Son of Joseph and Susannah McDonald Cantey. "Eight years before his death, William joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he lived in active religious enjoyment. He was suddenly stricken with heart disease while in the midst of his family and friends, and passed to his reward on high."

William married Mary Ann Eliza Bennett on February 3, 1825.

Their children:
1) Joseph Cantey, born December 19, 1825, married on March 23, 1843, Sophronia A. Hodges, of Cokesbury, S.C. Died October 19, 1845, from the effect of a rifle shot received accidentally as he sprang from his horse while hunting in the woods. His religious character was distinctly marked, and he died in the blissful realization of the presence of his Saviour at the early age of 19 years and 10 months, leaving two daughters, Imogine and Mary Joseph.

2) Mary Ann Susannah McDonald Cantey, born February 19, 1829, died January 19, 1834.

3) Martha Christiana Cantey, born July 26, 1830, married Wm. R. Coskrey, March 31, 1846.

4) Samuel Bennett Cantey, born October 31, 1831, died February 17, 1835.

5) William James Ransom Cantey, born June 24, 1833, married Almira Cecelia Oliver January 14, 1852; entered Confederate Army on James Island, S.C., November 1861, served his country faithfully, uncomplainingly and bravely; rose to the rank of Captain of Company I, 23rd Regiment South Carolina Volunteers and on April 1, 1865, at the Battle of Five Forks, near Petersburg, Va., was captured with five thousand of his fellow soldiers. Diligent inquiry has failed to ascertain his fate and it is believed that he attempted to escape and was killed. No nobler hearted man, nor gallant soldier was ever sacrificed for his friends, his family and his country.

6) Margaret Ann Cantey, born December 17, 1834, married first, Robert F. Keels on April 17, 1851; second, James M. Burgess, M.D. on December 11, 1859.

7) Magdalen Louisa McFadden Cantey, born May 2, 1836, married November 11, 1852, John Oliver, who died August 9, 1883.

8) Mary Price Cantey, born January 28, 1838, died June 16, 1852, while at school near Fulton, S.C.

9) Susan Leard Cantey, born April 8, 1839, married A. J. White D.D.S., April 8, 1858.

10) Thomas Robert Cantey, born September 7, 1840, married Catherine Hudnall of Gadsden County, Florida, June 1864, who died there January 31, 1885.

11) Eliza Maria Cantey, born October 1, 1842, married J. P. Davis of Marion, S.C., November 15, 1860.

12) Morgan Saab Cantey, born April 7, 1844, married Lily F. Ragin, December 18, 1870, she died July 12, 1887.

13) Joseph Samuel Cantey, born January 4, 1846, married Mary Almira Oliver April 18, 1872.

- Chronicles of St. Marks Parish