Catherine Blaikley was born in 1695 in York County, Virginia to a gentry family, as she owned slaves. She worked as a midwife and boarding house keeper, delivering babies and providing food and care. She was married to William Blaikley and had 3 sons and 3 daughters. As a slave owner, she was likely a loyalist during the American Revolution. She maintained friendships but did not remarry after her husband's death.