by Bruce Whitaker

Nathaniel Robinson Freeman was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, in June 1775. He was the son of Jesse Freeman (1749-1816) and Elizabeth Catherine Malone, who moved to Cathey’s Creek in Rutherford County, NC, when Nathaniel was 13 years old.

When he was older, Nathaniel met a widow named Catherine Seward Moore. She was the daughter of John Seward and was born in Virginia. Catherine married Edward Moore (1770-1801) and had one child by him, a daughter named Bethany Bessie Moore. Bethany married James Marlow (1799-1867). The Marlows lived and are buried in Montford’s Cove in Rutherford County. All the Marlows in the Fairview area descend from James and Bethany Marlow.

After the death of her first husband, Catherine Seward Moore quickly married Nathaniel Robinson Freeman on October 7, 1801. Nathaniel and Catherine begin their married life on Cathey’s Creek in Rutherford County and all 10 of their children were born there.

James Marlow was a teacher. He was very close to his wife’s mother and stepfather and he tried to see that his wife’s half-brothers and -sisters received good educations.

Nathaniel and Catherine moved their family to the Bat Cave-Bearwallow (now Gerton) area in the early 1820s. Nathaniel was considered a very good gunsmith. He also was a farmer and road builder. The state of North Carolina contracted him to build a portion of the Hickory Nut Gap Road from the Chimney Rock/Bat Cave area to Fairview.

Nathaniel died on June 23, 1831 in the Bearwallow section of Henderson County, NC, and was one of the first persons buried in the Freeman (now Bearwallow) Cemetery.

Catherine Seward Freeman was known for being a very particular woman. She demanded neatness and cleanliness in her home and of her children. She died in Bearwallow (now Gerton) in the mid 1850s. She is buried next to her husband in the Freeman (now Bearwallow) Cemetery.

Nathaniel and Catherine had 15 children, 10 of whom reached adulthood

1. John Whittington Freeman Sr. was born in Rutherford County, NC, on November 1, 1802. He married Patsy Watkins (1809-1845). John died October 1, 1856 in Blairsville, Union County, Georgia.

2. Jarrett Winfield Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, in 1804. He was married on June 3, 1827 to Anna Porter. They lived in McDowell County, NC. He died in 1858.

3. Dobson Burroughs Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, in 1806. He died in Raleigh, Wake County, NC, on April 8, 1871. He married Elizra Watkins (1808-1849ca).

4. Larkin Lawson Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, in 1808. He married Jane Rhodes (1818-1891). He died in 1895 in Bearwallow/Gerton.

5. Sophia G. Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, on December 24, 1810. She married Theophilus Simon Offie Sales (1807-1890). They lived on Gashes Creek (now called Reynolds). Sophia died on July 19, 1897. She and her husband are buried at Gashes Creek Cemetery.

6. Joel Terrill Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, on July 27, 1812. He married Isabella Manerva Porter. Joel died on April 3, 1891.

7. Isaac Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, in 1814. He married Elizabeth Harper (February 1814-1901). She was the daughter of Lot Harper and Mariam Whitaker. Isaac and Elizabeth divorced and Isaac then married Sally Dobbins. Isaac died after 1880 and he and his second wife were buried on Little Pisgah.

8. Jonathan Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, in 1817.

9. Felix Moten Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, on January 16, 1818. He had three wives: Mira Bagwell (1821-1853), Agnes Stepp, and Tabitha Bytha (1849-1919). Felix died on December 5, 1888.

10. Plenny P. Freeman was born in Rutherford County, NC, in 1822. He had two wives: Cynthia Jane Edney (1823-1890ca), and Nancy Cathleen Edney (1835-December 23, 1903).

Local historian Bruce Whitaker documents genealogy in the Fairview area. He can be reached at 628-1089 or brucewhitaker@ bellsouth.net.