The Story of Catherine Ann (Caty Ann) Sheets

Media file	Title: The Story of Catherine Ann (Caty Ann) Sheets Media type: story Format: htm
Record ID number	2d98a211-4006-4782-80d2-86409cad4ddc
OBJE:PLAC	Ashe County NC
OBJE:_META	<metadataxml><content><line>Catherine was never married but her children were all fathered by Absolum Bowers, a married man. Catherine (Katie; Caty) raised all of her children in a cave that measured 24x30 feet. This information can be found at the genealogy department of the West Jefferson, Ashe County Library. The information was written by Reverend Clayton B Miller who was a minister of the Church of the Brethern. Absolom Bowers, whom Katie lived with, was a brother to Colonel George Bowers who was drowned in the Yadkin River 1850 Ashe County North Carolina census; 54 yrs (found on internet) 1870 Federal census of Peak Creek Township, Ashe County North Carolina; list Catherine Sheets, age 74 living in the household of J B Miller and Mary Sheets, Catherine&#39;s daughter. (Paul Rotenberry - protenbery@aol.com) Katherine Ann, also known as Kattie Ann, may have been disowned by Andrew, because of her relationship with Absolum Bowers, who was already married.It is said that Catherine never married. She lived with Absolum Bowers and they produced about 5 children together. Absolum was born 4/1/1786 and died 2/16/1857. It has been said that Catherine lived in a cave at one time while raising her family. (info from bill molina)<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>Absolum Bowes and Katie Ann Sheets Absolum &quot;took up housekeeping&quot; with Katie Ann Sheets, the daughter of his minister. Their home was a cave near one of his mills. Though perhaps romantic in concept, living in that cave must have been quite uncomfortable. No larger than twelve by fourteen with sloping walls and low ceiling, it could hardly have been an ideal love nest. Yet, Absolum and Katies shared that home and over a period of eighteen years became the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters. Why Absolum did not build a dwelling of some sort for Katie is a mystery, as he certainly had the skill and the means. Perhaps he did not want to place a stamp of permanency on the illicit relationship. He apparently traveled freely from one home to the other. The ages of Suzannah&#39;s (Absolum&#39;s wife) three youngest children and Katie&#39;s four oldest are intermingled. If only some record existed as to what the two women thought of each other. Suzannah had the comfort of legal protection,but it is hard to imagine why Katie would choose such an unorthodox style of living and, undaunted, continue to do so for so long a time. Absolum recognized only his legitimate family in his will, but before his death signed deeds of enormous acreage to Katie&#39;s sons. Unconventional, and somewhat an enigma, Absolum left a legacy. As his decendents become successful farmer, doctor, lawyers, and teachers, people nod and say, &quot;there&#39;s old Double-head passing on his genes. The above written by Montie (Little) DeBoard and is in the Ashe County Public Library &quot;Genealogy by Mrs. Barbara M. Angler and Verified by Debbi L.Hurt&quot;</line></content></metadataxml>
OBJE:_CREA	2020-01-20 22:00:34.000
OBJE:_CLON	_TID: 3312905 _PID: 238806321 _OID: 6b0070f4-c733-4d31-b501-81c36295ae72
OBJE:_ORIG	u
Unique identifier	7F5E39E4647D4DEDAB7A92CBD57A2BFF10B2

Alive Dead Death>100 Death<=100 Birth>100 Birth<=100 Roots Leaves
Given names	Surname	Sosa	Birth		Place		Death		Age	Place	Last change
Catherine Katie Ann Sheets Catherine Ann Sheets Catherine Anne Sheets Catherine Ann Katie Sheets CATHERINE ANN SHEETS ** Catherine Ann Katie Sheets Catherine Sheets Father: Andrew Sheets (Reverend) Mother: Mary Molly Shearer				February 16, 1795 about 1795 1795 April 1, 1795	229	Baldwin, Ashe, North Carolina, USA Baldwin, Ashe, North Carolina, USA Baldwin, Ashe, North Carolina, USA Baldwin, Ashe, North Carolina, USA	8	June 7, 1879 June 17, 1881 1880 June 17, 1880	144	84	Peak Creek, Ashe, North Carolina, USA Peak Creek, Ashe, North Carolina, USA Peak Creek, Ashe, North Carolina, USA Peak Creek, Ashe, North Carolina, USA	Never	F	YES	YES

Both alive Widower Widow Both dead Roots Leaves Not married Marriage>100 Marriage<=100 Divorce Multiple marriages
Given names	Surname	Age	Given names	Surname	Age	Marriage		Place		Last change