WOODBURY, TN (WGNS) - The descendants of Elder J.M.D. Cates and his wife, Mary Jane Taylor Cates, are preparing for a summer gathering that reflects a growing regional interest in genealogy, family roots, and the stories that shaped Middle Tennessee. The 2026 Cates–Taylor Family Reunion will be held Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Burt Baptist Church in Woodbury. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m., with lunch at noon. Guests are encouraged to bring a side dish and dust off those old photo albums that haven’t been opened in years. The afternoon will be devoted to reconnecting, sharing stories, and rediscovering the family’s deep Tennessee history.
The Cates and Taylor lines are among the area’s oldest, stretching back to the early 1800s. Families of that era often had eight to twelve children per generation, which means that by 2026, the number of potential descendants reaches well into the hundreds. Even if only a fraction attend, the reunion promises a lively mix of cousins who may not know one another but share the same roots.
The setting itself carries meaning. Burt Baptist Church—once known as Brawley’s Fork and later Marion—served as a spiritual homeplace for generations of Cates, Taylors, Bartons, and related families. Elder Cates joined the church in 1847, following the earlier membership of his in‑laws, James Robards Taylor and Elizabeth Barton Taylor, who joined in 1842, and Elizabeth’s parents, Joshua and Jane Hale Barton, who were received in 1820. Reunions anchored at a landmark church often draw relatives who feel connected to the place even if they’ve never met the people.
Elder Cates himself left a wide footprint across Cannon and Rutherford counties. After arriving from Orange County, North Carolina, in 1834, he settled in the area that became known as Cateston. His work ranged from ministry to publishing—editing and printing the Baptist Messenger—to founding Marion Academy, operating a tailor shop and saddlery, farming, and raising eleven children with Mary Jane. His leadership helped shape both the Cateston Community and the early life of Burt Baptist Church as it moved through three locations before reaching its present home.
Woodbury’s central location makes the reunion an easy drive from Murfreesboro, McMinnville, Manchester, Smithville, and even Nashville, which organizers hope will boost turnout. The invitation is intentionally broad—“descendants and cousins”—signaling that anyone with even a sliver of connection is welcome. That openness, paired with a rising post‑pandemic interest in genealogy and family‑history events, makes this the kind of heritage gathering that resonates across Middle Tennessee. It blends local history, early settlement families, church roots, and multigenerational ties in a way that continues to draw community interest.
Family members are encouraged to mark their calendars for June 27 and join the “Cates – Taylor 2026 Family Reunion: Woodbury TN” Facebook page for updates and announcements.
