Archibald Cathey (1769 - aft. 1811)

Born 20 May 1769 in North Carolina

Ancestors

Descendants

Died after 25 Sep 1811 after age 42 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Archibald was born in 1769. He passed away about 1811 when his children were still minors. His Estate records refer to him as "Col. Archibald Cathey". Since he was too young for the American Revolution and died before the War of 1812, he was probably a Colonel in the North Carolina Militia. The family lived in the northwest part of Mecklenburg County, NC, on the east side of the Catawba River, just south of Beattie's Ford.

Spouse & Children

Mary Viney Caldwell (1777–1850)

-John Cathey (abt 1798–)

-Nancy Agnes Cathey (1800–1855) m. Joseph McKnitt Alexander (1793-1865)

-William Caldwell Cathey (1801–)

-Archibald Pinkney Cathey (1804–1870) m. (1) Mary Cynthia Torrence (1808-1864), m. (2) Lucinda Jane Medlock (1835-1901)

-Henry Alexander Cathey (1808–1873) m. (1) Rebecca Johnson (1816–1836), m. (2) Nancy Lauria Melvina Cornelius (1821–1906)

-Andrew Caldwell Cathey (1811–1841) m. Elizabeth Ann Miller (1810-1876)

Will

Will of Archibald Cathey, 25 Sep 1811, Mecklenburg, NC^[1]

In the name of God Amen I Archibald Cathey of the county of Mecklenburg & State of North Carolina being weak of body but sound of mind do this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our lord and __ eight hundred & eleven make and publish this my last will & testament in manner Following that is to say after my Funeral charges and my just debts are to be payed -

Item 1 I give and bequeath to my loving wife Mary Cathy for and during her widowhood the use of that part of the plantation that I now live on beginning on the norwest side of the creek also her choice of any two of the work horses with my negro fellow Tom and his family to help to raise bread till my son John comes of age then said Tom and his family to be disposed in manner hereinafter mentioned also my wife to have the use of the dwelling house I now live in with the use of all the furniture during her widowhood if the situation of my Estate will admit of it

Item 2. I give and bequeath to my five sons John Cathey & his four brothers all of the plantation whereon I now live including both sides of the creek to be equally divided amongst my said five sons quantity & quality when my son John comes of age.

Item 3. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Cathey the following negroes girl named Charlotte and one other negro girl between the age of seven and eight years of age with a horse and saddle if the situation of my estate will admit of her getting a horse and saddle the above named two negroes are in the place of the land that her brothers receives

Item 4. Its further my will and desire that the following negroes should be hired out prince pet wills & cuff with that part of my plantation that lyes south of the creek all to be hired or rented out till my son John comes of age then all my negroes not already bequeathed are to be equally divided between my wife Mary Cathey my five sons and my daughter Nancy Cathey each share and share alike also its further my will that my wife retain farming tools & gears and every thing of tool kind that may be necessary for the carrying on of a farm during the above time

And for the true performance and execution of this my last will and testament I appoint my trusty friends Patrick Johnston and James Connor Executors of this my last will & testament in testimony whereof I the said Archibald Cathey hath hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day & year above written

Archibald Cathey (his mark)

Signed sealed & published in presence of us who were present at the signing of the same

Wilm Caldwell

Andrew Caldwell

Be it remembered that this codicil is to be considered as part of my last will & testament

Item - it is my will & desire that all of the estate of Thomas G Caldwell that part of it that might be coming to me in right of my wife I will that it should go to the benefit of the said Thomas G. Caldwells children that he had by Mary Harris and also it is further my will and desire that all the remains of my estate of every kind not already willed or bequeathed by me that it should all be sold by my executors & the monies arising from said sale to be applyed to the benefits of my wife & children in manner heretofor distributed

Archibald Cathey (his mark)

Wilm Caldwell

Andrew Caldwell

Notes

The Cathy Family by J. B. Alexander^[2]

(Pg 69) Chapter XX - Cathy Family

During the Revolutionary War John Cathy lived a short distance south of Beattie's Ford. His farm was visited by Tarlton's troopers the evening after the battle at Cowan's Ford, and everything eatable was carried off, as the army passed on towards Salisbury. He left his farm to his son, Col. Archibald Cathy, who spent all of his life on the homestead. He (Archibald) married a Miss Caldwell, from Iredell county. They raised five sons and one daughter, viz: Pink, William, Andrew, John, Henry and Nancy. Colonel Cathy died before his children were grown, and his widow married Tom DeArmond. He was not considered the equal of the family into which he married. They had but one son, Joe. The older Cathy children soon married off and took the young ones to live with them, home relations not being pleasant. This marriage was not a success, according to the neighborhood's idea of happiness. Pink Cathy married a Torrance, daughter of Barny Torrance, and moved to Arkansas. Andrew married Betsy Miller, and in company with Joe McKnitt Alexander, who married Nancy Cathy, moved to Alabama in 1835. Andrew Cathy had but one child, Rebecca, when he died. Rebecca was educated in Salem, N. C., and married her cousin, John D. Alexander, son of Joe McK. Alexander. The Alexander's became very wealthy. After many years Nancy Alexander died, and her husband married Betsy Cathy. All have passed away except John D. Alexander, who recently took a second wife. Henry Cathy married Rebecca Johnston, of Iredell county, by whom three children were raised, viz: Caroline, Rebecca and John Archie. After the decease of Mrs. Cathy, Henry married Viney Cornelius, of Iredell county. She was a woman of great industry, really loved to work. She is now a widow, her children all married, but still occupies the old homestead.

Sources

1. ↑ Will of Archibald Cathey, 25 Sep 1811, Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Mecklenburg Co Wills, Vol A-F, 1763-1799. Published online at Ancestry.com. Original documents held at NC State Archives, Jones St., Raleigh, NC
2. ↑ Alexander, J. B., "Biographical sketches of the early settlers of the Hopewell section : and reminiscences of the pioneers and their descendants by families, with some historical facts and incidents of the times in which they lived....", Charlotte, N.C.: Observer Print. and Pub., 1897. Archived at Internet Archive

• "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHK1-1TL : accessed 18 October 2017), Capt Archabeld Cathey, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 360, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 568,147.

• "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRW-S6V : accessed 18 October 2017), Archibald Cathy, Salisbury, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 559, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 33; FHL microfilm 337,909.