written by Diane Hitchcock-Owens
DHOwens@aol.com
Katherine Lucinda Heaton was a fourth great granddaughter of James and Elizabeth (Catlin) Corse. The Catlin and Corse families were among the settlers on the “western frontier” which is presently the western part of the state of Massachuetts. JamesCorse had moved to Deerfield, Massachusetts, before 1690 and there married Elizabeth Catlin, the daughter of John Catlin and Mary Baldwin.
John Catlin had sold his property in Newark, New Jersey, about 1683 and moved to Hartford, Connecticut, before moving on to Deerfield, Massachusetts where he became one of the prominent settlers taking an active part in the affairs of the town.
James Corse died 15 May 1696 at the age of about 30.
Deerfield and surrounding towns were vulnerable to Indian attacks, instigated by the French. The following story is told about Elizabeth Catlin’s sister, Ruth:
"Young Ruth Catlin awoke terrified from sleep to the sound of many muffled footsteps marching around the stockade. Waking her parents, but hearing nothing themselves, she was reassured that it was but a bad dream. Not until the next morning did they discover to their amazement that the same dream was shared by a dozen fellow townsmen, some of the leading citizens among them! A party was sent out to reconnoiter, but found no sign in the snow. But, so impressed were they by the similarity of dreams, that the minister called a special meeting "to discuss what this omen portended." (-M. P. Wells-Smith, "The Boy Captive of Old Deerfield," 1904.)
If this is true it would seem Ruth and others who had this “dream” had a premonition of an attack that occured in the early mornign hours on 29 February 1704.
Elizabeth Catlin was taken captive with her two children and taken to Canada after the attack on Deerfield in 1704. Elizabeth was killed by the Indians enroute but her children survived. Her daughter became a convert to Catholicism, married, had children, and lived her life as a French subject.
Elizabeth’s parents and siblings were also caught up in this attack. Her father was killed during the attack trying to defend his home. Her brothers, Joseph and Jonathan, were also killed. Her married sister, Mary French, who was also taken capitve died or was killed enroute.
Her mother, Mary (Baldwin) Catlin was held with the other prisoners in John Sheldon's house by the French. Her life was spared perhaps by her compassionate act of giving a cup of water to a young French officer who was dying. He was perhaps a brother of Hertel de Rouville. Mary died of grief a few weeks later.
Elizabeth’s youngest sister Ruth and brother John were also taken captive.
Although Ruth was reported to be a delicate girl of twenty-one years she must have had a strong spirit with a keen sense of survival. According to tradition when she got tired of carrying a load she would throw it back as far as possible. Her brother feared the Indians might kill her but they laughed and went back for it. They acted as though she were a great lady and apparently gave her food. which she guarded.. When the others were hungry she had plenty which she shared with her brother. Her brother was returned to his community in 1706. Ruth was returned the following year to find her mother had died shortly after the attack from grief. Nothing else has been found on Ruth Catlin.
In the massacre that fateful day in 1704 about 48 English were killed, 140 escaped, many of them barefoot, and 109 were captured. Of this last number approximately 21 were killed or died en route to Canada. Sixty-one were ransomed and eventually returned home, and 27 chose to stay.
Submitted by Diane Hitchcock-Owens