Rev. John Caton

A Patriot of the American Revolution for NEW YORK with the rank of Private. DAR Ancestor # A022926  

"One of the most noted among the early preachers of Seneca county was Elder John Caton, pastor at Romulus. He was a Virginian by birth and served in the Revolutionary army as a member of Washington's body guard. When in 1825 the Marquis De LaFayette on his last visit to America was at Waterloo he recognized in the throng by which he was surrounded his old companion in arms John Caton and calling him by name to his side embraced him with a fraternal greeting. At the close of the war Mr Caton removed to Cornwall Orange Co NY where he was ordained pastor of a new church Nov 30 1790. For a number of years he was pastor of the strong church at Brookfield or Slate Hill in Orange Co. He had four sons John, Robert, Ferris, and Everson and five daughters, Betsey, Penelope, Ann, Debby, and Jerusha. He removed to Ohio about 1830 and died at the home of one of his children in Zanesville." - http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/9153450/person/-803078161/mediax/794...

From Joseph R. Caton's notes: John Caton appears in the New Jersey record group, ibidid, as: "Express rider enlisted March 3, 1779, served under Captains' Jeremiah Dunn, John Askin, and Robert Dunn. Served 11 months. Residence, Seneca County, N.Y., 1827 9 Ref. 4866, Isaac Smalley" Pension claim: WSP: G, 12-10-26 The same New Jersey record group makes reference to Thomas and Cornelius Caton.

John Caton, like Robert, settled into the life of a preacher and farmer near New Cornwall. He remained in Orange County and was recorded in the first Federal Census there in 1790.

In 1806, he removed to Oneida County, New York for a period of about three years. Before 1810, Reverend John Caton and family moved to Romulus, Seneca County, New York. He appears there in the Federal Census, New York 1810, 1820 in Romulus.

In the History of Seneca County, New York, 1786 - 1876, Everts, Ensign & Everts 1876, Press of W.E. Morrison & Co., Ovid, New York 1976: Several references are made to Baptist Minister John Caton... See: pages 150, 151, 153-154. The last reference is of particular interest: "John Caton served with Washington in the Revolution and on a visit of LaFayette to Waterloo, Seneca County, the General singled out the old veteran in the crowd assembled to give him welcome and exclaimed, "Come here, John Caton; I have not seen you for forty years." The soldiers met as those long departed, and many an eye grew moist at the heart touching scene. (id, p.154). In the research of Joan Fegley Bruzee submitted to support her application to N.S.D.A.R., John Caton served as part of General Washington's lifeguard and staff.

John Caton married Deborah Barton. Together they had ten children. During the winter of 1829-30 John Dean Caton spent much time with his Uncle John and listened to the tales and anecdotes of the War. John Caton continued to live in Romulus until 1830. In that year he moved to Zanesville, Ohio and spent his remaining years with his daughter Betsy. The exact date of death and place of burial are unknown.

Estimated birth year was taken from a book note stating John was three years older than his brother, Robert Jr. May 2005: Michelle Coyne's records show a birth date of 9 Apr 1757 in VA and a death date of 5 Aug 1835 in Zanesville, OH. I do not know her source.

E.P.'s NOTE: I found a marriage date (see below) for John's parents that put in question John's birthdate, but I have seen the book referenced above that states John was three year's older than Robert Jr. The notes in this tree match information that I have come across over the last 15 years so I have copied it here as a reference piece for working.

Delaware Marriages, 1645-1899 Name Gender Spouse Name Spouse Gender Marriage Date County Penelope Annette Female Robert Caton Male 1 Jan 1758 Kent Record of this marriage may be found at the Family History Library under microfilm reference number(s) 0006417. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/12671999/person/-206167406/mediax/58...

Birth: Apr 9 1757

 Virginia, USA Residence:	Seneca County, New York 1779 Marriage:	Marriage to: Deborah Caton (born Barton) Dec 7 1779

 Wetzel, West Virginia, USA Residence:	New Cornwall, Orange, New York 1790 Residence:	Rome, Oneida, New York, USA 1800 Residence:	Romulus, Seneca, New York, USA 1810 Residence:	Romulus, Seneca, New York, USA 1820 Death:	Aug 5 1835

 Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio, USA