Person:John Catlin (2)

Biography

[John Catlin's] memory is perpetuated in the following marker tablet erected in 1911 at the corner of Broad and Commerce Streets in Newark [NJ].

On this site John Catlin, Newark's first schoolmaster opened his School in 1676, holding it in his home as was the custom in those days. By vote of the town's men he was engaged to 'Do his faithful, honest and true endeavour to teach the children or servants of those as have subscribed...English and also arethmetick...as much as they are capable to learn and he capable to teach them.'

He was a man of mark in the community, serving as town's attorney and later as town's man. In 1683 he became one of the early permanent settlers of Deerfield, Mass. where his services gained for him the honorable title of 'Mr.' He was killed Feb. 29, 1704, in the defense of his home against an attack of French and Indians.

He was a guide of youth and a leader of men.

Erected by the Newark Schoolmen's Club, Newark Day, Nov. 6, 1911

No family suffered more than his in the destruction of the town on 29 February 1704. He was killed trying to defend their house. Their sons Joseph and Jonathan were also killed. Their married daughters Mary French and Elizabeth Corse were killed during the subsequent march to Canada.

Mary (Baldwin) Catlin, "being held with the other prisoners in John Sheldon's house, gave a cup of water to a young French officer who was dying. He was perhaps a brother of Hertel de Rouville. May it not have been gratitude for this act that she was left behind when the order came to march ? She died of grief a few weeks later."

John Catlin (born 8 January 1687) and his sister Ruth (born 1684?) survived the rigors of the trip to Canada and back. According to tradition Ruth was a delicate girl, yet equal to the journey. When she was tired of a burden she would throw it back as far as possible. Her brother feared that the Indians might kill her, but they laughed and went back for it. They acted as though she were a great lady. When others were hungry she had plenty and gave food to John. The same tradition says that he spent his two years of captivity with a priest, who was unable to convert him, but who supplied him with money and necessary articles when they parted.

John and Ruth Catlin were redeemed in 1706 and 1707. He returned to Deerfield. He married Jemima Allen on 1 March 1715 and fathered a numerous progeny.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Catlyn in Deerfield deaths, in Baldwin, Thomas W. Vital Records of Deerfield, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850. (Boston: Wright & Potter, 1920)
   271.

   CATLYN (see Catlin), John, Feb. 29, 1704. Slain by the enemy. Head of the family

2.   Catlin, in Sheldon, George. A History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the Times when and the People by whom it was Settled, Unsettled, and Resettled, with a Special Study of the Indian Wars in the Connecticut Valley; with Genealogies. (Greenfield, Mass.: Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1895-1896)
   2:104.

   John, s. of John (1), b. abt. 1643; of Weth.,

3.   There is a discrepancy of dates between 'Date of Death' and 'Date of Inventory'. Never heard of an inventory being taken before death, especially when this John was killed during an attack on Deerfield.