25 September 2025. Artificial Intelligence, can it make me a better Causey Clan Blogger?
I am soon to begin my 79th year on this beautiful Blue Planet. Technology is quickly outpacing both my abilities and my motivation to learn new things. I need help improving my writing style and clarity. So, here’s my first attempt at presenting my latest research on Solomon Causey son of Zebulon Causey using the ChatGPT AI Assistant, MONICA.
First, here is the AI Prompt I sent to Monica:
Role and Objective
- You are a Professional Genealogist. Your task is to Draft a narrative biography for the individual specified, intended for a Blog subscribers audience.
Instructions
- Use only objective details provided, without introducing subjective descriptions, assumptions, or emotional language unless it is explicitly mentioned in the factual data.
- Incorporate relevant historical context by briefly describing notable events and trends during the individual’s lifespan, specifically as they pertain to the region and era.
- Include the following information at the place:
Assessment of Information Regarding the Presumed Move of Solomon Causey from Guilford County, N.C. to Eastern Tennessee about 1834 Facts: Solomon Causey (c1766-1847), was a son of Zebulon Causey (c1739-1809), son of Thomas Causey, Jr. (c1719-1775), son of Thomas Causey, Sr. (c1690-1776). Solomon Causey with wife and adult daughter relocated to Carter County, Tennessee before 25 January 1834, (see Land Grant). Carter County became Johnson County in 1836. In 1843 it was “Ordered by the court that Solomon Cossey, (Causey), about the age of eighty years be allowed the sum of Ten Dollars for his maintenance… .)” In the Tennessee December 1 st , 1843 Expenditures Settlement Document, Solomon Causey’s surname is spelled correctly as “Causey”. Solomon Causey son of Zebulon Causey died before April 1847 in Johnson County, East Tennessee.
Conclusions • Based on the documented evidence as shown in the following pages, provides prima facie evidence that Solomon Causey, son of Zebulon Causey, son of Thomas Causey Jr. of Dorchester County, Maryland, is one in the same as Solomon Causey (Cossey, Cossy) who died in c1847 in Johnson County, Tennessee. Furthermore he is most likely the father of James Soloman Causey (1812-1880) born in Guilford Co. N.C. and died in Bear Creek, Franklin County, Alabama; who was father of James O. Causey who was father of John Solomon Causey of Fayette Co. Alabama.
1830 US Census Guilford Co. N.C. 1.Name Solomon Causey Home in 1830 (City, County, State) Guilford, North Carolina Free White Persons – Males – 15 thru 19 1 (Possibly Solomon Causey, Jr.) Free White Persons – Males – 50 thru 59 1 (Solomon Causey b. c1770) Free White Persons – Females – 20 thru 29 1 (Daughter unk) Free White Persons – Females – 50 thru 59 1 (Wife unk) Free White Persons – Under 20 1 Free White Persons – 20 thru 49 1 Total Free White Persons 4 2. Also Listed: William Causey (b.1790- 1800)
1840 US Census Johnson Co. TN. 1. Listed: Name Solomon Cossey Residence Date 1840 Home in 1840 Johnson, Tennessee Free White Persons – Males – 60 thru 69 1 (Solomon Causey, Sr.) Free White Persons – Females – 30 thru 39 1 (Daughter unk) Free White Persons – Females – 60 thru 69 1 (Wife unk) Persons Employed in Agriculture 1 Free White Persons – 20 thru 49 1 Total Free White Persons 3
Solomon Causey, son of Zebulon Causey, Estimated Date of Birth. Three documents refer to his date of birth. First the 1830 US Census indicates his age between 50 and 59 years. The 1840 Census list his age between 60 and 70 years. This Johnson Co. TN Court document dated 1843 ascribes him as “about the age of eighty years.” The Census documents set his age in 1840 as =or Citation “Johnson, Tennessee, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK935R-NX39?view=explore : Aug 18, 2025), image 319 of 562; . Image Group Number: 008959891
- Limit the output to no more than 1500 words.
Context
Relationships:
Father: Zebulon Causey I (1739-1809)
Mother: Dianna Kimmey (1744-1814)
Sibling: Margaret Peggy Causey (1763-1840)
Sibling: Zebulon Causey II (1767-1840)
Sibling: John Causey (1776-1840)
Father: Zebulon Causey-I T-FTE36788 (1739-1809)
Mother: Dianna Kimmey (1744-1814)
Sibling: Margaret Peggy Causey (1763-1840)
Sibling: Zebulon Causey II (1767-1840)
Sibling: John Causey (1776-1840)
Child: Hannah Causey (1802-1877)
Child: James Soloman Causey Jr. (1812-1880)
Child: Solomon Royal Causey T-M70 (1812-1849)
Child: Solomon Royal Causey T-M70 (1812-1849)
Provided information:
Name: Solomon Causey Sr.
Sex: Male
Life Span: 1774-1847
Events:
Birth: 1774; Dorchester County, British Colonial Maryland
Birth: 1780; Virginia”
The immediate response was what I consider a well written essay on the life of Solomon Causey:
Solomon Causey (c. 1766-1847): A Move from North Carolina to the Tennessee Frontier
Solomon Causey Sr. was born into the Causey family, estimated to be around 1766 based on later census and court records. He was a son of Zebulon Causey I (c.1739-1809) and Dianna Kimmey (1744-1814). His lineage has been traced back through Thomas Causey, Jr. (c.1719-1775) to Thomas Causey, Sr. (c.1690-1776) of Dorchester County, Maryland. Though family data suggests possible birth locations in Dorchester County, British Colonial Maryland (1774) or Virginia (1780), his age range in the 1830 census points toward a birth year closer to 1770 or 1771, and a 1843 court record suggests he was “about the age of eighty years,” which would place his birth around 1763. For genealogical purposes, his estimated birth year is generally placed around 1766.
Solomon Causey’s early life occurred during a period of significant transition in the American colonies, which included the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). His family appears to have been situated in the American South, likely moving from Maryland to North Carolina, a trend common among families seeking new lands and opportunities in the latter half of the 18th century.
Life in North Carolina and the 1830 Census
By 1830, Solomon Causey resided in Guilford County, North Carolina. The 1830 U.S. Census for Guilford County listed a “Solomon Causey” as the head of a household. The male in the 50 through 59 age bracket is identified as Solomon Causey, placing his birth year between 1771 and 1780. The household included:
- One male, 15 through 19 years old (possibly Solomon Causey, Jr.).
- One male, 50 through 59 years old (Solomon Causey Sr.).
- One female, 20 through 29 years old (daughter, identity unknown).
- One female, 50 through 59 years old (wife, identity unknown).
The total count for the household was four free white persons. Also listed in the county was a William Causey (b. 1790-1800). Solomon Causey is documented as the father of Hannah Causey (1802-1877), and is presumed to be the father of James Soloman Causey Jr. (1812-1880) and Solomon Royal Causey (1812-1849), all of whom were born in Guilford County, N.C.
Relocation to Eastern Tennessee and Historical Context
Sometime before January 25, 1834, Solomon Causey, his wife, and an adult daughter relocated to Carter County, Tennessee. This move occurred during the period of westward expansion in the United States, as families frequently moved across the Appalachian Mountains to settle in new territories. The Tennessee region had become a state in 1796, and the eastern counties were areas of developing settlement and land grants.
The first documented evidence of Solomon Causey in the region is a Land Grant confirming his presence in Carter County before the aforementioned date. Shortly after his relocation, the county underwent a boundary change. In 1836, the portion of Carter County where he settled was separated to form the new Johnson County, Tennessee. The 1840 U.S. Census records a “Solomon Cossey” in Johnson County, Tennessee, supporting his residency in the newly formed county.
Life and Death in Tennessee
The 1840 U.S. Census for Johnson County listed the “Solomon Cossey” household as:
- One male, 60 through 69 years old (Solomon Causey Sr.).
- One female, 30 through 39 years old (daughter, identity unknown).
- One female, 60 through 69 years old (wife, identity unknown).
The age range for Solomon Causey in this census (60-69) would place his birth between 1771 and 1780. The census further noted that the family included one person employed in agriculture.
By 1843, Solomon Causey’s advanced age became a matter of public record in Johnson County. On December 1, 1843, the court “Ordered by the court that Solomon Cossey, (Causey), about the age of eighty years be allowed the sum of Ten Dollars for his maintenance.” This expenditure, recorded in the Tennessee December 1st, 1843 Expenditures Settlement Document (where his surname was correctly spelled “Causey”), provides the strongest evidence for his birth year, suggesting he was born around 1763.
Solomon Causey, son of Zebulon Causey, is documented to have died before April 1847 in Johnson County, East Tennessee.
Assessment of Information Regarding the Presumed Move
The documented evidence supports the conclusion that Solomon Causey (c.1766-1847), son of Zebulon Causey and descendant of the Dorchester County, Maryland, Causey line, is the same individual who died in Johnson County, Tennessee, around 1847. The combined weight of the 1830 Guilford County, N.C., census, the 1834 Carter County land grant, the 1840 Johnson County, T.N., census (where the name is spelled “Cossey”), and the 1843 Johnson County court record concerning the maintenance of “Solomon Cossey, (Causey), about the age of eighty years” provides prima facie evidence of this identity and the approximate time of the move.
Furthermore, based on the records of birth location for his children, Solomon Causey is the most likely father of James Soloman Causey (1812-1880), who was born in Guilford County, N.C., and later died in Bear Creek, Franklin County, Alabama. This connection would place him in the ancestral line of James O. Causey and John Solomon Causey of Fayette County, Alabama.”
I would appreciate your feedback on what you think about AI.
Windle “Ray” Causey
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