CATHAY WILLIAMS
1842-1924 | Cathay Williams was born to Martha Williams outside Independence, Missouri, in 1842. Although Cathay's father was a free man, she was born into Slavery. She grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, and was a housegirl for William Johnson, a wealthy farmer. After her master died in Jefferson City and the Civil War broke out, Union Corps pressed Cathay and others into service. They took her and the other servants to Little Rock, Arkansas. The officers wanted her to cook something she was not familiar with preparing. However, she went to Arkansas and learned to cook. Cathay Williams participated in military life during the Civil War to the greatest extent a woman could. The Union Army, however, enlisted Black men to fight. Almost 180,000 were enlisted of which 33,380 died. After the Civil War, these soldiers, many of who had served honorably, deserved a chance to continue their career, limited as it was. In addition, slaves now free from southern plantations needed employment. After two-cavalry units and two infantry units were formed, Cathay joined. Cathay enlisted as William Cathay. Since there was no medical examination required, only two people knew her true identity, her cousin and a friend. She was assigned to company A-38th Infantry in Fort Bayard, New Mexico. Cathay Williams became ill only afte two years of service. She served with the Buffalo Soldiers from 1868-1870. When Cathay Williams tried to recieve a pension for her service in the military, it was denied. It is believed that her medical records and her military records were not as clear as to what it was to include, especially since she entered as a man. Even after learning her true identity, apparently new pension papers were never filed. Since Cathay Williams wanted to take care of herself, she opened a boarding house in Raton, New Mexico where she died in 1924 at the age of 82. | |
