[1] John Cate (b. 1753, Orange Co., N.C.; d. 1827, Jefferson Co., TN); [John Cate came to Dumplin Valley, Tennessee, in 1782 from North Carolina. He was one of the passengers on the ship Safety from England, and first settled in Edenton, North Carolina. He later moved to Orange County, North Carolina, and then to Dumplin Valley. John was the father of 15 children and was said to be the "patriarchal" leader of the entire valley much in the manner of Abraham. He was one of the charter members of Dumplin Valley Baptist Church, which is still an active church, and he is buried in the church cemetery. The old John Cate home is an "historic Dumplin Valley home". The house built in 1825 is a colonial style red brick home painted white. The
bricks were made by slaves. It is said that John's wife, Mary, still makes appearances in the home.
Dumplin Valley was said to have gotten its name during the Revolutionary War. The local militia was camped at the creek, preparing dumplings for their supper, when the British attacked and scattered the locals and dumped the dumplings into the creek.]
; m.
(1st); Catherine ???.
Child of John Cate and Catherine ??:
{1} William Cate (b. 1769).
(2nd); Mary ???.
Children of John Cate and Mary ???:
{1} John Cate, Jr. (b. 16 Sep 1771; d. 9 Mar 1840, Jefferson Co.); m. Jan 1795; Mary Ann Koontz (b. 31 Aug 1773, N.C.; d. 6 Jun 1860, Jefferson Co.).[CHILDREN]
{2} Thomas Cate (b. 1776; d. 14 Sep 1846, McMinn Co.); m. 23 Apr 1802, Jefferson Co.; Ava Wilhite (b. 1780; d. 6 Feb 1865, McMinn Co.).[CHILDREN]
{3} Samuel Cate (b. 1783; d. 1848, Knox Co.); m. Barbara Wilhite.
{4} James Cate (b. 1790); m. Elizabeth Lindsey (b. 1790, VA).[CHILDREN]
{5} Mary Cate (b. 1790); m.
(1st); Albraham McCleary.
(2nd); Robert Bales.
{6} Joshua Cate (b. 10 Mar 1790, VA; d. 15 Dec 1876, Sevier Co.); m. 28 Mar 1820; Elizabeth Wilhite (b. 21 Aug 1796; d. 8 Dec 1868, Sevier Co.).[CHILDREN]
{7} Elijah Cate (b. 1794).
{8} Isaac Cate (b. 1804).
{9} Aaron Cate (b. 1809).
{10} Annie Cate m. Henry Turner.
{11} Jessie Cate.
{12} Priscilla Cate (b. ?? d. 1850); m. ?? Koontz.