Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29698, Levi Chapin, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Chapin Levi
S. 29698
CONTENTS

83 Hampden
Massachusetts
Levi Chapin
Hampden in the State of Mass. was a Private in the Corp. commanded by Captain Adams of the Regt. commanded by Col. M c Naughton on the Penn. for 13 Mos. 12 days.
Per: M c Naughton
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. Hts. at the rate of 14 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sept. 1833 and Nathan Morris Springfield
Arrears to the 14th Sep. 33 $ 111.66 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mo 34 22.33 $133.99
Revolutionary Claim, not June 7, 1832 Co. C. Stiles Clerk
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 4. Page 13

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden Ss.
On this twenty fifth day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared an open court before Oliver W. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Hampden now sitting in Springfield in his house Levi Chapin a resident of Springfield in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty two 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,
That in the year the British fleet came into New York and captured Staten Island and Governor Island he was drafted for two months at Northampton in Bucks County Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania Militia and Marched from Northampton to Amboy New Jersey in a company under the command of Capt. Henry Lott. Lieut. Mynoop was Lieutenant in the company. That he remained awhile at Amboy and from there Marched to Bergen Hill where a Great number of Militia were collected. That before they Marched to Amboy the captain procured a Great number of Buckstails and each soldier of the company wore a Buckstail on his hat and wore them through the campaign. That he cannot recollect what year, or time of year it was. but he recollects that Staten Island was taken possession of by the British while he was out and that it was not in the Winter season but thinks it was in the summer That he served two months and was verbally discharged and returned home to said Northampton where he then resided. That he does not recollect any officer names other than those aforementioned who served in the said Campaign
2 Months

That in the winter following he was again drafted at Northampton aforesaid in the Pennsylvania Militia for two months and marched to Newtown Bucks County Pennsylvania under the following named officers Capt Adams, Lieut Parsons and was stationed at Newtown performing Guard duty for the protection of stores & other property belonging to the United States at that place, That he recollects that the Jews were taken out of the Meeting House and the house filled up with stores belonging to the United States and some pork & provisions were stored in the Court House. That he joined no Regiment at this time & does not recollect any other officers than those mentioned, and that he served about two months on said Guard duty and was verbally discharged That he cannot tell what year it was but he thinks it was the Winter after he went to Amboy and Bergen. That his impression is that he was drafted for two months at this time.
That he was again drafted at said Northampton in the Pennsylvania Militia for two months under Capt Adams and marched from Northampton and he thinks he went through Philadelphia and went to a place called Billingsport a few miles below Philadelphia and worked on a Fort then building there, on the Delaware River below Red Bank and Red Bank. That there was four Cosperhanges Stations there and commanded by Col McArtur. That there were some French Officers, Engineers, there, directing the building of the Fort. That while he was there the Americans sunk in the River great Timbers & things with great Irons attached to them to prevent the British coming up the River with their Shipping. And that while he was there the British appeared in the Mouth of Delaware River and he believes that it was the latter part of Summer of what year he cannot tell, That he recollects that General Washington came there to view the works of Fort- while he was there. That the Troops were lodged in Tents and he recollects that the tent which he occupied was very near Col McArtur's Quarters, - only two or three tens between - That he was verbally discharged when his time was out.

2 Months
That he again served the United States for two Months under Capt Abraham Debou, a Dutchman the son of the clergyman of said Northampton and Marched to a place called Coyels Ferry on the Delaware River about Ten Miles above Trenton falls. That the Hessians lay down below, on the opposite side of the River at Trenton & Bordentown, That the Regiment was commanded by Col. Kirbright, That they kept guard at Coyels ferry awhile and were moved down the River to a place opposite Bordentown Where Col. Kirbright resided, That the Colonel had a number of fine Buildings there - and that they were stationed on Col. Kirbright's premises - That he recollects that he with a number of other soldiers were quartered in a large brick stone house belonging to the Colonel, It was in the Winter Season and the Hessians lay on the opposite side of the River. That he recollects that Genl. Washington came there with a body of Troops while he was stationed at Col. Kirbright's. That Col. Kirbright's buildings were afterwards burned by the Enemy - That he was verbally discharged and returned home when his time was out having served as he thinks two Months at this time.
That after the British had taken Philadelphia he was again called into the service under Capt Adams and was at various places on the lines in the vicinity of Philadelphia That he does not recollect the names of any of the places where they encamped, That they were moving from one place to another in the vicinity of Philadelphia The British being in possession of the City; Genl. Lacy a

6 Weeks or 2 months
He also commanded the Militia. That he recollects one night intelligence was brought into camp, that a Tory near Philadelphia had a quantity of Rum in his cellar and that he was supplying the British troops and that he with a party of Men under one or two Officers volunteered to go & bring some of it off. That they succeeded in surprising the Tory, and made him turn up his Horses and Waggons and they put two Hogsheads of Rum into the Wagon and made the Tory drive it into the American Camp, That after getting the Rum they took a circuitous route to camp lest the British should get intelligence and follow them. and they arrived safely in camp about daylight. That it is his impression that it was in the fall of the year and that he was out in the service at this time six weeks or two months, he cannot tell exactly how long that he was verbally discharged.
2 months
That he was again called out into the service and was stationed at Newtown Pennsylvania guarding Public Stores & property of the United States at that post under the Command of Capt. Houston and was there two Months. That it was in the Winter Season of what year he does not recollect. That while he was there General Washington came there and remained awhile, and that while Genl Washington was there Mrs Washington came there in a Coach with four Horses. That he recollects that Washington's Life Guard were with him. That he served two months and was discharged verbally - does not recollect the names of any other Officers who were there.

2 Months
That he was again drafted in the Pennsylvanian Mitia and ordered to Anderson at Carlis Ferry where they were organized. That the purpose for which he was drafted was to guard a Great number of British prisoners which were then on their way from the East & North to the South, to Winter - among the Prisoners were a part of Burgoyne's Men - That they waited at Carlis Ferry two days before the prisoners arrived and then they took up a line of March - Capt Adams commanded the Company to which he belonged - That they Marched to Lancaster Lancaster where they staid two or three days for the Prisoners to keep Christmas - There was a General among the Prisoners with his wife, whose name it appears to the said Applicant sounded like Redhifer (probably Reiderhoff) that after leaving Lancaster they crossed the Susquehanna and went to Yorktown where they staid one day it being New Years - That he recollects that it snowed hard most of the day - from Yorktown they Marched to the South down into Virginia and left the Prisoners at a place he thinks called Fawneytown - That their March lay in sight of the Blue Mountains - and after leaving these Prisoners they Marched home - That he thinks the number of Prisoners were about 5000 - On their return home they met another division of Prisoners as they were crossing the Susquehanna River - That he thinks he was out on this service nearly or quite two months - and he does not recollect any other Offence except Capt Adams That he was verbally discharged - - -
He further states that his memory has failed him very much within a few years past and that he cannot give the year nor time of year he was out at all times - but that his mind is strongly impressed with the fact that he was out at seven different periods and that it is his impression that he served about the period of two months at each time. That he has ever been

impressed with the belief that he served in the Revolution any more than one year but not quite fourteen Months. And that he cannot say that he has precisely given the order in which he served. That at one of the periods before mentioned he served as a Substitute for a man whose name he cannot recollect neither which of the aforesaid periods was the time he so went - all the other times he was drafted; That he resided in Northampton in Bucks County Pennsylvania at all the times when he entered the Service. That he was born in Springfield Massachusetts in the year 1750 and removed to Northampton aforesaid about the commencement of the Revolution. That at the close of the War of the Revolution he returned to Springfield Massachusetts where he now resides and has resided ever since. That all his service was performed in the Pennsylvania Militia and he never received a written discharge. That he has no documentary evidence of his service and relies alone on his own declarations and his character and the reputation among his Neighbors of having been a soldier of the Revolution. That he does not know of any record of his age on any public records but his age is recorded in his Bible. That he does not know of a single individual person living who was out on service with him whose testimony he can procure. That he is known to Reuel Vanhorn, Leta Vanhorn, Asaiah Vanhorn, Pliny Chapin, Austin Chapin, Luther Hitchcock, Justin Lombard and his neighbors and many others of the inhabitants of Springfield who can testify as to his character and their belief of his service in the army of the Revolution.
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.
his Levi D. Chapin Mark

Additional declaration of Levi Chapin
I Levi Chapin of Springfield in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do make this declaration in addition to the declaration by me made on the Twenty fifth day of October A.D 1832 before Oliver M. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and do on oath declare and say, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory I cannot swear positively as to the precise length of my service in the Army of the Revolution, but according to the best of my recollection I served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. For Two Months I served as a private in a company commanded by Capt Henry Sott at Amboy New Jersey & the vicinity. For Two Months I served as a private under Capt Adams and was stationed at Newtown Bucks County Pennsylvania guarding public Stores. For two Months I served as a private under Capt Adams and was stationed at Billingsport below Philadelphia in Col McMurtry Regiment. - For Two Months I served as a private in Capt Diban's company in Col Kirbights Regiment and performed my service on the Banks of the Delaware river at Cane's ferry and below on the river. - For Six Weeks at least and I think nearly or quite two months I served as a private in Capt Adams company, in Genl Lacey's Brigade, on the lines, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, while the British Troops were in possession of the city. - For Two Months I served as a private in Capt Howstones company and was stationed at Newtown Bucks county Pennsylvania guarding public Stores of the United States at that place. For two Months  or nearly so I served as a private in Capt Adams company and performed my duty in guarding prisoners (captured when Burgoyne was taken) and marched the prisoners from Cane's ferry where we received them down into Virginia - Making in the whole of my service in the Army of the Revolution in the Pennsylvania Militia at least Thirteen Months and two weeks ; and for such service I claim a pension. The particulars of all which service are stated according to the best of my recollection in my former declaration. -
Levi Chapin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. On the third day of June in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me the

the undersigned a justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Hampden, Levi Chapin the sign of the foregoing additional declaration and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing additional declaration by him subscribed before me Richard D Morris Justice of the Peace
We Bezalel Howard a Clergyman residing in the Town of Springfield in the County of Hampden aged Twenty Nine and Justin Lombard residing in the same Springfield aged Twenty four years hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Chapin who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declarations; That we believe him to be right two 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
Bezalel Howard
Justin Lombard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss On the third day of June in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Hampden the Reverend Bezalel Howard and Justin Lombard who have signed the foregoing certificate and made solemn Oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify that the said Bezalel Howard is a Clergyman residing in Springfield in said County of Hampden and is a credible person and the said Justin Lombard is a resident of the same Springfield and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
Richard D. Morris Justice of the Peace

16.760.
Love Chapin
Part 13 Mar 12 days
5-11 1/2 16 00
May 29 1833
P 404
 43.37  13.2  56.57  14.66  71.23 
 44.66  44.66  89.33  22.33  111.66 
Recd 40 Marks Hamburg Mch

16.760.
BRIEF in the case of Levi Chapin County of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 82.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years. Months. Days.     The year the British Captured State of Vermont & Rhode Island. Drafted In 17. — 2 Private Gen. Capt. H. Latt, Lieut. Wynkoop   " the winter following: about 12." 12 " Capt. Adams, Lieut. Parsons, (He joined no regiment.)   " again 2 " Capt. Adams, Col. McMaster   " again 2 " Capt. D. Dibon, Col. Highbright   "Called into service" again 1 12 " Capt. Adams, Genl. Sacy   "Called out" again 2 " Capt. Houston   Drafted again 2 " Capt. Adams  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bucks City. Penn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the Seal. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. W. Waugh Examining Clerk. March 1st. 1832.

29698 INVALID.
Recy
File No. 29698
Levi Chapin
His Rec was
Act: June 1 st 82
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870.]

16760
Levi Chapin
5. 11. 12. 16
It having been recently ascertained that there are Bills of exchange
Richard D. Morris Esq. Springfield Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Levi Chapin further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Subjunct VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? The Judge has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No Clergyman, Two Citizens.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words;
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

L. Edwards Esq. Hon. Attorney of Pensylvania

Springfield Mass June 4 th 1833
In Enclosed herewith I return the documents in support of the claim of Levi Chapin with all the papers. I have taken an additional declaration or an amendment to his declaration agreeable to the explanatory Notes I have 5 th in the brief and the Applicant has therein given the number of times he was out in the Service and the Captains under whom he served each time. To the additional I have procured the certificates of the Rev. Richard Howard and Deacon J. S. Lovecomb both residents in Springfield who have long known the Applicant. The additional declaration is annexed to the original declaration by the Clerk of the Court of Probate under the Seal of the Court and the Official Character and signature of the Magistrate is who took the deposition administered the oath to the Applicant and also to deponents is also certified to by the proper Officer. I trust that the application is so amended that it may meet with your approbation.
Yours very respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions.
Yours &c
Richard D. Morris

Levi Chapin
Declaration -
18700

We Asariah Vanhorn and Luther Hitchcock both of Springfield
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Chapin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be too eighty years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Asariah Vanhorn Luther Hitchcock
And I Oliver B. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department; that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Levi Chapin and believe him to be eighty two years of age, and know that he sustains a good reputation for truth and that by reason of bodily infirmity he is unable to attend the court. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with Asariah Vanhorn and Luther Hitchcock both citizens of said Springfield who have signed the preceding certificate and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Oliver Morris Judge of the Court of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss.
I Esther Willard Register & Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for said County, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Oliver B. Morris Esq. who has subscribed & certified the preceding declaration of his opinion in the matter of the application of Levi Chapin for a Pension is the Judge of said Court of Probate duly commissioned & qualified to act as such & that his name & signature affixed to said decla- ration & certificate is his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Esther Willard Register

Levi Chapin declaration 16760

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss;
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County of Hampden, the same being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Richard D. Morris Esq. before whom the annexed additional Declaration of Levi Chapin & the annexed disposition of Borealee Howard & Justin Lombard were solemnly subscribed & sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County and that I believe his the name Richard D Morris subscribed to the sub  several certificate thereof is his proper signature & genuine hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Springfield this third day of June A D 1833
Justin Willard Clerk