Early Cathcarts
In Ireland, Scotland & the US

Browse Sections of this page Some thoughts and general observations Early Cathcarts in Antrim, from RS Spann research Early Cathcarts in Antrim, from various Northern Ireland sources Cathcarts in Scotland Maps of Antrim Townlands Other Early Cathcart Settlers in America

General Info
Tentative Listing of Earliest related Cathcarts Scotland (Nobility) Scottish Migration to Ulster... Ireland Google Map Listings (New) Time Line (requires frames) Cathcarts in County Antrim Locations in County Antrim	Scotch-Irish (Ulster-Scot) Migration to America... Main Cathcart Groups page This is a new (and constantly evolving) page tracing back the known Cathcart lines to a "patriarch" (or perhaps, a person representing our "brick wall" ancestor. It was created to help sort out the results of our Cathcart yDNA study.  Other Early Cathcarts in the United States The Cathcarts -- An Ancient Scottish Name of Prominence

Some Thoughts on "Rules of Evidence" with respect to early Cathcarts

• Information on the early Cathcarts (before 1800) is very scarce
  • Made worse in the case of Ulster/Northern Ireland as a thousand years of Irish records were burned in a series of fires (most notably the June 22, 1922 "Four Courts" fire in Dublin).
  • Many other records (especially census records) were simply destroyed  because they were deemed "useless."
• It has been my experience that some Cathcart researchers try a bit too hard to link their family to the Cathcarts in Scotland—the titled Cathcart family in and around Cathcart, Scotland—without much supporting evidence.
  •  Perhaps a bit of skepticism is in order with respect to these sources, as they appear to represent wishful thinking more than proven genealogical fact
  • It's certainly more "exciting" to imagine our ancestors inhabiting a castle in Scotland, rather than a hovel or farm or linen mill in either Scotland or Ulster
• Lacking firm genealogical records, we might find more compelling evidence through the use of genetic evidence.  (see Cathcart yDNA study page)

Cathcarts in Ireland

These are the first Cathcarts I have connected to my line.  It comes from research by Robert Spann Cathcart II.

"Hover" your mouse over an individual above for more information

Click on a name to go to that individual in my RootsWeb database.
 

 

• Big 4 Cathcarts page—the four brothers depicted at the bottom of the chart above.
• Original Robert S. Cathcart letter dated 1964 (68.6K gif file) This is the original letter outlining Robert's research on the earliest generation of Cathcarts.
• Outline of Cathcart Genealogy - Robert's outline of original Cathcarts to US.  It is his game plan for genealogical research into the Cathcart family.  Nearly all of the information on this page comes from this document.
• 1984 Letter Jane Cathcart Philips to Ruth Keys Clark (Page -1- | -2- | -3- | -4-)
  • Letter includes expanded chart created by Robert Spann Cathcart, which Jane received from Alice Jean Cathcart Polk (1931-2012).
    • This Jean Cathcart Polk descends from the John & Mary/Felicity Fisher Cathcart line.
  • See page 4, which links The William and Mary line with RSC's chart.
• Belfast Newsletter articles 1759

  Please note that I have transcribed these as they were written, including misprints and spelling mistakes.
  
  Belfast Newsletter Friday, 5th January 1759
  Page 4, column 3, top article (Not page 2 as listed in the online index)
  
  To be let from the first of November next for any term of years to be agreed on, the lands and tenements lately held by John Cathcart, late of Clough-mills, deceased, containng by estimation 63 acres of choice arable and meadow lands on which a good dwelling-house and offices have lately been built, with plenty of turf-bog convenient, and lie within 7 miles of Ballymena and 8 from Ballymoney, in the county of Antrim, both good market towns. Said concern is fit for carrying on the bleaching and linen business, as there is plenty of water, and at a small expense there may be a rubbing-mill built on the same. Proposals to be received by William Cathcart merchant, in New-row, Dublin. A person on the concern will shew the same.
  
  June 26, 1758

  Belfast Newsletter Tuesday, 18th September 1759
  Page 2, column 3, 6th article down (Not page 3 as listed in the online index)
  
  To be let from the first of November next for any term of years to be agreed on, the lands and tenements lately held by John Cathcart, late of Clough mills, deceased, containing by estimation 63 acres of choice arable and meadow lands, on which a good dwelling-house and offices have lately been built, with plenty of turf-bog convenient, and lie within 7 miles of Ballymena and 8 from Ballymoney, in the county of Antrim, both good market towns. Said concern is fit for carrying on the bleaching and linen business, as there is plenty of water, and at a small expence there may be a rubbing-mill built on the same. Proposals to be received by William Cathcart, merchant, in New-Row, Dublin. A person on the concern will shew the same.
  
  Dated Sept. 17, 1759.

• Mention a recently deceased John Cathcart of Cloughmills.
• Lands of his estate being offered for sale, and interested parties asked to contact William Cathcart of Dublin.

Cathcarts in County Antrim, N. Ireland

• Search Results for "Cathcart" in county Antrim (from http://www.ballymoneyancestry.com (BA) and PRONI Freeholders' Records (PFR) http://proni.nics.gov.uk/freeholders/ -- Locations listed as Townland, Parish, unless otherwise notated)  See also Bill MacAfee's website (BMW) for many transcriptions.
• 1740 Protestant Householder Returns

recordNo	surname	written	fname	Barony	Parish	Notes
1887	Cathcart	Kithcart	Jas	Dunluce Upper	Loughguile
2062	Cathcart	Kathcart	Allan	Kilconway	Dunaghy
2061	Cathcart	Kathcart	Jas	Kilconway	Dunaghy
2573	Cathcart	Cathcart	Josh	Toome	Ahoghill
3329	Cathcart	Cathcart	David	Toome	Drummaul
4204	Cathcart	Cathcart	Alex	Toome	Kirkinriola
4296	Cathcart	Cathcart	Saml	Toome	Kirkinriola
4376	Cathcart	Cathcart	Wid	Toome	Kirkinriola
4132	Cathcart	Cathcart	Willm	Toome	Kirkinriola

Notes

1. Loughguile: James in
2. Dunaghy
3. Ahoghill
4. Drummaul
5. Kirkinriola

 

• Alex Cathcart, Crevillavalley [Crevilly-Valley, west of Kells, south of Ballymena] (Connor Parish);1790 Election of Sheriff's Court (voted for RO)
• James Kithcart, Loughguile; 1740 (BA) [1]
• James Cathcart, Lawin [Lavin Upper/Lower], Loughguile; June 6, 1776 Antrim Voters (Value: 10 pounds -- BA & PFR: PRONI Ref: D/1364/L/1 331) [2]
• James Cathcart, Freehold: Kernbeg [likely Carnbeg--1, Electoral Division of Killagan, in Civil Parish of Killagan, in the Barony of Kilconway; and 2. Electoral Division of Clogh, in Civil Parish of Dunaghy, in the Barony of Kilconway], Residence: Dublin; June 8, 1776 Antrim Voters (Value: 10 pounds -- PFR: PRONI Ref: D/1364/L/1 331)  [3]
• James Cathcart, Loughgeele [Loughguile]; 1790 Connor wills (Date of probate 1790 -- BA).
• James Cathcart, Tullaghgarly; 1790 Election of Sheriff's Court (voted for "RO" -- BA)
• James Cathcart, Craigfad, Dunaghy; 1825 Ballymoney Tithe Valuation (BA) [4]
• John Cathcart, Freehold Kernmore, Residence near Clogh; June 1, 1776 Deputy's Court, (Note: objected to as not Freeholder [2].  BA & PFR: PRONI Ref: D/1364/L/1 071) 
• John Cathcart, Kernmore (Freehold & Residence, Value 40 shillings); June 8, 1776 Deputy's Court, (PFR: PRONI Ref: D/1364/L/1 331) 
• John Cathcart, Carnmore [Kernmore];1790 Election of Sheriff's Court (voted for LM -- BA) . 
• John Cathcart, Lawen [Lavin], u10; 1790 Election of Sheriff's Court (voted for LM -- BA ).
• John Cathcart, Lavin , Loughguile; 1818 Subscribes to rebuilding of Kilraughts Presbyterian Church [5]
• John Cathcart, Lavin , Loughguile; 1832 Ballymoney Tithe Valuation (BA)
• John Catheart, Lavin Lower, Loughguile; 1830s Ballymoney First Valuation (BA -- PRONI Ref. VAL/1B/146A)

• Matw. Cathcart, Topp, Ballymoney; 1825 Ballymoney Tithe Valuation (BA) (BMW)
• Mathew Cathcart, Topp Lower, Ballymoney; 1830s Ballymoney First Valuation (BA -- PRONI Ref: VAL/1B/142B)
• Mathew Cathcart, Topp Lower, Ballymoney; 1850 Mill Valuation [6]
• Robert Cathcart, Kenbilly; 1790 Election of Deputy Court (voted for RO -- BA)
• Saml. Cathcart, Ballynaris, Billy; 1824 Ballymoney Tithe Valuation (BA)
• Saml. Cathcart, Ballynary Lower, Billy; 1824 Griffith's Valuation (BA)  [7]
• William Cathcart, Ballee 101; 1790 Election of Deputy Court (voted for "RO" -- BA)
• William Cathcart, Dublin, Cloughmills, u10 (shown as separate residences); 1790 Election of Sheriff's Court (voted for "RO" --BA) [8]

1.  Not sure what database this refers to.
2.  See information on Freeholders' Records, and especially the objection to John Cathcart's status as Freeholder.
3.  I'm interested in tying the fact that this James lived in Dublin and had a freehold in Co. Antrim with the William & Mary Cathcart who are listed as living in Dublin at one time.  Perhaps this is another link to the Mecklenburg County, NC group of Cathcarts. See last listing for William!
4.  See Tithe Valuation
5.  See Antrim Notes  Church was rebuilt in 1819-20.
6.  See Antrim Notes
7.  See Griffith's Valuation notes Date not given, but should be 1848-1864. map
8.  William Cathcart page.See GEDCOM listing for William & Mary Cathcart

 

Details & Maps of Antrim Townlands/Baronies

County Antrim Townlands, civil Parishes, and other naming can be very confusing.  I've tried to add a few of the places mentioned in various genealogical records.

View County Antrim, NIR in a larger map

Here are two basic maps to get you oriented...

1. Map of Baronies | Another version
2. Map of Parishes

 

For more details about townlands (pronunciation, historical variations, etc.) see Placenamesni.org. (Zoomable map)

After getting a lay of the land, have a look at my new click this link to open up a new/resizable window with a Google map listing of many of the townlands below.  These locations show up all the time for our County Antrim ancestors.  Enjoy your search!

Click here for a pop-up 1780 map of County Antrim

• Townland Details & Locations
  • Lavin, Parish Loughguile (AKA, Lawen, Lawin.  Includes Lavin Upper and Lower), 10 KM N of Clogh Mills
  • Clogh, 30 KM SE Ballymoney, 15 KM N of Ballymena
  • Clogh Mills, (AKA modern Cloughmills), 23 KM SE of Ballymoney
  • Craigfad, 3KM E of Clogh
  • Craigs & Cullybackey, 10 & 8 KM NW of Ballymena
  • Drumadoon House, within 1 KM SW of Kernbeg (Drumadoon Townland map)
  • Kernbeg, (AKA modern Carnbeg or Carn-beg)
    • Carnbeg, 2 KM WNW of Clogh Mills or
    • Carn-beg, 2.5 KM W of Clogh
  • Kernmore (AKA modern Carn-more), 2.5 KM SW of Clogh
  • Kilraghts (AKA Kilraughts), 10 KM E of Ballymoney, 7KM NW Lavin Upper
  • Kirkinriola
  • Lavin (AKA Laven, Lawin) in records often not divided between Upper and Lower. They are contiguous and located to the south and southwest of Loch Guile (the lake)
    • Laven Lower
    • Laven Upper
  • Loughguile,
    • [lough geel], 'lake of the narrows'
    • 25 KM E of Ballymoney, 5 KM NE Lavin Upper
  • Tullaghgarly, 7 KM NNE of Cullybackey, 15 KM N or Ballymena
  • Topp Lower,  8 KM ENE Ballymoney, 4 KM NW of Kilraghts

 

Cathcarts in Scotland

• Nobility Branches - Barony of Kethcart, County of Renfrew (now town of Cathcart, Scotland)
  • RootsWeb Database of First Lord of Cathcart, Earls Cathcart
  • Cathcarts of Carleton: Baronets Cathcart
    • Cathcarts of Knockdolian
    • Cathcarts of Genoch
  • Cathcarts of Corbieston
  • Cathcarts of Coiff/Coyff (now extinct)
  • Moved to England
    • Branches move to Germany
  • Moved to Ireland
    • Col. Gabriel Cathcart  Accompanied Rev. Malcolm Hamilton to Ireland in 1641. m. daughter of Edward Humphries
      • Malcolm Hamilton Cathcart (m. daughter of Edward Humphries)
        • James Leander Cathcart 

• General Information

• National Archives of Scotland
• General Register Office of Scotland
• Clan Cathcart Site

• Castle Cathcart

  • Wikipedia article

  • Cathcart Clan Newsletter

 

 

  

Other Early Cathcart Settlers in America

Much of this information is also available on our Groups page (created to sort out results of our yDNA testing).

South Carolina

• David Cathcart
  • General Facts
    • Born in Ireland, some sources say County Antrim
    • M. Melissa Hollinger
    • In about 1818, David and his descendants left South Carolina and headed out "west" and became some of the earliest settlers in the Plum Creek area of Randolph County, Illinois
• Andrew Cathcart
  • Merchant of Charleston, SC. From County Antrim won citation in 1765
  • Charles Town Council Journal 1/31/1765. Along w William Woodrop Requesting Bounty for "poor German protestants lately arrived in this province..." [A Compilation of the Original Lists of Protestant Immigrants to South Carolina, 1763-1773, pp 35, 38-40]
• Samuel Cathcart

  • b. 1740-1750 in County Antrim -- d. 1820, Spartanburg Co., SC

  • 2/13/1768: Requests warrant of survey (IAW Bounty Act) of 100 acres in Granville or Craven County. "the following persons presented petitions to his excellent see the governor setting forth that they were Protestants and arrived in this province in the brig Lord Dunagannon, Robert Montgomery Master on the encouragement and bounty given by the act of the General assembly of this province past the 25 July 1761 and therefore prayed to be allowed the same.  That the prayers of their petitions were granted and the public treasurer was ordered to pay the boundaries of 4 pounds and 2 pounds sterling according to their respective ages in consideration of their passages to this province to Messrs Tourans and Pouag in behalf of the owners of the said brig and the remaining 20 shillings Sterling to themselves agreeable to the directions of the said Act." Samuel Cathcart's age is given as 23--equating to a birth year of 1743. [OpCit p. 103, 106]

• Joseph Cathcart

  • b. 1745 in County Antrim -- d. 1835, Tennessee

  • 1790 Census:  Camden/Fairfield District 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)

  • Transcription of Joseph's pension application

Massachusetts

• Robert Gershom Cathcart (c1670-1718) m. Phoebe Coleman in 1691, (her m.2 to Samuel Athearn), d. 1718 (another LDS source) (Another source: Nantucket Historical Association)

  • Hugh Cathcart b. 1703, Martha's Vineyard, MA

  • Phoebe (1674-<1766)

  • Gershom Cathcart (1698-1792) of Tisbury, Dukes, Mass; m.1 Martha Manter, in 1720; m.2 Mary Athearn (1711-1795)
    • Thomas (1734-1753), Parnell (1736-1812), Joseph (1739-1757), Jonathan (1741-1827), Abigail (1743-?), Hugh (1745-1824), Gershom (c1746-?), Nancy (1748-?), Ann (c1751-?), Martha, (c1753-?)  (all from Tisbury, Dukes, Mass.)
  • Thomas (1692-1730)
  • Mary (1693-1730)
  • Jane/Jean (1697-?)
  • Hugh (1703-?)
  • Joseph (1705-?)
  • Abigail (1707-?)
  • Susanna (1709-?)
  • Miriam (1701-1791)
• Gresham Cathcart Bristol, MA, m. Mary Coleman

1790 Census:

Name	City, County	Males > 16	Males < 16	Females	Notes
Gershom Cathcart	Tisbury, Dukes, MA	2		1
Hugh Cathcart	"	1	1	4
Robert Cathcart	Conway, Hampshire	3	1	3
Gersham Cathcart	Sherburn, Nantucket	1	4	4
Joseph Cathcart	"	1	6	3

 

New York

Seth Cathcart

• 1784 married Anna Swain. 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

Rev. Robert Cathcart from Antrim, m. Mary Latimer

Pennsylvania

Name	City, County	Males > 16	Males < 16	Females	Notes
William Cathcart	Dauphin County	3	1	2
David Cathcart	Tyrone, Fayette	2		2

• Dr. William Cathcart Surgeon 4th Continental Dragoons, 1 April, 1777, resigned 1 May, 1778
  • Is this the same William Cathcart, merchant from Philadelphia, who was granted large tracts of land in western North Carolina (then mostly falling inside Cherokee Land).    Burke County 1795 link map.  23,000 acres (Grant 224) Buncombe county. link1 link2
• James Cathcart  (b. C1745, Glasgow, Scotland, m. Margaret Clark)
• Robert Cathcart (m. Jane Thom) 

Virginia

•  

North Carolina (see North Carolina page)

• William & Mary Cathcart's descendants:
  • William
  • Hugh
  • Joseph
• Gabriel & William Cathcart Will Northhampton Co., 1768