Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1844, Oliver Champlin, R.I.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
R. I,

Champlin, Oliver
                 Thankful

NUMBER
R. 1844

CONTENTS
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4h July 1836.

State of Connecticut }
New London County } ss.   Probate District of Ledyard.

On this 19th day of January A.D. 1839, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid Thankful Champlin a resident of Montville in the County of New London aforesaid, aged Eighty four years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836:  That she is the widow of Oliver Champlin who was a private in the Revolution.  that according to the best of her knowledge & belief her husband the said Oliver Champlin was drafted & performed three tours of duty of thirty days each in Capt. John Gavit's company, Col. Noyes' Regt. viz in the months of August, October & December 1775. & was stationed at Noyes' near in Westerly & the adjoining town of Charlestown on the Naraganset (sic) shore.  that in the month of December 1776 he enlisted into a permanent guard under the command of Samuel Chaplin (Sergeant Commandant) then of Westerly in the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island, but now deceased.  That he continued in the service until the latter part of the year 1779 & was stationed on the shores in said Westerly & the adjoining town of Charlestown to protect the inhabitants & their property from the invasions of the British, & drew their rations from the State.
That between the first of January & the first of June 17809 he was drafted & preformed three other tours of duty of one month each, in the company first aforesaid, at these periods commanded by Capt. Blivin.  That he well recollects that the last tour of duty aforesaid expired a short time before her oldest son, John, was born (say about two months) & that his said Son was born on the 10th day of August 1780.  She further declares that she was married to the said Oliver Champlin on 5th day of September seventeen hundred & seventy nine that her husband the aforesaid Oliver Champlin died at Montville aforesaid on the 13th day of April Eighteen hundred & thirty:  &
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that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference tot he proof hereto annexed.
(Signed) Thankful Champlin

In presence of 
Christopher Newton
Thomas H. Champlin

Sworn to & subscribed on this 19th day of January 1839. Before said Court. (The words, the of Westerly were unadded, & the words then of Westerly & the name of John were interlined in the foregoing declaration before signing.)
Attest,
(Signed) Christopher Newton Judge.
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John Champlin of Montville in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, on oath deposeth & saith, that he was (according to his reckoning from his boyhood to the present time) Fifty eight years old on the 10th day of August 1838, that he is as he verily believes the son of Oliver & Thankful Champlin, that his father the said Oliver, formerly resided in Westerly, Rhode Island, that he used to hear him talk about being one of the guard at said Westerly during the Revolutionary war, & if vessels being driven on shore by the British at said time - that his said father died in  Montville aforesaid in April 1830, that he attended his funeral, that his mother the said Thankful now resides in said Montville & has remained a widow since the death of his said father.
(Signed) John Champlin

In presence of 
Christopher Newton
Thomas H. Champlin

Sworn & subscribed before said Court this 19th day of January A.D. 1839.  And the above subscribing deponent is entitled to full credit & belief.
Test.
(Signed) Christopher Newton Judge.
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Samuel Champlin of Westerly in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island on oath testifies and says:  that he is eighty years of age; that during the war of the Revolution, he well remembers that his brother, Oliver Champlin, formerly of said Westerly, but late of Montville, in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, now deceased, served as a private soldier in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt John Gavit in the Regiment of Col Joseph Noyes, in the year 1775 three different tours of service of thirty days each, that is to say, in the months of August, October, and December, and was stationed on Noyes' neck in Westerly and the adjoining Town of Charlestown on the Naragansett (sic) shore as a guard to protect the Inhabitants and their property from the invasions of the enemy.  And the deponent further says that in the year 1780 the said Oliver Champlin served in said  Company and Guard, the months of January, March, and May, that said Company was commanded at the three latter periods, by Capt William Bliven, according to deponents recollection, and that deponent served in said company with said Oliver Champlin during all the aforesaid periods.  This deponent further says, that he was acquainted with Thankful Gavit formerly of Westerly aforesaid; that the aforesaid Oliver Champlin and said Thankful Gavit were married in the Fall before this deponent was married, and in the month of September; that this deponent was present at the marriage, and deponent was married in the month of January seventeen hundred & eighty; and said Oliver Champlin was reported to have died several years ago, since whose death the said Thankfull (sic) has remained a widow as deponent believes, and she now resides in Montville aforesaid as deponent
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State of Rhode Island }
County of Washington } ss.   On the 8th day of January 1839 Personally appeared the within named Samuel Champlin, who gave and subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth o the same.  I further certify that said Samuel Champlin is well known to me, that he is a person of veracity; and that his testimony and this, his deposition are entitled to credit.
(Signed) Jed. W Knight Justice of the Peace
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4226
Thankful Champlin
widow of Oliver
Con.
Act 4 July '36

m '79  d '30

Hon. E. Haley
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I hereby Certify that Oliver Champlin son of Capt. Samuel Chaplin and Thankful Gravit daughter of Mr. Stephen Gavit both of Weterly were lawfully joined together in Marriage on the twenty fifth day [ no month ] Anno Domini One thousand seven hundred and seventy nine.
By me the subscriber Isaiah Williams, Elder 
Entered  February the 17 1780.
per Joseph Crandal Town Clerk

State of Rhode Island }
Washington County } ss  Westerly January 8th AD 1839.  
I Jesse Manson Clerk of the Town of  Westerly in the County of Washington aforesaid do hereby Certify that the above is a true coppy (sic) of the Record with the Exception of the date which are Expressed in fair Leggible (sic) figures as follows. (viz) "1779"
Certified by Jesse Maxon Town Clerk

I Jesse Maxon above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Westerly above mentioned and that the above is a true Extract from the Record of said Town as Certified by me.  And I further Certify that I find the following entries on the Records (Viz).
John Champlin son to the above named Oliver Champlin & Thankful born in Westerly August the 10th day October in the morning AD 1780.  Entered February 17th 1780.
per Joseph Crandal Town Clerk.
Abigail Champlin daughter to the sd Oliver and thankful born in Westerly April 15th AD 1783.  Entered November 5th 1784
per. Joseph Crandal Town Clerk
Attest (Jesses Maxson Town Clerk

Sworn to before me
(Signed) Jed. W. Knight  Justice of the Peace
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Written in left margin
Hon. E. Haley
H.R.

Written in Right margin:
Cl Act 1836
4226


State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation
Washington  ss  Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas  January 11th AD 1839

I hereby Certify that Jedediah W. Knight Esqr. is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Westerly in the County aforesaid and that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be his to the certificate to the Deposition of Sandford Noyes and Samuel Chapman and to the Certificate of Jesse Maxon are Genuine.  IN Testimony whereof I have hereto Set my hand and the Seal of th e Court the day and Year above written.

(Signed) Matthew Waite Clerk
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Acts of July 14, 1862k, and March 3, 1873 (crossed out)


Stamped:  REJECTED

1844
P. O.
Thankful Champlin
Service:

Enlisted:     , 18
Discharged:         , 18

Application filed:         , 18

lleges:    

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P. O.

______Recognized.   _______Contract.
_______ Cert. of Dis.      Searched for _______, 18
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See let of Hon. E. Haley,
Feby 9, 1839.

(illegible)  Hon. E. Haley  (illegible) 12 7th '39
to S. W. Wood June 3. 1839 copy of letter of March 12, 1839 sent to S W Wood Sept 23, 1839.

1844

Act 4 July '36
Page 12

House of Representatives

Sir I herewith inclose (sic) a letter from Col. Samuel W. Wood with a certificate in favor of Mrs. Thankfull  (sic) Champlin Widow of Oliver Champlin Deceased which is offered for your consideration

I have the Hon. to be
Respectfull your Obt Srvt.
(Signed) Elisha Haley

Hon. James L. Edwards
Washington 3rd of March 1839
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State of Rhode Island &C
Secretary Office Feb 115, D 1839

I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly of the then Colony of Rhode Island &c held in on the second Monday of June (1775) seventeen hundred seventy five, John Gavit wad elected Captain of the second company of Militia in the town of Westerly (Noyes Regiment) and so continued until May seventeen hundred seventy nine (1779), when he was also reelected.  But in September following, William Bliven was elected Captain in the place of said Gait "who declined". f That the said Bliven was continued and reelected Captain of said company in July seventeen hundred and eighty (1780) as appears of record.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.

In General Assembly February 1777.  
Whereas a number of Inhabitants of the town of westerly preferred a petition to this assembly setting forth that for want of a proper Guard to watch the shores upon the sea coast of said town, they are very much expressed to the ravages of the Enemy, and are almost daily alarmed by the Shipping passing and repassing their seacoast in sight of said town where it is easy for them to land their men, and thereupon prayed this Assembly to take their care into consideration and enact that a Guard or watch of such number
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of men as may be thought sufficient, may be appointed to watch the shores upon their sea coast; and that the assembly would appoint Capt. Samuel Champlin who lives near the shore, to have the care of said watch, whereupon it is voted and resolved.  That said petition be and the same is hereby referred to the Honorable Major General Spencer.
True copy of record witness
Henry Bowen  Secry

In General Assembly May 1777
Whereas Capt. Samuel Champlin refers (illegible) unto this Assembly, that in consequence of a petition some time since preferred to this assembly and by them referred tot he Honorable Major General Spencer respecting the keeping up a sufficient watch in Westerly to guard their shores, the General has appointed him to have the command of said Watch, and that he has inlisted (sic) the number of men assigned for that purpose, who have been on duty from the twelfth of February last past; and that no provision being made for them, on account of their being remote from the Commissary's Store, they were obliged to billet themselves; and therefore the said Samuel Champlin for himself and in  behalf of the men under his command, requested this assembly to determine whether they shall be allowed for their board, or draw provisions of the Commissary for the time they have served; and the premises being duly considered.  It is voted and resolved that the said Samuel Champlin be allowed the pay and rations of  a Sergeant.   That the privates be allowed the same pay and rations as are allowed in the  Continental service; and that the standing Committee ascertain what is due to them for their wages and rations.
True copy of record
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
William Sprague
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

BE IT KNOWN, That the name, "HENRY BOWEN," to the aforewritten attestation subscribed, is in  the proper hand writing of Henry Bown, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law:  Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Providence, this fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty - nine and of Independence the sixty - third
(Signed) Wm Sprague

(Seal)

By His Excellency's Command,
Henry Bowen Secry
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To Hon. J. E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

The undersigned being Heirs of Mrs. Thankful Champlin late of Montville Conn. deceased, want to respectfully request you to extend to Mr. Samuel W Wood of Ledyard Connecticut or to such person as he may request the same facilities that you would extend to us, were we personally present in obtaining the arrears of pension due said Thankful  Champlin and by so doing your will oblige the undersigned.
Ledyard Dec 129th 1832
(Signed) Thomas H. Champlin
(Signed) Isaac S. Champlin

The Hon. Comm of Pensions is hereby requested to affirm the same facilities to George C. Ames Esqr of Washington City D.C. in establishing the claim of Thankful Champlin to a pension. And he is in the above instrument request to afford the undersigned and thus much oblige his.  obt Servt.
(Signed) Sam; W. Wood
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Ledyard 27 Feb. 1839.

Hon. Sir.

Your favor with the letter of the Commissioner of Pensions of the 6th Inst. ha been received in the case of Thankful Champlin widow of Oliver Champlin, deceased, and in answer thereto I have this day received from the Secretary of R.I. his certificate which is herewith enclosed, and which fully establishes that the guard kept up at Westerly R.I. was a Military service duly authorized by the laws of said State.

I am Sir very respectfully our most Obt. Servt.
(Signed) Samuel W. Wood

Hon. Elisha Haley
M. C.
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Ledyard  Jan 21st 1839

Hon Sir, 
Herewith enclosed you have the papers of Mrs. Thankful Champlin the widow of Oliver Champlin deceased a private in the Revolution.

I am very respectfully
your Obt Servt
(Signed) Saml W. Wood


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
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Ledyard Co.
29 May

Free

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commmr. Of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Written over the left side of envelope:

June 3
 Oliver Champlin
decd abt (illegible)
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Ledyards 29 May 1839.

Hon  Sir 
Yours of Feb 6, 1839, in the case of Mrs Thankful Champlin widow of Oliver Champlin, was received through the Hon. Elisha Haley, after receiving which I wrote to & received from the Secretary of r. Island a certificate which I enclosed and directed to the "Hon Elisha Haley M.C. or in his absence to the Hon J. L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions."  I directed the letter to Esq Haley hoping that it might reach Washington before he let there, but let it might not, I directed it also to the Commr of Pensions.  I suppose it probably reached Washington about the 4th of March last.  I would respectfully thank you to inform me whether you have received said certificate or not as the Hon. Mr. Haley informs me that he did not the same before leaving Washington.

I am Sir very respectfully
your most Obt Servt
(Signed) Samuel W. Wood
of Ledyard
Connecticut

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
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Sept 93
Thankful Champlin


Stamped:   FREE

Addressed:
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Ledyard 17 Sept 1839

Hon.  Sir,
Yours of June last in the case of Mrs. Thankful Champlin has been received, and should have been answered before this, but has inadvertently been omitted, 
In your letter you observe that the claim of Mrs. Champlin was re-examined in connexion (sic) with the certificate of the Secretary of Rhode Island on the 12th of March last and a letter addressed to the Hon. E. Haley at Mystic Connecticut.  I have called upon the Hon. E. Haley who informed me that he had not received said letter.  I would therefore respectfully thank you to furnish me with a copy of the same.

I am Sir very respectfully
your most Obt Servt
(Signed) Saml W  Wood
Norwich
Conn

Hon. L. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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Mary Williams of Ledyard in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, aged seventy nine years, being duly cautioned and affirmed, deposeth and saith that she was acquainted with Oliver Champlin formerly of Westerly in the State of Rhode Island, but late of Montville in the County of New of New London aforesaid deceased, that she used to hear the said Champlin, and her husband, (Peter Williams, late of said Ledyard deceased) during their lifetime, talk about their being in the service in the Revolutionary War, that the said Champlin died about eight years ago last Spring and that she attended his funeral.  She further saith that she is acquainted with Thankful Champlin, the widow of the said Oliver Champlin, that she now resides in Montville aforesaid, and still remains the widow of the said Oliver, as she (the deponent) verily believes and further the deponent saith not.
(Signed) Mary Williams

Ledyard 17 Jan 1839
In presence of
Wm M. Williams
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State of Connecticut }
New London County } ss   Probate District of Ledyard Jan 21 1839
I Demington H. Newton Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid do hereby certify that Samuel W Wood before whom the within deposition of Mrs. Mary Williams was taken, is a Notary Public for the said State of Connecticut commissioned & qualified & that his signature written to the certificate annexed to the within deposition is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court "whom" interlined.
(Signed) Demington H. Newton Clerk
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At a Court of Probate holden at Ledyard within & for the District of Ledyard on the 19th day of Jany 1839.
Present - Christopher Newton Judge.  And the said Court after the investigation of the subject matter, do declare their opinion that the said Thankful Chaplin was married to the said Oliver Champlin as she states in her declaration, that the said Oliver served in the Revolutionary War as stated in said declaration, that he died in April 1830, & that the said Thankful has remained a widow since the death of her said husband.  And the said Court do certify that the said Thankful is a creditable person.
Attest,
(Signed) Christopher Newton Judge.

I Demington H. Newton Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Ledyard in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Mrs. Thankful Champlin for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court the 19th day of January A.D. 1839.
(Signed) Demington H. Newton Clerk

(Seal)
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Sanford Noyes of Westerly in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, on oath testifies and says; that he is seventy seven years of age; that he was acquainted with Oliver Chanplin formerly of said Westerly, but late of Montville in the county of New London and State of Connecticut; that said Champlin in the month of December 1776 enlisted into a Guard composed of members from Capt John Gavit's company, Col Noye's Regiment but under the immediate command of Sergeant Samuel Champlin, then of said Westerly, but now deceased; that said Oliver Champlin continued in the service, in said Guard untill (sic) the latter (sic) of the year 1779 and was stationed on or near the shore in said Westerly and the adjoining town of Charlestown on the Naragansett (sic) shore, to protect the inhabitants and their property from the invasion of the enemy and drew their rations from the State; this deponent is well knowing to the services o said Champlin as aforesaid, having himself been in service during all the time above mentioned; said Guard drew their rations regularly by order of the State, and during their service as aforesaid, many of our vessels were driven on shore by the British cruisers along the coast, which were defended by the Guard, and by their aid Some of them were afterwards got off the shore, and mostly saved, with their cargoes.
(Signed) Sanford Noyes

State of Rhode Island }
County of Washington } ss.  On the 8th day of January 1839  Personally appeared the above named Sanford Noyes, who gave and subscribed the preceeding (sic) deposition, and made sworn oath to the truth of the same.  I certify that Mr. Sanford Noyes is known to me, that he is a person of veracity, and that this, his deposition is entitled to credit. 
(Signed) Jed. W. Knight Justice of the Peace