Catherine (McManus) Massey (1817 - 1886)

Born 11 Feb 1817 in Lancaster Co., SC

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 20 Dec 1886 at age 69 in Lancaster Co., SC

Biography

Named as Catherine Massey, dau of John McManus in his estate records.^[1]

About 1836, based on birth statement of first child, Catherine married her first cousin Calvin MASSEY (c1820 SC - c1909 LCSC) s/o Drewry MASSEY and her aunt Mary “Polly” McMANUS. Calvin's dates vary widely in census and the best assessment is about 1820. He was a twin to Alvin.

They lived in Lancaster county and had only one known child: Napoleon Bonaparte McMANUS who was born prior to their marriage and never recognized legally. Until after his father's death, he went by McManus. In 1900, after his father's death he is recorded in the census as Napoleon MASSEY.

It should be noted that in 1870 thre were numerous children in the household of differing surnames. None have been identified as children. They were taken in after the war when there were many parentless children. There may be some connection but needs proof. auDNA is not acceptable.

Family tradition holds that Catherine and her brother Hugh M. gave the land for the Oak Hill Baptist Church to the Negro community ^[2] but the record clearly shows it was her husband Calvin MASSEY and one R. E. McMANUS, never firmly identified but who is probably brother Richmond. He is not R. C. McMANUS since he, as nephew Robert Charles, signed as witness.

In all censuses, Calvin and Catherine had other young people living with them. Two children, Amos CATO and Catherine ROBERTSON were shown as adopted. This seemed to be a common relationship post civil war when some farmers took in orphans, some white, some black.

1860 Calvin is a SC born Farmer with Real Estate $2000 and Personal Estate $4800. A mulatto Jerry Funderburk, 6 yrs. is also in the household. He is next to Wm. and Richard McManus.^[3]

1870 Calvin, 54 is a Planter with Real Estate $1745 and Personal Estate $1000. He could not read or write. Neighbors are B., Seaburn and Samuel McManus households. ^[4]

1880 Calvin Massey, 65 and Catharine, 63. ^[5]

1900 Calvin Massey, 75, gave birth as Nov 1824 of SC parents, next to Richard Armstrong, Jr. John and wife, Effie Roberson were living with him. ^[6]] On page 7 are his son and family, Napoleon B. MASSEY

Death and Legacy

Catherine died of a cancer of the mouth. She left an estate that names nieces and nephews and no children. In the John H McMANUS family cemetery there is a small stone “CM.” A niece, Bess McManus-McCown, recalled "Aunt Kate was buried in a private family cemetery,” probably her father's family cemetery near the "Old Armstrong Place." ^[7]

Catherine McManus Massey on Find A Grave: Memorial #197879852

Census

1850 With Calvin Massey 30, as Catherine, 32. ^[8]

Marriage Husband Calvin Massey. Wife Catherine McManus. Child: Napolean Bonaparte McManus-Massey. Child: Elizabeth Terrell. Child: Af-Am Jerry Funderburk. Child: Milus Baker. Child: Amos Cato. Child: Catharine Robertson. Child: Alice Cunnington. Child: Blair Funderburk. Child: John W Robertson. Child: Judah Massey.

Sources

1. ↑ Probate Package 1866-1869: Calvin Massey & Elihu Shute vs Richmond McManus: Petition for Settlement of Estate of John & Rebecca McManus, dec'd, wife of Calvin Massey, Petitioner
2. ↑ 1867 South Carolina, Lancaster Co., Deeds: Deed of Gift
3. ↑ 1860 Chesterfield Co., SC, Old Store twp, p142 (printed 164) hh 986.
4. ↑ 1870 SC Chesterfield Co., Old Store Twp, p19, hh 127 with Catherine keeping house.
5. ↑ 1880 SC Chesterfield, Old Store, ED8, p37 [394] and a number of minors.
6. ↑ 1900 SC, Chesterfield, Old Store, ED27, p6, hh107
7. ↑ Foreclosure of Mortgage of by Robert Charles McManus against Calvin and Catherine Massey, et al, Judgment Roll # 1416 recorded and filed in Court of Common Pleas, Chesterfield County, SC
8. ↑ Near Richmond McManus and Pleasant McManus hhs

• First hand research Barbara Roesch