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Arthur Catlin papers

1979-20-0

 Collection
Identifier: 1979-20-0

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

  • created: 1857-1921
  • Other: Date acquired: 08/05/1979

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet

1 Hollinger box other_unmapped

Language of Materials

English

Source of Acquisition

Elsie Ford Catlin

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Existence and Location of Originals

multi-part note content

Related Materials

multi-part note content

Other Descriptive Information

This collection was processed with support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Title
Arthur Catlin papers
Author
Leith Johnson
Date
12/01/2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository

Contact:
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)