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Classification: Query
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Message Board Post:
John Catt's brother, who lived on Catts Retreat, Cats Run, now Fayette Co., PA, was
George Katz [but Catt in English records. I have George Katz signature from a marriage
bond document in Louisville, KY.] George Katz was my great-great-great grandfather. I
have an interest in all the Catts/Katz, but concentrate more on direct ancestry. However,
there are some things that I always intended to get, but never have had time.
I don't know if anyone has copies of the pages from the House of Representative
"Journals" or not. Melchior Baker and otheres, including John Catt, had a
private claim presented for compensation for services agains the Indians in 1781. This
was in the George Rogers Clark expedition. He signed vouchers and promised payment. He
staked his reputation upon it. Thus, he died a poor and borken man. He used all his
income to cancel debts. His father did not leave him anything because he knew where it
would go. The family did contribute to George Rogers Clarks's livelihood. I read a
great biography about this, but do not recall the author. It should be required reading
to see how a hero was treated. We may not have won the Rev. War, if Clark had not chased
the British out of the Old Northwest Territory. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and
Wisconsin resulted as Virginia gave their claim up with a compromise with Congress.
What this private claim would reveal is not known: It is found in the Journals of the
following Congresses.
2:2, p 686; 16:2, p. 50; 17:1, page 145; 17:2, page 53; 19:1, page 266, 5 Apr 1826; 22:1,
page 534.
2:2 = 2nd Congress, 2nd Session. A major university would most likely have these
journals, at least on microfilm or microfiche.
2. The Haldimand Papers, British Library 329 has an account of John Catt being taken
prisoner. It is the source of all other mentions. It is avaliable from the Public
Archives of Canada, Microfilm Roll A-675. John Catt's age is given in this record,
but I have not been able to determine if it was the age at caputre or release.
3. Ro. Vance papers, 1806, has an Affidavit about or
for John Catt, soldier in the army. It is the late Capt Robt. Vance.