Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1861, Seth Chapin, R. I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R. I.
Chapin, Seth
NUMBER
R. 1861
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

Very respectfully,
Your obt. Servt.
Geo. Wm. Crump
*But the men were detached from a militia regiment by order of Generals Gates & Cornell & put under the command of Lieut. Chapin - this service acknowledged and approved by the same officers in command and paid for - (vid memorialist's document No 22
Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
G. W. Crump's report
Dec. 11
to be returned
3
To the care of Mr. Tillinghast
Page 3

War Department
Pension Office,
Dec. 11, 1839
Sir,
In obedience to your order I have the honor to report that the papers transmitted to you by the Hon. T. Burgess in further explanation and proof of the claim of Seth Chapin, dec. ? under the act of 7th June, 1832 have been examined and filed with the other papers.
The service which it is the object of these evidences to establish is an alleged service of 3 months as a Lieutenant in Rhode Island under Captain Peter Penniman (commencing as the principal witness Tourtellot asserts on the 1st December 1776 and ending 1st March 1777) and 21 days in Rhode - Island under the same Captain in April 1777.
It will be seen by reference to my report of 11th July last that Seth Chapin served one month and fifteen days in Captain Craggin's company in Rhode - Island at the very time it is alleged that he served 3 months in Captain Penniman's company in Rhode - Island. There are rolls of both companies for that particular service from 8th December, 1776 to 22nd January, 1777. He served in Captain Craggin's company and the
[continued]
Page 4

witnesses are wholly mistaken as to the Captain and the length of the term.
A roll of the non-commissioned officers and men of Captain Penniman's company in Rhode - Island in April 1777 for 21 days, bears the names of the witnesses Warfield and Taft and consequently that term may be allowed which will constitute with the service under Captain Craggins and Baker an aggregate of 3 months and 18 days service as Lieutenant falling short of the minimum provision of the act of 7th June, 1832. The rolls of Captain Penniman shew that in August, 1777 he re-inforced the northern army in New - York in a tour of 3 months and 27 days but Ammidon and Whitney were his Lieutenants. Upon the most careful and thorough examination, I have come to the conclusion that the alleged term of 3 months in Rhode - Island is identical with that of 1 month and 15 days in the winter of 1776-7, and consequently that the whole service is insufficient to entitle him to a pension. It should be remarked that Jesse Tourtellot the principal witness of this term is an unsuccessful applicant for the same term, the rolls shewing that he served but 27 days under Captain Penniman at that period.
With respect to the alleged service in a

[note written in the left margin below]
*This application has been made subsequent to the date of his last affidavit in proof of the claim of the heirs of Lieut. Chapin. S.C. Providence June 6, 1840)
Page 5

boat to obtain information which is denominated "Vidette" service, the statement of Mr. Chapin to shew that it was military, is deemed conclusive that it was neither military service nor rendered under military obligations. ( How? S.C.)
Every person belonging to Rhode - Island who engaged in its military service, either joined the Rhode - Island Line or Brigade, or the Militia including the volunteer or chartered companies. It is not suggested that Lieutenant Chapin belonged either to the Line, Brigade or to any chartered company. His service therefore was in the Massachusetts Militia as a Lieutenant. After divesting himself of his obligations as a Massachusetts Militia officer, it is set forth that he became the commandant of a few men at Little Compton in Rhode - Island employed in a boat to obtain information for 14 months continuously. This employment if military must have been either in the militia with which there is no evidence he had been incorporated and honored with an appointment or in a guard raised by special act. The length and character of the alleged service shew that it was not rendered by virtue of any militia* obligation and no statute has been adduced to prove that
[note in the left margin]
*Vid. Document of the Memorialist No 22
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it was raised by the state. The whole narrative of this service shews most manifestly that it was as it is termed a Vidette or look out service such as the Towns most exposed provided for purposes of vigilance and patrol, and therefore not within the contemplation of the pension laws. *
I have the honor to be,
Your obt. servt.
Geo W. Crump
* But the men were attached from a militia regiment by order of Generals Gates & Cornell put under the command of Lieut. Chapin - this service acknowledged and approved by the same officers in command and paid for - (vid memorialist document No22 - 
Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
G. W. Crump's Report
Dec. 11
3
To the care of Mr. Tillinghast
Page 7

Pension Office
April 4, 1840
Sir, In relation to the case of Seth Chapin dec'd (not Chapman) referred to in your letter of the 3rd inst. [instant] I have the honor to inform you that the papers were enclosed to the Hon. E. Davies on the 23rd ulto. A report was made to the Secretary of War on the 18th of January last in this case, in which he concurred, on an appeal from the decision of this office. Enclosed is a copy of the report.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. Jonathan Taylor
House of Representatives
Page 8

Seth Chapin
Feb 13
17.
for Com. on Res of Pensions with petition of Seth Chapin
Filed Mar 17 1840
To Com'er Rev. Pensions. Filed with other papers now with [illegible] Comm'ee
Page 9

Providence Feb. 18, 1840
Dear Sir:
I am glad to see that you have presented the petition: altho I hoped the Department would reverse their decision. But having once decided, as I think altogether wrong, Mr. Edwards [illegible] unwilling to recede.
I forgot to make an explanation concerning the Deposition of Isaac Barker. You will see it in a copy. The original I borrowed, carefully copied it and remitted both to the Secretary requesting him to have the correctness of the copy tested and certified in the Office and then return to me the original. He accordingly returned the original and I suppose had the copy tested. This, if necessary you can explain to the Committee.
Any explanation or further light that you may deem important, after having perused the file, I will give at your request.
I hope you will be able to get the subject up before the Committee soon. Give me reasonable notice and I will drop a line to Mr. Hastings &c...
Very respectfully
Your most obedt.
S. Chapin
Hon. J. L. Tillinghast
Page 10

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. July 16, 1895.
O. W. & N. Div.
F. S.
M. E. C.
Sir:
Referring to your request for information concerning an application for pension made by the heirs of one Seth Chapin, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that there are on file in this Bureau a number of letters, affidavits, etc., relative to a claim for pension by the heirs of this soldier but no application, if any was filed in this Bureau, has been found. From the papers on file it appears that the soldier served one month and fifteen days as a Lieutenant in Captain Craggin's Company, Col. Hawes' Regiment in the Rhode Island Line, at the time the enemy landed and took possession of the island, and one month and fifteen days as a Lieutenant in Capt. T. M. Baker's Company during Sullivan's Expedition in 1778. It is also stated that in the years 1778 and 79 he rendered service as a Vidette on the mainland opposite the island of Rhode Island, and had charge of a boat and eight men, being engaged in obtaining information concerning the condition and objects of the enemy, for and under the direction of Gen. Sullivan. No particulars of the last mentioned service were furnished and as
Page 11

his services under Captains Craggin and Baker were not of sufficient duration the claim of his heirs was disallowed.
On page 120 of Heitman's Historical Register, a publication concerning the names of officers of the Revolutionary war, the name of Seth Chapin appears as follows;
"Chapin, Seth (Mass.) 1st Lieutenant of Wood's Militia in 1776; 1st Lieutenant of Sherburne's Additional Continental Regiment 10th July, 1777; resigned 19th April, 1780."
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Charles B. [B. crossed out and corrected to V.] Chapin, Esq.,
City Registrar's Office,
City Hall,
Providence, R. I.
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Mr. Tillinghast need not trouble himself to peruse this file only in case the War Department make to him an unfavorable reply - and in that event it is requested that he will immediately attend to the subject of the letter and Memorial I much oblige
Yours & c
S. Chapin
Page 13

papers relating to the claim of Seth Chapin for a pension returned to the pension office,
by B. Davies
Apr 1840
Page 14

Seth Chapin Fol 18 page 48. on Capt E Chapins role 3 mo 14 days,
Genl Gates in 1777 -
Page 15

Health Department,
Office Superintendent of Health,
City Hall, Providence.
July 24, 1895.
D. J. Murphy, Esq.
Acting Com. of Pensions;
Dear Sir;
Your favor of the 16th in reply to my inquiry in regard to revolutionary claim of heirs of Seth Chapin received. Please accept my very sincere thanks for the same. In addition to the information given I should like very much to know the names of the heirs who made the claim and also the date it was made. If you can without too much trouble assist me in this I shall be under still further obligations.
Yours truly,
[signature] Charles V. Chapin
Page 16

Seth Chapin
Cap. Webbs Company July 1777
Bundle 16 No 10.
on 1st Lieut.
Page 17

[partial item list]
[top torn]
"  "  "  packing @ 12 1/2    .37c
"  24  " 1 bord, Sawed twice @ 1 [each]    1.00
"  "  "   Splitting & packing - - -  - 1.12
Dec 6 "  Sawing 3 bds - 50 - - - - -1.50
"  "     packing Do - - - - - .37c
"  30  "  Sawing 3 bds @ 50 - - - - 1.50
"  "  "  Do 1 bd (twice) @ - - - 1.00
Page 18

Seth Chapin 34.826.
R. I. Act June 7, 1832 - Susp'd.
Letters to Sec. of War July 11, 1839, Dec 11, 1839 & Jan 18, 1840.  do to Hon E Davies H. R. Mar 23, 1840. do to Hon. Jon'n Taylor Apl 4, 1840.
Page 19

34,826
Rep't Secty War, July 11 1839. Do to Do Dec [torn]
Right Hon. J. R. Poinsett
January 18 1840
Act 7 June 3[torn]
Page 20

R 184 Owen Div
War
[the remainder of typed letter appears in reverse]

September 4th, 1907
Dear Sir, - 
Many years ago the heirs of Seth Chapin, a soldier of the Revolution applied for a pension. I was advised by a letter from your Department dated July 16th, 1885, that there are on file a number of letters, affidavits, etc. relating among other things to his service as a vidette on the mainland opposite the island of Rhode Island in 1878 [1778] and 1879 [1779]. I was very anxious to get the exact facts in regard to his service so far as they are known, and write to ask if I could obtain a copy of that paper, and what the expense would be.
Yours truly.
Superintendent of Health.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dist. N.
[circular stamp]
U.S. Pension Office Sep 5 1907
Page 21

[See the preceding document in this file. This is a copy.]
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Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C., August 3, 1895.
O. W. & N. Div.
P. S.
M. E. C.
Sir:
Replying to your communication of the 24th ultimo, you are advised that the application for pension in satisfaction of the services rendered by Seth Chapin in the Revolutionary war, was made by his son, Seth Chapin, a resident of Providence, R. I., in the month of January, 1840.
Very Respectfully.
Acting Commissioner.
Charles V. Chaplin, Esq.
City Hall, Providence, R. I.
Page 23

[Notice in a box at top left of the letterhead]
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.
Revolutionary.

L. W. B.
R. 1861.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.,
March 24, 1897.
Sir: - 
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Seth Chapin, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that there are on file in this Bureau a number of letters, affidavits. etc., relative to the claim for pension by the heirs of this soldier but no application, if any was filed in this Bureau, has been found.
From papers on file it appears that the soldier served one month and fifteen days as a Lieutenant in Capt. Craggin's Company, Col. Hawes Regiment, in the Rhode Island line, at the time the enemy landed and took possession of the Island, and one months and fifteen days as a Lieutenant in Capt. T. M. Baker's Company during Sullivan's Expedition in 1778. It is also stated that in the years 1778 and '79 he rendered service as a Vidette on the main land opposite the island of Rhode Island, and had charge of a boat and eight men, being engaged in obtaining information concerning the condition and objects of the enemy, for and under the direction og [of] General Sullivan. No particulars of the last mentioned service were furnished and as his services under Captain Craggin and Capt. Baker were not of sufficient duration the calim [claim] of his heirs was disallowed.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Horace B. Edgecomb ,
14 George St., Pawtucket, R. I.
Page 24

October 4, 1907.
Mr. Charles V. Chapin,
Health Department, City Hall, Providence, R. I.
Sir: 
In reply to your letter dated the 4th ultimo and received on the 5th, relative to claim "R. FIle 1861, Seth Chapin, Revolutionary war", you are advised that under dates of July 16, 1895, and January 14, 1896, you were furnished with all the material facts in the case, including a copy of that portion of William Wilkinson's letter of January 29, 1840 which referred to Seth Chapin's service as Vidette.
The original application and affidavits are not on file in this Bureau, the same having been forwarded to Congress March 23, 1840, upon request.
It is proper to add that any person designated by you may be allowed to examine and copy the papers in the above-cited claim.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 25

Seth Chapin - 
Rhode-Island
7 June, 1832 - 
Let. to Hon. J. Johnson
Dec 20/4
do to same Dec 1845 enclosed papers, 24 in number.
Suspended
1861
Page 26

[crossed through: Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.]
[stamped: Rejected]
1861
P. O. [blank]
Seth Chapin
Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank]
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank]
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank]
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P. O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18[blank]
[notes at left of document]
July 16/95 Hist to Chas V. Chapin, City Registrar's Office, City Hall, Providence, R. I.
Aug. 3/95 Letter to Chas. V. Chapin
Providence, R. I.
Jany 14, 1896
History to Geo. V. Chapin Esq.
Mch. 24. 1897 - History to Mr. Horace B. Edgecomb
14 George Street
Pawtucket- R.I.
1907 Oct 4. Letter to C. V. Chapin- [illegible]
Page 27

Pawtucket R. I.
Feb 19 1897
The Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Dir:
I desire to procure such information as may be on record in your office regarding Seth Chapin a Lieutenant (if not Capt) in the Revolutionary War in service in R. I. and enlisting from his native town - Mendon Mass. and afterwards receiving a pension from the Government for his services.
Page 28

Please give me all the information you have regarding this soldier and oblige
Yours respectfully
Horace B. Edgecomb
14 George St
Pawtucket, R. I.
Page 29

Providence Jan. 31. 1840
Sir,
I in writing my hasty letter of yesterday it has occured to me that the enquiry may suggest itself to the Committee; why, if Lieut Chapin was so deserving of a pension, did he not lay claim to it himself while living?
In reply I remark that the former acts did not seem to embrace his case, and such was his constitutional reluctance to be brought into public notice, he was not disposed to petition for a special pension from Congress. The reason that he did not sooner move to have a claim lain to a pension under the Act of '32 was that he was reluctant to the trouble which the effort would cost him, particularly in calling him in his old age from home, as he thought. I embraced the earliest opportunity after I learnt that that act embraced his case to visit him and propose the subject to him. The consequence was an agreement to aid him and take upon myself as much of the burthen as possible. But that visit was unhappily restricted to a few hours, and admitted of no preliminary measures, or even an investigation of the particular merits of his claim. Before I could again visit him and attend to the subject he suddenly died.
Yours very respectfully
S. Chapin
Hon. Joseph L. Tillinghast
Page 30

City of Providence R. I.
Jan. 7. 1840
Sir,
The closing remark of the Commissioner of Pensions, J. L. Edwards Esq. in his report to the War Department of Dec. 17. which we have had the honor to receive from you, together with your Note of the 18. and the report of the Acting Commissioner, Geo. W. Crump Esq. on the claim of the heirs of Lieut. Seth Chapin for a Pension has led me to search for some evidence if it might possibly be found, relative to any compensation, which the deceased or his men might have received from the funds put at the disposal of the Council of War in this State, at their discretion, as I was informed was the case. The result is the copy from the doings of that Body, which I have the honor to forward. Although it evidently relates to a service, about which but little appears to have been known definitely, yet, in the judgement of your Memorialist, it confirms other testimony and settles the point, beyond doubt, that the said Lieut. Chapin must have been appointed to the service,
Page 31

that he acted under military responsibility and in an official capacity, and that he and his men were under pay as soldiers doing military duty. Your Memorialist need not comment on the coincidences of dates, showing that reference must have been had to the service performed at Little Compton, under the direction of Generals Gates & Cornell; nor will he entertain a doubt, but that this evidence, providentially found, will satisfy the Department of the justice of the claim.
Your Memorialist begs leave respectfully to suggest that those here best acquainted with the service of Lieut. Chapin and his men, for instance Mr. Wilkinson the secretary of Gen. Cornell and others at Little Compton, do not consider it merely or principally of a "vidette or lookout service", as that of the Boats in the Chesapeake. The principal object and service of the Boats under his command, it is humbly conceived was, the safe crossing to the Island almost under the [illegible] of the enemy. The object of watch was the movement of the enemy army & navy at Newport.
With great respect
I have the honor to be
Sir, your obt. Servt.
S. Chapin
To the Hon
J. R. Poinsett Secy. of War.
Page 32

P.S. Your Memorialist unites himself in the [illegible] of Mr. Burges from the City -
Page 33

[addressed]
Hon. Joel R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Washington 
[notes at top]
B.414 I Decr 7.
See let. to Sec. of War dec. 11. 1839
7 Decr 1839.
Pension Office
Report recd 11th
[notes at bottom]
War Dept
Aus & Decr 18. 1839.
Page 34

Providence Nov'r 27th 1839
Hon Joel R Poinsett
Secretary of War
Sir
I have the honor to lay before you the case of my very Dear & meritorious friend the Rev'd Mr Chapin. It does not seem needful, for a full illustration of it, for me to make any remarks at all on the facts or the evidence. His memorial is such a full & perfect demonstration & that too founded on the testimony, that anything which I could write would be no more than a repetition of what he has so ably written. I would merely state that some of his witnesses have long been well known to me & all of them are as I am well assured of the first class of respectability. Mr Wilkinson & Judge Rawson are two of my estimable friends; & I never dreamed of doubting the truth of any statement made by them. After a re-examination
[continued]
Page 35

of this claim, should there be, as I trust there will not be, any doubt in your mind as to the justice & legality of it; I pray of you to let me know the points, if any, on which it labours, & permit me to attempt to remove the objections.
Please, Sir, to excuse the trouble I am laying in your way, by these attempts to benefit my esteemed friend; & be assured that no man can labour in behalf of a more meritorious man, a more faithful Servant of the Blessed Master of us all or one whose temporal condition more loudly calls for that pecuniary compensation which was earned by the toils & perils of his deceased father
I have, Sir, the honor to be
with the highest respect
your Obt Servt
Tristam Burges
Page 36

[illegible] Seth Chapin
Jany 29
Feb 9
(Evidence & Witnesses)
for the Committee on Revy Pensions.
To the [illegible]
Filed Nov. 16. 1840
To Comm'ee on Rev. Pensions -
these papers with [illegible] comm'ee
Page 37

Providence Jan. 29, '40
Sir,
I return to you the commissioner's report with comments attached to it together with a letter from Mr. Wilkinson on the subject.
I hope you and Mr. Cranston will find time to look over the documents which I have forwarded to the Department in their order of number - together with each of the memorials and the "rolls" relating to the case. In the two last reports of the Commissioner. save one, he refers to "rolls" of the Mass. Militia (altho none exist according [to] a statement in the printed Documents of the Department) by which he disproves the claim of three months' service at Providence from 1st Dec '76 to 1st March '77 in Capt. Penniman's Company. In proof of that claim are the affidavits of the Tourtillots, together with the last affidavit of Joseph Rawson. Now in case those "rolls" can be shown, and the service of the three months is disproved, clearly so, then that part of the claim must be given up, and the Committee need not be troubled with those affidavits by which I have tried to sustain the claim; although I can never believe Dea. Tourtellott is mistaken. When you have seen those "rolls" you can judge but what to do.
I beg leave to ask whether you will not make a kind of a synopsis of the points and the proofs as you send over the documents, in order to assist
[continued]
Page 38

you in pleading the case before the Committee and before the House if necessary. I believe I suggested something in my letter the other day on the point. (I hope you will excuse me.) None who have attended to the subject [illegible] quite interested in it and I can but think you will. The service at Little Compton was of a very peculiar nature.
As it regards any further light on the subject I know of none. The Records of the Council of War contain none. I must rest the issue on what the Committee will have before them.
Permit me to hope you will be able to bring the subject to a speedy issue. Of course you will keep me in some way apprised of its progress. If you get anything I hope you will get a round sum. With sentiments of high esteem
I have the honor to be
Yours very respectfully
S. Chapin
Hon. J. L. Tillinghast 
P.S. Accept my grateful acknowledgements to the Intelligence and other documents which you have notibly sent me. Give me reasonable notice and I will address a few lines to several Members of the House with whom I am acquainted in order to enlist their favor in relation to the pension
Page 39

War Department
Pension Office
January 18, 1840
Sir,
In obedience to your order I have the honor to report upon the additional evidence enclosed in the letter of the Hon. J. L. Tillinghast of the 11th inst. in support of the claim of Seth Chapin dec'd. under the Act of June 7, 1832.
The report of the 11 ulto. maintained that the continuous service of the decedent for 14 months in a boat worked by 8 men at Little Compton if it was military in the purview of the Act must have been authorized by special act which the archives of Rhode Island would shew. In order to meet this ground, an extract from the Journal of the Council of War of Rhode Island is furnished. It is an allowance of [British pound sign]165.4/0 upon a "bounty abstract of a detachment from Col. Church's regiment of militia doing duty under the command of Lieutenant Seth Chapin by order of Genl. Gates" This minute recognizes the grade of Lieutenant in command of
[continued]
Page 40

of a detachment of militia but affords no means of determining the character and length of the service. The militia of Col. Church's regiment were not by the general laws governing them subject to such service as is here claimed viz. 14 months continuously. And it is therefore necessary to furnish from the records some further light upon the service of this detachment of Col. Church's (militia) regiment under Lieut. Seth Chapin to which this "Bounty Abstract" refers. The adjustment of a pro rata pension according to length and grade of military service requires that the length and grade should be sustained by the highest attainable evidence, and as it is understood that the record of Rhode Island as to the commissioning of its officers are perfect, it is a fair presumption that they afford more satisfactory and precise information than this Bounty abstract affords.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
J L Edwards
Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Page 41

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., January 14, 1896.
C. W. & N. Div.
P. S.
M. E. C.
Sir:
In response to your communication of the 9th instant, addressed to Mr. S. M. Yeatman, and by him referred to this Bureau for reply, you are advised that the application for pension made by Rev. Seth Chapin, in January, 1840, was on account of the services rendered by his father, Lt. Seth Chapin, who died on the 15th of November 1833. Such of the papers as are now on file in this Bureau relating to the case have been carefully examined and in none of them is any mention made of the other heirs, if there were any, of Lt. Seth Chapin, nor of the heirs of Rev. Seth Chapin, who presented the application for pension.
With reference to his services as a spy the following has been copied from a letter on file in the case written by one William Wilkinson, and dated at Providence, R. I., January 29, 1840.
"In March 1779 I went to live with Brig. Gen. Cornell as Clerk or Secretary. Soon after I became acquainted with Lieut. Chapin, who was employed to obtain Intelligence from Rhode Island
[continued]
Page 42

which was then in possession of the British. I was charged by the General never to mention the subject as his employment was very hazardous as well as important. Lt. Chapin sometimes came to the General's headquarters, but more frequently communicated by letters, which were often sent by express to Gen. Gates. This course continued until the British evacuated Rhode Island which was about the end of October, 1789 [1779], when it ceased. Gen. Cornell more than once observed to me that Lt. Chapin was an excellent officer and well fitted for so hazardous an employment. The general never mentioned Lt. Chapin's name to anyone. In later years I was informed by Isaac Barker, Esq., of Middletown on Rhode Island, a man entitled to full credit, that he was the person who communicated with Lt. Chapin, and that the plan was formed and the signals agreed on in August, 1778, when Gen. Sullivan with his army was on Rhode Island."
The name of Ebeneazer Chapin has not been found upon the Revolutionary pension records. 
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. George V. Chapin
Office of the 4th Asst. P. M. Genl.,
City.
Page 43

[notes at top in pencil]
not W
" I
1861 R
71 GMH
C

Health Department
City Registrar's Office
City Hall, Providence.
June 21 1895
To The Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir,
I learn from some papers that have come into my possession that about 1835 & 1840 application was made by the heirs of Seth Chapin of Mendon Mass. for a pension as some payment for services in the war of the Revolution. [crossed through: "If these applications"] Will you kindly inform me if such application is on file in your office and if so how much a copy would cost. I wish these for genealogical purposes.
Yours truly
Charles V. Chapin
Page 44

War Department
January 20 1840
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 11th instant and its enclosures in support of the claim of the heirs of Seth Chapin deceased, to the pension alleged to be due him, I have the honor to transmit you a report, of the Commissioner of Pensions.
Very respectfully
Yr mo ob sevt
J. R. Poinsett
Hon. J L Tillinghast
House of Reps
Page 45

Revolutionary
[illegible] from heirs of Seth Chapin
R. Island
Susp'd 1832
Filed 16 June 1832
F. E. Hassler
Washington
Page 46

Providence R. I. June 13th 1854
F. E. Hassler Esq.
Dr. Sir
As it is now more than a year and a half since I have heard from you, I will beg to inquire what progress you have made in effecting a recognition of my grandfathers (Seth Chapin) claim to a pension & what are the prospects of final success.
Your &c. 
Joshua B. Chapin
Page 47

War Department
December 18, 1839.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit you a report of the Acting Commissioner of Pensions, in the case of Seth Chapin, deceased. This report as it is confirmed by Mr. Edwards, the Commissioner, who is confined to his house by an accident, must govern my decision, for we are compelled to rely upon the evidence furnished by the Rolls, in preference to that of witnesses, who testify from their recollection of facts. Similar cases have been received differently by Congress; and I recommend that Mr. Chapin, the son, apply to that body by Memorial.
Very respectfully
Your mo obt servt.
J. R. Poinsett
Hon. Tristam Burgess.
Providence R. I.
Page 48

War Department
July 13th 1839
Sir
I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant inclosing papers relative to a petition of Rev'd S. Chapin for a pension in virtue of the services of his father, and beg leave in answer to refer you to the accompanying report of the Commissioner of Pensions on the case, by which you will see that further testimony is required.
Very Respectfully
Yr: Mo: Obt. Servt
J. R. Poinsett
Hon. Tristam Burges
Providence
R. I. -
Page 49

House of Reps.
Dec. 18th 1845
Dr Sir
From the papers filed in the memorial of the Heirs of Seth Chapin asking for pay for the services of their father during the Rev War, it appears that the application was first made for pay to the Department over which you officiate and refused. Will you please inform us, of the reason of its rejection, that we may be enabled to act, understandingly in the matter before us.
Yours very Respectfully
J. Johnson
Chairman of Com't on Revolutionary Claims
Page 50

House of Representatives
19th December 1845
The Hon'bl William L Marcy
Sir
The papers and documents referred to in the enclosed letter, are wanted for a few days to be used before the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. I therefore respectfully request, that the Honorable Secretary will cause said papers to be sent to the Committee.
I have the honor to be
very Respectfully, Sirs,
Your Obt. Sert.
Joseph Johnson
Chairman Comm Rev Claims
Page 51

J. L. Edwards.
Report July 11 1839
To be returned
To the case of Mr. Tillinghast
Page 52

War Department.
Pension Office,
July 11 1839
Sir
In obedience to your orders I have the honor to report the result of the examination of the case of the children of Seth Chapin, dec'd under the Act of 7 June 1832, enclosed in the letter of Mr. Burgess of the 6th instant.
This claim is asserted for the amount to which the revolutionary services of the deceased entitles him under said Act, from the 4th March 1831 to the 15th November 1833, when he died.
After the most careful examination of the rolls * by all the data afforded by the papers, the only services they  verify are one month and 15 days as Lieutenant in Capt. Craggins Company Col. Hawes Regiment, in R Island, at the time the enemy landed, and took possession of the Island of R. Island; * and one month and 15 days, as Lieutenant, in Capt. T. M. Baker's Company in Sullivan's expedition in '78.
One of the witnesses states that he served in Capt. Pennimans Company in December '76. That is a [continued on another page]
[note at bottom of page]
*I conclude this was prior to the 3 months under Capt. Penniman.
[note in left margin]
*How is this reconciled with Pension Document from War Department 25th Congress 2nd Session No 18 page 86 section 2.
Page 53

a mistake as to the Captain. He served at that time in Capt. Craggin's Company of the same Reg. - *
In relation to a species of Vidette service in '78-9, on the mainland opposite to the Island of R Island, then in the possession of the enemy, there is nothing definite in the essential points of the military service for which the Act provided a pro rata allowance to be computed by the half pay agreeably to length and grade of actual service. He was a Lieutenant in the Militia of Massachusetts, and he is represented as being in constant service for 14 months, having control of a boat and 8 men with which he obtained, by the aid of a resident farmer on R. Island, intelligence of the condition and objects of the enemy, for and under the direction of General Sullivan. It is apparent from the length and character of the service, that it was not rendered as a Lieutenant of the Massachusetts Militia, and he is not borne on the roll of the corps denominated General Sullivan's Life Guards. It would therefore appear that he was a mere employee in the secret service, unconnected with the corps in which he held a commission. Unless it can be shown that he served under military obligations in the Line or Staff, of an organized Corps in actual service, at least six
[continued]
Page 54

six months, his children can not exert, successfully, a claim under the Act of 7th June 1832. *
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Yr mo ob s
J. L. Edwards
[faded note bottom left]
*[illegible] I can probably explain that [illegible] Gates [illegible]
[faded note bottom right]
*Does not the Act embrace spies agents [illegible] or is there no provision for the extra service of an officer and soldier

Hon J R Poinsett
Secretary of War
Page 55

Pension Office,
March 23 1846
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the original papers (twenty-four in number) in the case of Seth Chapin dec'd of Rhode Island. Be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of them, designating the number of papers received.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully.
Your Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Hon. Edward Davies,
House of Representatives
Page 56

Providence March 12, 1840
Sir,
I perceive by the papers that the Committee on Pensions have reported a number of cases and the most of them adverse. From this I conclude they have not yet acted on my position - perhaps not taken it up or if they have looked at it have suspended a decision.
Mr. Burges seems confident, unless they mean to reject all such petitions, on account of the low state of the Treasury, they must report favorably on mine; for he says it is the plainest and most meritorious case that has ever come within his knowledge; and he encourages me to hope confidently that with all that attention, which you and your colleagues will pay to it, it will prevail.
I should be very glad to learn what progress has been made on the
[continued]
Page 57

subject; or at least apprise me of any difficulties that may be in the way if any.
However I am easy on the subject knowing that you will pay all the attention to it that is consistent with your more public duties. Since the [illegible] New Jersey question is disposed of, as I conclude it is by this date, I hope the House will make more progress in business.
With sentiments of high esteem I remain yours - 
S. Chapin

To The Hon. J. L. Tillinghast
Member of Congress
P.S. Accept my thanks for a report on the subject of the Navy.
Page 58

To
The Honorable
Joseph L. Tillinghast
Mem. Congress
Washington City
S. Chapin 
July 27
31
Page 59

Providence
Jun 27 1840
Sir,
Your favor accompanying the Reports of the Sec'y of War and the Commissioner of Pensions came today.
It would be of no use to obtain further testimony if we could do it. It is a matter of astonishment, considering the nature of the service, that we have found so much evidence as we have.
We think it is enough to satisfy any jury, panelled even by an opponent.
We think the objections of the Department are mere quibbles, and we are tired of them. At this rate no pension can be obtained for the deceased soldiers, unless they rise from their graves and fight their battles over again.
I wish you to present the Petition,
[continued]
Page 60

if you have not already done so, without delay. I will forward the documents within a day or two, together with my view of the subject as it now stands. I will also get Mr. Wilkinson to write to you on the subject. Neither he, who was knowing to the service in question, nor any other man acquainted with the peculiar nature of the case supposes it would have been a matter of record.  I say again the Department have done nothing but quibble on the subject. Perhaps the House or the Committee will do the same. But I think you can so present it as to secure their aprobation, and their interest. Let the Petition be presented. I will write again tomorrow or next day.
Very respectfully I am Yours &c.
S. Chapin
Hon. J. L. Tillinghast
Page 61

P.S. Of course this letter is inter nos. [between us]
As the Secretary of War has recommended me to Petition Congress I trust you will be able to get a favorable letter from him to the Committee -
Page 62

Tuesday 17 Dec. 1839
Sir,
Agreeably to your instructions I have carefully examined the papers in the case of Seth Chapin dec.'d and I agree in the report from the Pension Office of the 11th inst. except as to some unimportant errors in its phraseology. The words "Vedette" and "Patrol" are not applicable to persons employed in a look-out boat.
If the rolls be correct, and there is no doubt in my mind that they constitute the very best evidence, Mr. Chapin served but three months and eighteen days as a militia officer.
The employment of Mr. C. in a look-out boat for 14 months must have been a sort of non-descript service not recognized by any resolution of Congress or any law of the State. No one belonging to the Army, the State Troops, the Militia, or Navy, was ever detached in Rhode-Island for such a purpose, to my knowledge. *
The States of Maryland and Virginia had look-out boats in the Chesapeake Bay, but they were authorized by law, and the vessels and men were attached to the naval forces of those States. I do not think that the Department would be justified in admitting the claim un-[continued]
[note added in left margin after asterisk]
Vid. Memorialist Document No. 22)
The Memorialist quoted word from the Report of the Commissioner himself dated July 15 - Vid.
Page 63

[un]less the claimant could shew by some better evidence than he has produced that the alleged boat service was paid for by the State [asterisk added] or the United States.
I have the honor to be, 
Very respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
J. L. Edwards
[asterisk from above] vid Memorialist's doc. 22 - 

Hon. J. R. Poinsett,
Secretary of War.
Page 64

Seth Chapin
Page 65

In the petition of Seth Chapin the papers & testimony in the Pension Office are important and the committee is respectfully referred to them
J. L. Tillinghast
To the Committee on Rev'y Pensions.
Page 66

House of Representatives
April 2 1844
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Sir,
In the case of the heirs of Seth Chapin which was reported by the Com. of Rev. Pen. of the House at the last session and a bill for the relief of the heirs passed the house, the papers as usual were sent to the Senate where the case was [illegible] reported on. At this session the case has been again referred to the Com. of Rev. Pensions but after particular inquiry the papers of the case can no where be found. Altho I made a report before on the case, it is necessary to have the evidence to lay before the committee. I therefore with some reluctance request you to have copied the papers relating to the case which are on file in your office in order to enable me to make a report on the case
Yours respectfully
Geo B Rodney
Page 67

But what service would this have been, to which reference in the extract from the records of the Council of War has reference, but that of the alleged "vidette" service of 14 months at Little Compton?
It is proved by the testimony of Springer, Church and Barker, corroborated by that of Wilkinson, in their affidavits, that Lieut. Chapin was actually performing that "vidette" service from about the middle of August '78, in continuance, to the last of October or first of November '79; or until after the British army evacuated the Island of Rhode Island and all their ships had left Newport and the service was no longer needed.
It is also proved by witnesses, confirmed by the rolls in the Pension Office, and admitted by the Department, that the said Lieut. Chapin was an officer serving in Sullivan's Expedition, during six weeks immediately prior to the middle of Aug. '78, when that Expedition closed. Both of these terms of service being included occupy all the time, about 18 months, between the 1st of July '78 and the 1st of Nov. '79. Hence, if the extract from the Records refers to any other service than that of the "vidette" service at Little Compton, it must refer to a service performed and closed, at least 18 months prior to the presentation of the "abstract bounty" for the same. But it cannot be supposed that there would have been so long a delay in the presentation of the abstract.
Besides, the service to which the abstract relates was performed, "by order of Gen. Gates". But Gen. Gates did not take the command in Rhode Island, nor was he in this part of the country, till after the Expedition of Gen. Sullivan closed, when
[continued]
Page 68

he recruited that officer. Hence, [drawing of finger pointing] no other service, by order of Gen. Gates, could have been performed by Lieut. Chapin prior to July '78, or prior to the departure of Gen. Sullivan from Rhode Island. Nor could any other service have been thus performed at any time prior to Nov. '79: for we have shown, by testimony the most conclusive, (the affidavits of Springer, Church, Barker & Wilkinson) not called in question by the Department, that Lieut. Chapin was occupied, in continuance, all that time, including his service in Gen. Sullivan's Expedition and that of 14 months, or more, at Little Compton. Therefore, it follows irresistibly, that the service refered to in the "abstract", "by order of Gen. Gates", must have been that of the "vidette" service of 14 months or more at Little Compton, and that said Chapin performed that service as Lieutenant in command of the said detachment of men from the regiment of Militia under Col. Church. This appears plain as a mathematical demonstration. It certainly forms the litmus of "the highest evidence that the peculiar "case admits"
With regard to any particular specific record of that special, peculiar, confidential and exceedingly hazardous service of 14 months at Little Compton, it is not to be supposed, in the humble opinion of the applicant and others better acquainted with the affairs of the Revolutionary War, that any record would have been made. It is supposed to [continued]
[note at bottom]
* by order of Gen. Gates
Page 69

have been performed, not by the particular order of the Council of War, as a measure originating with them, or emanating from them, but by order of Gen. Gates, or Gen. Sullivan, who, it seems projected it; or if the Council were consulted it must have been done confidentially with closed doors, and not, by any Parliamentary rules, entered on the Records. After the service was performed and attested by Gen. Cornell, to whom Lieut. Chapin was made immediately responsible, a "bounty abstract" was presented and allowed. In the record of that allowance the service is not particularly or specifically named; nor is that generally done in those Records of the Council of War relating to other cases of allowance. The Records indeed "are full", as the Commissioner supposes; or full compared with the records generally of that day. But they are not particular or specific in all cases; probably not in a majority of cases of allowance. The abstract itself, no doubt specified the service; and such abstracts, it is said by the Secretary of State, were kept on file, till all such papers were delivered up to the War Department at Washington and subsequently as it is said destroyed by fire. Nothing further on the Records can be found relating to the service.
With regard to any "general laws governing the militia" of R. I. which would militate against a detachment for so long a service as 14 months, it is thought the Com-[continued]
Page 70

[Com]missioner labours under a misapprehension, that is some officers of the Revolution think so. Besides, the men detached, in that case, could not have been detached or in any way engaged for the specific time of 14 months; for it could not have been known how long their service, for that purpose, would be needed. And further, for such a hazardous service, they must have been virtually volunteers; or at least, their continuance must have been voluntary. The witnesses at Little Compton say, "they were picked men" - "picked" they say, "by Lieut. Chapin himself"; as I suppose is generally the fact in such cases. And further still, there are to be discovered coincidences, of time and place and other circumstances, relative to persons and things, in the case of this service and its allowance by the Council of War, which strongly corroborates the point at issue. The date of the allowance of the "abstract" is [drawing of a finger pointing] soon after that "vidette" service closed. Another [drawing of a finger pointing] Gen. Cornell, who commanded at Tiverton and to whom Lieut. Chapin was immediately accountable, testified that the service, to which the abstract relates, "has been performed." Yet another - The regiment commanded by Col. Church embraced the militia of Little Compton, Tiverton &c. And another still - Col. Wm. Richmond, who presented the abstract, resided in Little Compton, very near the head quarters of Lieut. Chapin and his men; and Col R. [continued]
Page 71

was the first man of public importance in that town. These are facts well known.
With regard to "the character and length of that 'vidette' " service at Little Compton, and the "grade of office" which said Chapin sustained we have not, to be sure, been able to produce any "muster roll", or any specific "record" of it, found either "in the War Department" or else where; and we believe the nature of the service was such, that there never existed any such "roll" or "record" of it. Nor have we been able to procure "the affidavit" of a commissioned officer", for none are known or supposed to be now living, who were acquainted with the facts. But a few commissioned officers, Mr. Wilkinson thinks, ever knew them at the time. But we have produced not only "the testimony of" at least one "credible witness", but "the affidavits of persons of known respectability" (agreeably to the Regulations of the Department, Doc. 118, page 102 and ss.1 - and page 119 ss. 8) - persons upon whose testimony other claims, it is believed, have been granted. We have produced the testimony of Wm. Wilkinson Esq. a gentleman of the highest moral worth and respectability - who was Secy. to Gen. Cornell, and who, in his affidavits, has given the Department that distinguished officer's often expressed views of Lieut. Chapin, and the importance of his faithful service at Little Compton.
S. Chapin
City of Providence
Jan. 29. 1840
Page 72

P.S. I have just learnt that by an act of the Gen. Assembly of R. I. the regiment of Col. Church were exempted from being called away, either as a whole or by detachment, because they had so extensive a sea coast to guard, which coast was greatly exposed to the depredations of the enemy from the Island of R.I. But it was perfectly consistent to detach men from that regiment to perform that "vidette" service, which was virtually and in its effect guarding the shore of Little Compton, most effectually, so far as it extended. It should be discerned that the employment of Lieut. Chapin and his men was not merely or principally the working of a boat. The boat was used principally as a means of crossing the bay in the night with [illegible] in order to "reconnoiter the enemy". and get information concerning their movements upon the Island. - a glance at the plot attached to the affidavit of Springer & Church will throw light on this subject.

Report of
Commissioner of Pensions
Jan. 18 '40
Page 73

Wm. Wilkinson Esq.
Jany 29
Feb. 3

Hon. Joseph L. Tillinghast Esq.
Representative in Congress
Washington City
Page 74

Providence January 29. 1840
Sir
I take the liberty of stating to you some facts and drawing from them some conclusions, respecting Lieut. Chapin of the Revolutionary Army, whose Heirs are applicants for a Pension. I have stated nothing as fact, which is not (perhaps) as fresh to my recollection at fourscore, as they were at nineteen. The deductions must be judged of by others.
I am with Respect
Your Obt. Servt.
William Wilkinson

Hon. Joseph L. Tillinghast Esq.

In March 1779 I went to live with Brig. Genl. Cornell as Clerk or Secretary. Soon after I became acquainted with Lieut. Chapin, who was employed to obtain Intelligence from Rhode Island which was then in possession of the British. I was charged by the General never to mention the subject as his employment was very hazardous as well as important. Lt. Chapin some times came to the Genl's Quarters but more frequently communicated by Letters, which were often sent by express to General Gates. This course continued until the British evacuated Rhode Island, which was about the end of October 1779 when it ceased. General Cornell (more than once) observed to me that Lt. Chapin was an excellent officer, and well suited for so hazardous an employment. The Genl. never mentioned Lt. Chapins name to any one.
Page 75

In later years I was informed by Isaac Barker Esq of Middletown on Rhode Island, a Man entitled to full credit, that he was the Person who communicated with Lt. Chapin and that the Plan was formed and the signals agreed on in August 1778, when General Sullivan, with his Army, was on Rhode Island.
Mr. Edwards of the Pension Office doubts the authority of detaching Militia for 14 Months. I would observe that the Militia of Little Compton, owing to their exposed situation, were considered as on duty the whole time, and were exempted from being called out of their own Town, and that a sufficient number of good Boatmen could easily have been found, when almost every man (from their Particular situation) was a Boatman, who would have preferred such a service as that under Lt. Chapin to any other.
The extract from the Records of the Council of War, stating that a Bill was presented by Col. Wm. Richmond, who resided on the very spot where Lt. Chapin Quartered, and certified by General Cornell is dated Nov. 26. 1779, one month after the British evacuated Rhode Island, when Secrecy was no longer necessary, appears to me conclusive and accounts for there being no earlier mention of Lt. Chapin on the Records. I see no possible Reason to doubt that Lt. C. served in a strictly Military capacity, and was immediately under the control and direction of the Generals (Sullivan & Gates) who commanded in Rhode Island, from the former of whom, he must have had his appointment.
Page 76

If any officer of the Revolution was entitled to a Pension, I should suppose that Lt. Chapin who served with Fidelity and ability in so hazardous a station was preeminently so.
William Wilkinson
Providence January 29. 1840.