: L Adcox [send private message], James Storey [send private message], and Turner Jones [send private message]

Biography

BIRTH / DEATH

Abner Cates

Birth estimated about 1774, based on the following:

1) born between 1775-1784, per census in 1800, age 16/25

2) born between 1766-1784, per census in 1810, age 26-44

3) born before 1775, per census in 1820, age 45+

4) born between 1771-1880, per census in 1830, age 50-59

5) born between 1771-1780, per census in 1840, age 60-69

6) born 13 APR 1780 (per undocumented source)

Place of Birth: assume Orange County, North Carolina, based on the following:

1) Abner's earliest records, beginning in 1797, are in Orange Co. NC

2) Abner has 2 older sister's married in Orange Co. NC in 1873 & 1875

3) Abner's father living in Orange Co. NC in 1806 when his Will was written.

Death: 1842, per his Will.

1) Abner's will was written 13 July 1842, and probated Aug-1842

2) death 25 Jul 1842, per undocumented source

Place of Death: assume Hopkins Co. KY

1) Hopkins Co. KY is location of his Will in 1842

2) Several of his children are still in Hopkins Co. KY in 1850

PARENTAGE

Abner Cates, son of Richard Cate and Elizabeth

Parents confirmed thru:

1) Abner is named in his father's WILL in 1806 Orange Co. NC

2) Abner and siblings, married Orange Co. NC (same location as father's WILL)

Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/orange/wills/cate04.txt

WILL of Richard Cate

Orange County North Carolina Will Book D, Pg. 304

Written Mar 26, 1806, probated May 1806

Wife: Elizabeth

Sons: Abner, John, and Ephram

Daughters: Mary Hunt, and Nancy Dossett

MARRIAGE

1st Marriage: ^[1]

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, Marriage Index

Name: Abner Cates

Spouse: Stacey Turner

Marriage Date: 18 Nov 1797

Marriage County: Orange

Marriage State: North Carolina

Bondsman: Ephraim Cates <--- [brother of Abner]

Witness: Jno Taylor

1st marriage notes:

Wife Stacey born about 1780, per average age on census in 1800

Wife Stacey died between 1820 and 1830 census.

Abner is widowed on 1830 census.

2nd Marriage:

Husband: Abner Cates

Wife: Hannah Arnett

Married in 1830 or 1832, date on original record is on bottom of page and date is not visible.^[2]

2nd marriage notes:

Maiden name ARNETT is confirmed thru death record of son Rufus

Married between 1830 (census) and 1832 (birth of child Agnes)

Married: 10 Sep 1830 in Henderson Co., KY (per undocumented source)

Hannah was also married to Hezekiah Puryear (per undocumented source).

Wife Hannah born about 1805, per census in 1840

Assume Hanah died between 1842 (Abner's will) and 1850 (census).

Notice that Hannah's 3 youngest children are living with relatives in 1850.

WILL

ABSTRACT WILL of Abner Cates:

Hopkins County, Kentucky

Written: 13 July 1842

Probated Aug 1842

Wife Hannah

sons Abner, Rufus L, Ezekiel, Walter

daughters: Synatha Adams, Polly Todd, Jane Townsend, Agness A Cates, Ann Eliza, Elizabeth Cates

granddaugher: Syntha Stean

unkown relation: Jeremiah Parson

Executors: son Walter, and brother-in-law Stephen Arnett

Witnesses: Absalom Wier, Hzekiah Puryear, James Eubank

Notes:

Syntha Stean is daughter of Sally Cates and Jeremiah Palmer.

The "unknown relation" Jeremiah Parson, is probably Jeremiah Palmer.

DETAIL:

I Abner Cates of the county of Hopkins and the state of Kentucky to hereby make my last will and testament in manner and found following, that is to say 1st I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife the whole of the tract of lands that I now live on including the farm and mansion house and all necessary out house during her natural life or widowhood and after her death or marriage to be equally divided between my two youngest sons Abner Cates and Rhufus S. Cates. I also give and bequeath to my wife Hannah Cates one negro woman Judith during her natural life or widowhood and also the increases of said negro woman during her life or widowhood. I also give to my wife three head of horses of her own choosing and five cows and calves of her choice and my young yoke of oxen and cart and twelve head of sheep and fifty head of hogs of her choice, four leeds and furniture also the whole of my kitchen furniture and three plows and gear of her choice and the whole my household furniture, the personal property here mentioned I give to my wife forever to a assist her in raising youngest children I give to my four children Synatha Adams, Polly Todd, Ezekiel Cates and Walter Cates my two negro men Jack and Saw also the track of land whereon I for presently lived I a fifty acre tract of land a farming the North end of said tract also m wagon and the gear to be sold and the money equally given amongst the said four children I give to Jeremiah Parson a fifty acre surveyed of land where he now lives also five dollars in money and to my granddaughter Syntha Stean five dollars in money I give to my daughter Jane Townsend one negro girl Lavina about fourteen years old during here natural life and then to the natural heirs of her body. I give to my daughter Agness A. Cates one negro girl name Eliza during her natural life and then the natural heirs of her body if any. I give to my son Abner Cates one negro by named Henry 8 years old. I give to my son Rufus L. Cates one negro boy named Shepherd about eight years old. I give to my daughter Ann Eliza one negro girl name Rachel about two years old during her natural life and after her death to the natural heirs of her body. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Cates one negro boy named Aaron during her natural life and after her death to her heirs of her body also fifty dollars in money toward paying for her schooling, my cash made when the --- is collected on the first is to be equally divided between my wife and all of my own living children and not my grand children. I give my two son Abner C. Cates and Rhufus S. Cates one fifty acre survey of land that I bought of Robert Keill and adjoining Joseph Henry to be equally divided between them, all the rest of my property not mentioned in this will is to be sold and the money equally divided between my wife and all my own living children and not my grand children. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my Son Walter and my friend and Brother-in-law Stephen Arnett are Executors of this my last will and testament hereby rendering all other or former wills or testament by me here to fore made In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13 day of July in the year1842.

Abner [his C mark] Cates.

In the presents of

Absalom Wier

Hzekiah Puryear

James Eubank

Source: http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/34281200/person/28025162696

LAND

The source for the below Orange Co, NC deeds are: http://piedmontwanderings.blogspot.com

1806 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 12, Pg. 173, George Cary to Abner Cates, 50 acres on S side of Eno, adj John Cate.

1806 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 13, Pg. 104, John Cates to Abner Cates, 122 acres adj Thomas Clemmons, William Cisenhall, Forrest, Thomas Coleman.

1808 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 13, Pg. 201, Abner Cate & Elizabeth Cate to James Latta Esq, 188 acres on Cub Island Ck of Eno, adj James Curry, James Latta, Cromby, John May

Note: Elizabeth is possibly the mother of Abner Cates.

1810 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 13, Pg. 468, Abner Cate to James Latt, 172 acres, adj Chisenhall, Morzes, Low Grounds of Ellibees Ck.

The next 2 deeds mention Abner Cates as adjoining land owner.

1806 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 13, Pg. 103, Ephraim Cates to James Kennady Sr, 167.5 acres on waters of Ellibees Ck, adj John Shepped, John Roberts, Abner Cates, James Curry.

1807 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 13, Pg. 47, John Shepperd to James Latta of John Esq, 192.5 acres on E fork of a branch of Ellibees Ck, adj John Roberts, Abner Cates, Latta’s May Tract, Lewis; Benjamin Rhodes to Shepperd in 2 deeds. 1812 - Orange Co. Deed Bk 14, Pg. 400 James Latta (of John) to James Latta Jr, 192 acres on E branch of Ellibees Ck, adj John Roberts, formerly Abner Cate, Latta’s May Tract, William Lewis, Rhodes.

Ancestry.com. Kentucky, Land Grants, 1782-1924

Grantee: Abner Cates

Number of Acres: 237

Survey Date: 26 Nov 1812

County: Hopkins

Watercourse: None

Book Number: 16

Ancestry.com. Kentucky, Land Grants

Grantee: Abner Cates <--- might be his son

Number of Acres: 50

Survey Date: 6 May 1835

County: Hopkins

Watercourse: Clear Cr

Book Number: D-2

KENTUCKY

A record found in the Hopkins Court Minutes, dated September 8, 1845, gives an idea where Abner Cates resided:

“John P. Bailey to survey a part of the road from Bellville to Ashburgh which lies between Princeton Road and the Stage Road a Hopgood’s. Beginning at Weir’s Creek where Morganfield Road crosses the same thence with Princeton Road to highland Lick Road thence down to Thirza Meeting House, to include William Townsend then to Sud Brackett’s old place with county line to main Deer Creek to Henderson Stage Road and said road to include Beckley Jackson, Hinton Pidcock’s old place, include Thomas Hopgood, Abner Cates’s old place.”

CENSUS / TIMELINE

1797: marriage of Abner Cates, to 1st wife, Stacey Turner, in Orange Co. NC

1800 census: Hillsborough, Orange, North Carolina, p.860

Name: Abner Cate

1 - Males - 16 thru 25: ....... [ABNER]

2 - Females - Under 10: ..... [Sintha and Sarah]

1 - Females - 16 thru 25: ... [STACEY]

Number of Household Members: 4

Note: alphebetical census, close to Richard Cate age 45+, John Cates age 16-25

1806: Abner Cates purchased 50 acres in Orange Co. NC, on Eno, next to brother John.

1806: Abner Cates purchased 122 acres in Orange Co. NC, on Ellibees Creek.

1808: Abner Cates and Elizabeth Cates sold land in Orange Co. NC, Cub Island Ck of Eno. This might be the land of Abner's mother, Elizabeth, because Abner's wife is Stacey (not Elizabeth).

1810 Census: Hillsborough, Orange, North Carolina - not verified

Name: Eliza Cate

1 - Males - Under 10: .......... [Ezekiel]

1 - Males - 26 thru 44: ......... [ABNER]

1 - Females - Under 10: ....... [Sarah]

2 - Females - 16 thru 25: ..... [Sintha, and ? - too young for wife STACEY]

1 - Females - 45 and over: ... [? - too old for wife STACEY]

Numbers of Slaves: 1

Number of Household Members: 7

1810 census notes:

Living next to John Cate (brother)

Note: It is not verified that this is "our" Abner. The children are the correct age of Abner's children, but wife Stacey is either too old or too young.

1810: Abner Cates sold 172 acres in Orange Co. NC, on Ellibees Creek

1812: Abner Cates purchased 237 acres in Hopkins Co. KY

1814: child Sintha Cates, married Robert Adams, in Hopkins Co. KY

1817: child Sally Cates, married Jeremiah Palmer, in Hopkins Co. KY

1820 Census: Hopkins, Kentucky

Name: Abner Cates

Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820

2 - Males - 10 thru 15: ......... [Ezekiel and Walter]

1 - Males - 45 and over: ....... [ABNER]

2 - Females - Under 10: ....... [Jane and ???]

1 - Females - 26 thru 44: ...... [might be wife STACEY]

1 - Females - 45 and over: ... [might be wife STACEY]

Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3

Total Free White Persons: 7

Note: alphabetical census next to John Cates

182x: death of Abner's 1st wife Stacey

182x: child Mary Cates, married Thomas Todd (date estimated)

1825: child Ezekiel Cates, married Elizabeth Yeargin, in Henderson Co. KY

1830 Census: Hopkins, Kentucky

Name: Abner Cater

2 - Males - 15 thru 19: ....... [??? and ???]

1 - Males - 20 thru 29: ....... [Walter]

1 - Males - 50 thru 59: ....... [ABNER (widowed)]

1 - Females - 10 thru 14: ... [Jane]

Total Free White Persons: 5

Total Slaves: 7

Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 12

1831: child Walter, married Elizabeth Crow (date estimated)

1835: Abner Cates purchased 50 acres in Hopkins Co. KY

1840 Census: Hopkins, Kentucky, p.23^[3]

Name: Abner Cates

2 - Males - 5 thru 9: ........... [Abner and Rufus]

1 - Males - 60 thru 69: ....... [ABNER]

1 - Females - Under 5: ....... [Annie]

1 - Females - 5 thru 9: ....... [Agnes]

1 - Females - 20 thru 29: ... [Jane]

1 - Females - 30 thru 39: ... [HANNAH]

Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1

Total Free White Persons: 7

Total Slaves: 9

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 16

1840 census notes:

Same census page as son, Ezekiel Cates age 30-39

1841: child Jane, married James Townsend (date estimated)

1842: The WILL of Abner Cates, Hopkins Co. KY

184x: death of 2nd wife Hannah. Youngest children with relatives in 1850.

1849: child Agnes Cates, married Joseph McMullin, in Henderson Co. KY

1850: child Abner, living with sister Agnes McMullin

1850: child Annie, ??? cannot locate

1850 Census: District 2, Henderson, Kentucky, family#287

Stephen Arnett ... 60 ... NC ... farmer ... real estate $1000

Tabitha Arnett .... 51 ... NC

Priscilla Arnett ...... 9 ... KY

Rufus L Cates ...... 15 ... KY ... [child of Abner]

Elizabeth Cates ..... 9 ... KY ... [child of Abner]

1850 census notes:

Stephen Arnett listed in Abner's WILL as brother-in-law (assume wife's brother)

1852: child Ann E Cates, married ??? Cornelius Royster, Henderson Co. KY ?

1854: child Rufus L Cates, married Ann E Locke, inHenderson Co. KY

1855: child Elizabeth Cates, married William C. McMullin, Henderson Co. KY

CHILDREN

SINTHA:

1814 marriage: Sintha Cates, Robert Adams, 3 Jan 1814, Hopkins, Kentucky

1840 census: Searcy, Arkansas, Robert Adams age 40/49, wife 40/49

1850 census: Searcy, Arkansas, Robert Adams 56, Cinthia Adams 51

1860 census: Searcy, Arkansas, Robert Adams 61, Sytha Adams 62

1865 burial: Sintha Cates Adams (1798-1865) - Find A Grave# 45126915

1865 husband: Robert Adams (1793-1865) - Find A Grave# 84940097

SARAH (SALLY):

1817 marriage: Sally Cates, Jeremiah Palmer, 6 Nov 1817, Hopkins, Kentucky

1820 ???

1830 census: Hopkins, KY, Jeremiah Parmer, (next to Ezekiel Cates)

183x death of Sally

183x marriage of husband Jeremiah to 2nd wife Mary Oran/Orrin

1840 census: Hopkins, KY, Jeremiah Palmer, (close to Ezekiel Cates)

1850 census: Hopkins, KY, Jeremiah Palmer 58 SC, Mary A Palmer 34 (2nd wife)

1852 child's birth record: Sarah Ellen Palmer,

........ shows parents Jeremiah Palmer & Mary Orrin

1860 census: Hopkins, KY, Jeremiah Parmer 66 SC, Mary Parmer 42 (2nd wife)

........ living next to daughter: Cyntha Steen age 41, w/husband Wilkerson Steen

1870 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Jeremiah Palmer 76, Mary 53 (2nd wife)

Note: Sarah's birth is not known, except for 1830 census, but assume born about 1801, based on marriage year.

MARY:

1840 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Thomas Todd age 40/49, wife 30/39

1850 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Mary Todd 48 NC, Thomas Todd 57 NC

1860 census, Hopkins, Kentucky, Mary Todd 56 (not sure if "our" Mary)

1870 census: Webster, Kentucky, Mary Todd 68 NC, Thomas Virgin 77 NC

........ surname Virgin is transcription error from prior census line

1880 ??? cannot family

1912: child's death record: Benjamin Franklin Todd,

........ shows parents Thomas Todd & Cates

Ref: Find A Grave Memorial# 46823476

EZEKIEL:

1825 marriage(1): Ezekiel Cates, Elizabeth Yeargin, 15 Sep 1825, Henderson KY

1840 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Ezekiel Cates age 30/39, wife age 20/29

........ same census page as father Abner Cates

1850 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Ezekiel Cates 43 NC, Elizabeth Cates 42 NC

1860 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Ezekiel Cates 43 NC, Elizebeth Cates 52 NC

1864 marriage(2): Ezekiel Cates, Malissa Teague, 22 Nov 1864, Hopkins, KY

........ wife previously married to (1) Thomas Dame, (2) James Teague

1870 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Ezekiel Cates 63 NC, Melissa Cates 54 TN

1875 wife(2): Melissa C. Pitt Dame (1815-1875) - Find A Grave# 13852272

187x ??? death of Ezekeil

1922 child's death record: Sarah Elizabeth Dame,

........ shows parents Ezekil Cates & Elizabeth Yarbrough

1940 child's death record: Bash Turner Cates,

........ shows parents Ezekrine Cates & Elizebeth Yeargin

1854 child's death record: Charlotta H Cates, parents Ezekiel Cates

1938 ??? child's death record: Dora Hall, parents Ezekiel Cates & Eliza Dame

WALTER:

1840 census: Walter Oates age 30/39, wife age 20/29, 3 girls under 10

1850 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Walter Cates 40 TN, Elizabeth Cates 35 GA

1860 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Walter Cates 50 TN, Elizebeth Cates 46 VA

1862 burial: Walter Cates aka Coates (1810-1862) - Find A Grave# 53262037

1862 duplicte burial: Walter Coates (1810-1862) - Find A Grave# 67869071

1869 wife: Elizabeth S Crow Cates (1815-1869) - Find A Grave# 53261983

1919 child's death record: E Cate (b.1841)

........ shows parents Walter Cates & Elizebeth Crow

JANE - last child by wife Stacy:

1850 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Jane Townsend 27 KY, Jas B 38 NC

1860 census: Webster, Kentucky, Jane Townsend 41 KY, James A 44 NC

1870 census: Union, Kentucky, Jane Townsend 50 KY, James A 54 VA

1920 child's death record: Ezekiel Townsend(b.1844),

........ shows parents Jim Townsend & Jane Cates

1932 child's death record: Abner William Townsend(b.1840),

........ shows parents James Townsend & Jane Cates

AGNES - first child by wife Hannah:

1849 marriage: Agnes Cates, Joseph Mcmullin, 01 Feb 1849, Henderson, KY

1850 census: Henderson, Kentucky, Agnes McMullin 18 KY, Joseph 29 KY

....... household includes brother Abner Cates

185x: death of Agnes, between 1850 and 1853

185x burial: Agnes Cates McMullin (1832-xxxx) - Find A Grave # 69841912

1853 husband's marriage(2): Joseph Mc Mullen, Statia Cates, in Hopkins, KY

........ husband's 2nd wife is neice of Agnes, the daughter Walter Cates

1860 census: Henderson, Kentucky, Joseph McMullen 39 KY, Stacy A 25 KY

1870 census: Webster, Kentucky, Joseph Mcmullen 48 KY, Stacy A 46 KY

1893 husband: Joseph McMullin (1822-1893) - Find A Grave # 53734112

1897 husband's 2nd wife: Stacey Ann Cates McMullin (1834-1897) # 53734198

ABNER:

1850 census: Henderson, Kentucky, Abner Cates 17 KY (living w/sister Agnes)

Death Record: Abner Cates, b.abt 1833, d. 3 Aug 1854 Henderson, Kentucky

RUFUS:

Marriage Record: Rufus L Cates (b.1835 Hopkins), Ann E Locke (b.1836 Henderson),

........ married 26 Sep 1854, Henderson Co. KY

Burial: Rufus Lansden Cates (1835-1823) - Find A Grave Memorial# 51300902

Death record: Rufus Lansden Cates (1835-1923), parents Abner Cates & Arnet

Wife burial: Anna k Lock Cates (1834-1912) - Find A Grave Memorial# 47320229

Wife death record: Anna Eliza Cates(1835-1912), parents John W Locke & Elizabeth Eakins

ANNIE:

not sure if same ANNIE

Marriage: Ann E Cates, Cornelius Royster, 23 Sep 1852, Henderson, Kentucky

Death record: Annie Lizzie Royster, b.30 Jul 1837 Hopkins KY, d. 27 Jan 1914 Hopkins KY, shows parents unknown & Hanner Cates

Burial: Annie Royster (1837-1914) - Find A Grave# 111098021

Husband: Cornelius S Royster (1830-1902) - Find A Grave# 111098094

not sure if same ANNIE

ELIZABETH:

1855 marriage: Elizabeth Cates, William McMullin, 8 Mar 1855, Henderson, KY

1858 child's birth record: Tabetha A, parents Wm C Mcmullin & Elizabeth Kates

1860 census: Henderson, Kentucky, Elizabeth McMullen 19 KY, Wm C 24 KY

1864 burial: Elizabeth Cates McMullin (1841-1864) - Find A Grave# 69796126

........ same cemetery as sister Agnes

1864 husband's marr(2): William C. McMullin, Malvina Galloway, Henderson, KY

1924 husband: William C. McMullin (1836-1924) - Find A Grave# 69796118

GRANDDAUGHTER: Cynthia E Steen, daughter of Sally Cates and Jeremiah Palmer.

1850 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Cynthia Sterne 32, Welkerson Sterne 39

1860 census: Hopkins, Kentucky, Cyntha Steen 41, Wilkerson Steen 48

........ living next to father Jeremiah Parmer 66 SC, with step-mother Mary 42 NC

1934: child's death record: Cynthy Ellender Ashley, parents Williams Steen & Cynthy Palmer

Sources

1. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," Abner Cates and Stacey Turner, 18 Nov 1797; citing Orange, North Carolina, United States, North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History. FamilySearch accessed 27 September 2020.
2. ↑ "Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979", Abner Gates and Hannah Arnett, 1830 or 1832 (date not visible). FamilySearch accessed 27 September 2020.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," Abner Cates, Hopkins, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 378, NARA microfilm publication, FamilySearch accessed 27 September 2020.