Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3151, Freegift Chamberlain, Penn.
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SERVICE   Penn.
Chamberlain, Freegift
NUMBER  S.3151
Carded
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7756    7756   
Ohio – 
Freegift Chamberlain  
of Licking in the State of Ohio  who was a Private in the Compy command by Captain Dawson of the Brigade commanded by Genl Nevill in the Penna line for 8 mo & 7 day 
$34. 11/100    
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 34 Dollars 11 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Mar 1833 and sent to A.H. Coffee Newark Ohio
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833.   68.22    
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 1833   17.05     
$85.27
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded By Wm. R. Palmer Clerk 
Book E  Vol. 8   Page Four 
Date of death not on AB
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Freegift Chamberlin
Declaration
20173
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The State of Ohio, County of Licking Ss  
On this twenty ninth day of October personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County now sitting Freegift Chamberlin a resident of Hartford Township in said County of Licking & State of Ohio, aged Seventy four 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 -   
In the month of September 1776, the United States being about to enter into a treaty with the Delaware, Shawnee & Mingo tribes of Indians, a detachment of men were thought necessary to attend our commissioner whilst making that Treaty - The parties were to meet at Pittsburg. There were a few regular soldiers there at the time. To make up a sufficient number there was a call for volunteers - Deponent volunteered under Captain Nicholas Dawson - when they arrived at Pittsburg then being more volunteers than were thought necessary, General Nevill required sixty men only of the volunteer corps present. That number volunteering their services, of which deponent was one. They served under Capt Jesse Pigman & Lieut. John Biggs. They were on this duty fifty three days, and were then discharged. He does not remember the names of any of the regular officer of the corps there stationed there - The next year (1777) some time in the month of September he again volunteered his services in the detachment commanded by Genl McIntosh - He was attached to the company of Capt. James Wright They rendezvoused at Pittsburgh and about the first of October commenced their campaign into the wilderness they first went down the Ohio River about 16 or 18 miles & built fort McIntosh thence they crossed the country to the Tuscarawas River & built Fort Lawrence. This being done they returned home in this service this deponent was out three months. In this service there was a large detachment of regular troops, but from his great age this deponent cannot now remember the names of any of the inferior officers of that corps.     
The next year (1778) he volunteered his service in the Company
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of Capt Zadock Wright, for the defence of the Frontiers, and stationed at Monturis Station on the Ohio River some 10 or 12 miles below Pittsburgh In this service, while at that station they were constantly engaged in scouting parties, scouring the country up and down the river. Here was at this time out one month. Immediately on his return from the last mentioned service, he became a substitute for John Fryn and turned to Monturis Station under the same officers as before, and served and month in like duties as those last above stated. In the above service, he first volunteered under said Capt Zadock Wright in the month of June and served during the balance of that month, the whole of the ensuing July and part of August, in the said two months service. About the first of September in the year last aforesaid, he volunteered under Capt. Thomas Reed to make an excursion across the Ohio River, to reconnoiter the movements of the Indians - In this service Deponent was out fourteen days from thence he served as a spy, some times alone, and at other times in small companies in which duty he was almost daily engaged until about the first of May in 1779 when the Indians became so troublesome to the infant settlements in the western part of Pennsylvania, it was found necessary for the protection, to raise a company of Spies, to be kept in constant service and scour every part of the country & give alarm in case of invasion. A volunteer Company was made of Eighteen men under Capt. William Hoggland, for the term of three months. This Deponent was a member of this company and served during the whole time aforesaid the said Company was stationed at Holladay's Cove on the Ohio River, and one half of said Company daily scoured the country up & the other half down the river From the expiration of his last aforesaid term of service he was not a member of any company, but was almost constantly engaged as a spy, sometimes alone at other time in companies of from two to seven or eight, until the close of the revolutionary War. This Deponent further States during all the time of his service aforesaid, from the year 1776 to the close of the war he resided in the County of Washington in the State of Pennsylvania that he has no documentary evidence of his aforesaid
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services, and that he knows of no person at this time, whose testimony he can procure who can testify particularly to all his aforesaid services, unless some of his Companions in arms are still living near Pittsburg, from whom he has not heard for the last two years - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. He has no record of his age - was born 20 Oct. 1758 
Sworn to and subscribed the day by & year aforesaid 
Freegift Chamberlin  his mark
A H. Coffee 
We George Callahan a Clergyman residing in the Township of Jersey in our said County of Licking [unreadable] Township in said County and State of Ohio, and Alex Holmes (Jas Holmes) residing in the Township of Newark in the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Freegift Chamberlain who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that so long as we have known him, which has been for a great number of years he was and is in the neighborhood where he resides reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion    
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid A. H. Coffee Clk
Geo Callahan 
Alex Holmes 
James Holmes  
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
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certifies that it appears to them that the said George Callahan who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Township of in and said County and that the said Alex & James Holmes who have also signed the same is a resident in the Town of in our said County and is a credible person and their statement is entitled to credit 
I Amos H. Caffee Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Licking in the State of Ohio, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Freegift Chamberlain for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of October A.D. 1832
A H Coffee  ck
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20173 - 7756
Freegift Chamberlain
Ohio
Admitted for 10 months and 7 days from 1776
6. - 20. -
3. - 10.
1. - 3.33
1/4 - 0.55.5
22.2
$34.11
Amos H. Coffee clk
Newark Licking Co. Ohio
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Brief in the case of Freegift Chamberlain County of Licking in the State of Ohio    
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? 74 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.   Vol in 1776   Duration of Service.  1 Months.  23 Days  Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Dawson  Genl Nevill  Capt Pegman
Period.  Vol. 1777   Duration of Service.  3 months   Rank.   Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt. Wright, Genl McIntosh
Period.    Vol.  1778  Duration of Service.  1 month   Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Wright
Period.  Sub.   Duration of Service.  1 month  Rank.  Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Wright
Period.  1779 * Duration of Service.  3 months 14 days  Rank. Spy Indian    Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Reed  Capt. Hoggland
5. In what battles was be engaged?  None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Washington Co. Pa. 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary * 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct     
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
Chas W. Forrest
Examining Clerk
he says he knows of no person at this time whose testimony he can procure who can testify particularly all his aforesaid services, unless some of his companions in arms are still living near Pittsburg from whom he has not heard for the last two years-
37
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December 14, 1939 
FREEGIFT CHAMBERLAIN 
S. 3151 
BA-J/MLB 
Mr. Irvin S. Morse 
910 East Dayton Street 
South Bend, Indiana 
Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Freegift Chamberlain who, you state, was born about 1757 in England, came to Pennsylvania, from there moved to Licking County, Indiana.
The data which follow in regard to Freegift Chamberlain were obtained from the papers in pension claim, S. 3151, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.  
Freegift Chamberlain was born October 20, 1758; the place of his birth and names of his parents were not given.   
While living in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Freegift Chamberlain volunteered in September, 1776, to go with a company to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to attend the making of a treaty with the Delaware, Shawnee and Mingo Tribes of Indiana, served under Captain Nicholas Dawson and Jesse Pigman in the Pennsylvania troops and was discharged after having served a tour of fifty-three days. He volunteered in September, 1777, served three months as private in Captain James Wright's Pennsylvania company, rendezvoused at Pittsburgh and about October 1, went down the Ohio River about sixteen or eighteen miles, assisted in building Forts McIntosh and Lawrence. He volunteered in June, 1778, and served two tours of one month each, as private in Captain Zadock Wright's company, in the Pennsylvania troops at Montour Station on the Ohio River. He volunteered about the first of September, 1778, and served fourteen days as private in Captain Thomas Reed's company in an excursion against the Indians across the Ohio River. From that time he served until May 1, 1779, as a spy, sometimes alone and again in small companies. He then volunteered and served three months as spy in a company of eighteen men under Captain William Hogland in the Pennsylvania troops. After that tour, he was not a member of any
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company, but was engaged almost constantly as a spy, either alone or with a few other men, until the close of the Revolutionary War; further dates of service and names of officers not given.    
Freegift Chamberlain was allowed pension on his application executed October 29, 1832, at which time he was residing in Hartford Township, Licking County, Ohio. 
It is not shown in the claim whether this soldier ever married.    
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Freegift Chamberlain, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Freegift Chamberlain 
Certificate #7755   
Issued March 28, 1833    
Rate, $34.11 per annum   
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
Ohio Agency. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER Executive 
Assistant to the Administrator 
2
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NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form K-8
(Rev.  11-21-38)
Division of Reference   
REFERRAL SLIP
DATE NOV 17 1939
RECEIVED NOV 18 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 16 VETS ADM
INQUIRY FROM 
Mr. Irvin S. Morse   
910 East Dayton Street
South Bend, Indiana
DATED November 13, 1939
SUBJECT: 
Any information concerning Freegift Chamberlain.  
RESPECTFULLY REFERRED TO: 
Veterans' Administration  
Washington, D. C. A
and the writer so informed. 
2 esc  
P.M. Hamer 
CHIEF DIVISION OF REFERENCE
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B - 3885 
NOV 17 1939 
RECEIVED NOV 18 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 18 VETS ADM
Mr. Irvin S. Morse   
910 East Dayton Street 
South Bend, Indiana 
My dear Mr. Morse: 
This is in reply to your letter of November 13, 1939, requesting information concerning Freegift Chamberlain.   
The pension records of veterans of the Revolution are in the custody of the Veterans' Administration, and we are therefore referring your letter to that office for consideration and reply.   
Very truly yours, 
P. M. Hamer, Chief 
Division of Reference
EB:rt
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IRVIN S MORSE 
910 E DAYTON ST. 
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 
Nov. 13, 1939 
U.S. Pension Dept. 
Division of Archives 
Washington, D.C. 
RECEIVED NOV 18 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 18 VETS ADM
Dear Sir, 
In a small county Cemetery, of which I have Memorial Day charge, there is buried in an unmarked grove, one Freegift Chamberlain.  
It has come to my notice that he is supposed to have served in the Revolutionary War.  
He was born in England about 1757 emigrated to Pennsylvania, later to Licking Co. Ohio, and about 1848 or earlier to St. Joseph Co. Ind.  
Pennsylvania state Archivist reports as follows:    
“Pensioner residing in Licking Co. Ohio; Service, Pennsylvania State Troops; placed on Roll, Mar. 28, 1833; Ohio Pension Roll, age 76, by act of Congress, June 7, 1832 “  
Can you furnish any additional information so that I may give his grave the attention it deserves? Respectfully yours 
Irvin S. Morse 
B3885
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Rev War
3151
INVALID
File No. 3151
Freegift Chamberlain
Pri. Pa. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A. Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1906 Jan 29 History to F. C. Cochrane ].  Also history to Dr. W. L. Chamberlain.  M.B.H.
1939 Dec 14 Hist to Irvin S. Morse  M.H. B.
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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 Freegift Chamberlain which require further proof or explanation. 1.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 
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? 
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
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?  See short brief 
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? 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? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1, 2, 6, 7  
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 Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent 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 served as a . For months days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3  
It is important 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 that they served two years in militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of application is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 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 the 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. written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or 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. 
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.