John Catlett V (abt. 1658 - aft. 1724)

Born about 1658 in Rappahannock County, Colony and Dominion of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Gaines) Catlett — married [date unknown] (to 18 Nov 1724) in Old Rappahannock County, Colony and Dominion of Virginia [uncertain]

Descendants

Died after 18 Nov 1724 after about age 66 in Essex County, Colony and Dominion of Virginia

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Biography

John Catlett V is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

John Catlett V was a Virginia colonist.

John Catlett ^[1]

GrGrandfather of James Madison 4th US President

Note: Many US genealogies for this John Catlett identify him as "John Catlett II" because he was the son of the immigrant John Catlett, but following the British genealogies of this line of Catlett's, he would be "John Catlett V."

John II was the only son of Col. John Catlett and Elizabeth Underwood to leave male issue. It is thought that this John II married twice and that Lawrence, and perhaps Elizabeth, were by his first wife, who it is believed, was a daughter of Major Lawrence Smith, of Bacon's Rebellion.^[2] There are deeds recorded in Spotsylvania County to Jno. Catlett, Jr., and Richd. Buckner, in 1722, from Augustine Smith, the son of Major Lawrence [Smith].

Col. John Catlett was justice of the peace (1692), Burgess (1693-1702),^[3] coroner (1700), president of court, and sheriff (1705) for Essex County. He patented lands extensively to Spotsylvania County and elsewhere. He gave power of attorney to John Mumford (June 16, 1702) of London, "to sell all my lands at Sittingbourne," in Kent County, England, and at Radwischeim, which he inherited from his father.

John II's first wife was the daughter of Maj. Lawrence Smith. They had a son Lawrence who died before the end of 1724 when John II wrote his will and made a bequeath to Lawrence's widow Alice Thornton. John II's children by ___ Smith were: ^[4]

1. Lawrence Catlett (?-1724), m. Alice Thornton (c. 1703-?) daughter of Francis Thornton Jr. and Mary Taliaferro.
2. Elizabeth Catlett, b. Sept 6, 1689, m. Rowland Thornton

John II's second child Elizabeth (1689-1751) was possibly the daughter of his first wife, but other sources show her as the daughter of Elizabeth (Mary) Gaines. John II's second wife was Elizabeth (Mary) Gaines, daughter of Daniel Gaines. Their children were: ^[5]

1. John III, b. 1677/80, m1. Elizabeth Taliaferro (dau. of John "The Ranger" Taliaferro and Sarah Smith), m2. Mary Grayson
2. Thomas, m. Martha ____ (some claim Thornton), d. 1739
3. Mary, b. 1692, m. 12/22/1708 Lt. Col. John Taliaferro, Jr. (1687-1744), their daughter Margaret is mentioned in John II's will.
4. Rebecca, b. 12/27/1702, m1. Francis Conway, m2. John Moore, d. 1760.
5. Margaret, m. Jonathan Gibson of Essex and inherited Green Hill.

Dispute over John Catlett II's second wife

Stubbs and Chaffin argue that Essex County records show that John was married to Daniel Gaines's daughter Elizabeth: ^{[6] [7]}

Jno. certainly married Elizabeth Gaines, daughter of Dan'l Gaines, who is believed to have married Miss Rowzie, half-sister of Col. Jno. Catlett the imgt., since Capt. Dan'l Gaines, in his will (Essex County), Aug. 18, 1682, mentions wife 'Margaret,' and 'orphans of Col. Jno. Catlett to be paid out of the negroes who belong to his estate,' and calls Jno. Catlett 'his kinsman' and directs that 'children of Col. Jno. Catlett to remain with my wife until they come of age or until she marries.' 'Again, in 1671, Mrs. Elizabeth Catlett, widow of Col. Jno., gave power of attorney to Mr. Dan'l Gaines, and also later made him 'overseer of her will and to have main charge of the children (1673). After a suit in May court, 1673, between Rev. Amory Butler (who married the widow of Col. John Catlett) and Capt. Thos. Hawkins, who married the sister of Mrs. Jno. Catlett, Dan'l Gaines took charge of the Catlett children and Rev. Butler of the estate. (All from Essex records)."

However, Hamlin and Avant argue that the above theory is circumstantial and without a solid primary source: ^{[2] [8]}

Charles Hughes Hamlin, Professional Genealogist, who worked in conjunction with David A. Avant, Jr. could not find evidence to prove that Col. John Catlett, Jr. married Elizabeth Gaines, nor could they identify John's wife's parents. This marriage is widely accepted by many writers and genealogists of the family. In 1706, a Mary Catlett released her dower when her husband, John, sold lands... so John's wife's name could have been Mary, not Elizabeth. No original documents are available to prove the name "Elizabeth."

Finally, Margaret Amundsen's research argues that Daniel Gaines's daughter Mary was more likely John Catlett II's second wife: ^[9]

In all fairness to both the Madison family and Roberts, one doesn’t have to go too far to find a print source naming Daniel Gaines’ daughter “Elizabeth” as the wife of John Catlett. This in spite of the fact that Daniel Gaines named no daughter Elizabeth in his 1682/84, Old Rappahannock County, Virginia will. The provision regarding the cherry gardens in the will of John is important because John Catlett sold this land and his wife at that time, whose name was Mary, released her dower interest. ^[10] The year was 1706 and the record is recorded in Essex County and is the only record giving a first name of a wife for John Catlett. Daniel Gaines did have a daughter named Mary and it is more than likely she who was the Gaines wife of John Catlett.

Will

John Catlett II's will, dated 18 Nov 1724, is excerpted from Stubbs: ^[11]

"To son Thos., lands on south side of Cedar Creek.

"To dau. Margaret, dwelling plantation.

"To dau.-in-law Alice Catlett, land and four negroes.

"To son John, household furniture and some stock.

"To granddau. Martha Taliaferro, some negroes, with son John as her trustee.

"To dau, Margaret, household and kitchen furniture and some land.

"To son, Thomas, all of my land purchased by me and Rowland Thornton, of Micajah, and Richd. Perry, being part of mortgage from Chas. Smith, Micajah Perry, Thos. Lane and Richd. Perry.

"To son, Thomas, upper part of said purchased land.

"To son Thomas, 600 acres in Spotsylvania County and 400 acres, part of same tract that I gave to my grandson Catlett Conway.

"To son, John, a negro, my silver tankard and silver spoons, silver seal and old damask table cloth and napkins.

"To son Thomas, my clock.

"Rest of personal estate, money, tobacco, cattle, hogs, horses, sheep and whatever else I have not given away, to be divided equally among my said five children, John, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Executors, sons John and Thos."

The will was dated 18 November 1724, and witnessed by John Elliott, John Evars and John Catlett, and also gave 1800 acres in freshes of Rappahannock river, in the county of Essex.^[12]

"Itemized Inventory of the Estate of John Catlett, deceased, returned to Court and recorded 17 August 1725..{called 'Colonel' in the probate by the clerk}...Items not evaluated...Includes the names of 20 slaves of whom 13 were males...includes the name of 'Sue' who was bequeathed to his granddaughter, Martha Taliaferro. The inventory is signed by John Catlett and Thomas Catlett."^[13] NOTE: This appears to have come from 'Essex County, Virginia, Wills, Bonds, Inv. #4 (1722-1730) Part 1, pp. 103-104. 'Virginia Officers in 1699' - (Taken from the MS records of the Virginia Council December 9, 1698 - May 20, 1700 and now deposited in the Congressional Library)...'Ralph Wormley, Colonel and Commander in Chief...'William Moseley, Lieutenant-Colonel...'John Catlett, Major' ^{[14] [15]}

From Findagrave.com

John Catlett, Jr

Birth: 1658 Essex County, Virginia; Death: 19 Jan 1724 (aged 65–66) Essex County, Virginia; Burial: Unknown.

Memorial #212589889

Bio: Col. John Catlett, Jr. was known as the 2nd John. His will was probated in Essex County on 18-Nov-1724.John married first, a Miss Smith. Some researchers believe that she was a daughter of Maj. Lawrence Smith since deeds recorded in Spotsylvania Co., VA, to Jno Catlett, Jr. and Richard Buckner, in 1722, from Augustine Smith, the son of Major Lawrence Smith. The Catletts owned a large estate at the mouth of Golden Vale Creek in present Caroline County, VA.John and his first wife were the parents of:

1. Lawrence Catlett
2. Elizabeth Catlett, who married Rowland Thornton.
3. John Catlett married second, Mary Gaines. [Charles Hughes Hamlin, Professional Genealogist, who worked in conjunction with David A. Avant, Jr. could not find evidence to prove that Col. John Catlett, Jr. married Elizabeth Gaines--nor any information about her parentage. Their marriage is widely accepted by many writers and genealogists of the family. In 1706 Mary Catlett released her dower when her husband, John, sold lands ....SO her name could have been MARY--not ELIZABETH. No original documents are available to prove the name "Elizabeth."] Col. John Catlett, Jr. and his second wife were the parents of:
4. . John Catlett, III, who married Elizabeth Taliaferro (daughter of John "The Ranger" Taliaferro and Sarah Smith)
5. Maj. Thomas Catlett who married Martha Thornton.
6. Mary Catlett who married Lt. Col. John Taliaferro, Jr.
7. Rebecca Catlett who married first Francis Conway and second John Moore, Gent.
8. Margaret Catlett who married Jonathan Gibson, Jr. Col. John Catlett, Jr. was a Burgess (1693-1702); Justice of the peace (1692); coroner (1700); President of the Court, Sheriff (1705); Essex Co., VA. Patented lands extensively in Spotsylvania Co. & elsewhere; in 1701 gave power of attorney to John Mumford of London to sell all lands at Sittingbourne, Kent County, Eng., and at Radwischeim, which he inherited from his father. His last will was recorded in Essex County, VA, Wills, Bonds, Inv. #4 (1722-1730) Part 1, p. 84. His will was very long because he was a very wealthy man with much land, slaves, silver, etc.

Family Members: Parents: John Catlett (1625-1670), Elizabeth Underwood Butler (1632-1673); Spouse: Mary Gaines Catlett (?-?); Siblings: Elizabeth Catlett Taliaferro (1663-1717), Sarah Catlett Taliaferro-Short (1666-Unknown); Half Siblings: Thomas Catlett (?-?), Nicholas Catlett (1645-1695), Francis Slaughter (1653-1718); Children: Rebecca Catlett Conway (Unknown-1760), John Catlett (1685-1739), Elizabeth Catlett Thornton (1689-1751), Mary Catlett Taliaferro (1691-1771), Margaret Catlett Gibson (1702-Unknown), Thomas Catlett (1707-1739.^[2]

A note to the memorial manager asking for sources on the death shown received this response.
I am only the keeper of this memorial, but Elreeta was very thorough in her record keeping of her extended family. Also, it states that his will was probated, not written on 18 Nov 1724. That meant that he had passed on and the will was brought to court to be read and either objected or accepted as he had written it. Elreeta is quite elderly and infirmed at this point, so I do not know if she could add anything more to this explanation. Dee Winter
This is in conflict with the information from Stubbs^[16]

Citations

John was born in 1658.

He died, at the age of 65-66, on January 19, 1724 in Essex County, Virginia. He is buried at the Vauters Church Cemetery, Loretto, Essex County, Virginia.^[17]

Research Notes

Relationships

• John Catlett (1658-abt.1724) was previously attached to spouse Elizabeth (Underwood) Catlett (1632-1673). That Elizabeth is the subject of a proposed merge to Elizabeth (Underwood) Butler (1632-bef.1673) who is married to John's father John Catlett IV (aft.1625-1670) instead. Spratlin-29 13:56, 5 September 2022 (UTC)

• The attached daughter Elizabeth (Catlett) Nelson (abt.1708-1763) is unsourced and should be sourced or detached. Spratlin-29 13:58, 5 September 2022 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Catlett, John - A1414; born ca. 1658, died 1724, Essex Co.: 1693, 1695-97 (Burgess).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/212589889/john-catlett : accessed 17 November 2021), memorial page for John Catlett Jr. (1658–19 Jan 1724), Find A Grave: Memorial #212589889, citing Vauters Church Cemetery, Loretto, Essex County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Gathering Roots (contributor 47213048) .
3. ↑ New River Notes, Colonial Virgiania Register
4. ↑ Hauk, Carol A. Descendants of John Catlett of Virginia. Anderson, Indiana: Hauk Data Services, 1996.
5. ↑ Stubbs, Dr. & Mrs. William Carter. A History of Two Virginia Families transplanted from County Kent, England: Thomas Baytop, Tenterden, 1638 and John Catlett, Sittingbourne, 1622. Published in New Orleans, LA, 1918.
6. ↑ Stubbs, p. 17
7. ↑ RootsWeb: Col. John Catlett II, by Lane Chaffin, 13 May 2002
8. ↑ RootsWeb: Elizabeth Gaines, by Janet Ariciu, 14 Jan 2009
9. ↑ Daniel Gaines of Colonial Virginia, By Margaret Amundson
10. ↑ Ruth and Sam Sparacio, comps. Deed and Will Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia 1701-1704, (McLean, VA: The Antient Press, 1991), 19-20
11. ↑ Stubbs, pp. 17-18
12. ↑ Stubbs, p. 19
13. ↑ Avant, p. 172
14. ↑ Avant, pp.
15. ↑ RootsWeb: Col. John Catlett II, by Lane Chaffin, 13 May 2002
16. ↑ Stubbs, pp. 17-18
17. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/212589889/john-catlett : accessed 08 July 2022), memorial page for John Catlett Jr. (1658–19 Jan 1724), Find A Grave: Memorial #212589889 citing Vauters Church Cemetery, Loretto, Essex County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Gathering Roots (contributor 47213048) .

See also:

• Family Data Collection - Individual Records Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000.

• Family Data Collection - Births Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001.

• Imported ancestry.com profile:

• • Name: John CATLETT; birth year: 1658; birth place: Rappahannock, VA or Essex, VA; death date: 19 Jan 1723/4; death place: Essex, VA; buried: 18 Nov 1724, Essex Co., VA.
  • Wife: Elizabeth Mary Gaines; birth year: 1659; birth place: Rappahannock, VA; marriage date: 1690; place: Rappahannock, VA.

• My Southern Families

• Stubbs. "A history of two Virginia families transplanted from county Kent, England. Thomas Baytop, Tenterden, 1638, and John Catlett, Sittingbourne, 1622" by Stubbs, William Carter, 1846-1924. cn; Stubbs, Elizabeth Saunders (Blair) "W. C. Stubbs Mrs." https://archive.org/stream/historyoftwovirg00stub/historyoftwovirg00stub_djvu.txt

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/212589889/john-catlett : accessed 26 November 2021), memorial page for John Catlett Jr. (1658–19 Jan 1724), Find A Grave: Memorial #212589889, citing Vauters Church Cemetery, Loretto, Essex County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Gathering Roots (contributor 47213048) .

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Catlett-48 was created through the import of Shurtliff Family.ged on Jun 20, 2011 by Mark Shurtliff.

• WikiTree profile Catlett-60 was created through the import of Shurtliff Family.ged on Jun 20, 2011 by Mark Shurtliff.

• John Catlett profile was created by Greg Rose, Thursday, April 2, 2015.

• Catlett-252 was created by James Hill through the import of Huron Arlee Satterfield Family Tree.ged on Oct 26, 2015.