Alfred M. Cate Correspondence
This collection includes typed transcriptions of several letters written by Alfred M. Cate during his time serving in the Tennessee Senate to his brother, George O. Cate. They talk about legislation, the Republican party, their family, and other updates from the Senate Chamber. The original letters are dated from January-February 1868.
Dates
- 1868 January 19-February 21
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
This collection includes typed transcriptions of several letters written by Alfred M. Cate during his time serving in the Tennessee Senate to his brother, George O. Cate. They talk about legislation, the Republican party, their family, and other updates from the Senate Chamber. The original letters are dated from January-February 1868.
Biographical/Historical Note
Politician and farmer Alfred Madison Cate was born on December 12, 1822 in Jefferson County, Tennessee to Elijah and Nellie Davis Cate. Cate remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War. He was a delegate to the pro-Union East Tennessee Convention in 1861 and was a key organizer of the East Tennessee bridge burnings later that year. He fought for the Union Army during the war, eventually rising to the rank of captain. His family was very divided, however; his father and two younger brothers supported secession, while three other brothers — William T., George O., and Thomas L. — supported the Union. Following the war, Cate was elected to the Tenn. Senate in 1865 where he served two terms. Cate died on September 13, 1871 and is buried in Hamilton County, Tenn.
His brother, George Oliver Cate, was born on May 3, 1828. He died on July 27, 1892 and is buried in Hamilton County, Tenn.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository