Deacon
John Cate 1733-1821
There
are many worthy men whose names are not
prominent in military exploits or great
business enterprises who have by example
and precept filled an important part in
the everyday civil and religious life
of Society. Such a man was Dea. John Cate,
of Epsom.
As
early as 1860 we find the names of John
and James Cate, two brothers from England,
enrolled among the taxpayers of Hampton.
Their descendants are not numerous but
some branches of the family emigrated
to the frontier towns, some to Epsom,
Northwood and Meredith. The Christian
names John and James have been retained,
in the different generations, with the
usual Puritan custom.
John,
the subject of this sketch, was born in
Greenland, 1733 and in 1766 married Abigail
Sherburne of Portsmouth, a familiar and
prominent family name in Colonial times.
They
moved to Londonderry and lived for a time
in the Scotch Irish Settlement under Father
McGregor. In some unknown reason they
moved from there to Epsom about 1750 and
settled on what was called New Orchard
road where they passed the remainder of
their long and useful lives.
Dea.
John Cate was intimately connected with
the town and church affairs for over fifty
years, during its most prosperous and
eventful history. His patriotism or integrity
was never questioned and though age had
crept on at the time of the war he took
an active part in aiding soldiers and
serving the town. The Records reads, John
Cate Selectman for the town of Epsom the
other being absent in the war. Until the
day of his death he wore his three cornered
hat as one of the sons of Liberty and
daily prayed for his posterity and his
country.
He
was the first Deacon in Epsom and one
of the leading men in church offices.
The church records of Epsom belong to
the Historical Society at Concord and
a copy of them is in the possession of
Samuel G. Drake, Esq., the historian of
Boston, a grandson of Rev. John Tuck the
first minister of Epsom and no name appears
in these so frequently as Dea. John Cate.
He clung with tenacity to his church creed
and to old manners and customs. For many
years with Dea. Locke he occupied the
Deacon's seat and with a huge white wig
and long staff by his side would read
or deacon off the hymn and sing with a
nasal twang according to the custom of
"ye olden times."
He
died of old age. Rev. Jonathan Curtis
preached the funeral sermon from the text,
"And he worshipped leaning upon his
staff." He left three sons; Ebenezer,
John and Samuel, who have all followed
their father to his long home. His grandson
John Sherburne Cate lives upon the old
homestead settled one hundred and twenty
years ago or more. Dea. John Cate was
a man of great simplicity of character,
pure motives, industrious, frugal and
a devoted Christian. His long life, trusting
faith and exemplary habits have a lasting
influence. He felt great personal responsibility
and discharged his duties with caution
and conscientious fidelity. The Sabbath
was a day of rest to him and was sanctified
in his own house. In society he was a
peacemaker and he ever aimed to keep a
conscience void of offence towards God.
Suncook
Valley Times
Thursday, August 4, 1870
Related info: Greg Wythe has a daybook
from the son of John Cate, Ebenezer. In
the book is a personal page of his family
information, and a family page with vital
records of the family. To view them, click
the following: FAMILY
PAGE - - - PERSONAL
PAGE
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