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Born
Cathay Williams was born in September 1844, and because her mother was a slave, she was born into slavery. -
Period: to
Cathay Williams lifespan
Cathay Williams was born in 1844 and died 1893 -
15 years old
When Cathay was 15 years old she was forced to join the army as an army cook and washerwoman. -
17 years old
When Cathay was 17 years old she quit her job in the army. -
18 years old
Cathay starts going as William Cathay to serve in the army as a man and actually fight, rather than just washing dishes and clothing. -
18 years old
Cathay realized that it was difficult to get a job as an ex-slave, so she joined the army, but this time as a "man". -
24 years old
Captain Charles C. honorably discharged Cathay Williams in 1868 -
24 years old
When Cathay was 24 years old her body started showing signs of strain, the doctors checked her out and found out that she was a woman. -
48 years old
Cathays heath has been decreasing since her time in the military, she now has all her toes amputated, walks with a crutch and has diabetes and neuralgia, the doctor decided that she did not qualify for disability payment and she died shortly after. -
Overall life
Cathay never married and never had any kids or any close friends, she said that she didn't want any relationships to hold her back. -
Death
Cathay died in 1843 of SmallPox, but it was thought that there were a few underlying causes too, like years of marching in hot weather and diabetes.