William
Cain
Born about in Colony of Virginia
[uncertain]
[uncertain]Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of
Margaret (Williams) Cain
— married
5 May 1795 in Greene, Tennessee, United States
Descendants 
Died about
at about age 90
in Jabez, Russell County, Kentucky, USA [uncertain]
[uncertain]
Profile managers:
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| Created 14 Dec 2021
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| William Cain resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies |
This is the profile of William Cain of Russell Co., Kentucky, d. abt. 1864.
Contents |
Biography
William Cain was born about 1774–1776, based on his ages in the 1850 and 1860 US Censuses.[1][2] He is listed born in Virginia (1850) or Tennessee (1860).[1][2]
He married Margaret (____).[1]
William and Margaret removed to Russell County, Kentucky, before 1830, where they were enumerated in the US Census.[3]
Margaret presumably died between 1850 and 1860 in Russell County.[1][2]
On 1 June 1860, William was still living in Russell County, where he resided in the household of his presumed son Ephraim.[2] In the 1860 US Census, William is described as "insane".
Children
An examination of census records (see Research Notes below) suggests that they had the following children:
- Nancy Cain
- Male child born 1795-1800 (moved out between 1810 and 1820)
- Female child born 1795-1800 (married between 1810 and 1820)
- Ephraim Cain
- Female child born 1800-1804 (married between 1820 and 1830)
- Female child born 1805-1810 (married between 1820 and 1830)
- Female child born 1805-1810 (married between 1820 and 1830)
- Female child 1810-1820 (married or passed away between 1820 and 1830)
- William Cain (uncertain, there is no documentation directly linking them)
- Female child born 1816-1820 (married 1840-1850)
- Smith Cain (uncertain, there is no documentation directly linking them)
William Cain died in 1864 in Jabez, Russell County, Kentucky, USA.[citation needed]
Research Notes
Easily Conflated
These persons are easily conflated:
- William Cain (abt.1784-), son of Edmond Cain & Mary Custer.
- This William Cain (abt.1774-abt.1864) of Russell County, Kentucky. An unsourced middle name Riley is listed for this person by some on-line trees throughout the internet.
An alternate origin for this middle name Riley is the presumed conflation of either of these two, and and the son of Cain-7662:
- William Riley Cain (1815-1885) who is listed in the 1860 US Census (image 152 of 424) and Agriculture Schedule (image 281 of 662) as William R. Cain.[4]
Marriage
Some theorize they might be the William McKine and Margaret Williams who obtained a license to marry in Greene Co., Tennessee on 5 May 1795.[5][6]
Children
Smith William Cain was born when Margaret was 45. She could have had a child that late but since we don't have anything that actually identifies his relationship to William Cain we should consider the possibility that he was either (1) Daughter Nancy's illegitimate child raised by her parents, or (2) the son of the oldest male child (born 1795-1800) who perhaps passed away and the grandchild was raised by Margaret and William. Is it possible oldest son married a woman with the surname Smith?
Searching for Family in US Censuses
The 1850 census reports that he was born in Virginia.[1] The 1860 census reports that he was born in Tennessee.[2] It is possible he was born in the colony of Virginia on land that would later become Tennessee. (Tennessee wasn't a state until 1797.)
Searches of the 1800 census (Tennessee and Virginia) for this family have been unsuccessful.
- NOTE: Per FamilySearch, the 1800 census records for Tennessee were lost or destroyed. The 1810 census of Tennessee was also lost, except for Grainger and Rutherford counties, which have been indexed.
North Carolina (1800) includes the following William Cains
- William Cain of Hillsborough, Chatham, North Carolina: 2 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - |
- 2 males under age 10 (b 1790-1800)
- 1 male 16-25 (b 1774-1784)
- 1 female 16-25 (b 1774-1784)
- William Cain of Hillsborough, Orange, North Carolina: - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 or 5? | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 30 :
- 1 male 10-15
- 1 male 16-25
- 1 male 26-45
- 1 male over 45
- 3 or 5 females under 10
- 1 female 26-45
- 1 female over 45
- 30 slaves
- On this same page is a William Clark with "(Cain)" added after his name.
- William Cain of Salisbury, Surry, North Carolina: 1 | - | - | 2 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
- 1 male under 10
- 2 males 26-45
- 1 female under 10
- 1 female 26-45
Ephraim was born in Tennessee so the family should be in Tennessee for that census year, but as land boundaries were quickly changing sometimes people had a hard time keeping track, or they would put what the area is now called rather than what it was called when they were born.
In 1810, William Cain's household had:[7]
- 1 boy 1800-1810 (Ephraim)
- 1 boy 1795-1800
- 1 man 1766-1784 (William Cain Sr)
- 3 girls 1800-1810
- 2 girls 1795-1800 (one of these girls is Nancy Cain)
- 1 Woman born 1766 or earlier (possibly the census taker recorded her age incorrectly and this is Margaret)
So it appears there are 5 children who we have not identified on the 1810 census record. 1 boy and 4 girls. Having three children born 1795-1800 seems to support that William and Margaret were married around 1795.
A potential for the son born 1795-1800 is Thomas Cain who married Peggy Claywell on February 16th 1815, in Cumberland, which borders Pulaski. He is commonly attributed to William Belcher Cain who is also living in Cumberland county in 1820, but there is not documentation supporting this relationship.
In 1820, William Cain's household had:
- 1 boy 1810-1820 (William R Cain)
- 1 boy 1802-1804 (Ephraim Cain)
- 1 man 1776-1794 (William Cain Sr)
- 2 girls 1810-1820
- 2 girls 1805-1810
- 2 girls 1795-1804 (One is Nancy Cain)
Here we don't see the boy born 1795-1800 so he's either passed away or moved out. We also have a girl born between 1795 and 1810 who has either married or passed away. The two unknown girls born after 1810 brings us to 7 unidentified children.
In 1830, William Cain's household had:[3]
- 2 boys born 1821-1825 (one of these is probably William R Cain as he would have only been 15 at the time, probably too young to have moved out so his age was marked incorrectly) and the other is Smith Cain.
- 1 man 1781-1790 (William Cain Sr?)
- 1 girl 1816-1820
- 1 woman 1791-1800 (This will be Nancy Cain since she never married and presumably never moved out)
- 1 woman born 1771-1780 (Margaret)
Of course we know Ephraim has moved out by 1830.[citation needed] There's a girl born between 1810 and 1820 who has either passed away or married, two girls born between 1805 and 1810 who've either passed away or married, and a girl born 1795-1804 who passed away or was married. Based on these census reports, William and Margaret had at least 11 children, 7 of whom have not been identified (DNA could probably be helpful in this regard). They may have had more children who didn't survive long enough to be on a census record. Finding their denomination/church to see birth/baptismal records might be our best bet.
In 1840, William Cain's household had:[8]
- 1 man born 1821-1825 (Smith William Cain)
- 1 man 1771-1780 (William Cain Sr.)
- 2 girls 1835-1840 (Obviously not the children of William and Margaret. Possibly grandchildren?)
- 1 woman 1821-1825 (is this a first wife of Smith William Cain who passed away?)
- 1 woman born 1811-1820
- 1 woman born 1771-1780 (Margaret)
William R. Cain is not living with them on this census which supports him being the child of Margaret and William Sr. because he married in 1830. He cannot be the one living with his wife and two children with them, as he had 4 children by 1840). Nancy does not appear to be living at home in 1840.
In the 1850 US Census, William (age 76) was enumerated in Second District, Russell County, Kentucky, with wife Margaret.[1]
Households in Russell County, Kentucky, with Cains included:
- William Cain (76) b. VA, Margaret (73) b. NC. [image 103]
- Ephraim Cain (47) b. TN, Rebecca (43) b. TN, William R. (20), Albert H. (18), Ephraim (16), Nancy J (14), Smith (13), Marel J (10), Carolina (7), Margaret (5); all others b. KY. [images 102-103]
- John Cain (21) b. KY, Parthina (20) b. TN, Clarissa C (2) b. KY. [image 103]
- Smith W Cain (28), Emily (24), Meford J (3), Cornelius W (1), William H (20); all b. KY. [image 103]
In the 1860 US Census, William (age 84) was enumerated in the household of Ephraim Cain in Jamestown Post Office, Russell District, Russell County, Kentucky.[2]
Households in Russell County, Kentucky, with Cains included:
- Ephraim Cain (56) b. TN, Rebecca (52), Merrill (20), Caroline (17), Margaret (15), Claria Ann (12), William Cain (84) b. TN; all others b. KY. William is described as "insane" in his census entry. [image 37]
- Smith Cain (22) b. KY, Elizabeth (24) b. TN, Nancy C (1) b. KY. [image 91]
- William R Cain (29), Elizabeth (31); all b. KY. [image 92][9]
Related Surname?
Is the Kean family of Russell County, Kentucky, a spelling variant? Spratlin-29 20:17, 16 March 2024 (UTC)
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 United States Census, 1850; database with images, FamilySearch (image 103), Kentucky > Russell > Russell county > image 103 of 119; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); Ancestry.com (image 45).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 United States Census, 1860; database with images, FamilySearch (image 37), Kentucky > Russell > District of Russell > image 37 of 137; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); Ancestry.com (image 36).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 United States Census, 1830; database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYJ-9MZR?cc=1803958&wc=35YH-92P%3A1588469303%2C1588471312%2C1588469601 : 14 August 2015), Kentucky > Russell > Not Stated > image 9 of 49; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).- 1830 US Federal Census for Ancestry.com subscribers
- ↑ Insert 1860 census and Ag Schedule census details here for Russell County, Kentucky.
- ↑ "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YSQY-K31?cc=1619127&wc=Q6SB-L8N%3A1589264540%2C1589373215 : 22 December 2016), Greene > Marriage records, 1780-1809, book 1, no 1-1392 > image 840 of 3181; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties.
- ↑ Marriage records: Greene. Marriage Records 1780–1809 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YSQY-K31?view=index&action=view
- ↑ United States Census, 1810; database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYY2-SYT3?cc=1803765&wc=QZZC-BBG%3A1588180103%2C1588181718%2C1588181415 : 1 December 2015), Kentucky > Pulaski > Somerset > image 18 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Link for Ancestry.com subscribers
- ↑ United States Census, 1840; database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYB7-YQ2?cc=1786457&wc=31S2-C6N%3A1588665941%2C1588666688%2C1588665902 : 24 August 2015), Kentucky > Russell > Not Stated > image 43 of 50; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).1840 Federal Census for Ancestry.com subscribers
- ↑ United States, Kentucky, Agricultural Schedules, 1850-1880; database with images, FamilySearch (image 281).
See also:
- Kentucky, Death Records, 1852-1964 [which record?]
- Kentucky, Land Grants, 1782-1924 [which record?]
- Ohio, Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998 [which record?]
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com
DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with William:
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with William:
-
~1.56%
Stephen Robertson
:
23andMe
+
AncestryDNA
+
MyHeritage DNA
-
~1.56%
Joyce (Brashears) Vann :
23andMe
+
AncestryDNA
-
~1.56%
Edward Cain :
23andMe
+
AncestryDNA
+
Family Tree DNA Family Finder, FTDNA kit #995910
-
~0.78%
Melissa (Johnson) Burks :
AncestryDNA, GEDmatch A089441 [compare], Ancestry member Melb4371
-
~0.78%
James Gosnell :
AncestryDNA, Ancestry member ehevutov
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Categories: Virginia Colonists
I just wanted to address the issues brought up by Edward Cain and move the process forward. Sorry that the outcome wasn't what Jilliane was hoping for. Edits should be within Southern Colonies guidelines, Ken Spratlin.
Please review US Southern Colonies Project-Managed Profiles for more information.
Please continue to manage normally, and review US Southern Colonies Project Editing Guidance before editing.
Cain-7662 needs to have the source for the 1986 Cain/Evans book removed. (I like the research notes in this biography. The FS sources have been stuck under "See Also" but need to be referenced into the bio.)
Cain-569 needs to have the Russell County census records removed.
Then both biographies need to have a Subheading "Alternate Non-Duplicate Identities" cross-referencing the other, with explanations for the conflations. Other trees on the internet connect the Nicholas Cain line and the Russel County Cains and WikiTree needs to lead the way in showing the most exhaustive evidence with the most thoroughly reasoned conclusions possible. I have some experience with profiles that were built out on a wing and a prayer (copied from the internet) and needed some clear, objective thinking to prune them back to just what could be proven. WT gives space to include a sampling of the unproven tree info and explanations for what may be reasonably possible under Research Notes subheadings. Many of the comments below could be copied/moved to the Research Notes.
I'm still not convinced that they are two separate people. We are still seeking confirmation that Edmund had a son William. The unsourced 1986 genealogy is the only source that's so far been offered that he did.
Then on 7 Jan 2024, another William Cain-3610 was merged into William Cain-569 which introduced the 1860 US Census record of Russell County KY and the middle name Riley. It is not clear what reliable source was leaned on to associate these two profiles.
Meanwhile, William Cain-7662 was created on 14 Dec 2021 as William Cain of Russell County KY, but his multiple decade residence there was only fully sourced through edits since Feb 2024.
That they are the same person (or not the same person) appears to be unsourced. But if the "Descendants of Nicholas Cain" is to be believed, it seems not likely. William Cain, son of Edmond & Mary, is listed as child #7, born some time between child #5 b. 1778 and child #8 b. 1787. That year range 1778–1787 is "somewhat" inconsistent with the US Census records for William Cain of Russel County, KY, which suggest he was born between 1774–1776.
So there appears to be no reliable source to merge them today.
Even though William Cain-569, son of Edmond & Mary, is unsourced as their son, his profile should be preserved as he is documented in a printed family genealogy. If his existence is proved, everything is good. If his existence is disproved or uncertain, it can be templated with Disproven Existence or Uncertain Existence.
Given the ease with which several persons have conflated these two, they will both benefit from project-management.
These links 1810 Federal Census, 1830 US Federal Census, and 1840 Federal Census do not work for me as I do not have an account at Ancestry.
Ancestry Citation Builder https://apps.wikitree.com/apps/clarke11007/ancite.php
Thanks, David
edited by David Selman
https://www.archives.gov/research/census/online-resources
edited by Jillaine Smith
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/716675:7613?tid=&pid=&queryId=e979dd4c-29fd-4c6f-98c6-b564a93eaeaa&_phsrc=DoX6014&_phstart=successSource