OUTLINE OF CATHCART GENEALOGY

by Robert Spann Cathcart, Jr.
circa 1963

This work is divided into three phases. The first phase is tracing the Cathcarts from Cathcart, Scotland. We know that the nobility branch went down in to England and from this, another branch was founded in Germany. We know that a branch went to North Ireland. I quote "The Irish and Anglo-Irish Landed Gentry - When Cromwell came to Ireland" by John O'Hear, 1884, Dublin.

 The "Forty-nine" Officers.  Enrollments of the adjudications--in favor of the (AD) 1649 Officers (formerly denominated "The 49 Lots"). Preserved in the office of the Chief Remembrancer of the Exchequer, Dublin, CATHCART, Capt. Adam; Lt. Alex; Gabriel; Lt. John; and Lt. Wm. (Also listed as Carthcarth, Wm.)  These adjudications refer to Arrears of the Commissioned Officers who served Charles II or Charles I in the wars of Ireland before 5th Day of June 1649.

 Names of persons in the Grants under the Acts of Settlements and Explanation (1661-1665) Cathcart, Gabriel.

 "James Leander Cathcart, American Consul, was a direct descendant from the Barony of Kethcart, County of Renfrew, now the Town of Cathcart, Scotland, although He came to American from Ireland. He was a son of Malcolm Hamilton Cathcart, who married the daughter of Edward Humphreys of Dublin. The founder of this family was Col. Gabriel Cathcart, who had accompanied Rev. Malcolm Hamilton (later Bishop of Coshel) to Ireland in 1641. James Leander Cathcart was brought to America as a child by Capt. John Cathcart. In Oct. 1779, he became a midshipman on the Continental frigate CONFEDERACY. An eventful career during the Revolution and after, led him to many parts of the globe. He was captured by pirates and held in Algiers and sold as a slave, an incident that figured in an serious reprisal by the US at a later date." This is from Chronicles of the Cathcart Family and Name compiled by the Colonial Bureau of Genealogical Research. I have much more on James Leander Cathcart, but I include him here because I think there is a great possibility that our line ties into his and if it does, we can go back to the Barony. Over ten years ago I was given a copy of "True" magazine in which was a story called "The Amazing Mr. Cathcart" about James Leander. I misplaced this and am most anxious to try and find another copy.

 I have written the Ulster-Scot Historical Society sending them a fee and giving them information and filling out their registration forms about our direct ancestor Samuel Cathcart of Bushmills, Co. Antrim, No. Ireland, who never came to America.  I also listed other Cathcart information from Col. Bur. of Gen. Research and other Cathcart information gleaned from various sources, such as the Landed Gentry when Cromwell came to Ireland, listed above.

I had written John Steele of Glentask, Bushmills, a cousin of ours. His great-grandfather was the above Samuel, our great-great-grandfather. He sent me Samuel's correct dates. I told him what we were trying to do on this phase and asked his help. William Cathcart of Kershaw, S. C., another cousin of ours, had visited this John Steele at Glentask and it was through him that I first corresponded with John Steele. Since he sent me old, Samuel dates, I haven't heard from him.   I had written him again several times, going into various details, but had received no answer.  On a trip back from Anderson, SC, I stopped by to see "Sabie" Cathcart of Winnsboro, William Cathcart's of Kershaw's older brother. William happened to be there and they told me for the first time that John Steele had been killed in an automobile accident and his son, who was driving, had been injured, during Christmas of 1961. As soon as I got back, I wrote immediately to Mrs. Steel and I got this reply from their son James, which I am copying:

Dear Robert:

I am writing this letter on behalf of my mother and late father.  Let first of all apologize for not answering your earlier letters. I have made several attempts to do this and the painful memory of my Father prevented me from completing the task.

I note in your last letter that your daughter, Elizabeth, may be coming to Ireland. If you let us have her photograph as suggested and the date of her arrival, we will be pleased to meet her and give her we can in a strange country.

As you may know, we now have the farm and the old home of the Cathcarts although same is reaching an advanced state of deterioration, but there is a considerable number of old papers in the dwelling, which of course may not be of any assistance, but perhaps if you could let me know your precise requirements, I will analyze these papers for any information which they may yield.

I extend thanks from all at Glentask for your kind words of sympathy and hope to hear from you again in the very near future.

I remain,

James Steele

The second phase of the work concerns the original Cathcarts in America.  This phase is the one I have been giving most of my attention to.  We know that there were Cathcarts in Pre-Revolution days in seven of the original states: Mass., NY, Del., Penna., Va., N.C., and S. C. (Through all of this I want you to pay attention to first names.)

Massachusetts -- Robert Cathcart (died 1718) probably from Scotland 1691, married in 1691 to Phoebe Coleman.  Hugh, (son of Robert and Phoebe) born 1703, Martha's Vineyard, Mass. He married Dinah Swain (1706-1789). Children: John, Patience, James, Skiff. (This was sent me by Charles Cathcart of San Antonio, Texas.)  The progenitor of the New England branch of the family was Greshom Cathcart, who lived in Bristol, Mass. where he married Mary Coleman (from New & Courier article by Eleanor Lexington, Sept. 9, 1906.).

New York --  Among Cathcarts living in N.Y. before Revolution was Seth Cathcart, who in 1784 married Anna Swain. Their children: Owen, George, Obed, David, and Joseph were founders of families, which after the Revolution were in the vanguard of those breaking pioneer trails into Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and the farther west, soon after the territorial lands were opened after the Revolution. (From Col. Bur. of Gen. Research.)

Delaware --  One of the Pilgrim Fathers was the Rev. Robert Cathcart from County Antrim.  He settled in Del. where he married Mary Latimer (from article by Eleanor Lexington.)

Pennsylvania  -- Historical Register of Officers of Continental Army 1775-83.  Cathcart, Wm., (PA) Surgeon 4th Continental Dragoons, 1st April 1777, resigned May 1, 1778 .

Virginia -- "There are not many Cathcarts on the census rolls of American Communities, comparatively speaking, as there were not a great number found at any time in England or Scotland.  When members of this Scottish family came to the U.S., it was usually with some definite purpose; something to achieve something to offer that others did not have. They were not drifters seeking an easy berth that others had prepared, or harassed underdogs seeking to better their condition. They came from one of the proudest countries in Europe; and always, even if removed by several generations, they were intensely loyal to the memory of their ancestral Scotland.

"And the bearers of this proud name brought with them to the New World, the high qualities of mind and heart that had distinguished them in their native land. They are highly intelligent, energetic, skillful in many arts and fitted to become leaders wherever their fortunes may be cast."

"The early Colonial history of Virginia mentions several Cathcarts who were interested in early enterprises in which Virginians were concerned. The Earl of Cathcart, interested in the expedition against Spain in the West Indies, called for an enlistment of 3,000 men, a call which was answered by over-enlistment." Robert Cathcart served seventeen years with the approbation and esteem of the office of Col. Humphrey Bland in the 7th Regiment of the West of the American Regulars in the Cartagena Expedition, in which Lawrence Eashington served under Admiral Vernon, the man for whom Mount Vernon was named.

"Probably a descendant of an early Virginian Cathcart moved Southwest after the Revolution.  There was a Joseph B. Cathcart living in Tennessee at an early date. He went west as far as Missouri, a pioneer of that State, and his son and grandson, John Nixon Cathcart, became prominent in the affairs of Caldwell & Livingston Counties, Missouri." (From Col. Bur. of Gen. Research.)

North Carolina -- An abstract of the N. C. wills from about 1760 to 1800 by Fred Olds (supplementing Gwines Abstract of NC Wills 1663-1760 Northampton County 1768, Cathcart, Gabriel, William.

Historical collections of Joseph Habersham Chapter DAR Vo. 2, Margaret Cathcart, daughter of William Cathcart, M.D. and sister of Francis Cathcart wife of Samuel Johnston of Charron County, NC, married William McKensie (no date given).

South Carolina -- Andrew Cathcart, merchant of Charleston, SC won a citation in 1765. (He was from County Antrim, No. Ireland.) "Citation to Andrew Cathcart and John Waggener, of Charleston, merchants in Valentine Cloudy of St. Phillips Parish Plantation creditor July 17, 1765."

Samuel Cathcart. "List of Protestant Immigrants to SC, 1763-73" names Samuel age 23, arrived from Bristol on ship St. Helena, George Arthur, master.  Granted 100 acres in Greenville or Cravens Co. This Samuel was born between 1740 and 1750 in County Antrim. He died in Spartanburg Co., SC in 1820. His will is probated and in the archives in Columbia, SC.

Joseph Cathcart of Fairfield County, SC.  Born 1745 in County Antrim died 1835 in Tennessee. 

These were the Cathcarts listed in Pre-Revolutionary days.  But we notice in the first census of the US in 1790 there were only Cathcarts in Mass, PA, and SC. Those listed as heads of families were as follows: MASS. Gresham, Joseph, Robert, Hugh; PA: David, William; SC: Joseph, Samuel.

We know that during and after the Revolution the English Government paid over a million dollars for lands in Canada to provide for those Americans who sided with them and we feel sure that the Cathcarts that came from Canada later into this country were mostly those who had originally been in the U.S., but had sided with the British and gone to Canada.  (This information came from Fitzhugh McMaster's "History. of Fairfield County.")

1790 Census - Fairfield Co. SC lists Joseph Cathcart with one male over 16, four males under 16 and four females. Joseph Cathcart applied for Revolution pension while living in Monroe Co., Tenn. in 1832 when he was 87 years of age. Born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland about 1745. Enlisted in SC troops under Capt. Turner, Col. John Winn, and General Thomas Sumter. He ended up in the capture of the British at Caldwell's place. He was captured by Tories under Capt. Rogers and sent to Camden, SC to be tried as a spy. (The Joseph Cathcart of Fairfield Co. S.C. is listed in "Tennessee Heroes of the Revolution, Pamphlet Five."  We find him listed in McMinn County, Tenn. 1830 Census page 198.  McMinn joins Monroe County)

Joseph Cathcart: 1 Boy 5-10; 1 male 80-90 (Joseph); 1 girl under 5; 1 woman 20- 30; 1 woman 80-90.  Joseph died Nov. 27, 1835.

From records of deeds Fairfield County:

         1807 (Q319):  Ben Coughton to John Cathcart, 200 acres on waters of Little River.

         1831 (KK13):  John Cathcart to Samuel Cathcart Land on Little River.

Now the 1820 census of Fairfield County, lists Samuel Cathcart and David Cathcart as heads of families.

         1830 (HH (2) 127):  Samuel and David Cathcart as executors of estate of Robert Harrah.

In 1793 Joseph Cathcart sold his land to James Rickey.  I think that these Samuel and David Cathcart were sons of Joseph, who sold out in 1793 and moved to Tenn.  Now 1820 census, Chester Co., lists James Cathcart and John Cathcart as heads of families. (I think these were sons of Samuel Cathcart of Spartanburg Co.,) 1820 Census, York Co., S. C. lists William Cathcart as head of family. (Reference to this William later.)

Local Census of Winnsboro, S.C. in 1829 lists: John Cathcart as head of family of 10; James Cathcart as head of family of 7 and Robert Cathcart as head of family of 5.

Now in the early history of Winnsboro (which was named for the family of Col. Winn who Joseph Cathcart fought under) there was a Robert Cathcart, veteran of War 1812, who played an important role in early Winnsboro. (I have three typewritten pages of his real estate transactions.) He was the largest property holder in Fairfield County. (I have found this Robert Cathcart's entry at the Charleston Post Office for application for citizenship, March 21, 1821. This Robert sent for his father, James Cathcart Sr., his mother Nancy, six brothers and two sisters, to come to Winnsboro from County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1816. This family has a lot in the ARP Cemetery in Winnsboro. James Cathcart, Sr. was born in County Antrim 1763, his son Robert was born in Co. Antrim 1791.  Four of the six brothers are buried there. James Jr., is buried in Columbia.

Eleanor Cathcart has just written me that she heard from Cathcart relatives in Ill. and that our Samuel of Bushmills had three or four brothers. James Sr. was one of these. She also lists a John, (could be the John of Mecklenburg Co., and the one listed 1807 land transaction, a Matthew, who those in Ill. and Ind. are descendants of; and a William listed in another letter from a different person. This could be the William in census of 1820 in Chester Co. or his son.

Of course, the third phase is tracing out the lines in the U.S.A. from original settling places. Eleanor Cathcart is my arranger and is making a chart of all this -- that is the SC Cathcarts, and where they went.

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Last updated 04/15/2013 03:39 PM