Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,111, Stephen Champlin, Mass. R.I.
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Mass.         Champlin, Stephen S.      21.111
R.I. 
                                                         Carded
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(Front)
21277    21. (number cut off)
Rhode Island
Stephen Champlin
of Washington in the State of R. Island
who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Hollry of the Rg. commanded by Col. Dyer in the Mass. line for 21 Mos.
{Claimant died 2. Ag 1832 
Certif: to Elizabeth Champlin widow}
__________________________________________

Inscribed on the Roll of Rh. Island
at the rate of 70 dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
___________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Aug, 1833 and sent to W. Updike Kingston
___________________________________________
 Arrears to the 4 of Aug. 1832 $116"66
(Semi-ani.) allowance ending 1829..              1"34
                                    $118"20

{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. C. Stiles Clerk, 
Book E. Vol. 2. Page 13.

(Back)
The letter to S. G Taylor
North(?), 1833

G.C.
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12
Stephen Champlin
Rec Au fees of M
Pollis. S. Hilme
13,878
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DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNT OF Washington } Sc

On this 7th day of September 1832[?] personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Please now sitting, Stephen Champlin a resident of North Kingston in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged 72 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. In 1776 he resided in the Town of Exeter, in the County of Washington, in his Fathers Family, and took the place of his Father, on what is called alarm list, as part of the Militia, was drawn [illegible], and of the [illegible] and placed on the alarm list, to go when and where called. His Father was drawn for a month, and he took the place of his Father, and in a month, with others, to Wickford, and commanded by Captain [struck through] John Holley [/struck through] Joseph Holloway, and continued there a month. It was in the spring and before the English came to Newport. Afterwards in the latter part of the Fall or winter of that year, a draft took place, of the Militia, and his Brother Jeffery Champlin was drawn for a month, and he went and served in his stead one month, and was stationed at [illegible] Narrows[?] in North Kingston, Jonathan Bates was Captain of the Company. He was then drafted himself, for one month, and stationed down in Boston Neck, to guard the shore. The men stationed there, were commanded by the Lieut. of the Company, Stephen Whitman, whilst there, the Enemy landed from a Row Galley on the beach, and came up to the House, where we quartered, and drove us off, as they had a [illegible] Force and carried off Benjamin Gardiner to Newport, and four men had wounds. He was then afterwards stationed at the Roomer Hostel, as called in Boston Neck, one month. From the time the Enemy took [illegible], to then excavating the same, he was out on duty guarding the hostel[?] a great part of the time, as [illegible]
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e was then drafted himself, for one month, and stationed down in Boston Neck, to guard the shore.  The men stationed there, were commanded by the Lieut. of the Company, Stephen Whitman, whilst there, the Enemy landed from a Row Galley on the beach, and came up to the House, where we quartered, and drove us off, as they had a superior Force and carried off Benjamin Gardiner to Newport, and four men had wounds. He was then afterwards stationed at the Roomer Hostel, as called in Boston Neck, one month.  From the time the Enemy took possession ^of Newport, to then evacuating the same, he was out on duty guarding the shores a great part of the time, as he, and his Father and his Brother Jeffery, were all liable to do military duty, and a part of the Militia, were always sent out to guard the shores, and when the time of one half was out, they were relieved the other half. He went whenever his turn came, and did duty, but thinks the whole time, also stated, his Father never went at all, when drafted, but he always took his place, and served as a substitute for him, and his Brother Jeffery, never went but once, during the time, and he always served in his stead. He remembers being stationed at many places, all along the shores of Point Judith on Boston Neck. He was in Spencer's Expedition in 1777.  The Company was then called out, and the Regiment embroke at Wickford, on marched to Hannas Neck and transported across the Bay in Boats, and the march was to Trenton.  Charles Dyer was Colonel of the Regiment, Jonathan Bates was Captain of the Company then, they were dismissed at Trenton and returned home
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He was in the Expedition of General Sullivan in 1778, on Rhode Island, and was detained[?] in the last [illegible] expeditions two months. In Sullivan's Expedition he worked on the extreme [illegible], and was in [illegible] of the [illegible]. He is confident that he served in the whole more than two years. He stood guard on the shores, and quartered in [illegible], after the English left Newport, he [illegible] a tour of duty, on Rhode Island one month, one [illegible] was Captain of the Company. One where[?] he was stationed in Boston Neck [illegible] others, under Captain Jonathan Bates, [illegible] on the Island of [illegible], and made [illegible] of the Guards stationed there and [illegible] them off. He never served under any Continental [illegible], never had any further discharge. He was born in South Kingston, on the 19th day of February 1760, but his age is not recorded, in any Book of records. He has no documentary existence of his services. He is not acquainted with any Clergyman, who can testify to the reputation in his vicinity, among his neighbors, to his having been a soldier of the Revolution, but refers the Court to Simeon Hager & William Underwood, who are acquainted with him, and will testify respecting the same. He has lived in South Kingston, untill a few years.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Champlin

We, William Underwood residing in the town of Exeter and Simeon Hazard residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Champlin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.
William Underwood
Simeon Hazard - X his mark

Attest Sam Helme
In open Court with Sam Helme Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries 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 preceeding certificate, is a ____ resident in the ____ and that William Underwood & Simeon Hazard who has also signed the same are residents in the town of Exeter and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Samul Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Stephen Champlin for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of September 1832.
Sam. Helme Clk
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation
At a Court of Probate held at South Kingstown in the county of Washington in said state on the tenth day of June A.D. 1833
Satisfactory evidence was produced before this Court that Stephen Champlin late of Exeter in said county of Washington deceased, who before his death was an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 1832 died at said Exeter on the second day of October AD 1832. That Elizabeth Champlin of said Exeter is the widow of said Stephen Champlin decd. and that the said Elizabeth Champlin is at this time alive and unmarried.
In testimony whereof the Court of Probate aforesaid have caused the seal of said Court to be hereto affixed.
Signed and sealed by order and in behalf of said Court of Probate this tenth day of June A.D. 1833
Thomas R. Wells Clerk
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Washington ss. State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
I, Thomas P. Wells clerk of the Supreme Judicial court within and for the county of Washington and state aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas R. Wells who has signed the preceding certificate is the clerk of the Court of Probate of said South Kingstown duly appointed and qualified and that his signature thereto is his own proper hand writing and that full faith and credit ought to be given to the same. And I further certify that by the laws of Rhode Island the Courts of Probate in said state have no seal with devices thereon.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 8th day of July AD 1833.
Thos. P. Wells, Clerk
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No. 13,878
Elizabeth Champlin
Depo
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The deposition of Elizebeth Champlin of Exeter in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island aged forty years testifies & says on oath.
That I am the daughter of Stephen Champlin late of Exeter in said county of Washington an applicant for a pension. That my father Stephen Champlin died on the second day of October last since his application was preferred. That I have always heard my father state of his service during the revolutionary war. I have heard my father often say before I was grown up that he had served more than two years in the war and heard him & my uncle Jeffrey Champlin brother to my father who is also now deceased tell of my father serving as a substitute for said Jeffrey and also that he served as a substitute for his father Jeffrey Champlin and also I have always heard my father and others who were in the war talk these services over long before the pension act was passed and before any act for such a purpose was in agitation. I have heard him tell of his service under Capt. Perry and others. The reason why I recollect all these circumstances so particularly is that I was born blind and have ever been so and it was entertainment
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to me in my situation & my memory is fresh upon the subject of his service on Newport, of the French officers, of his passing in boats and the officers & the men he served with. I have no hesitation on oath to declare & say that I have no doubt he served two years & more in the revolutionary war. That my father died leaving a widow and three children that are blind, the [illegible] of [illegible], then destitution of property & the means to live, [illegible] that all the time should be allowed that can be under the [illegible] of the case. I am confident that he served the two years as stated by my father but can not state the periods only from what I have heard him say when young & before he expected or could expect a pension. That is say
In the year 1776 as a private under Captain Holloway one month and as as a substitute for Jeffrey one month under Capt. Bates. One month in the same year under Stephen Whitman and one month at the [illegible] farm, making four months in 1776.
Then in year 1777 he served as a private in Capt. Bates company in Col. Dyers regiment at least eight months
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and in the year 1778 he served as a private in Sullivans expedition two months.
And in the same year & the year 1779 he served as a private in guarding the shores six months also in 1781 served one month in Newport.
Elizebeth Champlin - X her mark
Witness to Elizebeth Champlin signature
Wilkins Updike
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation Washington County Sc. So. Kingston Feby 28, 1833
Personally appeared the above named Elizebeth Champlin and before deposing as aforesaid were by me carefully cautioned examined & sworn to testify to the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth & signed the same in my presence, after the same was reduced to writing in her presence. And I further certify that said Elizebeth Champlin is well known to me and that her deposition is entitled to full & implicit credit and that she sustains a fair character for truth & veracity.
Wilkins Updike, Just. Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Washington County ss.
I, Thomas P. Wells, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace duly elected and qualified, within and for the County of Washington in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 1st day of July AD 1833.
Thos. P. Wells Clerk
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No. 13,878
Stephen Champlin
died 2 October 1832
Private 21 months
5 & 16 ob
Jany 18 1833
Elizabeth Champlin his widow
W. Updike Esq
Kingston RI
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Brief in the case of Stephen Champlin of the county 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? 72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. In 1776 substitute
Duration of Service. 1 month for his father
Rank.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt. Helloway or Holley

Period. 1776 substitute
Duration of Service. 1 month for his brother Jeffery
Rank.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt. Bates

Period. From 1776 to 81
Duration of Service. 2 months for himself 4 as substitute for his father & brother
Rank. drafted
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Col. Dyer, Capt. Perrego, & Bates & Lt. Whitman

5. In what battles was he engaged? R.I.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? South Kingston
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? deposition
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No clergyman's certificate

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Levin Belt, Examining Clerk
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State of Rhode Island, &c. Washington County, Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 4th 1832.
Personally appeared the aforenamed Rufus Shearman & David Greene and before deposing as aforesaid, were by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing depositions, which were reduced to writing by me, in their presence and they signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponents are well known to me and that they sustain fair character for truth, and that the deposition are entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike, Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Washington County, sc.
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.
Sam. Helme Clk.
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The deposition of Rufus Sherman of Exeter in the county of Washington Rhode Island testifies & says that I am 74 years of age. That I know Stephen Champlin now an applicant for a pension that said Stephen Champlin was a private in Perrigo's company of State Malitia in the year 1781. That said company was stationed at the four chimney house so called on Newport R.I. one month doing duty in said company. Also that said Champlin served one month as a private in the company commanded by Captain Joseph Holley at Medford in Washington County guarding the shores. That said Champlin also served as a private one month in a company commanded by Lieu. Stephen Whitman commanding said company were stationed at the War Casey House in Boston [illegible] guarding the shores. That said Champlin also was on Newport in Sullivans expedition in Capt. Bates Company.
Rufus Sherman - X his mark
Witness W. Updike J. Peace
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Deposition in Case of Stephen Champlin
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Deposition of David Greene of Washington the county of Washington R. Island of lawful age testify & say.
That I am 72 years of age. That I was on guard with Stephen Champlin and know that he was there serving as a private at that time in a company but I have forgot the name of the Capt. that said Champlin was there guarding the shores in North Kingston, that he served one month there and I afterwards saw said Champlin as a private in Capt. Bates's company in Col Charles Dyers regiment on Newport R. Island in Sullivans expedition, the length of time he served I do not recollect.
David Greene
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Elizebeth Champlins Deposition
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The Deposition of Elizebeth Champlin of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island single woman of the age 40 years on oath testifies & says.
That my father Stephen Champlin late of Exeter aforesaid who was an applicant for a pension under the act of June 1832
Died on the second day of October AD 1832 and was buried on the fifth day of said October of said 1832 and that the day stated in the pension certificate [is an error crossed out] that he died on the 18th of January in said year is an error as will be seen by reference to my former Deposition now on file in said Pension Declaration-  And further the said Deponent saith not-
her signature [hand drawn X] Elizebeth Champlin
Witness to E Champlin's signature}
W. Updike  Just Peace}
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington County sc
S Kingstown  Sep 14th 1833
Personally appeared the within named Elizebeth Champlin & before deposing was by me carefully cautioned examined & sworn to the truth of the within Deposition which was reduced to writing by me & read to her & she signed the same in my presence
I also certify that the said Elizebeth is well known to me and that she sustains a fair character for truth & veracity and that her Deposition is entitled to full & implicit credit
Before me  Wilkins Updike
Just. Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington County ss
I Thos. P. Wells Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike Esq before whom the preceding deposition was taken and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace of the town of South Kingstown in said County of Washington duly elected and qualified; and that his ignature thereto is in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 16th day of September 1833.
Thos. P. Wells  Clerk
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Kingston R. I.
Mar 8
Free
J L. Edwards Esqr.
C. Pensions
Washington
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Kingston R I Nov 8 1833
Sir
I cald. at the Pension office for the Elizabeth Champlin pension but the monies cold [could] not be paid Mr Hodges not having her name on his book-  will you Sir please give him orders to pay it-  She is the widow of Stephen Champlin
Respectfully yours
T J Taylor
21.277
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
C. Pensions
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No 13,878
Deposition of Job Sherman
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The Deposition of Job Sherman of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island aged 76 years testifies & says
That I was well acquainted with Stephen Champlin who before his Death in October last was an applicant for a pension-  that during the revolutionary war said Champlin and myself lived within one mile of each other and were both acquainted all our days [lives crossed out] until his Death-  That I know he served in the revolutionary war viz:  I saw him as a private in Captain Holloways company and was stationed at Wickford in the State and he then served one month-  this was in the year 1776-  In the same year 1776 he served one month under Captain Whitman and quartered at the Room House in Boston neck
I know he was in Captain Bates company if I recollect the name of the Captain right in 1777 two months for I was myself there
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two months & saw him guarding the shores in said company & he must have served longer for I found him there when I went & left him there on duty when I came away he served his own tour & as a substitute
I know he served in 1778 two months in Genl Sullivans expedition- for he served on land and I served in the boats.
In 1779 he served in guarding the shores but the length of time I do not recollect 
After the evacuation of Newport and in the year 1780 [he served over crossed out] said Champlin served one month on Rhode Island in Captain Shermans Company-  The service in 1781 I [don't crossed out] know nothing because in that year I enlisted with the Continental Army and was marched away from the State to New York
He served seven months as stated above during the war to my knowledge and from frequent conversations with him after the war
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and from information from others and from general reputation of the facts I have no doubt that said Champlin served as he stated in his declaration more than two years in the war and I never heard it disputed or questioned but that he did
Job Sherman

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington Sc[?] So Kingstown April 3rd 1833
Personally appeared the above named Job Sherman and before deposing as aforesaid was by me carefully cautioned examined & sworn to testify the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth and signed the same in my presence after said deposition was reduced to writing in his presence And I certify that said Job Sherman is well known to me, that he sustains a fair character for truth veracity and that his deposition is entitled to full & implicit credit
William Updike Just. Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington County Sc[?]
I, Thomas P. Wells, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington and the State aforesaid do hereby certify that William Updike Esq before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace duly elected and qualified within and for the County of Washington in said State and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 1st day of July AD 1833
Thos. P. Wells Clerk
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Dr Sir

I herewith transmit the papers of Stephen Champlin with the additional depositions and [illegible] a certificate from the Court of Probate of So Kingstown that his widow is living.

The family are in very penurious circumstances and the children are blind & helpless, and a ready attention to their care is earnestly desired.

Yours W. Updike

Hon: JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pentions
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21111
Revolution
File No. 21,111
Stephen Champlin
Pri. Rev War
Act:  June 7" 32"
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]