HOME | WHO | WHAT | WHERE | CONTACT | ABOUT
of North Carolina
Millbridge or Mill Bridge Community, Rowan County, NC
Feel free to contact Kelly about connections or to place your images, reports, or other data here.
Groups of Irish, and some Scott, immigrated to Colonial America in the 1700's. Many of these families, or clans, first located in Pennsylvania before settling in what is now Rowan (& Iredell) County. This section of Kindred Roots is dedicated to them for their hard effort to settle the land many of us call home.
SPECIAL NOTE: This section is in development. This is a local area to Kelly.
If you have any questions or comments please contact her directly (the link is at the top of this page).
Surnames of the Irish Settlement
Brandon, Cathey (see below), McCorkle, & more.
Feel free to contact Kelly about connections or to place your images, reports, or other data here.
I am not related to the Cathey's. It was brought to my attention though a historical park and mill; Kerr Mill and Sloan Park. This mill seems overlooked and unappreciated for it's worth historically, except by elder locals and current caretakers). I wish to document the history in hopes to learn more about the settlers who founded the communities, including my nearby town, Landis.
SPECIAL NOTE: This section is under construction & is been developed & updated periodically.
About Cathey's Creek & Kerr Mill
Cathey's Creek's is located in Rowan County on land now considered Mt. Ulla in the South Western area of modern Rowan County. Other names for this area include "The Irish Settlement", and Mill Bridge (Millbridge). This was home to the Cathey Family.
The present mill was constructed on Cathey's Creek (names for the original settlers) in the early 1820's by Joseph Kerr. Long before this mill graced the land another was located on the creek, which is said to be the first mill built west of the Yadkin River. This mill was built in the mid 1700's and all traces of the mill, and homestead, have been lost (though, in my opinion, excavation by local Universities could possibly reveal the location and artifacts).
Images of Kerr Mill at Sloan Park on Cathey's Creek (original site of Cathey's Mill)
The resolution of the following images is large enough to use as wallpaper for your computer or for printing.
 |
 |
 |
|
Kerr Mill |
Kerr Mill |
Kerr Mill |
 |
 |
|
|
Cathey's Creek |
Cathey's Creek |
Data & Sources Relating to the family & land of Cathey's Settlement (& surround)
Alexander, Andrew, Ann, Anna, Elizabeth, George, George Jr, James, John, Margaret, Mary, William.
About Alexander Cathey
1706: (or 1707): An Alexander is born4.
1759: Alexander, different man, is born to George & Frances Henry Cathey1,2.
1766: Alexander Cathey (b. 1706/7) dies & is buried at Cathey's Meeting House (Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery).
1776: Alexander Cathey, a Revolutionary war soldier, enlisted as private at Mecklenburg Co, NC, served 16 mos1,2,5.
1786: Alexandr marries Margaret Allen (3 Jan 1768-27 Sep 1842), daughter of John & Agnes Sample Allen1.
1790: An Alexander Cathey is listed in Salisbury District in the Mecklenburg Co, NC census3.
1800: An Alexander Cathey is listed in the Mecklenburg Co, NC Census3.
1820: An Alexander Cathey is listed in the Mecklenburg Co, NC Census3.
1839: Alexander Cathey dies.1
Brief History of Cathey's Meeting House From:
Pages From the Title "History of Rowan Co, NC Containing Sketches From Prominent Families & Distinguished Men, With Appendix." By Rev. Jethro Rumple
Rowan County Court of Pleas:
This picture was taken at the Rowan County Museum in Salisbury6. The description reads:
"Tradition has that the 1st courts in Rowan were held in a building in the Scotch-Irish settlement. This is said to be a door from that structure, of over 250 years ago."
Sources:
1Thomas Robert Cathey, Manassas, Virginia.
2Copy of original Revolutionary War Records, including pension claims.
3Federal Census reports.
4Thyatira Presbyterian Church at Mill Bridge, Rowan Co, NC cemetery directory & original stone.
5Copy of original Revolutionary War Records.
6Rowan Museum, Inc. 202 North Main Street Salisbury, NC 28144
See Also: Thyatira Presbyterian Church Graveyard.
