Cathcart family papers

1785-1962, 1830-1844 [bulk 1785-1806]

James Leander Cathcart (1767-1843) was a seaman, American consul to the Barbary States, and civil servant. He served as a sailor during the American Revolution, was captured first by the British, then by Algerian pirates in 1785 and was sold into slavery in Algeria. After his release from eleven years in captivity, he returned to the Barbary States as consul from the U.S. After his diplomatic service he worked as a clerk in the U.S. Treasury. His oldest son, Charles W. Cathcart (1800-1888) settled in Indiana in 1830 and became a farmer, land speculator and politically active Democrat. He served two terms in the House of Representatives and was appointed to the U.S. Senate. Collection consists of correspondence of James Leander Cathcart and other family members, genealogical notes and printed matter. Correspondence includes Cathcart's letters while a prisoner of and later emissary to the Barbary States, 1785-1806, and letters to his sons after their moves to the Michigan and Indiana Territories, 1827-1844. Also, genealogical information and printed matter concerning the Cathcart family.