Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15640, Thomas Challes, N.H.

SERVICE
N. H.
NUMBER
W. 15640
Charles Thomas or Challis,
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

2 Portsmouth N. Hampshire 1068 Elizabeth Challis widow of Thomas Challis dec d .
who died on the 2 August 1796 at Rockingham in the State of N. Hamp r . who was a Sgt Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Mass the Reg t commanded by Col Raid in the N. H. Sp line for 12 mos & 26 days Sergt. " " V. H. " Ensign
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth N.H. at the rate of 175 Dollars 12 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1837 and Sept N . Howard F. Troy N. York
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $1050.72 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 87.56
$1138.18
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk, Book 18 . Vol. 1 Page 26

Elizabeth Challis of Kingston in the State of New Hampshire and County of Rockingham, Widow of Thomas Challis, late of Newtown in said County, deceased, aged seventy seven years and seven months, who being first duly sworn, according law, on her oath makes the following declaration in order to attain the benefit of the provision, made for the widows of deceased Officers and soldiers who served in the war of the Revolution, by the act of Congress passed June, 1836. That she was born in Newtown in the State of New Hampshire and County of Rockingham, on the nineteenth day of August 1759. That she was married to Thomas Challis, formerly of East Kingston in the County of Rockingham, who was then an Ensign in the Army of the Revolution, at said Newtown by the Rev. Mr. Ames, then a settled minister in said Newtown, on the twenty six day of March seventeen hundred and eighty, and she lived in said Newtown until the close of the war, and her husband the said Thomas Challis returned to the Army, and that the said Thomas Challis she thinks served in the Army of the Revolution one year, or more, before the date of his Commission, she thinks as

as a Sargent, but of this she has no documentary evidence. That her late husband the said Thomas Challis died in said Newtonon August 2, 1896, and that she has never been married since. That she now lives in Kingston in the State of New Hampshire and County of Rockingham, and has lived there for the most of the time for more than thirty years last past. That she is well acquainted with Samuel Hale and Jonathan Bartlett Esqrs. of Kingston and David Sargent and Matthias Bartlett Esqrs. of Newtonon.
Elizabeth Challis
State of New Hampshire, March 16 1837
Then personally appeared before the undersigned, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice of said state the above named Elizabeth Challis and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true — And I do certify that the said Elizabeth by reason of age and infirmity is unable to attend court
W m M. Richardson

Marriages Thomas Merrill and Elizabeth Bartlett March 26. 1780
Copy I Jonathan Eames of Wentworth in the County Grafton & State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say that my Father Jonathan Eames was a minister of the Gospel settled in Newton in the State of New Hampshire prior during and after the year 1780 And that the above record of the marriage of Thomas Merrill and Elizabeth Bartlett is a true copy of the record of Marriages kept by my Father in his own hand writing I further say that my Father died at Wentworth aforesaid in the 1800
Jonathan Eames
Grafton Febuary 21 st 1857 Personally appearing Jonathan Eames made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just and true. before me - - (W. M c Questen) Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above deponent Jonathan Eames is a person of truth and reliability and of sound mind
(W. M c Questen) Justice of the Peace

Grafton ss. State of New Hampshire ss.
I Walter Blair, a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Grafton hereby certify that Jonathan Barnes signer of the within affidavit is a credible witness May 8 th 1837 Walter Blair justice of said Court
State of New Hampshire Grafton
Grafton ss. I Nathan B. Felton, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Grafton, hereby certify that Walter Blair, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is a judge of said Court, and that his name, so subscribed, is his genuine signature, being in his own proper hand writing. I also certify that William S. McQuesten, whose name is subscribed to the two certificates within written, was on the twenty first day of February last past, and ever since has been, an acting justice of the Court for said County and that his name as subscribed to, in each case aforesaid, is his genuine signature being in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court the eighth day of May Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty seven
N. B. Felton Clerk

State of New Hampshire } ss. Rockingham County }
I Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Rockingham aforesaid do hereby certify that William M Richardson before whom the foregoing Declaration of Elizabeth Challis was made is the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature for the State of New Hampshire and that his signature to the certificate thereof is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of March A.D. 1837
Peter Chadwick Clerk of said Court
State of New York Rensselaer County ss. Nathaniel Challis of the City of Troy County and State aforesaid being duly sworn testified that he is a son of Elizabeth Challis the Applicant herein named for a Pension that he was present at the town of Kingston County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire the place of the residence of his mother at the time the annexed declaration was signed by said Elizabeth Challis - That the erasure as appearing in the annexed Declaration of the following words "That she is well acquainted with Samuel Haze and Jonathan Bartlett Esq. of Kingston and David Sargent and Matthias Bartlett Esq. of Troy." was made by Judge Richardson the Judge before whom the Declaration was sworn to before signing by said Elizabeth Challis - That this deponent requested said Judge not to strike out said words but let them stand but the said Judge said they were entirely useless and ought not to be in - and struck them out. And this deponent further saith that he has no doubt whatever but what the said Elizabeth Challis is well acquainted with the persons so erased in said declaration - And that they can testify to her character for truth and veracity and would at any time if called upon and further saith and Subscribes before me this 23 rd day of March 1837.
Nathan Howard Jr. Commissioner of Excise to Troy
Nathl Challis

State of New York Rensselaer County ss. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Nathaniel Skaller who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit before me: that he is a man of truth and veracity. Nathan Howard Jr. Commissioner of the Peace
State of New York Rensselaer County ss. I Henry R. Bristol Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Nathaniel Skaller, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn and by whom the above certificate purports to have been signed was on the day of the date thereof a Commissioner of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his Commission was dated the 11 th of April 1836. and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature, subscribed to the above Certificate and affidavit are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said County this 23 rd day of March A.D. 1837.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

October 4, 1928.
Mrs. Charles E. Campbell, 374 Western Ave. Lynn, Mass.
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 15540, it appears that Thomas Challes, after serving in the Army of the Revolution for one year as a Sergeant, (officers not stated) was commissioned December 23, 1777, Ensign of the Second New Hampshire Regiment. He resigned May 20, 1780.
He married March 26, 1780, at Newtown, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, Elizabeth Bartlett, of said place, she was born there, August 19, 1738. He died there August 3, 1796, the date and place of his birth are not on record. They had a son Nathaniel. There is no further data on file as to family.
The widow Elizabeth was allowed pension on her application executed March 18, 1837, while living in Kingston, New Hampshire.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Challes, under any spelling of that name.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Maps
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15640
Elizabeth Challis Widow of Thomas Challis Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. A , Page 130
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1926 Oct. 4. Heurt. To Mrs. C. E. Campbell aw

274 Western Avenue, Lynn, Mass.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
My dear Sir:-
I recently wrote to the War Department, for some family information. Robert C. Davis, Major General (I think) referred me to you, as possibly being one who could assist me!
First please let me explain, I am collecting and writing up the family genealogy - at least I am trying to. -
An Elizabeth Challis of Kingston New Hampshire, received a pension (for revolutionary or military services) aged 80, - June 1. (N.H. State Papers, Vol. 30, p. 412) 1840.

Can you tell me where she was? If a widow, of whom?
Also, John Challis of Salisbury, New Hampshire, signed the Association Test Sept. 13, 1776 - (N.H. State Papers. Vol. 30, p. 137) and among the list of training soldiers of the town of Salisbury N.H. drawn May 27, 1776, is the name of John Challis. In our family are ancient letters (or rather an ancient letter, telling that John Challis and all his sons fought in the Revolutionary war and all returned safe - However, I can not find any surviving John Challis either in New Hampshire or Massachusetts records - Family tradition states that John Challis and his sons went from Kingston N.H. by water, to Boston and fought at Bunker Hill - and that only part of them were registered in Starks Company - Can you give any information regarding John Challis. The name was variously spelled on the records as. Chelus Chalis Chelice &c I think seven or eight different ways - I will be very grateful if you can in any way help me, with either Elizabeth Challis of Kingston or John Challis of Kingston or Salisbury. (He formerly resided in Kingston N.H.)
Trusting that I may hear from you in the near future, and thanking you in advance for your trouble, I am Most respectfully
Lura (Chellis) Campbell 374 Western Ave Lynn, Mass.
Aug. 16, 1926.
over

If there is a charge, please to- notify me and I will send remittance by return mail.
Thank you. L. C. C.
You might find the name spelled (Shelbs, Shellis or Shellie.)
o o o
Rev. 17

1605 all evch. M.H. 4 July '36 3. Sc.
FREE
May 15
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
1605 M.H. 4 July '36 3. Sc.

Troy N.Y. May 12. 1837.
Dear Sir,
The additional Certificate required in this case, is now furnished.
Respectfully Yours, Nathan Howard Jr.
24.4 17.4 42.20
16 June 6. 14 4. 20 11. 34

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
For Thomas Chalis Esquire. Greeting. We, Reposing especial trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be an Officer in the Second New Hampshire Regiment in the Army of the United States, to the rank of  Colonel from the 22 nd day of December A.D. 1777. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Officer by doing and performing all manner of things thereinunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Officer . And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest
C. H. [Signature] Secretary of the Board of War
Witness my hand. John Hancock President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 16 th day of June 1777 and in the First Year of our Independence.
John Hancock

Thomas Chalifour N.Y. 1750-1840
I hereby certify that Thomas Chalifour in the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment is discharged from all their service in the American Army at his own request of Volunteering
Given by His Excellency's command at Headquarters this 20th day of May 1780.
Robert H. Hambleton N.Y.
Final
Final not day month year 1780

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss I Nathan B. Felton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County hereby certify that William D. M c Questen whose name is subscribed to the two certificate on the preceding page of this sheet under the affidavit of Jonathan Barnes, is and was an acting and was on the twenty first day of February current an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that his name so subscribed is, in each case his genuine signature being in his own proper hand writing in  the
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 22 nd day of February A D 1837 N. B. Felton Clerk

1605
Elizabeth Challis widow of Thomas.
N.Y.
Married 26 March 1780.
discharged 20 May 1780
Rolls. Riots Regt.
Jer. 1 Jan'y 77. war.
assisted with service till 20 May 1780.
ADM?
12. 26. & Sergt.
17. 4. Ensign
24 mo.
original - rededuction
N. Howard Jr.
Ivy
N. York

State of New Hampshire } ss. Rockingham County }
I Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Rockingham aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Webster before whom the within affidavits were sworn is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Rockingham and that his signature to the certificate thereof are genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of March A.D. 1837
Peter Chadwick Clerk of said Court

I Jonathan Bartlett of Kingston in the State of New Hampshire and County of Rockingham of lawful age, depose and say that I was well acquainted with Thomas Challis who was an Ensign in the war of the Revolution and he died in New- town and I was at his funeral. I have been well acquainted with Elizabeth Challis who is the the widow of the said Thomas Challis and now lives in Kingston, for more than fifty years, and she is a woman whose character for truth is good.
Jonathan Bartlett
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. } March 11, 1837.
Personally appeared Jonathan Bartlett Esqr. and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true, before me
Isaac Webster, Justice of the Peace.
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. } March 11, 1837
I hereby certify that I am well acquaint- ed with Jonathan Bartlett Esqr. who signed the above affidavit, and his character for truth is good.
Isaac Webster, Justice of the Peace.

I Samuel Huse of Kingston in the State of New Hampshire and County of Rockingham of lawful age do testify and say that I was acquainted with the late Thomas Challis who was an Ensign in the Army of the Revolution and knew him in the time of the war and after the conclusion of the war. I certify that I have been acquainted with Elizabeth Challis, widow of the said Thomas Challis for more than forty years, and that she still remains the widow of the said Thomas Challis and now lives in Kingston in said County of Rockingham and is a woman whose character for truth is good
Samuel Huse
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. }
March 17, 1837.
Personally appeared Samuel Huse, who signed the above affidavit and made oath that said affidavit is true. Before me.
Isaac Webster, Justice of the Peace.
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. }
March 17, 1837.
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Samuel Huse who signed the above affidavit for more than thirty years, and do consider him a man of truth and whose statement is entitled to credit.
Isaac Webster, Justice of the Peace.