James Cate, of Portsmouth

Evidence needed to support James Cate, of Portsmouth as a son of James Cate & his wife Margaret Cate

James Cate

• Sex: M
• Birth: ABT 1634
• Occupation: Carpenter
• Residence: Maine 5
• Event: Arrival 1657 Portsmouth, New Hampshire 3
• Death: 15 MAY 1677 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH 1
• Wife: Alice, parents unknown. She married John Westbrook 2nd

When the sons, Edward, William and John, put their names to the "Address of the Inhabitants and Train Soldiers of New Hampshire to Massachusetts Bay," all signed without using their marks.

Biography

https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~tneg/genealogy/page1.html

JAMES CATE(4) b. ca. 1634 probably in England. He married Alice (last name unknown) about 1652-54. The earliest record of James in Portsmouth, N.H. is 1657. From early court files we learn that James was in court a number of times for excessive drinking, breach of peace, non-payment of a fine, abuse, and non appearance in court. Alice lost a baby due to a fight she had with another woman. She and James were also charged for fornication. James was a carpenter in Portsmouth. When he died 15 May 1677 in Portsmouth he left an estate of 62.15.0. All heirs releasd their rights to his son Edward which included the dwelling house, outbuildings, land, pewter, indian corn,iron and brass, carpenter tools, furniture, cow, horse, sow, a pair of shoes and two guns. Alice married second to John Westbrook.

Family

From https://athenaeum.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Cate%2C%20...

Marriage 1 ALICE b: ABT 1630 in of Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH Married: ABT 1650 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH 7 Married: ABT 1665 in United States 1 1

Children

• 1. Edward Cate, carpenter, b. c1655, d. bef. 1732, m. Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of Philip Tucker.
• 2. John Cate, housewright and corn mill owner, d. Jan. 4, 1748/49, m. 1. Joanna Johnson, daughter of John Johnson and Eleanor Brackett and m. 2. Nov. 29, 1710 to Judith Emmons.
• 3. Rebecca Cate, d. 1745, m. Nov. 12, 1686 to John Urin (b. 1663).
• 4. Sarah Cate, m. Peter Babb (b. 1671), son of Philip and Mary Babb.
• 5. Mary Cate, m. Samuel Whidden.
• 6. Elizabeth Cate.
• 7. William Cate, no children.
• 8. Isabel Cate, m. 1681 to Joseph Jewell.
• 9. Joseph Cate.

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Original Research Notes

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cate-22

We need to remember the years of his birth and marriage are only a GUESS. The estimated year of marriage is probably due to the year of the birth of their oldest child, Edward. I have not found any evidence or sources that James was born in Hillmorton, Warwick, England or even from England as some have supposed.

According to Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2006, he was born abt. 1624 and came to Portsmouth about 1657.[3] I have not seen anything that would suggest that these facts are anything more then just a GUESS.

Supporting data

JAMES CATE, b abt 1634 [Gen. Dict. of Maine & NH, p.132], a carpenter from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. d. 15 May 1677 [N.H. State Papers, 31:201]. According to U.S. and International Marriage Records, Yates Publishing, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. (Provo, UT, USA) James was born about 1634 and married Alice _____ in 1655. We need to remember the years of his birth and marriage are only a GUESS. The estimated year of marriage is probably due to the year of the birth of their oldest child, Edward. I have not found any evidence or sources that James was born in Hillmorton, Warwick, England or even from England as some have supposed. According to Filby, P. William, ed.. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2006, he was born abt. 1624 and came to Portsmouth about 1657. I have not seen anything that would suggest that these facts are anything more then just a GUESS. Piscataqua Pioneers by John Scales (pub. 1919, archive.org), pg. 23, claims that James Cate arrived in Portsmouth in 1640. A History of Barrington, NH, by Morton Wiggens, Barrington Historical Society, 1966. pg. 15, "Knowledge of the Cate family begins with James and Alice Cate who where first listed in Portsmouth in 1648." I have not been able to find that list. Officially, the earliest known record of James Cate is his court appearence on 25 June 1656 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. "Jams skat and his wife being presented for furnication befor marriage is admonished, and to acknolidg the falt and to pay the fees of the Court 2 shillings siz penc." Maybe Edward was the product of this law breaking! :) Children taken from Cates, Edward Earle, and M. Ray Sanborn. The Cate-Cates Family of New England (hereafter Cate-Cates Family). Frederick, Md: Marken & Bielfeld, 1904, pgs 3,4, and the probate records of New Hampshire, State Papers Series, vol. 31, pp 201-203. 1 . Edward Cate b. cal. 1655, m. Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Tucker. 2 . John Cate m. Judith _____, d. Jan 4, 1748. 3 . Sarah Cate m. Peter Babb 4 . Rebecca Cate m. Nov. 12, 1686, Jhn Vrin. 5 . Mary Cate m. Samuel Widden 6 . Elizabeth Cate 7 . Poss. William Cate See NOTE below 8 . Isabel Cate m Joseph Jewell 9 . Joseph Cate Cate-Cates Family, p 4 states that the last three probably died before 1702. NOTE: William Cate - In Cate-Cates Family, p.4 it mentions "William Cate Jr. age 16, killed (by the Indians,) and three children of William Cate wounded, Portsmouth Plains, (N.H.,) June 26, 1696. Nothing further is known of this family." In Gen. Dict. of Maine & NH, p.132 it states, "James Cate is first mentioned in the "Lists" (the customary record keeping system of that era) in 1657, 330ab, 326c, 327ad, 3561 (Portsmouth) 52. Adm. gr. To widow Alice, who m. 2nd, before 1679, John Westbrook; and there after used the name , Westbrook or Cate according to which family she was dealing with. Children named in settlement in 1702, on her petition, after son Edward had kept her out near 24 years: Edward, John, Rebecca, Sarah, Elizabeth, and also William, last mentioned in 1690,dsp Lists 329, 57 NH Historical Society viii 65. We must disregard Doctor Brewsters imaginary list of Indian victims (kambles i, 73.) also presume Isabel (m. Joseph Jewell) in 1682 gave power of attorney to Samuel Reed of Mendon to sell Portsmouth land." If we were to assume that the Rambles are accurate and I still have no reason yet to question otherwise I think it a possibility that William Jr. (age 16), the one who was killed by Indians, and the three Cate children wounded, were the children of a William Cate, son of James. But this is only speculation. There does not seem to be any additional records on the three children who survived. One must question did the children die a short time later? Even if they did I doubt dsp as recorded in the Gen. Dict. Of Maine & NH , would have been used to describe Âœdied without surviving issue That wouldn't be normal. I get very frustrated with older publications like Gen. Dict. Of Maine & NH that tell us we must disregard and in the same breath list William Cates Âœd.s.p without telling us their sources. It is my opinion that the only thing we know for certain is that a (emph) William Cate was around during this time. There is no record that suggests who his father was. Even though I personally think a William was a son of James Cate, the records do not support me designating William as nothing more than a possible son of James. List 327a. Inquest of 6 July, 1663. Robert Marshall and Jer. Dolly, in a canoe drunk, "both drowned last night". Coroners Jury Abraham Corbett Peter Wallis Robert Sheares Wm. Seavey John Odyovne Wm. Pasmore James Johnson _ Richard Tope Edward Beale Francis Drake John Haskell James Cate List 327d Inquest of John Ellis, 13 Sept., 1673. John Ellis, James Skate (Cate), George Ford, Walter Luckrait, Edward Skate (Cate), and Hanca a Negro, were near the house of Caleb Beck. James Skate (Cate) and his son were taking leave the rest, who had been drinking flip (a quart of rum mixed with water or beer), Ludowick Fowler had been drinking with them, but now "being of the watch came up the lane alter them". Fowlers gun went off , shooting Ellis in the leg so that he died. Fowler was indicted and convicted in Boston. Evidence sworn before Richard Curt. Coroners Jury John Shipway Richard Jackson George Lavis John Curt Jr. John Goff Samuel Kees John Tucker Thomas Carter Thomas Crawford Thomas Ladbrook Israel Phillips Edward Beale List 330a 1660 Land grants, Strawberry Bank James Cate's grant increased to 8 acres, Jan. 22, 1660. List 1684 sent to London Transcripts Petition against Gov. Cranfield taken to London by Nathaniel Weare, agent for petitioners: John Seavey James Prescott Wm. Cate Nathan Seavey Samuel Bean Richard Sanborn Partial list only New Hampshire tax lists, P.R.O. C. O. 54, no. 25 [VIII. Intended only for those refusing to pay taxes to Gov. Cranfield, many willing to pay were included, while some, especially a large part ofthe population of Strawberry Bank, were omitted. Apparently the complete lists for Greenland and Sandy Beach were sent. Portsmouth and Strawberry Bank ' (In this list those not refusing to pay were omitted) Richard Martin Samuel Case (Keais) John Tucker John Baker James Lovett William Cotton John Fletcher John Cotton Edward Skat (Cate) Partial list only Petition of New Hampshire Settlers (Mass. Archives, Cook 35, p 229) To the Honorable the Governor and Council of their Majesty's Colony of Massachusetts in New England. The humble Addresse of the Inhabitants and train solders of ye Province of New Hampshire, Feb. 20, 1689. Humbly sheweth: That whereas since the late Revolution in your Colony you have Exerted a power of Government over their Maj esty's Subjects Inhabitants therein which wee are given to understand their Majesty have been graciously pleas'd to approve of} and lmpowered you to continue the same till further order; and wee who were formerly under your Government having been for some time destitute of power sufficient to put ourselves into a capacity of defense against the common enemy, and with great expectation awaited their Majesty order for a settlement amongst us which not yet arriving considering also how liable wee are to destruction by the Enemy which ourselves wee cannot prevent; wee are therefore necessitated at present to supplicate your Honours for Government and 1 Protection as formerly until their Maj esty's pleasure shall be Known conceming us. l Hereby oblij ing ourselves to a due submission thereto, and payment of our equivalent l portion (according to our capacity) of the charge yet shall arise for the defense of the l Count:ry against the common Enemy, praying also that such persons may be Cornrnissionated to command the Militia as have already been, or shall be chosen by trained solders in the respective Towns desiring your Honor to grant us this our requests. Your Petitioners ever pray Isaac Cole Jonathan Clark Peter Coffin John Cate Edward Cate Wm. Cotton l Aaron Moses n Wm. Scavcy Wm. Cate

[ Richard Jose Sam Powel John Gilman l Samuel Neal John (X) Bartlett John Vrin rua The folowing is the inventory and settlement of James's estate contained in the probate records of New Hampshire, State Papers Series, vol. 31, pp 201-203. All his children are mentioned except for William and Isabel. Page 201 NEW -HAMPSHIRE WILLS JAMES CATE 1677 PORTSMOUTH [Inventory of the estate of James Cate, who died May 15, 1677 ; amount, 62 .15 .0 ; signed by Richard Cummings and George _____; attested by Alice Cate Oct . 31, 1677.] [Citation, May 28, 1702, to Alice Cate, widow and administration of James Cate of Portsmouth, carpenter, to appear and give an account of the estate, which amounts to $62.15.0 ; signed by William Partridge.] Ports may 30th: 1702 The deposion of mary Partridge aged fifty nine yers or there abouts Testifieth that Edward Catt Comonly so Called was borne about forty seven years agoe and brott up and sockled by hi s mother wife to James Catt decesed and the sd Edward was th e first Child that she Ever had as I Ever hered of and was bor n in wedlock : and forther saith not by me Mary Partridge Capt et Jurat 8 June 1702 : Coram me Wm Partridge Lt Govr Page 202 NEW -HAMPSHIRE WILLS Mary Walker about Seaventy two years deposeth to the ful l contents of the above Deposicon to her best Remembrance . her Mary X Walke r mark Capt et Jurat Octavio die Junii 1702 Coram me Wm Partridge Lt Gov [Court records :-Alice Cate, widow, appeared June 1, 1702 , and asked for more time, which was granted . June 8, 1702, Alice Cate and Edward Cate, her son, appeared and asked that the estate be settled according to law . Samuel Penhallow and Dr. Thomas Packer, both of Portsmouth, were appointed commissioners to receive claims . Alice and Edward Cate asked for time to perfect an agreement for the settlement of the estate, which was granted . The agreement follows in full . ] Alice Cate appears and Releases all her Right and title of Dowry unto the Estate of her formr husband James Cate decd unto her said sonn Edward Cate ; aforesaid. In Considerac'on of which the Said Edward Cate doth Obleidge & promise for himselfe his heires Exec" and Admrr to pay or Cause to be paid to his Sai d Mother Alice Cate Seaventeen shill- and Six pence in Mony : and Seaventeen shillings and Six Pence in Provisions or wha t else either Goods or Mony, as she shall have occasion for : to Said value dureing her Naturall Life yearely and every yeare : to Commence and beginn from y day : the Provisions or Good s to be paid the Eight day of Novbr in every yeare and the Mony to be paid the Eight day of June every yeare : for performance o f which Said Edwd Cate bindes himselfe to his Said Mother Alic e Cate his heires Exec & Adm in the Sume or penaltye of one hundred pounds, Curr t mony of New England . / Acknowledged the Said 8 th day of June 1702 Coram Wm Partridge Lt Gov Cha: Story Secretary Page 203 NEW -HAMPSHIRE WILLS John Cate Sonn of Said Alice Cate ; John Urin husband to Rebecca Cate daughter alsoe of Said Alice Cate ; Peter Babb husband to Sarah Cate Sister to Said Rebecca ; appears and Re - leases all yr Right and Title to any part or portion of Said Estate of James Cates dec d unto Edward Cate sonn of the said James Cate decd aforesaid And Alice Cate and the said John Cate John Urin and peter Babb cloth obleidge themselves in the Sum'e of one hundred pounds Joyntly and Severally their heires Exec" and Admen unto the Said Edw d Cate his Exec" Adm" or Assignes neither they or any of them or Sam Whidden or Mary his wife ; or Elizabeth Cate (which Said Mary and Elizabeth are also daughters to Said James Cate decd ) or the heires Exec" Adm" or Assignes of the said Sam11 Whidden and Mary his wife, or the Said Eliza Cate shall or will for the future ever Claime or bring any Acc'on Suite in Law or Equitye agr the Said Edwd Cate his heires Exec or Adm" for any part or portion of Said James Cate decd yr fathers Estate as aforesaid/ Acknowledged the Said 8th day of June Cora m Wm Partridge Lt Gov [Court Records, June r, 1702 .] TIMELINE OF RECORDS James Cate was in court on 25 June 1656 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. "Jams skat and his wife being presented for furnication befor marriage is admonished, and to acknolidg the falt and to pay the fees of the Court 2 shillings siz penc." On 22 January 1660/61, at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA,, Grant increased to 8 acre. He Had a bill against the town. on 4 February 1660/61 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. Cate, James, Portsmouth, carpenter, had a bill against the town 4 Feb. 1660-1. He was in court on 24 April 1662. James pendleton & Wm Howard agts & Attorneys to Capt Brian Pendleton & mr Jno payne pl against James Cate of Portsmouth in an ac of debt upon acct & due damages James Cate came into Court & Confest a Judgmt of 10l 17s 6d due unto the He was in court on 27 January 1663. He was in court on 2 February 1663 œJames Keat acknowledgeth his excessive drincking yt night hee brake Rechel Websters signe & doore fined 3s 4d & Clerks fees He was in court on 6 July 1663 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. Member of jury: Robert Marshall and Jer Dollet, in a canoe drunk, both "drowned lasr night." He was Signed petition on 9 October 1665 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. He was in court on 13 September 1673 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. Inquest, John Ellis. "John Ellis, James Skate, George Ford, Walter Luckraft, Edward Skate, and Hanca, a Negro, were nere the house of Caleb Beck. James Skate and his son were taking leave of the rest, who had been drinking flip ( a quart of rum mixed with water or beer) and Lodowick Fowler had been drinking with them but now "being of the watch came up the lane after them" Fowler's gun went off, shooting Ellis in the leg so that he died. Fowler was indicted and convicted in Boston. He was in court on 30 June 1674. James Cate & his sonn being bound in a bond of 10l to appear at this court to answr for abusing mr Jno Cutts man & being called & not appearing ye Court declaires his bond forfeited He died on 15 May 1677 at Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USA. His estate was probated on 8 June 1702; Estate was settled. Edward received his father's estate. He was to pay his mother, Alice Cate, 17 shillings 6 pence yearly.

more:

The following is the report of the committee appointed to proportion the land among the inhabitants. "Whereas, at a general towne meeting held by the inhabitants of Portsmouth the 22d of January, 1660, it was agreed upon for the distribution of their lands undisposed and not yet granted, that there should be a distribution thereof, be made up to such of the inhabitants as hitherto have had little or none given them in some proportion to those that have already lands granted to them. And for an equal proceeding therein did then and there choose us whose names are underwritten, for to consider the persons and proportions unto whom the said lands should be divided and distributed, which said persons then chosen have considered accordingly with reference unto both, and for a more just and equal way of proceeding, according to the premises, have drawn up and concluded upon these propositions following: 1st. That all such as were reputed inhabitants and free comyuers unto the year 1657, (when at a town meeting held the 24th of February, the town looked at and respected after-comers under another consideration,) are the persons unto whom right of land belongs in this distribution. 2d. That all sons as are of the age of 21 years and upwards have right to land in this distribution, and further that all sons that are married, although under the age of 21 years, as like right as those aforesaid. 3d. That all daughters of those mentioned in the first proposition, whether married or unmarried at the age of 18 years and upwards, are capable of and ought to have a proportion in this distribution. The proportions abovesaid are made to every inhabitant as if noe land had been given them at all, and all such as have received above the proportions aforesaid by former town grant, such are to possess the same still, and must not expect further enlargement, as none is to be taken from them, and all those that have not yet had the abovesaid proportions such are to have the proportions aforesaid. The 2d column contains the addition of acres given to every one against whose names they be sett, according to the discretion of those appointed for the distribution of the 600 acres of land as per the town's order. Capt. Pendleton, Mr. John Cutt and Mr. Richard Cutt's full proportions are entered above as they were before they rendered back 100 acres apiece to be distributed, which are to be taken when the land is laid out to them." Signed by Brian Pendleton, Richard Cutt, Nath'l Drake, Philip Lewis, Elias Stillman, Wm. Seavey, John Pickering. The above distribution covers not quite five thousand acres. The land was in the limits of what now makes up Portsmouth, Great Island, Rye, Newington and Greenland.The following is the report of the committee appointed to proportion the land among the inhabitants.

"Whereas, at a general towne meeting held by the inhabitants of Portsmouth the 22d of January, 1660, it was agreed upon for the distribution of their lands undisposed and not yet granted, that there should be a distribution thereof, be made up to such of the inhabitants as hitherto have had little or none given them in some proportion to those that have already lands granted to them. And for an equal proceeding therein did then and there choose us whose names are underwritten, for to consider the persons and proportions unto whom the said lands should be divided and distributed, which said persons then chosen have considered accordingly with reference unto both, and for a more just and equal way of proceeding, according to the premises, have drawn up and concluded upon these propositions following:

1st. That all such as were reputed inhabitants and free comyuers unto the year 1657, (when at a town meeting held the 24th of February, the town looked at and respected after-comers under another consideration,) are the persons unto whom right of land belongs in this distribution.

2d. That all sons as are of the age of 21 years and upwards have right to land in this distribution, and further that all sons that are married, although under the age of 21 years, as like right as those aforesaid.

3d. That all daughters of those mentioned in the first proposition, whether married or unmarried at the age of 18 years and upwards, are capable of and ought to have a proportion in this distribution.

The proportions abovesaid are made to every inhabitant as if noe land had been given them at all, and all such as have received above the proportions aforesaid by former town grant, such are to possess the same still, and must not expect further enlargement, as none is to be taken from them, and all those that have not yet had the abovesaid proportions such are to have the proportions aforesaid.

The 2d column contains the addition of acres given to every one against whose names they be sett, according to the discretion of those appointed for the distribution of the 600 acres of land as per the town's order.

Capt. Pendleton, Mr. John Cutt and Mr. Richard Cutt's full proportions are entered above as they were before they rendered back 100 acres apiece to be distributed, which are to be taken when the land is laid out to them."

Signed by Brian Pendleton, Richard Cutt, Nath'l Drake, Philip Lewis, Elias Stillman, Wm. Seavey, John Pickering.

The above distribution covers not quite five thousand acres. The land was in the limits of what now makes up Portsmouth, Great Island, Rye, Newington and Greenland.

James Cate Jr. Born about 1625 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, NHmap Son of James Cate Sr. and [mother unknown] [sibling%28s%29 unknown] Husband of Alice (UNKNOWN) Cate married [date unknown] in MA or NHmap Husband of Alice (Unknown) Cate married 1654 [location unknown] Husband of Alice (Westbrook) Cate married about 1655 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH, USAmap Father of Edward Cate, Elizabeth Cate, John Cate, Isabel (Cate) Jewell, Mary (Cate) Whidden, Sarah Cate, Rebecca (Cate) Urann, Edward Cate, William Cate, Joseph Cate and Sarah (Cate) Babb Died 15 May 1677 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, NHmap

• http://seacoastnh.com/brewster/4.html Names of Inhabitants in 1657--Portion assigned to each.

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Birth: 1625 - Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA Death: May 15 1677 - Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA Parents: James Christopher Cate, Margeria Cate (born Lite) Siblings: Richard Cate, John Cate, William Cate Wife: Alice Cate (born Upton) Children: Isabel Jewell (born Whidden), Mary Whidden (born Cates), Rebecca Urann (Urin) (born Whidden), Edward Cate, Sarah Babb (born Whidden), John Cate, Elizabeth Cate, <Private> Cate, <Private> Cate

References

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Feb 11 2018, 6:46:28 UTC
• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Feb 11 2018, 6:47:10 UTC
• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 9 2021, 0:20:12 UTC
• http://www.laurencebarber.ca/Kenny/Erica%27s/People/Whidden/Cate/ja...
• https://athenaeum.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Cate%2C%20...
• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~tneg/genealogy/page1.html