Re: Children of Benjamin & Elizabeth CATON – 1800’s, Howard Co. MO

Sorry for the delay in getting back with you.Research continues on the CATON & BRUNDAGE families, and attempting to answer your question on the spelling of the BRUNDAGE name isn't as easy as I would like it to be.I have seen several different researchers use several different spellings for the same family, and I suspect that will continue.One will need to follow up on all possible spelling to get anywhere near the whole story, and even then I doubt that we will have the whole story.My ancestor is Benjamin CATON whose wife was Elizabeth BRUNDAGE (of various spellings).It is possible that the BRUNDAGE family migrated to Missouri at the same time as the CATON family.I have located several Land Patents for Benjamin which proves his being in Howard County, Missouri in the early 1800s.In searching the Land Patents for Howard and adjoining counties, I have found the following spellings for the descendants of Solomon BRUNDAGE (father of my Elizabeth):BRUNDAGE, BRUNDIGE, BRUNDRIDGE, and BRUNDEGE.I have found no Land Patents under the names BUNDRAGE, BUNDRIDGE, or BUNDRIGE.That is not conclusive, but an indication of the problem.Another researcher that I have been working with has access to the Probate Records for Howard County, Missouri, and the probate for Solomon was handled in that county.The transcript of the Probate Records also show several spellings.The following is the transcript of those Probate Records, and you will see that various spellings are used there as well and thus also inconclusive.I believe you can take your choice in the absense of other documents.Contact me direct if a further explanation is [email protected]

FOLLOWING ARE THE PROBATE COURT TRANSCRIPTS:

Howard County Probate Records, Volume 1
Page 195, 6 May 1824
John Dodson appointed Administrator of estate of Solomon Bundridge, dec.

Page 144-145, 3 November 1824
Annual Settlement from John Dodson, Administrator of the estate of Solomon Bundidge, dec.Reported to Court

Page 207, 8 February 1825
David Brundage and Delilah Brundage, minors and orphans of Solomon Brundage, dec. aged over 14 years appeared in Court and by assent of the Court made choice of Henry (?) Brown for their guardian.Guardian entered his bond.

Page 284, 8 March 1826
Joshua Harris presented an account against the estate of Solomon Brundage, dec. amounting to $1.00 which was allowed.

Page 287, 8 March 1826
John Dodson, Adm. of the estate of Solomon Brundage, dec.Presents to the Court accounts of the estate

Page 354, 2 May 1827
John Dodson, Adm. ofthe estate of Solomon Brundage, dec.Presents estate accounts to the Court.

Page 385, 12 November 1827
John Dodson makes application for final settlement of the estate Of Solomon Brundage, dec.

Page 389, 13 November 1827
Final Settlement of the estate of Solomon Brundage, dec. by John Dodson (Mentions first sale on 13 September 1823 and another on 16 December 1823.) Money paid to the following (?) Patten; Henry T. Brown; Bartlett Brundige; Benjamin Caton; William Chaney; Joshua Harris; John Anderson; John Brundige.Also Jno. B. Clark; William Taylor; David R. Drake.

Howard County Probate Records, Volume 2
Page 180, February Term 1830
Henry Brown, guardian of the heirs of Solomon Brundage, dec. presents his accounts to the Court for a final settlement.Court orders it recorded.Personal estate of David and Delila Brundage, minor heirs of Solomon Brundage, dec.

Page 274, February Term 1831
John Brundrage, minor and heir of Bartlett Brundrage. over the age of 14 years came into Court and chose Ignatius R. Owen as his guardian.Guardian ordered to give bond.Court appoints Henry Harris guardian of Solomon Brundage and Delila Brundage, heirs of Barlett Brundage under the age of 14 years.Guardian ordered to give bond.

Page 300, May Term 1831
Ignatius Owen, guardian of John Brundrage, comes into Court and gives bond.

Howard County Probate, Volume 3
Page 148, 25 January 1836
Henry Harris, guardian of Delila Brundridge and Solomon Brundridge,Court says he is guilty of gross misconduct as such guardian He is displaced as guardian. Solomon Brundridge, minor aged over 14 years choosesBenjamin Cayton for his guardian. Benjamin ordered to give bond.Court appoints Benjamin Cayton guardian of Delila Brundridge, under the age of 14.Court orders Benjamin to give bond.

NOTE:In the last record the spelling of Benjamin Caton was in error, so what's to believe!!!
Dave