In Thomas Gerry's 1775 probate inventory, between a cow and some wooden boards, appears "Negrow man Cato," valued at 50 pounds. Cato next appears on the 1788 "List of Negros." By this time, he is married to Phillis Batchelder, having been married by the Rev. Isaac Story at the Second Congregational Church on March 23, 1773. Cato and Phillis had two children, Peggy and Flora. Both were baptised at the Second Congregational Church on February 25, 1799 at the ages of 17 and 10, respectively. Cato next appears in the 1790 and 1800 Census records, heading a household of 6 in 1790 and 2 in 1800. No death record for Cato Gerry has been found.

Bibliography:

1790 United States Federal Census of Marblehead.

1800 United States Federal Census of Marblehead.

"Marblehead April 22, 1788 A List of Negros residing in this Town," Marblehead Historical Commission, 2009-100-1os517."

Marblehead, Early Vital Records of Massachusetts: From 1600 to 1850, https://ma-vitalrecords.org/.

Records of the Second Congregational Church of Marblehead, Marblehead Museum.

Thomas Gerry Probate Records, Essex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1638-1881.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.) https://app.americanancestors.org/DB515/i/13766/10782-co31/30190663, 10782.

Cato Gerry and Phillis Batchelder marriage, 2nd Cong Church records

Thomas Gerry probate inventory

Peggy and Flora baptism 1799, 2nd Cong Church records