Cantey Family
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From "the Cantey Family" by Joseph S Ames, 4 October 1910, pages 203-257
The Cantey family of South Carolina is undoubtedly of Irish dissent; but
nothing is known of its early history. In the 17th century, several members
of the family emigrated to Barbados; and one branch came from there to South
Carolina. The first of the name to make this move was George Cantey, who
came in the "first Fleet" in the spring of 1670; and a few years later she
"imported" his father Teige Cantey. So far as is known, all the widely
separated branches of the family in America descend from the single head,
Teige Cantey.
Through the whole history of South Carolina, members of this family have
done distinguished service, both in Church and State. They were vestrymen or
founders of St. James Goose Creek, of St. George's, of St. Mark's and St.
Stephens. They were members of the Commons in assembly almost continuously
from 1696 to 1775. One after the other, William Cantey of Dorchester; his
nephew John Cantey of Goose Creek; James Cantey and Joseph Cantey, sons of
William; were captains of the provincial forces and took part in nearly all
the campaigns; John Cantey of Pine Tree Hill, Samuel Cantey and his brother
John of St. Mark's, and others were in Lyttleton's campaign of 1759-60
against the Cherokees; and practically all the men of this family able to
bear arms took an active part in the Revolution.Since then, in the war of
1812, in the Mexican war and in the late war between the states, their names
are to be found among the troops furnished by their state. Further, it may
be noted that three of the most distinguished soldiers of South Carolina in
the Revolution, Richardson, Sumter and Hampton, married daughters of the
family.
1. Teige Cantey of Ashley River
Teige Cantey and his wife Elizabeth were brought to the first settlement on
the Ashley River by their son George, as appears from a warrant issued to
the latter, July 6, 1695. In the inventory of Teige's estate there is an
item "left in the hands of M'Hooker in ye Isleland of Barbados in ready
money"; so it is probable that he came directly from Barbados; and the first
record of his being in South Carolina is on August 24, 1672, when he
received a grant of 24 acres, adjacent to the grant previously made his son
George. On June 15, 1678, he received a further grant of 550 acres "in some
convenient place," but he died within the following year.
From his will it is evident that George was the elder son; and that all four
of his children were living at this time in South Carolina.
It is of course probable that the Teige Cantey, noted in a grant of
September 5, 1674, as dead, was also a son, who, in that case, died without
issue.
Issue: order of birth not known.
1. George Cantey died after 1714, married before 1671, Martha – – –
2. William Cantey died about 1716, Mary Jane – – –
3. Mary Cantey, died after 1678, married – – – Smericke
4. Katharine Cantey died after 1678, married – – – Manely
5. Teige Cantey died before September 5, 1674
(In several papers the name of Teige Cantey is spelled Teague, which is evidently simply the phonetic way. Teige is a proper name occurring frequently in Irish families.)
1. George Cantey of Berkeley
George Cantey, son of Teige Cantey was one of the passengers by "first
fleet," sailing from Barbados and reaching South Carolina in March 1670. His
name appears on March 22, 1670/71 as a freeholder, and on June 18, 1672, he
is mentioned as liable for military service "with two men able to bear
arms." He received an allotment of land in the first settlement, on the west
bank of the Ashley River, and later in the new one, where the city of
Charleston now is. He was granted land at various times in Berkeley County,
on the north side of the Ashley, one grant February 8, 1704, being 1000
acres, and he seems to have left Charleston at an early. And settled on
those plantations.
Soon after his arrival, he said for his father and had him join him,
probably in 1672. The last reference we had is in a deed of gift of George
Cantey, Sr. to his granddaughter, Martha Ladson, April 2, 1714.
He was a member of the jury, 1692; and assessor for the north side of the
Ashley in 1703; a member of the commons for Berkeley in 1703 and 1704; and
investor men of St. James Goose Creek, in 1707.
As appears from various grants and deeds, the name of George Cantey's wife
was Martha, and the names of four children are known, there being no reason
to suppose that there were any others.
Issue: order of birth not known.
1. John Cantey born about 1675, died 1724, married 1 – – –, 2. Ann – – –
2. William Cantey born – – –, died 1729, married before November 1703,
Arabella Oldys
3.Sendinah Cantey born – – –, died 1740, married James Boswood
4. Elizabeth Cantey born – – –, died – – –, married 1692, Thomas Elmes
2 Captain William Cantey of Dorchester
William Cantey, son of Teige Cantey, was, like his older brother, George,
one of the early settlers of South Carolina. The earliest grant to him was
on June 1, 1679, when he is described as "one of the free persons of this
province." Other grants followed in 1682 and 1713.
He was placed in command of one of the military companies at an early date,
as appears from the records of the assembly of 1703, of which he was a
member, being enrolled as "Captain William Cantey." He was also a member of
assembly for Berkeley, in the years 1696, 1697 and 1704. In the attack on
the city of Charleston by the French and Spaniards in September 1706, he
commanded a company, which, with Captain Fenwick's signally defeated and
routed the enemy, at Hobcaw in Christ Church Parish.
He died about 1716, as his widow Jane Cantey, in a petition for the division
of his estate, 1724, says that he died about nine years before and that his
will had been lost.
Issue: order of birth not known
1. James Cantey born before 1703, died 1735, married 1723, Elizabeth Stevens
2. Joseph Cantey, born before 1704, died 1763, married Mary – – –
3. Samuel Cantey, born after 1704, died 1762, married and – – –
4. Mary Cantey, born – – –, died 1724, married Captain Belanger
5. – – – Cantey, married Joseph White
6. – – – Cantey married James McGloglin
5th Great Grandparents
The first two Canteys in my direct line are two daughters of Charles and Harriet Drake Cantey. These two sisters are both my 5th great grandmothers:
-
Sarah born about 1754, (no death date), married James Sinkler sometime
before 1773.
- James and Sarah Cantey Sinkler had a daughter, and Cantey Sinkler (~1773-died before 1864), who married Gov. James Burchell Richardson, Sr. (1770-1836)--these two being my fourth great grandparents.
- See Richardson page for more details
-
Elizabeth Ann, born about 1758, died in October 1783, married René Peyre
(March 1771 in St. Stephen's Parish, Charleston, South Carolina).
- Renée and Elizabeth Ann Cantey Peyre had a daughter, Florride Bonneau Peyre (1772-1844) who married John Peter Richardson, Sr.(1772-1811)--these two being my fourth great grandparents.
- John Peter and Florride Bonneau Peyre Richardson were the parents of John Peter Richardson, Jr. (1801-1864), Governor of South Carolina 1840-1842.
- See Richardson page for more details
6th Great Grandparents
Charles Cantey, Sr. (1718-1783) and Harriet Drake (about 1720-about 1758)
7th Great Grandparents
John (~1671-1724) and Ann ??? Cantey
8th Great Grandparents
George (1649-1716) and Martha ??? Cantey
See above for more information
9th Great Grandparents
Teige (1618-1679) and Elizabeth ??? Cantey
See above for more information
