Stephen Cate (1809 - 1878)

Born 8 May 1809 in Franklin, Merrimack, New Hampshire, United States

Ancestors

Died 22 Apr 1878 at age 68 in Newton Lower Falls, Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

Cause of Death: "Kidney Disease".

"Shining a Light on the Cate Family by Sheila Sibley. In early June the Jackson Homestead Museum was given a collection of Cate family objects and documents through the generosity of Celia Y. Houghton. One of the objects is a conductor's lantern owned by Stephen Cate (1809-1878), an employee of the Boston and Worcester Railroad from the 1840's through the 1860's. Accompanying the lantern is an unidentified newspaper article from 1948, entitled Storm of 1848 Worse than 1948. The article mentions Mr. Cate's enthusiasm for his job. Stephen Cate, a resident of Newton Lower Falls, was the conductor in charge of this train. He was a most energetic man and in his way, became a dictator of the line. In the great storm of 1848 he made his passengers dig out the train through mountains of drifts. Upon reaching Boston on schedule, he roared out to the town in a tremendous voice audible as far down State Street: "Yes Sir, the Newton Lower Falls express always arrives on time'" The museum also owns portraits of Stephen Cate and his wife Eliza Carolyn Cate, Celia's sister, donated them to the museum in 1997. Both sisters recognized the importance of donating family objects. We'll be exploring Cate family stories for years to come." (Source the Jackson Homestead News and Events.2002)

Sources

• *1860, 1870 US Census for Newton, Mass.

• Massachusetts Death Record for Newton, Mass.

• Find A Grave Memorial # 172493002