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Gideon Cate Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0891

  • Staff Only

This collection consists primarily of receipts and correspondence documenting Gideon Cate's general store in Blountville, Tennessee between 1837 and 1889. Also included is a photograph of the building Cate's business was housed in, several land deeds showing how Cate expanded his holdings, and Cate's phrenological profile. Additionally, the collection houses a photograph of a sophomore botany class at the University of Tennessee and a receipt of funds from Nathaniel Hart, dated from 1797.

Dates

  • 1797 February 27-1876 May 26, undated

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 (3 folders)

Abstract

This collection consists primarily of receipts and correspondence documenting Gideon Cate's general store in Blountville, Tennessee between 1837 and 1889. Also included is a photograph of the building Cate's business was housed in, several land deeds showing how Cate expanded his holdings, and Cate's phrenological profile. Additionally, the collection houses a photograph of a sophomore botany class at the University of Tennessee and a receipt of funds from Nathaniel Hart, dated from 1797.

Biographical/Historical Note

Gideon Cate was born to Thomas and Mary Rebecca (Lawrence) Cate in Sevier County, Tennessee on September 28, 1831. In the early 1850s, he traveled to Blountville, Tennessee where he met and married Mary Elizabeth Mollie Hamilton (1836-1910). The couple had eight children: Elizabeth (1860-), John T., Robert Hamilton (1863-1945), George Wallace, William J. (1869-), Samuel Gordon (1871-1955), Charles Jacob, and Mary Emma (Cate) Morrell (1878-1940). For much of his life, Gideon Cate was the proprietor of a general store and apothecary shop (located in the same building as his home) in Blountville. He originally operated the store with William H. Crouch under the name Crouch & Cate but became sole proprietor when Crouch sold his interest in 1860. The firm collapsed in approximately 1879. Gideon Cate died September 23, 1907 and is buried in New Gray Cemetery in Knoxville.

Arrangement

This collection consists of three folders.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480