Col. William McCauley

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.

Name:

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.

Birth:
Birth information undocumented.

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.

William married Unknown 1st Wife of William McCauley in Ireland. [Group Sheet]

William married Katherine Johnston. [Group Sheet]

William married Nancy Jacobs. (daughter of Thomas Jacobs and Rebecca Mallett) [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Jane's birth year was estimated as 18 years prior to her marriage to Henry. Reportedly Jane emigrated with her father and uncle from Ireland to North Carolina in the 1770s.

Name:
Also given as Jean.

Jane married Henry McCollum on 6 Nov 1787 in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
James' birth year 1772 was estimated as 20 years prior to his 1792 marriage to Catherine Chapman. Reportedly James emigrated with his father and uncle from Ireland to North Carolina in the 1770s.

James married Catharine Catred Chapman on 12 Jan 1792 in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

John married Jennet Blackwood on 12 Apr 1798 in Orange Co, NC. Jennet was born on 12 Mar 1783 in Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC; died on 28 Mar 1869 in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Matthew married Nancy Chapman on 7 Nov 1799 in Orange Co, NC. Nancy was born in in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Catred's birth estimate is 18 years prior to her marriage to William Trousdale. Note: The record of the marriage bond lists her as Caty, and her father, William's will lists her as Catred.

Catred married William Trousdale on 26 Dec 1801 in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Birth year of 1787 estimated as 18 years prior to her 1805 marriage to Andrew.

Polly married Andrew McCauley on 26 Nov 1805 in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
Charles' birth year was estimated as 20 years prior to his marriage to Mary.

Charles married Mary Wilson. Mary was born on 7 Aug 1784 in Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

place of death fr History of Arkansas pp-957-8

Catharine married William KING on 8 Nov 1825 in Orange Co, NC. William was born in in Orange Co, NC; died about 1835 in Henderson Co, KY. [Group Sheet]

Benjamin married Synthia Ella Neville on 4 Jan 1830 in Orange Co, NC. Synthia (daughter of Samuel Parks Neville and Elizabeth McCauley) was born on 19 Sep 1812 in Orange Co, NC; died on 18 Jul 1895 in Orange Co, NC; was buried in Damascus United Congregational Church Cemetery, Chapel Hill Township, Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]

Nancy married William ROWLIT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Biographical Historical Memoirs - Southern Arkansas
pages 957-958
"Matthew J. King, farmer and merchant, Barkada, Ark. Mr. King, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Drew County, settled here in 1842, and there are but two citizens of his age, and but six citizens now living, who were living in this county at that time. Mr. King was born on August 5, 1820, and is the son of William and Cathering (McCauley) King, the father a native of North Carolina. The latter moved to Henderson County, Ky., with his family in 1831, cuultivated the soil, and there died in 1835. The mother then removed with her children, six in number, to Haywood County, Tenn., and there resided with her brother, James McCauley. Later she moved with him to Fayette County, and there died a few years afterward. Her children were named as follows Matthew J. (whose birth occurred in Orange County, N. C.), Nancy (widow of William Rowlit), William (deceased), Ellen, Catherine (deceased), and one child who died in infancy. The maternal grandfather of these children was a soldier in the Revolution, and was over eighty years of age at the time of his death. Matthew J. King worked on a farm to help his mother and there continued until her death, when he was bound out to L. C. Butts to learn the brick mason's trade. He remained with him for three years and then, in 1842, came to Arkansas, located in what is now Drew County (but then a part of Bradley County), and there followed agricultural pursuits for eight years. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Newton, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Newton. Mrs. King died in 1880 leaving twelve children, sixe now living: Henry Neeley (married and resides in this county), Jesse Columbus (deceased), Albert (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Laura A. (deceased), Ophelia (deceased), and William, Joseph J., James F., Sanford N. and Ida (all at home). After his marriage, Mr. King entered a quarter section of Government land, and has since been engaged in tilling the soil. He bought his present homestead, consisting of over 1,200 acres of land, with about 130 acres under cultifation, in 1868, and is also administrator of the estate of Jesse Newton (deceased). He owns a cotton gin (horse power) with a capacity of about three bales per day, and although his principal crop is cotton, he is interested in other occupations, and he and Mr. Oslin are in partnership in trading in mules, cattle, hogs and sheep. Mr. King also owns a half interest in the store at Barkada, owned by King & Oslin. Although in debt $75, he has made all his property by hard work and good business ability, and at the present time his taxable property amounts to over $13,000. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in his political views is Democratic. He has been a member of the Masonic order, but has not affiliated with any lodge for several years. In 1864 and 1865 he was in Capt. Owens' company, was employed as teamster, and was never in any engagements."

source: pers knowledge Vera (King) Harris, Joanne (Angel) Bittner, Verna (King) Aldrich, marr record Matthew J. King & Caroline Newton, family records, marr cert, will, county record of death

Matthew administrated the estate of his father-in-law, Jesse Newton.

Ark Militia Desha Co


Buried:
Find A Grave Memorial

Matthew married Caroline Newton on 23 May 1850 in Drew Co, AR. Caroline (daughter of Jesse W. Newton and Elizabeth) was born on 06 Jan 1832 in AL; died on 27 Oct 1880 in Drew Co, AR; was buried in Gaster Hill Cemetery, Monticello, Drew Co, AR. [Group Sheet]

Samuel married Martha Neville on 25 May 1893 in Orange Co, NC. Martha (daughter of John Neville and Emily Lloyd) was born on 5 May 1863 in Orange Co, NC; died on 17 Nov 1933 in Greensboro, Morehead Township, Guilford Co, NC; was buried in Damascus United Congregational Church Cemetery, Chapel Hill Township, Orange Co, NC. [Group Sheet]