Cato Pompey

Bio

According to Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Cato was 16 years old when he enlisted in the Continental Army for three years. He was described as standing five feet, two inches tall, with black hair and a black complexion. His occupation was given as farmer. George Sheldon, author of The History of Deerfield, Massachusetts, notes that Cato was paid a bounty of "60 pounds silver." In the later years of the Revolutionary War it became increasingly hard to find men willing to fight, so bounties were offered as incentive. 

Military Service

• May 1, 1781; enlisted for 3 years, private in Capt. Sylvanus Smith's co., Col. Rufus Putnam's 5th regt., at West Point, NY
• June & July, 1781; at a camp near Dobb's Ferry, NY, on command in NJ
• Aug. 1781; at Camp Peekskill, NY, on command in NJ
• Sept. 1781-Feb. 1782; at West Point, NY, reported sick & absent
• Mar.-Nov. 1782; Capt. Smith's 1st co., Col. Putnam's regt.
• Mar.-July 1782; hospitalized at New Windsor, NY
• Dec. 1782; Capt. Smith's co., 5th regt.
• Jan.-Feb. 1783; Capt. Smith's co., 5th regt., David Cobb commander

Sources Consulted
A History of Deerfield, Massachusetts, Vol. II, George Sheldon, 1895-96, p. 749

Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Vol. 12, pub. Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1891, p. 519