The Arthur Catlin papers relate to Arthur Catlin (1830-1913), a farmer in Litchfield, Conn., and several members of his family. Most of the papers regard Catlin's legal matter involving the Litchfield County Agricultural Society and its dissolution and sale of land in 1914. The collection consists of correspondence, business papers, minutes, membership lists, deeds and contracts, estate and other legal papers, ephemera, check book registers, account books, and other documents. Arthur Catlin was born in Litchfield in 1830, a son of Cyrus Catlin and Emeline Wetmore Catlin. They also had a daughter, Mary Catlin (1828-1901). In his early life, Catlin was a school teacher and a county surveyor. He also owned a large farm that is presently the site of the Litchfield County Club in the southern part of town. He was married three times, first to Eliza M. Buel (1829-1859), second to Julia Benton (1839-1866) and third to Clarissa Stoughton (1833-1910). Among his children was Clarence Catlin (1869- ), who married Annie Bidwell (1864- ). Among their children was C. Wilfred Catlin (1901-1978). The collection contains a number of documents regarding the dissolution of the Litchfield County Agricultural Society. Founded in 1818, it had sponsored annual fairs, but became dormant in the 1870s. In 1914, ten members decied to dissolve the Society and sell its property in southern Litchfield. Catlin became involved in a legal proceeding related to his membership status and his share of the proceeds of the sale that ended up in the Connecticut State Supreme Court, where the Court found for Catlin. Included in the collection are Catlin's legal papers and membership cards and copies of minutes, incorporation papers, membership lists, and other records of the Society. The collection also includes papers related to Catlin's estate and that of his uncle Henry Wetmore (1812-1897), a prominent Hartford builder. Also of note is speech Catlin delivered before the Grange on historic places of Litchfield. One account book is housed in 3B Box 18.