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Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
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Message Board Post:
Yes, that book has numerous errors. Although it is easy to see why there is an assumption
that the David Catlin who married Elvira Smith was the son of David Catlin in CT. But, I
have copies of letters that show that David, son of David Catlin Sr. died in the West
Indies before 1810. The first letter is from the son written a day or two before he
sailed to the West Indies. It is believed that this was the son's last letter to his
father. Then there are letters between David Catlin Sr, and his nephew, Lynde Catlin,
about trying to recover the property of the son in West Indies after he died. The letters
between David Sr and Lynde begin in 1810.
Since son David died in the West Indies it has been difficult to find info on exact when
and where he died. I'm still working on that.
I'm also trying to chase down leads on the David Catlin who married Elvira Smith.
I'm wondering if he was the son of a Rhonda Catlin who was widowed very young and had
a son and two daughters. She was in the 1790 census in Litchfield, CT and I've
tracked her movements up to the 1870 census when she was age 73 and her two daughters
still lived with her. If this is the mother of the David Catlin in question then it may
explain why some info lists David Catlin Sr as being married to a Rhoda Peck rather than
Anna Peck and the David Catlin who married Smith as their son. Somewhere someone may
have combined two families and the misinformation has been passed along. But until I have
more info this is all just a theory I'm working with.
This is a bit convoluted and I don't know if I've explained it very well. So, let
me know if you would like further info. Also, I'd be happy to mail you copies of the
letters I've mentioned if you'd like to have them for your records.
Colleen