James Cate of Portsmouth, New Hampshire

1. Identity & vital events

Name

James Cate — carpenter, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Birth (reported)

About 1634 — Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire (Noyes, Libby & Davis), p. 132.¹ Older typescripts often abbreviate this work as “Gen. Dict.” Treat the year as approximate; see uncertainties.

Death

15 May 1677, Portsmouth — New Hampshire Provincial and State Papers, vol. 31, p. 201 (printed probate series).²

Spouse

Alice (surname unknown). U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900 (Yates Publishing derivative database, often via Ancestry.com) gives James b. abt. 1634 and marriage to Alice in 1655 as an estimated year — verify against a primary marriage record if one exists.³

Alice, second marriage

After James’s death, Alice married John Westbrook sometime after James died but before 1679.

2. Uncertain dates & origins

Birth year, marriage year, and immigration details below are partly inference (e.g., marriage sometimes estimated from oldest child Edward). There is no evidence cited here that James was born in Hillmorton, Warwick, England, or even that he was from England — though some trees claim it.

• Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s–1900s (P. William Filby, ed., Gale, 2006 and later editions): index entry summarized as James born about 1624, to Portsmouth about 1657. This is a secondary index; treat as unverified unless the underlying list is examined.⁴
• Piscataqua Pioneers, 1623–1775 (John Scales, Dover, NH, 1919), p. 23: James Cate arrived Portsmouth 1640 (society register — confirm against contemporary records).⁵
• A History of Barrington, NH (Morton Wiggens, Barrington Historical Society, 1966), p. 15: “Knowledge of the Cate family begins with James and Alice Cate who were first listed in Portsmouth in 1648.” The original compiler of this page had not located that list.⁶

3. Earliest documented court appearance

25 June 1656 — Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH. (Earliest record the author emphasizes.)

“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.”

Spelling and punctuation are as in the original record. The original author noted this may relate to the timing of son Edward’s birth. For the manuscript court files, see New Hampshire colonial/provincial court records for Portsmouth (Rockingham County area) in the 1650s — many are abstracted in the Provincial and State Papers series and related volumes at the New Hampshire Historical Society and NH Division of Archives and Records Management.⁹

4. Children

As compiled from Edward Earle Cates and Maynard Ray Sanborn, The Cate-Cates Family of New England (Frederick, MD: Marken & Bielfeld, 1904), pp. 3–4 — hereafter Cate-Cates Family⁷ — and probate material in New Hampshire Provincial and State Papers, vol. 31, pp. 201–203.²

• Edward Cate — b. cal. 1655; m. Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Tucker.
• John Cate — m. Judith _____; d. 4 Jan 1748.
• Sarah Cate — m. Peter Babb.
• Rebecca Cate — m. 12 Nov 1686, John Vrin.
• Mary Cate — m. Samuel Widden (Whidden).
• Elizabeth Cate
• Possible: William Cate — see note on William.
• Isabella Cate — m. Joseph Jewell.
• Joseph Cate

Cate-Cates Family,⁷ p. 4: the last three children named above probably died before 1702.

5. Note on William Cate

From Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, p. 132 (paraphrased)¹: James first appears in the “Lists” in 1657 (references 330ab, 326c, 327ad, 3561, Portsmouth 52). Administration granted to widow Alice, who m. 2nd, before 1679, John Westbrook; she used Westbrook or Cate depending on context. Children named in settlement in 1702 on her petition (after son Edward had kept her out nearly 24 years): Edward, John, Rebecca, Sarah, Elizabeth, and also William — last mentioned in 1690, d.s.p. (Lists 329, 57; NH Historical Society viii 65). The Dictionary also says to disregard Doctor Brewster’s “imaginary list” of Indian victims (Rambles i, 73), and mentions Isabel (m. Joseph Jewell) in 1682 giving power of attorney to Samuel Reed of Mendon to sell Portsmouth land.

The author speculates that if “Rambles” is accurate, William Jr. (killed) and the three wounded children might belong to a William Cate who could be James’s son — but stresses this is speculation. No record proves William’s father. The author lists William only as a possible son of James.

6. Author’s commentary on older sources

The author expresses frustration when works like the Genealogical Dictionary¹ say to “disregard” one list while still recording “d.s.p.” without clear sourcing. Opinion: the only certainty is that a William Cate existed in the period; records do not prove his parentage.

7. “Lists” and related record excerpts

Below are excerpts as transcribed on the original page, grouped by heading for clarity.

8. Probate: inventory and settlement (James Cate)

Transcribed below from New Hampshire Provincial and State Papers, vol. 31, pp. 201–203 (printed edition of provincial probate material).² All children are mentioned in the settlement material except William and Isabel (per the author’s note above).

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 administratrix 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°r
[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 r' 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°r
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 r° 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 Govr°r
[Court Records, June r, 1702.]

9. Timeline of records (compiled)

1. 25 June 1656 — Portsmouth court: James and wife presented for fornication before marriage; admonished; fees 2s 6d.
2. 22 Jan 1660/61 — Land grant increased to 8 acres; bill against the town; related entry 4 Feb 1660/61.
3. 24 Apr 1662 — Debt case; James confessed judgment £10 17s 6d.
4. 27 Jan 1663 — Court.
5. 2 Feb 1663 — Excessive drinking; broke Rachel Webster’s sign and door; fined 3s 4d plus clerk’s fees.
6. 6 July 1663 — Juror on inquest (Marshall / Dollet drowning).
7. 9 Oct 1665 — Signed petition.
8. 13 Sept 1673 — Present at John Ellis inquest (flip / Fowler shooting).
9. 30 June 1674 — Bond forfeited for non-appearance re: abuse of Mr. John Cutts’s man.
10. 15 May 1677 — Death, Portsmouth.
11. 8 June 1702 — Estate settled; Edward received estate; obligation to pay Alice 17s 6d yearly (as in probate agreement).

10. Sources cited & further reading

Works below are numbered to match the superscript reference marks (e.g. ¹) elsewhere on this page. Where an open copy exists online, a link is given. Always prefer images or certified copies of the original record over abstracts and indexes.

1. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire — Sybil Noyes, Charles Thornton Libby, and Walter Goodwin Davis. Originally issued in five parts, Portland, ME, 1928–1939 (pagination varies by printing; consolidated reprints are common). Standard scholarly abbreviation GDMH. Open copies: Open Library; HathiTrust catalog; many volumes in the FamilySearch Digital Library (search by title). James Cate sketch on p. 132 (per this file’s citations).
2. Provincial and State Papers of New Hampshire, vol. 31: Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, 1635–1717. Concord, NH: Rumford Printing Co., 1907. Editors: A. S. Batchellor, O. G. Hammond, E. S. Stearns. James Cate inventory and 1702 settlement: pp. 201–203. PDF via University of New Hampshire: scholars.unh.edu/propapers/31 (recommended citation matches UNH “Recommended Citation” on that page).
3. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900 — derivative database (Yates Publishing), commonly searched through Ancestry.com. Entries often include estimated marriage years; treat as a clue only. Accessed for cross-check March 2026.
4. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s–1900s — ed. P. William Filby et al. (Gale). Secondary index to published passenger lists; underlying sources must be checked. The birth year 1624 / arrival 1657 for James Cate is not treated here as proved.
5. John Scales, Piscataqua Pioneers, 1623–1775: Register of Members and Ancestors. Dover, NH: Press of C. F. Whitehouse, 1919. Internet Archive (see p. 23 for James Cate per prior note).
6. Morton Wiggens, A History of Barrington, New Hampshire. Barrington, NH: Barrington Historical Society, 1966. Local history reference to Cates in Portsmouth in 1648 — not independently verified on this site.
7. Edward Earle Cates and Maynard Ray Sanborn, The Cate-Cates Family of New England. Frederick, MD: Marken & Bielfeld, 1904. Library of Congress catalog; copies at New Hampshire Historical Society and elsewhere.
8. Petition of New Hampshire inhabitants and train soldiers to the Massachusetts Governor and Council, 20 February 1689 (as cited). Prior typescript: “Mass. Archives, Cook 35, p. 229.” Cook here refers to a published calendar or handlist of Massachusetts archival documents (exact edition not specified on the original page). Confirm against the Massachusetts State Archives, Boston.
9. Colonial and provincial court records for Portsmouth / New Hampshire — originals and microfilm at NH archives and the New Hampshire Historical Society; many items summarized in the Provincial and State Papers and town/county record series. The 25 June 1656 fornication presentment is quoted here from the original research typescript; obtain a fresh transcription from the court file for publication-grade work.
10. Portsmouth Athenaeum, “Cate, James, c1634-1677,” person / name file (finding aid). athenaeum.pastperfectonline.com — corroborates printed vitals and relationships; does not replace primary citations.
11. Colonial Office records, CO 54 (New Hampshire / colonial administration), The National Archives, Kew, UK. Class formerly cited as Public Record Office (P.R.O.) C.O. 54; piece numbers such as 25 used in genealogical literature for Cranfield-era tax resistance lists.

About this update (March 2026). Open repositories (UNH Scholars’ Repository, Internet Archive, FamilySearch, Library of Congress, National Archives UK naming) were checked to standardize titles, dates, and access links. No new primary-record images were added; facts on the page remain those of the December 2020 research unless noted.