Deacon William Cate
History of Salisbury from John Dearborn- 1890
“The town had several residents engaged in the tailoring business. The earliest was Caleb Judkins. Deacon William Cate was also a manufacturer of custom made clothing. In June, 1975, he bought the land of Abel Elkins and built the house in which Edward Shurtleff now lives. He usually had several apprentices, among whom was M.P. Thompson, who succeeded him. Cate married March 13, 1796, Polly, daughter to Joseph Fiefield. He was and active member of the Baptist church and continued to reside in town for many years. He was at one time a member of the firm of Dearborn & Cate.”
The William Cate House is still standing.
It is located on rte 4 Salisbury Heights opposite what is now the Town Hall & Library and was built by him in 1795.
William Cate bought the land from Abel Elkins and built the house next door to the south.
He may have operated his Tailoring business in a small adjacent structure.
After 1905 HW Heath of Massachusetts was owner of the property and operated a filling station from possibly that small building. Until 1957 the property belonged to various members of the Heath family.
In 2000 Mary Barker bought the property and converted the structure into an Antique shop.
William Cate was a Deacon of the Baptist Church across from his home and is buried with wife and adopted son in the Baptist graveyard.
Burial:
William Cate
Born abt 1764
d. 1837
Polly b abt 1773
d.1840
Adopted Son Francis R.
b. abt 1818
d. 1832 ae 14
birth parents Amos & Sally (likely Tucker) Fiefield.
Assumption: Franics was son of Polly’s cousin Amos after Sally’s death. \]Amos remarried and moved to NY.