Catherine Dale

Catherine, sometimes spelled Katherine, Dale was born in 1652 in England, the oldest child Edward Dale. Early researchers named her mother as Diana Skipwith, later genealogists point out that the marriage of Edward and Diana may have occurred in Lancaster County, making Edwards first two daughters from an earlier unknown marriage. Edward and Diana both came from wealthy and well connected English families with lines on Skipwith side documented back to William the Conqueror. After Parliament took control of England and beheaded King Charles I many royalists left the country and came to Virginia. Edward and Diana traveled to Virginia with Diana's brother, Sir Grey '3rd Baronet' Skipwith. Edward Dale served many positions in Lancaster including Clerk, Justice, Sheriff and Burgess.

Catherine married to Thomas Carter, an immigrant and tobacco planter in Lancaster County. Their marriage was recorded on May 4th, 1670 in Gloucester County. Thomas and Catherine went on to have thirteen children, whose births were all recorded in Thomas' Prayer Book. That book currently held at the Virginia Historical Society.

Edward ye eldest Sonne of Tho: & Kathn Carter was born on ye 9h Ap’ll 1671 of Sunday at 8 aClock in ye Morng and was baptz on Sunday the 30h. Mr John Carter, Mr Edwn Conaway & Mr Edw: Dale Gdfathrs & Mrs Diana Dale & Msz Lettys Corbyn G’dMothrs.

Thomas Carter son of Thomas was Born on the 4th day of June 1672 betw’n 3 & 4 aclock in ye Morng and was Baptzd att ye new Church Augt 5th. Captn John Lee, Mr Th: Hayne, ye Lady Anne Skipworth & Elizh Dale godparts.

John 3d son was bornd ye 8th May 1674 and bapd Sunday ye 24h and had for God parents Coll. Jno: Carter, Mr Jno Stretchley and Mrs Ball

Henry Skipwith, 4th sonn Tho. & Kath. Carter Bornd of a Wedndy the 7h June & was baptzd att Home by Rev Mr Dogette on Sunday aftr Service ye 18th. Capn Wm Ball, Capn David Fox and Mrs Srah Fleete standing

Diana ye Eldest Daughr Th: & Kathn Carter was born on the last Day of Apll 1678 near 5 in the Aftrnoone and Christnd on Sunday 12 of May by Mr Doggett when was Entertaind a large Company. Mrs Diana Dale, Mrs Mary Willys & Capn Ball God parents. She Departd this Life of a Putrid Soar Throate at ye age of 2 yeares and 3 days.

Wm & Nicho twinn sonnes of Tho: Carter born 2d Novr 1679 and dyed on the 11th and 12th July 1680 of a Cholrey.

Elizabeth 2d Dauter was Bornd 4h day of Feby 1680 about Sunrise & weighd 11 lbs. Baptzd at St Marys Sunday 15 May Mrs Margaret Ball, Mrs Elizabeth Rogers & Captain Ball standing for her.

Daniel son of Thomas & Katharin Carter born 22d Oct’br 1682 and died on the 30h of a Fit.

James 8th sonn was Borne on Christmas Day 1684 it being Thursday at 2 in the morng & was Chrisnd at Home on Sundy. Mr. Jno Edwards, Mr Tho. Wilkes & Mrs Edwards standing as God parts.

Katharine 3d Dau. was born at 6 aclock Easter Morning 4h Apl 1686 Bapd on Whit-Sundy Mr David Fox Mrs Hannah Fox & Mrs Sarah Perrotte Gdpts.

Peter 9th Son was Born near Midnight 23d May 1688 & Baptzd on 3d June Mr Edwin Conaway, Mr Tho. Dudly & Mrs Anne Chowning standing.

Joseph Youngest son born Friday 28 Novr 1690 & Christnd at home on 10th Decr Mr Robt Carter & Mr Joseph Ball Godfathrs & Mrs Judith Carter Godmother.

The Prayer Book goes on to list marriages for many of the children and the handwriting changes to record the deaths of Thomas and Catherine. Thomas wrote his will on August 16th, 1700 and died that October. He left 100 acres of land each to sons Edward, Henry, and John. He left 100 acres including the plantation house to their son Thomas after the death of Catherine. He ordered his personal estate to be divided between Catherine and all of the children except their daughter Elizabeth George because William George had not provided a receipt for the inheritance left to Elizabeth by her grandfather Edward Dale.

Catherine's death was recorded in the Prayer Book as May 10th, 1703 by Thomas Carter Jr.