Nielsen Hayden genealogy

John Workman

Male 1755 - 1847  (92 years)


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  • Name John Workman  [1
    Birth 1755  [2
    Gender Male 
    Death 5 Jun 1847  Orange County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Person ID I10709  Ancestry of PNH, TNH, and others | Ancestor of PNH
    Last Modified 8 Feb 2024 

    Family Sylvia Cate,   b. Abt 1758, Orange County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1840, Orange County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 82 years) 
    Marriage Abt 1775  Orange County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Children 
    +1. Richard D. Workman,   b. Abt 1776, Orange County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 6 May 1848, Weakley County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 72 years)
     2. Elizabeth Workman,   b. 2 Jul 1791, Orange County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 19 Apr 1874, Carroll County, Georgia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years)
     3. Sylvia Workman,   b. Abt 1793, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1860, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 68 years)
     4. William S. M. Workman,   b. 6 Jun 1793, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Oct 1879, Weakley County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 86 years)
    Family ID F732  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 19 Apr 2015 

  • Notes 
    • Many online claims notwithstanding, he was not a son of Jacob Workman (sometimes called, based on no evidence of which we're aware, John Jacob Workman) of Somerset County, New Jersey; Allegany County, Maryland; and Bourbon County, Kentucky; and his wife Elizabeth Wyckoff. That couple had a son named John Workman who was born 8 April 1789 in Maryland and died 21 April 1855 in Salt Lake City, having joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

      It's worth noting, however, that this Jacob Workman was a son of Abraham Woertman and Annetje Smith, and that PNH's great aunt Neville Workman (1904-1986), interviewed by PNH's mother in the early 1970s, said very firmly that her Workmans were originally Woertmans; according to the pencilled transcript of the conversation, she was at pains to specify the spelling of Woertman.

      From the Workman compilation by Allan Baumbach from Dr. Banks's Cates files:

      1776 Election of delegates from Orange County to the fourth Provincial Congress. JOHN WORKMAN voted as a landowner. [PNH: Obviously not our John Workman, but possibly his father.]

      From Article on the Antioch Baptist Church, by Dr. Banks R. Cates, Jr. "William Lindsey Durham, as well as his sons Isaac, William Junior and John Durham were active in the Haw River Mountain Baptist Church. Also active were Richard Cate-5, son of Richard of Haw river, and Thomas Workman, son of Cane Creek Baptist Trustee JOHN WORKMAN & HIS WIFE SYLVIA CATE. Thomas Workmans' wife was Mary, daughter of Richard Cate of Haw River."

      14 Dec 1778 land entry for JOHN WORKMAN, 190 acres on the waters of Little Cain Creek adjoining Burnett Cate & Mary Sikes. (Orange Co. Land Entries)

      1779 Orange County Tax List: No listing for JOHN WORKMAN.

      13 Aug 1779 - Land entry for Barnett Cate, 350 acres on little Cain creek, a branch of Haw River, adjoining Thomas Cate & John Cate, and including his own improvement; and including a 100 acre claim purchased from JOHN WORKMAN. entry Taker: John Butler. (Ibid)

      1781 Orange County Tax list, Caswell District: JOHN WORKEMAN, 540 pds, no land listed, 1 horse, 9 cattle.

      1782 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 190 acres, 2 horses, 4 cattle.

      1783 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 190 acres, no slaves, 3 horses, 7 cattle.

      1785 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 190 acres, 1 free pole, no black poll.

      15 Oct 1786 - Entry for Thomas Cate, 225 acres on Cain Creek, adjoining Jno. Cates, JNO. WORKMAN, Fred K. William, and his own land.(North Carolina Land Grants)

      1787 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 190 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      1787 Orange County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions: Wm. Riley was appointed Overseer of Road from the old trading Road by Abner Tapp's to Woody's road at or near JNO. WORKMAN'S, and the following persons were to work under him: JNO. WORKMAN, Frederick Williams, Joseph Weeks, Phillip Austin, Joshua Witty, Abner Tapp, James Watson, James Riley, Jun., and Thomas Bailiff.

      1788 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 190 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      20 Aug 1789 - Thomas Durham of Orange Co. deeded to Thomas Cate,preacher, Thomas Cate, Robert Cate, John Strother, Richard Cate, JOHN WORKMAN, Barnard Cate, Joseph Cate, Mary Christmas jointly trustees of Orange co. for twenty shillings, one acre, for use of building a meeting house to hold public meetings & Thanksgivings for the Meanes & Blessing of Almighty God, on the old path joining, John Strouther's line wit: Thomas Basket & Mark Cooper. S/ Thomas Durham.

      1790 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 1 white poll, 100 acres.

      7 Jan 1791 - Thomas Cate & Elizabeth Cate deeded to Thomas Basket 28 acres on John Basket"s line, on Robett Cate's Spring Branch. Wit: John Fawcet, Robert Cate & JOHN WORKMAN.

      1791 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 100 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      1792 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 100 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      24 Dec 1793 - Joseph Cate signed his will in Orange County. He named as legatees his wife Ann; his sons Stephen, Charles and Solomon; his daughters Elizabeth and Sale. His land was on Cane Creek, John Cate's line, at mouth of Hogg Branch, down to below mouth of Turkey Hill Creek, adjacent James Kirk, Thomas Basket, Thomas Durham. Exec: brother Thomas Cate, wife Ann Cate. Wit: John Cate, Elizabeth Cate & JOHN WORKMAN. (Orange Co. Wills)

      1794 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 100 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      23 Dec 1794 - Survey for Barnard Cate, 25 acres on the waters of Little Cane Creek adjacent Thomas Lindley & JOHN WORKMAN. S.C.B:Robert Moore & Moses Austin. Surveyor: Charles Christmas, D.S.

      14 Mar 1795 - Thomas Lindly signed a bond in Orange County for marriage to Marian Laws. Bondsman: JOHN WORKMAN.

      22 May 1795 - Joseph Weeks and wife of Orange County deeded to JOHN WORKMAN of same 100 acres on little Cain Creek adjacent Widdow Parker(now Chamber's line) and Luis Thomas (now Thomas Linnly) Wit: Thomas Cate & Isaiah Cate. (Orange Co. NC Deeds)

      1796 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 350 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      1797 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 325 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      16 June 1798 - Barnard Cate made oath before Archibald Campbell, Justice of the Peace for Orange County, that he had entered a claim with John Butler, Entry Taker, for 250 acres, had paid the purchase money and had purchased a claim from JOHN WORKMAN for 100 acres.

      31 May 1799 - Thomas Cate, Newberry Co. South Carolina, deeded to John Cate of Orange Co. NC 320 acres on both sides of Bear Creek, adjoining Thomas Baskett, Robert Cate, John Cate, Johnston, Frederick Williams & JOHN WORKMAN; "only I accept to myself three rod square concluding the grave yard." Wit: Elisha Cate, Charles Cate & Thomas Baskett.(Ibid)

      27 Aug 1799 - Barnard Cate deeded to JOHN WORKMAN 130 acres on the bank of Cain Creek, on John Cates' line. Wit: Charles Christmas & John Crutchfield. (Ibid)

      28 Feb 1800 - Robert Cate & Sarah Cate deeded to JOHN WORKMAN 220 acres in Orange Co. adjoining Sackfield Brewer, Thomas Baskett, Robert Cate's Spring branch, Bear Creek to John Cate's land, along Thomas Cate's line, "a tract that I purchased of Thomas Cate dated 1790 and a tract that I surveyed 17 Nov 1790" Wit: Elisha Cate & David Williams.(Ibid)

      1800 Orange Co. NC Census, M32-34, Pg. 606 John Workman, 45 & over,2 males 10-16, 2 males 0-10, 1 female 26-45, 2 females 16-26, 1 female 10-16, 3 & females 0-10.

      1800 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN not listed. Rich'd Workman listed.

      1801 Orange County Tax List, Caswell District: JOHN WORKMAN, 550 acres, 1 free poll, no black poll.

      26 Oct 1801 - JOHN WORKMAN deeded to David Williams 220 acres on Sackfield Brewers corner, Thomas Baskets line, Robert Cates Spring branch, up Bare Creek, adjoining John Cates land, Thomas Cates line. Wit: Charles Wortham & Timothy Woods. (Orange co. Deeds)

      9 Mar 1803 - William F. Strudwick of Orange County deeded to JOHN WORKMAN of same 30 acres on Hog branch of Cain Creek. Witness: Samuel Benton.

      1806 State of North Carolina deeded to JOHN WORKMAN 100 acres on Cain Creek adjoining John Crutchfield, Benjamin Crutchfield & James Chambers.

      23 Feb 1806 - Bernard Cate, Junior, deeded to JOHN WORKMAN 39 acres in Orange County on Cain creek adjacent Barnard Cate, Senior, Charles Cate, William Wood John Sykes. Witnesses: Peter Williams & Barnard Cate.

      Oct 1807 - Cane Creek Meeting House was represented at the annual meeting of the Sandy Creek Baptist association at Unity meeting House in Randolph County by Thomas Cate & JOHN WORKMAN. (History of Sandy Creek Bapt. Church)

      1810 Orange Co. Census: JOHN WORKMAN, 45, 1 male 16-26; 1 male 10-16;2 females 10-16; 2 males 0-10; 1 female 0-10. (No FEMALE over 45 listed.)

      28 Oct 1815 - Cane Creek Meeting House was represented at the annual meeting of the Sandy Creek Baptist Assoc. at Rock Spring Meeting House in Chatham County by Charles Cate & JOHN WORKMAN.

      1816 Federal Direct Tax for Orange County: JOHN WORKMAN, Cain Creek; 573 acres; $1,280.

      5 Mar 1818 - JOHN WORKMAN deeded to Samuel Holaday Jun of Chatham County 160 acres on the south side of Haw River on the side of the river. Witnesses: Jos Holaday & Thomas Workman.

      Oct 1816 - The Cain Creek Meeting House was represented at the annual meeting of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association, at Brush Creek Meetinghouse in Randolph County, by JOHN WORKMAN, Aaron Durham, Elisha Kirk &R. Mabry.

      5 Mar 1818 - JOHN WORKMAN deeded to Samuel Holaday Jun of Chatham County 160 acres on the south side of Haw river on the side of the river. Witnesses: Jos Holaday & Thomas Workman.

      1820 Orange County Census: JOHN WORKMAN, male over 45; FEMALE over 45; 1 female 16-45; 1 male 18-26; 1 male 10-16; 1 female 10-16; 1 male 0-10; 2 females 0-10.

      28 Jun 1823 - Joseph Allison deeded to JOHN WORKMAN 164 3/4 acres on Cane Creek on the old Strudwick line. witnesses: Thomas Tinnen & John Armstrong.

      3 Mar 1824 - Barnard Cate signed his will in Orange co. Exec. John Sykes, Robert Hastings & William Thompson Wit: JOHN WORKMAN, William Workman & W. Thompson. (Orange co. Wills)

      9 Jun 1824 - JOHN WORKMAN deeded to Bartley Wolden 81 acres & 24 poles on the south side of Haw river adjacent Samuel Woody, Thomas Workmans line, Samuel Holladays corner. Witnesses: Nathaniel Newlin & Jacob Newlin.

      Nov 1826 - The will of Barnard Cate was probated, Orange County Court,by oath of JOHN WORKMAN & William Workman. Robert Hastings qualified as executor.

      May 1829 - Minutes of the Cane Creek Baptist Church: Saturday before the 4th Sunday in May AD 1829. Complaint brought against Brother Robert Cheek for fighting. Appointed Brother JOHN WORKMAN to sight him to next meeting.

      Jun 1830 - Minutes of Cane Creek Baptist Church: Bro JOHN WORKMAN to invite Azariah Reaves to attend next meeting.

      Nov Term 1831 - John Cate, Thomas Cate, Richard Cate, Mary wife of Burke Walker, Nancy wife of William Holt(Mountain), and Martha Cate requested the Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions of Orange Co. to appoint 5 commissioners to divide the tract of land that had belonged to John Cate, who died in 1828. This consisted of 447 1/2 acres on Cain Creek Adjacent JOHN WORKMAN, John Sykes & John Crutchfield. The jacket of the document listed the names of Thomas Brewer, Joel Parish,Wm. Thompson, Jno. Caruthers & David Roach as Commissioners.(Inventories of Estates & Wills Orange Co. NC)

      Dec 1831 - Minutes of Cain creek Baptist Church: Brethren Oldham, JOHN WORKMAN, & Robert Watson were appointed to visit with Susan Sykes &know her reason for not coming to church meeting.

      14 Jan 1832 - Thos. Brewer, Joel Parish & J. Caruthers, Commissioners,filed their report on parititioning of the land of John Cate, Senr.,Decd. A survey by Hugh Mulholland, Survr. divided the land into two tracts. Tract A, 469 acres "wheron he lived at his death" was bounded by Bear Creek, Cain creek, Hog branch, Barnard Cate, John Crutchfield,John Sykes, JOHN WORKMAN & Elisha Cate.

      17 Nov 1837 - JOHN WORKMAN, SEN., deeded to James Workman 50 acres on Cain Creek adjacent John Crutchfield & Thomas Cate. witnesses: Thomas Cate & Wiatt Cate.

      25 Dec 1837 - Keziah Cates deeded to James Cates 8 acres on Cain Creek adjacent Burke Walker, JOHN WORKMAN & William Thompson. Wit: Wiatt Cate & Huldah Cate. (Orange Co. NC Deeds)

      1840 Orange County Census: JOHN WORKMAN, 80-90; FEMALE 80-90; 2 females 20-30; 2 females 15-20.

      1840 "names of female members of Cane Creek Church" for May the 31st 1829 lists SILVIA WORKMAN, with the notation that she died in 1840.

      Aug 1840 Minutes of the Cane Creek Baptist Church: Church met in conference opened the way for reception of members JOHN WORKMAN Cynthy Crutchfield Elizabeth Howard Nancy Howard Waddy O Daniel Milly Sykes William Thomas John C. Workman Susana Cheek William Cheek Mary Ann Cate Nash Cheek Sally Howard Elvis Bishop came foreward & were received for Baptism.

      10 Oct 1842 - JOHN WORKMAN of Orange County deeded to Thomas Workman of Chatham County 110 acres in Orange County on North side of Cain Creek adjacent John Cates & James Workman. Witnesses: Thomas Workman &Sarah Workman.

      DEATH: 5 Jun 1847 Orange Co. NC (Source: Sharon Workman Straight)

      Aug 1847 - Weatt Cato Adm of William Walker decd. vs. Jesse Workman & other heirs at Law of John Workman decd. Whereas a justice executions has been returned to this Court levied on John Workman's interest in a tract of land lying on Cain creek in Orange County adjoining the lands of Hannah Walker, Weatt Cato, Thomas D. Cato & others & containing one hundred acres more or less at the insistance of Weatt Cato adm of William Walker decd for the sum of one dollar & five cents with interest from the 19th of July 1845 & cost. And whereas the said John Workman has died since the levying of the above execution but before Notice was served on him according to law. You are therefore hereby commissioned to make known to Jesse Workman, David Williams, Jesse Pickard, David Cato, Rhoda Workman, Sarah O'Daniel, Thomas Workman, Richard Workman, William Workman, Green Workman, Jonathan Workman, Charles Austin & Moses Carroll heirs at law of John Workman decd that they be & appear at the next term of our court of pleas and Quarter session to be held for the county of Orange at the Court House in Hillsboro on the fourth Monday of November next. To November Term 1847 made know to Jesse Workman, David Williams, Jesse Pickard & Rhoda Workman. The others not to be found. -- Turrentine Sheriff.

      30 Mar 1848 - Sheriff sold to Thomas S. Cate 144 acres adjacent JNO. WORKMAN, Jno Crutchfield & the Great Road the land where widow Hannah Walker now lives on Cain Creek adjacent Wyat Cate & Frederick Reever: and 50 acres adjacent Allen Petty, Thos Cate & Jno Crutchfield. The Sheriff had a judgement against Sidney W. Walker, Julia Ann Walker & George W. Walker, heirs of William Walker, decd, by James Webb, Jr. & Long Webb. Thomas S. Cate was the highest bidder. (Orange Co. NC Deeds)

      1850 "Names of Male Members of Cane Creek Church" of May the 31st 1829 lists JOHN WORKMAN, with the notation that he died about 1849. Undated roster of around 1843-1854 states that JOHN WORKMAN was baptised 1840, died 1850.

      28 Nov 1850 - Sheriff sold to Thomas J. Cate 100 acres on Cain Creek adjacent Hannah Walker, Wyat Cate, Thomas B. Cate and others. The sheriff had a judgement against the heirs of JOHN WORKMAN, DECD, with interest since 3 April 1847, discovered by Thomas Workman. Thomas J. Cate was the highest bidder.

  • Sources 
    1. [S7356] Find a Grave page for William S. M. Workman.

    2. [S244] Research by Ruth Cates, Dr. Banks Cates, Al Baumbach, Ann Poe and others, by Roberta Pierson.

    3. [S3364] North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, on ancestry.com., month, year, and place only.