Daughter of Declaration of Independence Signatory
Niece (by marriage) of Betsy Ross
Born: 1790, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Died: 1850, Columbia, Pennsylvania
Catherine Ross Claiborne was the daughter of Brig. Colonel George Ross, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a niece of, both, James Wilson and George Reed, also signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her uncle, Brigadier General William Thompson was with the expedition to Canada with Montgomery and taken prisoner there. John Ross, another of Catherine’s uncles, married Elizabeth Griscom—whom we know today as ‘Betsy Ross’—making Betsy, an aunt of Catherine.
Catherine’s husband, Richard Claiborne, was a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati and, later, 1st Lieutenant in the Continental Artillery. In November 1777, he was promoted to Major, and assigned to Gen. Nathanael Greene as his Aide-de-camp and Quartermaster.
Catherine’s father, George Ross, Her uncle, James Wilson, and another uncle, George Reed.
Each, a signatory to the Declaration of Independence.
Richard and Catherine’s children were Guilford Green Claiborne and Henrietta Virginia Claiborne, who married Preston Billings Elder, of Pennsylvania and who was a key figure in the Columbia Bridge Company. Preston Elder eventually purchased the Columbia Spy newspaper from John Lovell Boswell until he had to sell it in 1840 due to poor health.
Catherine’s brother, Lieutenant Colonel James Ross, in 1775, raised the first company in Lancaster County. He rose through the ranks commanding the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, fighting at Long Island, Trenton, Germantown, Brandywine, and other key engagements during the Revolutionary War.
Catherine Ross Claiborne, Preston Billings Elder, and his wife (and Catherine’s daughter), Henrietta, are buried under the same marker at Mt. Bethel Cemetery.
Elizabeth griscom (Betsy ross) was an aunt of Catherine’s by marrying Betsy’s uncle, John Ross
Final resting place at Mount Bethel for Catherine, her daugther, and son-in-law.