 1747 - 1825 (78 years)
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| Name |
William McCauley |
William McCauley was previously shown on this site as Major William James McCauley...and that he was born Sep 1738. That William was a Major, and then a Colonel is documented (see Pension Claim of William Brittain). Due to lack of documentation that he had a middle name James or otherwise, or that his birth date is known, he is no longer shown with these. — There is but scant documentation for his being married to Catherine Catred Johnstone, to wit: A historical summary of people and events surrounding the McCauley Family Cemetery, "located on a promontory above University Lake on land acquired by the University of North Carolina" states in a discussion about his brother, Matthew: "Older brother William was born in Country Antrim [sic] in about 1747, emigrated with his two small children (James and Jane) and his brother Matthew to North Carolina in the 1770s, and married Katherine Johnston Long, a widow, in the same year.". Note: Although 1747 is used here, this year is also not documented with primary documents.
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| Title |
Col. |
| Born |
1738 or 1747 |
Carrickfergus, Antrim Co, N Ireland  |
- Birth information undocumented.
|
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
1825 |
Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC |
| Buried |
- Information often given that William was buried in New Hope Presbyterian Church Cemetery in the Old Section, Chapel Hill, Orange County, are apparently unsubstantiated and not in agreement with oral history passed down that he was buried at his "home place," presumably "Great Meadows" (however that claim is also undocumented). Our William McCauley's burial place has not been found and proven.
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| Person ID |
I2143 |
adkinshorton |
| Last Modified |
1 Dec 2020 |
| Father |
Erin McCauley, b. Carrickfergus, Antrim Co, N Ireland , d. Ireland |
| Married |
Carrickfergus, Antrim Co, N Ireland |
- This marriage location is presumed since Erin's two sons were reported to have been born there. Erin's wife is not known.
|
| Family ID |
F7911 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 1 |
Unknown 1st Wife of William McCauley |
| Married |
Ireland |
- This undocumented marriage of William to an unknown spouse occurred prior to his emigrating to the Americas in the 1770s. She is reportedly the mother of his two children born in Ireland, James and Jane, who emigrated with him. William remarried just after his arrival in North Carolina. — William V. Burlingame in his 2017 historical summary regarding the McCauley Family Cemetery, subsection The McCauleys in North Carolina.
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| Children |
|
| Last Modified |
6 Nov 2020 |
| Family ID |
F1638 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 2 |
Katherine Johnston |
| Married |
- The marriage of William McCauley and the widow, Katherine Johnston Long, occurred the same year William and family arrived from Ireland in the 1770s. — William V. Burlingame, 2017 historical summary, The McCauley Cemetery with subsection The McCauleys in North Carolina. (This marriage remains undocumented. No statement is made about whether she was of North Carolina, or perhaps also emigrated from Ireland before becoming his wife.)
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| Children |
| + | 1. John McCauley, b. Est 1776, Orange Co, NC , d. Orange Co, NC |
| + | 2. Matthew McCauley, b. Est 1778, Orange Co, NC |
| | 3. Catred McCauley, b. Est 1783, NC |
| | 4. Polly McCauley, b. Est 1787, NC |
| + | 5. Charles McCauley, b. Est 1791, NC |
|
| Documents |
 | 1778 Orange County Land Claim by William McCauley
Warrant issued June 12, 1778
This document shows property belonging to William, bordering on George Long's land. |
 | 1787 Orange County Land Deed - Sold by William & Cathrin McCauley to Thomas Crabtree
Tract of land joining along the border of land owned by George Reeves
This document shows clearly that William was married to a wife named Cathrin prior to this deed transfer in 1787, and also shows owning land close to a Reeves family. Note that William lists a grandson, James Reeves, in his 1818 will. |
| Last Modified |
21 Nov 2020 |
| Family ID |
F7899 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 3 |
Nancy Jacobs |
| Married |
- "A Historical Sketch of New Hope Church, in Orange County, N.C." (rev. ed.), by Rev. D. Irvin Craig, 1891, page 48.
|
| Histories |
 | Col. William McCauley & Nancy Jacobs Craig
"A Historical Sketch of New Hope Church, in Orange County, N.C." (rev. ed.), by Rev. D. Irvin Craig, 1891, page 48. |
| Last Modified |
1 Dec 2020 |
| Family ID |
F1470 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Photos |
 | William McCauley
Masonic Apron said to have been worn at cornerstone placement ceremonies at the University of North Carolina. William and his brother, Matthew had together donated 250 acres of land toward the tract for the university and land sales to support creation of the university. |
| Documents
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 | 1790-NC Census, Moore Co, NC
<< View United States Federal Census Help >>
William McAuley |
 | 1800-NC Census, Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC
<< View United States Federal Census Help >>
William McCauley - This document enumerates 7 slaves (unnamed). |
 | 1810-NC Census, Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC
<< View United States Federal Census Help >>
William McCauley |
 | 50347 Order (1815) - Estate of William McCauley to Admin of Eldest Son, John
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 | William McCauley - Will
1818 Will, proved 1826, Orange Co, NC
View Transcription (2020 by Doug Couch) This document names 11 slaves.
• Jacob, Edy, Fenisse, Patsey, Peter, Lindy, Dicey & her child Green, Allan, and to be freed on William's death: Caly and Nancy.
• View Indenture Bonds related to other slaves of William McCauley.
(Last revised: 29 Nov 2020) |
 | 1820-NC Census, Orange Co, NC
<< View United States Federal Census Help >>
William McCauley - This document enumerates 12 slaves (unnamed). |
 | 1832 Pension Claim Statements of William Brittain
Transcription of pension application of William Brittain S8100 fn40NC
...in which application he names William McCauley, a Major, and later as a Colonel
Southern Campaigns American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters revwarapps.org
State of North Carolina, Buncombe County:
• Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1832
• Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions July Sessions 1833
transcribed by Will Graves 14 Aug 2009, rev. 9 Oct 2014 |
| Headstones |
 | William McCauley
Memorial Marker
Revolutionary War Soldiers of New Hope Congregation, 1775-1783
Click Text Link for a Better Image: Opens in new tab. After it loads, hold the CTRL key and press the + key a few times to view enlarged (low res image). |
 | William McCauley
gravestone [disambiguation]
Although this gravestone appears to be for a William McCauley, it could be a different surname, and it is unlikely this was for our William McCauley 1747-1825, believed to have been buried on his own property called "Great Meadows". |
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| Notes |
- View Historical Notes for William McCauley
- Having emigrated from Ireland to North Carolina in the 1770s before the Revolutionary War, William like his brother Matthew became a prominent land owner. According to William V. Burlingame in his historical summary of The McCauley Family Cemetery (March 2017), subsection The McCauleys in North Carolina,
"There is one source which refers to them as half-brothers, but as far as is known they were brothers, born in 1747 and 1750, whose father was Erin McCauley in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim...
"This narrative to this point focuses mostly on Matthew, assuming that the Cemetery serves primarily if not exclusively his family. Older brother William was born in Country Antrim in about 1747, emigrated with his two small children (James and Jane) and his brother Matthew to North Carolina in the 1770s, and married Katherine Johnston Long, a widow, in the same year. Once in North Carolina, William acquired land grants in the upper reaches of the New Hope and Morgan Creek watersheds before securing land for his plantation on the Eno River called “Great Meadows” near Hillsborough. In the early years he served as justice of the peace, tax assessor, and representative to the North Carolina House of Commons during the Revolutionary War (1778-1782). He then was a state senator (1783-1789), was a representative to the constitutional convention of 1788, and was the sheriff of Orange County in 1789 and 1790. He died about 1825. Most documents state that his “exact burial place is unknown.” However, in 1992, Tom McCauley of Durham reported that his father and his step-grandmother, “an avid genealogist,” both stated that William was buried “in the family graveyard on his homeplace.” "
(end of Burlingame reference information)
- A HISTORY OF THE 1793 CORNERSTONE LAYING
Our tale is complex. It comes in part from well-established historical sources and in part from the oral history of the McCauley family to which one of us (KBN) belongs. The first question is, "Why was the University placed at New Hope Chapel Hill?"
One version is related to General William R. Davie's drinking habits. It has been said that, while having lunch in the vicinity of the Davie Poplar, he was overcome and made the decision to locate the University there when he aroused. The truth is more prosaic: it was the outcome of a complicated political process. The General Assembly decided in January 1792 that the University should be located near the center of the state. The trustees then decided that it should be located within 15 miles of either Raleigh, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Smithfield, two sites in Granville County, or Cyprett's Bridge across New Hope Creek. The latter was chosen when all the courthouse towns were eliminated and the Granville County sites found unsuitable. A committee visited several potential sites in the target area, and Chapel Hill was selected because its bid was the largest: 1290 acres of land and about $1500 in cash! Professor Archibald Henderson attributes the winning Orange County bid to the covert activities of James Hogg, a friend of Davie's and a member of the selection committee. Now, who were the McCauleys and what role did they play?
Matthew McCauley and his brother William emigrated from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to the Carolinas before the Revolutionary War. They bought land in Orange County so named to honor the Protestants of Northern Ireland and prospered. Matthew, the younger, had been involved in a scrape in Ireland and had to be smuggled out of the country in a molasses cask. He acquired the nickname "Bung" because William had fed him through the bung-hole of the cask until they were well out to sea.
Both McCauleys donated land for the University, Matthew 150 and William 100 acres. Matthew ("Bung") operated a grist mill on Morgan's Creek at the site of the present University Lake dam and was reputed to make the best Irish whiskey in the state. Both were present at the laying of the cornerstone of Old East on October 12, 1792 (known since 1877 as University Day). Several things happened that day which are not recorded in the history books, and Matthew was a major player behind the scenes.
Cornerstone laying was serious business in an earlier age when buildings were constructed for permanence but is ignored today in our rapidly constructed, disposable buildings. Because of the absence of a royal family in republican America, the ceremony of laying cornerstones became the responsibility of Freemasons.
Freemasonry is a secret order which grew out of the guilds of stone masons which built the cathedrals of Europe in the Middle Ages. It has been most prominent in the United Kingdom and the countries derived therefrom: Australia, and four million of the estimated five million living members are in the U.S. Masonry is characterized by secrecy, a tradition of high morality, and catholicity. It is not a religion and, although predominantly Protestant in Anglo-Saxon countries, does not exclude Catholics and Jews. It is not a patriotic or political organization, but American politicians have found identification with it to be advantageous. There is a parallel and independent black Masonic society, the Order of Prince William, which originated in London during the slavery era and still flourishes.
The McCauleys were Master Masons and belonged to the Eagle Lodge of Hillsborough which had been asked to provide support at the laying of Old East's cornerstone. Since General William R. Davie, regarded by many as the founder of the University, was also the Grand Master of Masons for North Carolina it was fitting that he officiate. A mural on the west wall of the lobby of the downtown Chapel Hill Post office records what is believed to have occurred. History suggests that something slightly different seems to have taken place.
General Davie came up to Hillsborough from New Bern for the occasion and "opened" the Eagle Lodge to legitimize the laying of the cornerstone. Details of the occasion can he found in the University histories of President Battle and Professor Archibald Henderson, Battle even recording the names of the prominent men in attendance and the accomplishments of their descendants. At this point oral history takes over.
A legend in the McCauley family is that the Post Office mural is incorrect in two respects. First, General Davie should have been wearing a hat. (Masons will understand why.) Second, the stone was not lowered into place by a hoist and windlass. The family says that the stone was heavier than anticipated, and the hoist rope broke. When this occurred, "Bung" McCauley, a small man, turned to Big Dave, his body servant, a 6'5" slave who weighed 300 lbs., and said, "Dave, pick it up and put it in place." The story is that Dave put his arms around the stone and lifted it onto the spot designated by General Davie. Then, after a suitable oration by the Rev. Dr. Samuel E. McCorkle and the sealing of documents and Masonic "jewels" in the cavity of the cornerstone, the party repaired to a nearby spring for refreshments.
Another McCauley legend is that "Bung" furnished the chief "refreshment." It is said that earlier in the day Dave had placed a 25-gallon keg of their best whiskey in their cart, and this became the centerpiece of the post-ceremony conviviality. General Davie was a heavy drinker, and the cup made many rounds. As nightfall approached, the well-oiled General said his goodbyes, and departed for New Bern. Unfortunately, the Masonic Grand Master had forgotten before departing to "close" the Eagle Lodge. It remained "open" until the Grand Master's next visit, more than a year later. It is said that by lying open for more than a year, the Eagle Lodge of Hillsborough achieved a distinction unique in Masonic history.
We decided to investigate the present state of the cornerstone in view of the upcoming Bicentennial celebrations. To our astonishment, we were unable to find it. We then discovered that Old East's cornerstone had been vandalized and its brass plate stolen. This must have occurred sometime between the end of the Civil War and the re-opening by new trustees after the post Civil War closure (1871-75). It is known that cornerstones were also laid for Old West and South (and probably for Person), but our search uncovered none of these.
Our hypothesis about the mysterious cornerstone caper is that a band of vandals attacked the empty and unprotected buildings in search of the Masonic "jewels" known to have been placed in the cornerstone. We can infer that they were not themselves Masons for two reasons: (l) a Mason would never do such a thing, and (2) a Mason would know that the so-called "jewels" were in reality only the simple tools of stone masons.
"The brass plate from the Old East cornerstone turned up in 1916 at a foundry in Tennessee run by a UNC alumnus, William Foust '03. He returned the plate just before it was to be tossed into the furnace, and presented it to the University on October 12, 1916. Today the brass plate, with the maker's name and Masonic writing and symbols on the back, is on display in the gallery of Wilson Library.- Alumni Review""
Written by John Graham, Distinguished Professor-Emeritus of Pathology; and Kemp Nye, Franklin Street fixture and former proprietor of Kemp's Records for the Carolina Alumni Review, published by the General Alumni Association of UNC/CH, April, 1990. Reprinted by permission (on www.grandlodge-nc.org).
Media previously shown on William McCauley's page which have been removed:
• Two Muster Rolls where a William McCauley was on board the U.S. Schooner Enterprize. It appears this was a different McCauley from Lake Champlain area.
• Loyalist Land Grants. Neither William nor his brother were Loyalists. Just what Orange County was referred to is unclear, but evidently not in North Carolina in 1786.
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![William McCauley - 'Hillsboro [North Carolina], Colonial and Revolutionary' References](histories/thumb_Hillsboro%20NC%20Colon%20%26%20Revol-McCauley.png)