Thomas Washington Catlett

Narrative:

     Thomas Washington Catlett was born on 27 Sep 1799 in Frederick Co., Virginia.^5,6,7
     He was probably the male age 10 to 16 listed in the household of his father, George Catlett, in the 1810 Federal Census of Frederick Co., Virginia.¹⁴
     Thomas apparently moved to Kentucky with his parents. They are reported to have lived in Woodford Co. for a time, then moved to Morganfield, Union Co., over 200 miles west, about 1816. Whether Thomas moved west with them or remained in Woodford Co. is not known. Neither Thomas nor his father has been found in the 1820 census. If Thomas remained in Woodford Co. he would have likely been boarding with a family and not listed by name in the 1820 census.¹⁵
     Thomas married first Isabella Field Helm, daughter of Thomas Helm and Elizabeth Buck, on 7 Apr 1821 in Woodford Co., Kentucky, after her father granted permission because of her age.^8,9

Seeking Greener Pastures --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Thomas and Isabella moved to Union Co. by 1826, when their son John was born there, then to Christian Co. by 1830.
     Thomas appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Christian Co., Kentucky, with a household consisting of two males under age 5 (son John), one 5 to 10 (James), one age 10 to 15 (unknown), one age 20 to 30 (unknown), one age 30 to 40 (himself), one female under age 5 (daughter Marion), one age 5 to 10 (Helen), and one age 30 to 40 (wife Isabella). There were also 11 slaves listed, including two males and one female under age 10.¹⁶
     His wife died between 1834 and 1840.^17,18,19 Thomas moved to Caldwell Co. by 1840, whether before or after her death is unknown.
     Thomas appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky, with a household consisting of one male age 5 to 10 (son Malcom), one age 10 to 15 (John), one age 15 to 20 (James), one age 40 to 50 (himself), one female under age 5 (unknown), one age 5 to 10 (daughter Letitia), one age 10 to 15 (Marion), and one age 15 to 20 (Helen). There were also 16 slaves listed, including six males and four females under age 10.²⁰
     On 26 Jan 1844 Thomas bought lot no. 7 in Eddyville, on Water St., known as "Rose Hill" from Robert Livingston Cobb, for $3,500.The home was later owned by his daughter Helen and her husband, Frederick Henry Skinner. It remained in the family until it was acquired by the State of Kentucky in 1952 and was used as housing for the employees of the adjacent Kentucky State Penitentiary. After being declared surplus by the state, it was given to the Lyon County Historical Society, which now uses it to house a museum.^21,22
     Thomas appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky, enumerated 18 Sep 1850, reporting real estate valued at $2,000. His children John, Malcom and Letitia were listed as living with him, Also listed are 10 slaves, ranging in age from 3 to 45 years.^23,24

A Second Marriage --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Thomas married second Maria Louisa Clark on 1 Mar 1859 in Union Co., Kentucky.^10,11
     Thomas and Maria appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 25 Jun 1860, reporting real estate valued at $8,000 and personal estate of $24,435. Their son George was listed as living with them, Also listed were 20 slaves, housed in four slave houses.^25,26
     On 20 Jan 1844 Thomas sold 72 acres on Livingston Creek, in Crittenden Co., to Robert Livingston Cobb, for $5.²⁷
     Thomas and Maria appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 30 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $5,341 and personal estate of $2,450. Their children George and Oliver were listed as living with them, as were Daniel Stevens, age 26, and a Black family, Oliver and Sela Dalham and their six children, presumably servants.²⁸
     He was a miller and a farmer, operating a large plantation. He operated a very successful mercantile business in Eddyville for some 20 years.^{13,29,30,31,32}

Making His Final Plans --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     On 11 Nov 1876 Thomas executed an agreement to rent his 763-acre property on the Cumberland river to his sons George and Oliver, who were then 16 and 14 years old, respectively. The agreement was to run three years, beginning 1 Jan 1879. The agreement authorized them to harvest all the hickory timber that was suitable for axe and pick handles and for yokes. They were also to cultivate all the cleared land, using implements and supplies he was to furnish. They were to sell the crops and timber harvested and pay him half the proceeds but he was to "superintend and control" the sales. If he were to die before the agreement expired they were to pay his share to their mother.³³
     Thomas left a will dated the same day, in which he left his wife Maria for her lifetime use of the house where they were living and adjacent property. He left her outright all his money and money owed him, household furniture, livestock, and farming implements. The rental of the farm to his sons was to be honored. At the end of that agreement it was to be sold. His two store houses in Eddyville were to be sold at once, and the property left to his wife was to be sold after her death. The sales were to be made "by public outcry" at the courthouse door. The proceeds were to be distributed equally to his children, after adjusting for prior gifts to each of them, which he listed. For his daughter Helen that was $1,000 in cash given many years before and a slave named Lithy who he valued at $650; for Marion a wardrobe, bedstead, and press valued at $41 and a slave named Patty, valued at $650, given about 1853; for John $923 given 4 Jan 1859; for James $600 given in 1860-1862, and 1864; for Malcom $1,410 given from Aug 1858 to June 1865; and for Letitia $1,087 given in 1862 and 1866.³⁴
     Thomas died on 28 Apr 1880 at age 80.^12,13 He was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky.¹²
     His will was proved on 16 Jul 1880 in Lyon Co. court.³⁵