History of Salisbury from John Dearborn, 1890
“The town had several residents engaged in the tailoring business. The earliest was Caleb Judkins. Deacon William Cate was also a manufacturer of custom-made clothing. In June 1975, he purchased the land from Abel Elkins and built the house in which Edward Shurtleff now resides. He usually had several apprentices, among whom was M.P. Thompson, who succeeded him. Cate married on March 13, 1796, to Polly, daughter of Joseph Fiefield. He was an active member of the Baptist church and remained in town for many years. He was at one time a member of the firm of Dearborn & Cate.”
The William Cate House still stands on Route 4 in Salisbury Heights, directly across from what is now the Town Hall and Library. Built by William Cate in 1795, the land was purchased from Abel Elkins, and the house was constructed just south of it. He may have run his tailoring business from a small nearby structure.
After 1905, H.W. Heath from Massachusetts owned the property and might have run a filling station from that small building. The property remained in the Heath family until 1957, passing through various members.
In 2000, Mary Barker purchased the property and transformed the building into an antique shop.
William Cate served as a Deacon at the Baptist Church located across from his home and is laid to rest alongside his wife and adopted son in the Baptist graveyard.
William Cate, born abt 1764, d. 1837
Polly b abt 1773 d.1840
Adopted Son Francis R. b. abt 1818 d. 1832 ae 14 birth parents, Amos & Sally (likely Tucker) Fiefield.
Assumption: Francis became the son of Polly’s cousin Amos after Sally passed away. Amos later remarried and relocated to New York.