CATCHINGS

This name is variously spelled "Kitchings". Benjamin Catchings appears to be a son of Seymour Catchings. According to an IGI record of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Benjamin was born 31 Oct 1748 in Virginia. The Seymour family lived in Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia, while the Kitching families lived in Southhampton and Stafford Counties. I found a Benjamin Kitching listed on the 1790 Sussex County, Virginia Census. When pronoucing the Catchings name, one can easily see where Kitchings was the original name.

Wilkes Co. Deed Book EE, p. 3, Benjamin Porter and his wife, Patsy C. of Richmond County deed to Benjamin Catchings of Wilkes Co., 100 acres located on Little River, known as Candler's Bend, 10 January 1789.

In 1785, Benjamin Catchings served as Justice of the Peace in Wilkes County. He died in 1798 when the inventory of his estate was dated in Wilkes County (17 Nov 1798). Appraisers of the estate were appointed 17 September 1798. Milly and Benjamin Catchings, admrs. list on the inventory the slaves given to William Ashmore, Benjamin Catchings, Seymore Catchings, and Philip Catchings. A division occurred on 8 Jan 1801, when Milly was appointed Guardian of Joseph, Jonathan and Silas; with Benjamin, Philip and William Ashmore being distributees. Mrs. Milly Catchings was appointed administratrix. In the Annual Returns for 1810, there are receipts given from Silas and Joseph Catchings, sons of the deceased; Mildred Catchings, and Spencer Carlton, administrators. 3 Mar 1818, the Estate of Benjamin Catchings paid Silas Catchings, James Catchings and Jonathan Catchings. Spencer Carlton, admr.

Mildred died before the conclusion of the administration of the estate of Benjamin Catchings. At the November Term of Court 1840, Wilkes Co., Mildred Catchings, deceased, with Ann Arnett appointed administratrix and administrator de bonis non of Benjamin Catchings, deceased.

Issue:

I. Seymore Catchings m. Rachel Thompson, according to the LWT of Benjamin Thompson, Sr. of Hancock Co., Ga., p. 177-179, V. A-AAAA, dated 12 May 1796, probated 10 March 1797. Wilkes County deed dated 16 Nov 1791, Seymore Catchings and his wife, Rachel, deed to Joseph Catchings land in Wilkes Co. Greene Co. Deed Book I, p. 537, 27 Nov 1790, Seymore Catchings of Wilkes Co. deeds to Robert Sorrell of the same for 100 pds., 287 1/2 acres of land on the waters of Sandy Creek.

II. Anne Catchings m. William Ashomore. Anne Ashmore, widow of William, 1 draw, 1819 Wilkes Co. Land Lottery. (William Ashmore's LWT dated 2 Mar 1818 Wilkes Co.) She married 2nd, 13 Dec 1819, Samuel Arnett, Wilkes Co., Ga.

III. Benjamin Catchings b. 1770. From newspaper, The Southern Recorder dated 6 Dec 1832: "Died on Nov. 9th, Benjamin Catchings of Putnam Co., in his 62nd year."

IV. Philip Catchings listed on 1830 Jones Co. Census.

V. Joseph Catchings, believed to have been born ca 1763. Greene Co. Deed Book I, p. 714-715, Joseph Catchings of Greene Co. to John T. Sankey for $4000, 700 acres in Greene County on the Little River. Polly, his wife, relinquished her dower. He married Polly Townsend. His LWT dated 9 Oct 1805, probated Jan 1806, p. 104-106 Greene Co. Wills (1796-1806).

Greene Co. Deed Book I, p. 538-539, 12 Oct 1801, Thomas Carson to Joseph Catchings for $3000 land in Greene Co. on the fork of the Appalachee and Oconee Rivers.

Monroe Co. Deed Book I, p. 141-142, 13 Jan 1822, headed "Greene County", Martha Catchings of Greene Co. to Joseph Catchings of Greene Co. for $200, 202-1/2 acres of land, being Lot No. 115, in the 5th District of Monroe County on Clanton's Creek, land originally granted to Martha Catchings.

The LWT of John Townsend of Wilkes Co., p. 15-16, Will Book A, Oglethorpe Co., named wife, Elizabeth; son, John Townsend; son-in-law, Joseph Catching; and son-in-law, Lemuel Adkerson, exrs 21 Sept 1790, probated 10 Sept 1795.

Wilkes Co. Deed Book A, p. 41, Joseph Catchings of Wilkes County deeds to John Thurman of Chesterfield Co., Virginia, 200 acres on Little River, being an original Land Grant of 1784 to said Catchings. Date: 21 Sept 1785. Test: Milly Catchings, Benjamin Catchings, J. P.

Issue of Joseph Catchings:

A. Rhoda Catchings.

B. Sally Catchings.

C. Polly Catchings.

D. Patsey Catchings.

E. Joseph Catchings married Pamela Stephens on 8 Nov 1802, Greene Co., Ga., the daughter of Nathaniel Stevens who made his LWT dated 5 Nov 1805 Greene Co., naming his daughter, Pamela Catchings. They lived in Greene Co. in 1830.

F. John Catchings.

G. Betsey Catchings m. Spencer Same.

H. Nancy Catchings m. Joseph Graham.

I. Jonathan Catchings.

J. Silas Catchings.