Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,693, Joseph Champlin, R.I.
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R. I.
Champlin, Joseph
S. 21,693
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2103_
Rh. Island
Joseph Champlin
of Washington in the State of Rh. Island
who was a private in the Comp commanded
by Captain Dexter of the Rep commanded
by Col: ------ in the Mass
line for 15 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rh. Island
at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Aug.
1833 and _____ W. Updike
Kingston
Arrears to the 4th of Ma: ?? $100
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 25
$125
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Go. C Stiles Clerk
Book E, Vol. 2 Page 164
See letter 14 Oct. 1836 to P. Agr.
Date of death not on L. B
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[left side of page] he listed, to unt sci
P. Declaration of [illegible]
Joseph Champlin
Clerks fees paid
16669
Please enclose this or the certificate
when sent back to [John L. Taylor, Esq crossed out]
Wilford Ke Kingston
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DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF Washington } 16
On this 4th day of September 1852 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges
or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Joseph Champlin a resident of South Kingston in the county of Wahington and State of Rhode Island, aged twenty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated he was loss and has always remained in South Kingston, this no even of his age. In 1775 before the British [left behind crossed out] took pr Gin of the Island of Rhode Island, to Company of Militia to which he belongs, of which Company Samuel Segur and Captain Giden Babcock was sent and called out as manned to the South Ferry and stationed there with one other Militia and dated Mar, as Samuel, he and his associates, quartered at the house of Silas Gardiner
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he listed, to just six months — when he was discharged as accounted
of [illegible]. Previous to his enlisting and before which is August 
1778, the Company of Militia to which he belonged of which
Samuel Seth was Captain [“Captain” crossed out] Leut. Timmothy [illegible] Potter, William Steadman [illegible]
was [illegible] also to Rhode Island, with the Regiment Commanded by
Colonel Charles Byer & Thomas Potter [illegible] Cole, and united to
the forces under General Sullivan then on the Island he was defeated 
at Trenton, and not detained from home on the expedition, as much as
one Month - He never [illegible] any Continental Militia, except
in Col. Greens Regiment & in Sullivan Expedition. He had no
written or documentary evidence of his service. Thomas Northrop 
Gideon Greenman and Ebenezer Smith are now herein and were with him
in Colonel Greens Regiment and will testify to the same, they were
also with him, in some of the [illegible] of [illegible] in the Militia - his whole
term of service was thirteen Months, he knows of no Clergyman in his
vicinity, who can testify to his character, or report of his being a 
soldier [illegible] the Court to William Peckham and Elisha R 
Potter who will testify to the same —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares [cut out]
name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph + Champlin [“his mark” inserted above/below the plus sign]
Wm. Sam. Helme Clerk
We Elisha R Potter & Wm Peckham [names are handwritten] residing in the Town of South [rest of line is cut out]
[“and residing in (the same)” is crossed out] hereby certify that we are well [rest of line is cut out]
with Joseph Champlin [names is handwritten] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we
believe him to be seventy three [number is handwritten] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Elisha R Potter
William Peckham
Wm. Sam. Helme Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and 
served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the [left blank] and that Elisha R Potter & Wm Peckham [names are handwritten] who [“has” is crossed out] [“have” is inserted by hand]
also signed the same [“is a” is crossed out] [“are” is inserted by hand residents [the “s” on residents is handwritten] in the Town of South Kingstown [name of town is handwritten] and [“is a” is crossed out] [“are” is handwritten] credible persons [the “s” on persons is handwritten] and
that their statement is entitled to credit. [The following is handwritten:] And the Court also certify that from their Examination 
and knowledge of Gideon Greenman. Henry Northrop and Ebeneser Smith
the preceding Deponents the Court Consider their Testimony entitled
to credit.
[The following is typed:] I Samuel Helme [name is handwritten] Clerk of Court of Court of Common pleas & Gen Justice of the
Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Champlin [name is handwritten] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of September AD. 1832 [date is handwritten] 
Sam. Helme Clerk [handwritten signature]
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Joseph Champlin
Affidavit
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(Unknown) State of Rhode Island & (unknown)
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in the town of South Kingston and State of Rhode Island. Joseph Champlin of South Kingston aforesaid who is an applecant (sic) for a pension, who being duly sworn deposeth and saeth that by reason of old age and the sonsequent loss of memory he cannot swear objectively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below in the following grades.
For and in the year 1775 one month I served as a private in Capt. Samuel Segars company of Maletia (sic). 
In the year 1776 two months (illegible) a private in Capt. Samuel Potters company of Maletia (sic), omitted in the original declaration by the draftsman. 
In the year 1778 one month I served as a private in Capt. Timonthy Lock's company  of Matetea(inserted in line above) (unk own) Col. Charles Dyer regiment, in Sullivans (sic) expedition under the command of Genl. (unknown) Sullivan on Rhode Island.
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In the year 1780 six months as a rpviate in Capt. Daniel Desten (may be incorrect) Company in the Continental Army.  The regiment commanded by Col. Greene. Samuel Ward Lieut. Col. 
"I___ Flagg. Major of the regiment _____ making in the whole fifteen months and for such service I claim a pension.

Joseph Champlain 
(X his mark)

Witness W. Updike to J. Champlin's signature 

State of Rhode Island (mark unknown)
Washington (unknown) 
(unknown) July 18th 1833
Personally appeared Joseph Champlin the (unknown) (unknown) and before & deposing as (scribbled out) aforesaid was by me carefully  (unknown) (unknown) & sworn to testify (unknown) the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth. Which said affidavit was by me (unknown) to writing in his person & by him (unknown) in my (unknown). I also certify that the said Joseph Champlin (unknown) is well known to me and (unknown) a fair character for truth & (unknown) and that his affidavit is entitled to full & (unown) audit. 
(unknown) (unknown) Just. Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Washington County [illegible]

I Thomas P. Wells Clerk of the Sup-
reme Judicial Court within and
for the county of Washington & 
State aforesaid do hereby certify 
that Wilkins Updike Esq. before whom the preceding affidavdit was taken 
and sworn to is a Justice of the
Peace of South Kingston - County & state afores- duly elected and qualified and that his sig-
nature thereto is in his own proper handwriting

The testimony whereof I have hereinto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court this 18th day of July 1833.

Thos. P. Wells Clerk
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No. 16,669
Joseph Champlin
(unknown) 15 Monthly
(line of numbers crossed out) 16
July 10 1833
P. 1122
W. Updike Esqr.
Kingston, R.I.
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Brief in the case of Joseph Champlin
Court of Washington in the State of R. Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexted.
(Four columns marked Period, Duration of Service, Bank, Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.)
In 1777, June, (years), V/2 1776, drafted, Capt. Saml (sic) Segar
After this, (years) (same) (same) Same
After this, (years) (same) (same) Same
After this (years) (same) (same) Same
After this (years) (same) (same) Same
1780 June 6 months, days, Private, Col.   Capt. Dexter
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? S. Kingston
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions
8. ARe the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sevia Belt, Examining Clerk
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January 15, 1933


Miss Mary F. Call
605 University Avenue
Syracuse, New York

JOSEPH CHAMPLIN
S. 21693
BA-J/MIB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joseph Champlin, of Washington County, Rhode Island, who was born in 1756, received a pension and died in 1852 at Worcester Junction, Massachusetts.

The record of only one Joseph Champlin was found and is given herein in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 21693, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Joseph Champlin was born and reared in South Kingson, Washington County, Rhode Island; the date of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not given.

While residing in South Kingston, Rhode Island, he enlisted in 1775 and served at various times until sometime in 1780, amounting in all to fifteen months, as private under Captains Samuel Seager, Samuel Potter, Timothy Locke and Daniel S. Dexter, and Colels Charles Dyer and Greene in the Rhode Island troops; a part of the time was out on General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition. 

Joseph Champlin was allowed pension on his application executed September  4, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-three years and a resident of South Kingson, Rhode Island, where he had always resided and was still residing in 1833.

No reference was made in the claim to wife or children. 

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of the soldier's
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death, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
 
Joseph Champlin
Certificate 21033
Issued August 16, 1833
Rate $50 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Rhode Island Agency

Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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605 University Ave. Syracuse, N.Y.
December 28, 1934

Bureau of Pensions: I wish to get definite service of (written by hand above) only one Joseph Champlin of Washington Co. R.I. born 1756, killed at Worcester Junction, Mass. 1852. Pension began in 1831.
Also wish exact date of birth and death and all family records you have, particulary name of his wife.
Think the soldier was of South Kingston, later of Matoonic or Matunuck R.I.
Thank you
very truly yours 
(Miss) Mary F. Call
This Joseph Champlin served in the Mass. militia and Contental Line. (May be the one in Mass Solciers and Sailors given as Joseph Cahmblen)

(stamped with rubber imprint)
(arrow pointing to 3:45)
REceived Jan 2 1935
Mail (unknown)
(illegible) 10
Page 15

1935, Jan 15, (unknown) to Miss
Mary F. Call - MLB

(written vertically at left margin) 
Revolution

21693
INVALID

File No. 21,693
Joseph Champlin
(unknown) Rev War

Act: June 7", 82"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 68

(Arrangement of 1870)
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Hon. J. L. Edwards

I have taken the affidavit of Mr. Champlin agreeable to statement of objections and obtained an additional seal from the clerk.
Mr. Champlin is very desious of a decision and he  is one of the most respectable (unknown) for character and integrity although Illiterate.
Yours t, W Updike
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No. 669
Joseph Champlin

W. Updike
Kingston, R. I.
(line crossed out may be Thomas S. Taylor, Esq.)
(line crossed out may be Kingston, R.I.)
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Champlin which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language as definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No (answer partially blotted out)
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? (answer NO is crossed out)
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? (answer NO is crossed out)
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which is can be distinguished from any other seal? (answer NO is crossed out)
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and other respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? (answer "no" crossed out)
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? (answer "no"crossed out)
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the winess was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? (answer "no" crossed out)

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peac, &c. A>B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consquent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades;  For ____ year _____ months, and ____ days, I servced as a _____  For _____ months and _____days, I served as a ______; and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is imporant in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, etc. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in the garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to his credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or any other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
(symbol of finger pointing to the right, and to the following text) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Arcade Bank
Providence  Oct. 9th 1836

Sir,

Be pleased to inform me if the enclosed powers of attorney for the payment premium of Joseph Champlin a pensioner under the act of of Jan 7 1832 now on the roll of this agency will be satisfactory. It  having been executed in the state of New York when said pensioner is represented by his attorney to have been an (unknown) detained by sickness. 

I am very respectfully 
yrs (unknown) (unknown)

H Green (or F Green)
Pension Clerk

J L Edwards Esq, 
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
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I, (name crossed out) Ebenezer Smith of South Kingston, in the County Washington, does (illegible) on (unknown) state I (unknown) acquanted with (illegible) Champlin during the war of the Revolution and I have been acquainted with him (unknown) and I knew him during the (unknown) to perform many tours (unknown) the militia, and also know that (unknown) on months as a (unknown), in Col. Greene's regiment of Continental Troops, in (unknown) (unknown) Company; I being a member of said company.

Ebenezer Smith X his mark

Sworn to me Upon (unknown) & (unknown) there also
Wm. Sam Helme (unknown)
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The Deposition of Gideon Greenman of South Kingston in the County of Washington, who on oath says & (unknown) to (unknown) of the (unknown), he (unknown) acquainted with Joseph Champlin (unknown) (unknown) be acquainted with him; I knew him to be (unknown) as a soldier (unknown) duty. He (unknown) in that (unknown), I knew him to (unknown) Sullivans expedition, and also knew him to be in Colonel Greene's regiments of Contenantal (unknown) six months. I (unknown) with him in (unown) his regiment the whole six months. 

Gideon Greeman X his mark

(unknown) Greenman
Sworn to me Open Court Sept. 4 1832
(Unknown) Sam. Holme, (unknown)
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
FORM VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD

NAME Champlin, Nathan
GRADE Private
LINE Crane's Continental Artillery (Massachusetts)

WARRANT NUMBER 3985
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Dec. 31, 1789
to___ not shown___

The information concerning the issance of warrants carded on this form is found in volume 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.