Catherine Elizabeth McCan

Catherine Elizabeth McCan

• Father: James McCan b. between 1800 and 1810
• Mother: Sarah S. Viser b. say 1815, d. circa 1839

• Catherine Elizabeth McCan was born on 13 January 1830 in Alabama probably Lawrence County.
• William Viser raised his the five children of his deceased sister Sarah J. Viser McCann.
• William Viser and Rachel Brazelton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Walker County, Texas. Other members of the household included Catherine Elizabeth McCan, Andrew Viser McCan, James Marion McCan, Mary R. McCan and Charles Word. Also in the household were farmer Moses Ford and Charles Word (age 14).
• She married Samuel Dunbar Wooldridge, son of Samuel C. Wooldridge and Elizabeth Ann McDaniel, on 29 April 1852 in Danville, Montgomery County, Texas.
• Samuel Dunbar Wooldridge and Catherine Elizabeth McCan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Montgomery County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edmond Daniel Thomas Wooldridge, John Houston Dunbar Wooldridge and J. W. B. Thomason.
• Samuel Dunbar Wooldridge and Catherine Elizabeth McCan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Danville, Montgomery County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edmond Daniel Thomas Wooldridge, John Houston Dunbar Wooldridge and Maude E. Wooldridge. Also in the household was a domestic servant and her family.
• Evelina Wood wrote from Willis, Texas, to her grandson Wood Powell in Christian County, Illinois on 12 April 1887, ". . . Ella is assisting Mrs. Woolridge in preparing for Maud's wedding (the only daughter) She marries on the 14, next Thursday night. A Mr. Watson who stands well in Willis. he is a dry goods clerk in T. W. Smith's store. Ella assisted in making ten large cakes yesterday & they are finishing them this morning. Ella’s afternoon will be devoted to icing & embossing them. she had several cakes baked here & will prepare some of the meats in her kitchen. Mrs. W. knows very little about such things. . . . Billie & Josie will be in to the wedding. Dr. W. lives across the street from us. I expect to witness the ceremony. . . ."
       Letter in private collection of B. M. Henwood, descendant of Wm Wood Powell; original transcription by R. E. Reichardt. Minimal punctuation added to enhance readability.
• Catherine Elizabeth McCan died on 8 June 1928 at age 98.

• Last Edited: 9 Oct 2012