Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1832, David Chamberlin, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Chamberlin, David
R. 1832
CONTENTS

Respectfully yours obedient servant David Chamberlin
Asheboro N.C. Sept 11 1873
Wadsworth David Chamberlin
To the Hon. Mr. Adams
hasms and
sch
sch
Edward, C. 9.6.20 Washington City
X

Bethlehem N.Y. Sept 17/47
Sir
I transmit to you for your examination, the accompanying Affidavits and Certificates, in substantiation of the claim of David Chamberlain, or his legal representatives or heirs, to a pension for Revolutionary services. The proof in this case comes before you prematurely, and imperfectly. I anticipated procuring some other Affidavits relative to the service of said Chamberlain, and his marriage, before offering these, or any, papers for the action of the Pension Department: but an accidental mistake has diverted me from my original intention.
The Affidavit of Franklee Srope, taken before Enoch Clifford, J.P. of Bethlehem, N.Y. was sent by me, via the mail to the Clerk of Herkender Co. N.Y. for the proper attestation &c. with directions to him to remail it to me: by a misconstruction of my words, (he informs me by this day's mail,) he has attached to it the proper certificate, with his seal, and sent it on to Washington City. I do not remember the rate of this Affidavit, — but the name of the witness, (which I have given above,) and

that of the Justice, with the Co. Clerk's, Joseph Benson, Jr., I trust, create a fair connection be- tween that Affidavit and these, — so far as their materiality is involved.
By your letter of August 2 nd . you wish to know 1 st . The date of said David Chamberlain's death; 2 nd . The place of his residence at that time, and during the Revolutionary war; with any knowl- edge of his services in my power to produce; 3 rd . (Incidentally,) The being of his widow.
I will remark, here, that his widow is not living.
Relative to the date of said Chamberlain's death, the Affidavit of Thankful Lope, which you are presumed to have by this time, shows that said Chamberlain was in the Revolutionary War; and also that he died about ten years subsequent to the termination of the war. This witness has merely sworn to what she heard her husband state to her and to others at differ- ent times, — and, in some cases and courts, this would not, I am well aware, be admitted as strict legal evidence; but then it must be borne in mind that Traditional evidence is not set aside, in these cases, and that it is cus- tomary with the Pension Department to give it a respectful consideration, and when consistency and reason give it a proper complexion, it is

of material importance, — and besides, in many instances, no other evidence is acceptable. As the "Witnesses" husband is alive, it might be asked, "Why did he not give the testimony, and thus make it original?" That is answered by the statement of the deponent, in saying that her husband is now infirm, and very hard of hearing — and this is very credible when it is known that he is ninety years old. The deponent's reason for saying that said Chamberlain died fifty four years ago, is a remarkably reasonable one, — as it rests in part for its authenticity on the well known principle of association, which has ever been considered of importance in memory, when locality and time are concerned. She says, she knows it was fifty four years ago by the age of one of her children, and by the family record. Said deponent also fixes the place of said Chamberlain's residence: viz, Kingswood Township, Hunterdon Co., N.J.
By the accompanying Affidavits, it is seen that said said Chamberlain was a regularly enlisted soldier in the Revolution, — that he was in the service for nine months, — and that in corroboration of the testimony of Frankfur Slope, his residence was Kingswood, Hunterdon Co. N.J.

It also shows that he died there, in the said Township. It further sets forth that he had a wife, — left a widow and three children at his death. It is also clearly stated that he never applied for or received any pension. This witness was not positive, at the time of giving this affidavit, with regard to the precise time of the said Chamberlain's death, — and hence his silence on this point. It is hoped that you will bear in mind that persons at his advanced age, (87,) can much better remember events than eras, or the times.
The affidavit of Cornelius Slack agrees with those of Frankful Sloppe and William Chamberlain: at least with the latter, for the former has more exclusive reference to the time of said Chamberlain's death.
Said Slack swears that he knew the said Chamberlain, — lived in the same place with him, — in Kingswood Township, N. J.
He swears that he, the said Chamberlain, was a regular soldier in the Revolution for nine months. It is important to notice that he swears that he often heard the old people talk about said Chamberlain's being out in the army. He says also, that said Chamberlain died not far from the close of the revolution war, — not far from the close , I understood him to say as meaning not long after the end of the war.

I conceive that your questions are now satisfactorily answered. I trust so. The three witnesses do not all certify to the same points; nor do two of them speak of the precise time of his death with the same confidence.
Thankful Srope says positively , that said Chamberlain died 54 years ago, or about 60 years after the war ended. She gives very good reasons for knowing that it was very nearly then that he died: and it is a fact universally recognized and notorious, that women remember dates, births and deaths better than men. Nearly every woman who has children, and who has lost them, can precisely point to the year, the month and generally the day of their birth or death. And as Mr. Slack is not positive with regard to the time of his death, there is not any contradiction. There is a perfect agreement in all fundamental points throughout all the affidavits. But let it be remembered that the words of Thankful Srope do not show that the said Chamberlain died exactly 54 years ago. She knows, that her husband visited his father at that period, and that then , he , the said husband of the said

Thankful I hope saw the grave of the said Chamberlain, and that then he, the said Chamberlain had not been long buried , — and when this happened, — i.e. the visit and the seeing of the grave &c was fifty four years ago.
I hope, in conclusion, that you will be pleased to consider that after the long time of more than half a century has elapsed, few persons can be found to give testimony in such a case as this, — and that the memory is not strong in cases where it had ceased to be active with regard to their nature and realities for half a hundred years.
The act of July 4. 1846, sections 3, 4, 5 allows a pension to the widows of all who served in the war of the Revolution for a period of 6 months and more, when the widows became such before the passage of said act, — and when the marriage occurred before the end of the last term of the deceased's service. That this case is covered by said act, I think is made satisfactory, and apparent.
Therein this proof is deficient and imperfect, I omit the specifications, and also desire to know what other proof or proofs is required.
An early reply will be a great kindness.

Respectfully your obedient Servant David Chamberlin
Wadsworth Sept 11 1845 David Chamberlin
Perkins
To the Hon. Abner Phelps
Washington
Edward g. b. 20 Puff
and my
X

State of New Jersey Warren County So on the Sixteenth Day of August one thousand Eight hundred and forty Seven Before me - the Subscriber a justice of the Peace for the said County of Warren Personally appeared William Chamberlin Who on his oath Declared - That he was Eighty Seven years of Age the Sixteenth Day of Last January And that he had a brother David Chamberlin who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War he further saith that the said David Chamberlin was a Listed Soldier for Nine months in the Revolutionary War and was told one of - the Nine months men in the Standing army his residence was in the Township of Kingwood County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey - His residence was the same at the time of his death, and left a Widow Who remains his widow (Suppose) three and a half years - and the - said Chamberlin had at his death three small children - the further said that he has no knowledge of any pension applied for on the above stated case, and further saith not -
Sworn and subscribed before me this Sixteenth Day of August - 1847 -
William Chamberlin
Kitchen Hartpence Justice of the Peace -
I hereby certify that William Chamber- lin the person mentioned in the above affidavit is a man of veracity and respectability and entitled to credit In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 16 th day of August A.D. 1847 -
Kitchen Hartpence -

State of New Jersey County of Warren, ss. Kitchen Hartpence wife of the intestate of the person in and for said County. before me the Subscriber presently appeared Cornelius Slack and on His oath declared that He is now in His eighty first year of His age and When He was a boy He lived in the township of Kingwood, in the County of Hunterdon in the State of the said and that the Rev. David Chamberlain Who lived at that time in the same place and that He was a listed soldier in the Standing Army in the time of the Revolutionary War and He often heard the old people of that place talk about said Chamberlain's being out in the army and like wise Smith that said Chamberlain died some time not far from the close of the Revolution war does not know of any pension ever being applied for or paid in His case and further saith not Sworn and subscribe before - Cornelius Slack the August 17-1847 - - -
Kitchen Hartpence Just of the Peace
I Do hereby Certify that Cornelius Slack is a man of good character and credit for which he is intitled to a Testimony Whereof I have set my hand -
this 17-Day of August - 1847 -
Kitchen Hartpence -

On the above cause
Sworn and Subscribed before me this Sixteenth Day of August - 1847
William Chamberlin
Kitchen Hartpence Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that William Chamberlin the person mentioned in the above affidavit is a man of veracity and respectability and entitled to credit in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 16 th day of August AD 1847
State of New Jersey, } ss. Warren County, }
I James J Brown Certify that Kitchen Hartpence Esq., whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument and thereon written was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Kitchen Hartpence and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County, at Belvidere, the 16 day of August A. D. 1847 James J Brown CLERK OF SAID COUNTY.

Rej. File No.1632, David Chamberlin, Rev.War.
Dec. 13, 1905.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated November 12, 1905, and received in this Bureau November 14, 1905, requesting information relative to David Chamberlin, you are advised that his brother, William Chamberlin, born January 16, 1759, residing in Warren County, New Jersey, in 1847 applied for arrears of pension on account of David Chamberlin's alleged service in the Revolutionary War.
He stated that David Chamberlin resided in Kingwood Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, at the time of the war; served nine months; names of officers not given, and died near the close of the war in Kingwood Township, New Jersey, leaving a widow (name not given), who remained his widow three and one-half years, and three small children (names not given).
On April 6, 1853, Samuel Chamberlin, of Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, soldier's legal heir (relationship not shown), applied for arrears of pension on account of soldier's Revolutionary service.
No further family data.
These claims were rejected on the ground that soldier and his widow died before the passage of any Act granting pension to Revolutionary soldiers, and the children of Revolutionary soldiers have no title in their own rights.

Rej.File No.1832, David Chamberlin-
--2--
The large number of inquiries made on this subject will not permit of information being given concerning more than two soldiers to any applicant.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. F. E. Coohran,
107 East Marshall St.,
Ithaca, N. Y.

1905. Dec. 19. Territory and cause of ref to F. G. Cochran. Mors. Teller in S. F. 8.06 John Chamberlin.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1875.
1832
REJECTED
P. O. Daniel Chamberlin
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

No 39557
Daniel Chubb
St. John's Church Oct 28th 37
Replied
N 32
Oct 7 Nov 1832

Oct. 28, 1847.
Sir:
The papers transmitted by you in support of a claim for arrears in the case of David Chamberlain, dec'd, have been received and filed under the Act of 7 June, 1832.
Children have no claim to a pension in their own right, they are made the recipients merely of any unpaid arrears due their deceased parents at his or her death.
It appears from these papers that David Chamberlain and his widow died long before the passage of any Act granting stipend to soldiers for their revolutionary services or to their widows. Consequently they acquired no right under any law now in force which can be asserted by or paid to their children. Their claims
(over)

are therefore rejected.
To David Chamberlain, Bethlehem, N. Y.

Please send these to David Chamberlin Bethlehem

Pension Office, September 18th 1847.
Sir, The affidavit of Thankful Dyer rela- tive to the death of David Chamberlain herewith enclosed, appears to have been transmitted to this Office by you. And as no letter accompanied it, I do not know to what case it is intended to be applied and, consequently, return it for further instruc- tion.
I am, Very Respectfully, Your Ob. Servt. J. L. Edwards
Joseph Berson Esq., Hemington, Hudson Co., New Jersey.

State of New Jersey } Huntingdon County } ss. Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Thankful Srope wife of Christopher Srope and being sworn according to law on her oath saith that her said husband is now reputed to be eighty five years of age and is very infirm and hard of hearing and has often heard her husband say that he was well acquainted with David Chamberlain in the war of the American Revolution and that he said this day in the presence of this deponent that he saw the grave of the said David Chamberlain when on a journey to Pennsylvania when he had been dead but a short time and that she further knows from their family records and the age of one of her children it is fifty four years ago and further that the said Chamberlain lived in the township of Kingwood in the County of Huntingdon & State of New Jersey - which place was his residence in the time of the Revolution and further says not.
her Thankful X Srope mark
Sworn and subscribed before me this 21 st day of August A.D. 1847 Enoch Clifford
I hereby certify that Thankful Srope the person mentioned in the above affidavit is a woman of veracity and respectability and entitled to full credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21 st day of August A.D. 1847.
Enoch Clifford

State of New Jersey Huntingdon County } I Joseph Besson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Huntingdon do hereby Certify that Enoch Clifford Esq whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit and Certificate and before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been made was at the time of the doing thereof and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Huntingdon duly Commissioned and qualified, and that his Signature thereto subscribed is Genuine —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Flemington this 25 th day of August A D 1847
Jo s Besson Clerk

No 37557 David Chamblain, N.J.
Act 7 June 1832
Repealed and before the passing of any new law

Bethlehem, N. J. Sept. 30/47
Sir, Your letter of the 25 th was received the day before yesterday, with the pension papers enclosed.
You say you do not know to what case the Affidavits of William Chamberlain and Cornelius Slack apply.
Now, this is very strange intelligence to me, indeed. Certainly they apply to the claim for a pension for the services of said Chamberlain deceased, and who, it is stated in said affidavits, was nine months in the U.S. service, during the Revolutionary war.
You say, "Chamberlain, it appears, died before the passage of any law granting pensions for service in the Revolution, and as neither the date of his widow's death, nor of their marriage, is given, we are unable to inform you if her case is provided for or not."
I cannot see that his death having occurred before the passage of pension acts, as alluded to by your letter, can affect the issue of a pension in the case.
As to his death, the date of it is established in said Affidavits to have been at the close of the war, or thereabouts. The law says that the marriage shall have taken place before the last term of his service expired; and it is not plain, from the above named the affidavits that this was his case,—as they had two children over six or seven years old, at the time of his

death.
Again, If any person having died, (after a service of 6 or 9 months in the Revolutionary war,) without receiving a pension, it is said that his widow is to receive it, if she were living at the time of the passage of the act of July June 1832.: provided the marriage took place before his last term of service expired.
As to the documentary evidence, showing the exact time of his entrance into the army, and his exit, &c, and the record of the marriage, - the exact time of his death &c, - I do not know that such evidence can be produced; - it will be necessary for me to visit Trenton, and spend much time and money there, in examining vast quantities of passed, before I can ascertain the facts that records may afford.
In the mean time, I have shown, I trust, to your satisfaction, that Said Chamberlain he was in the war 9 months, and that he was married before his last term of service expired.
I wish you to inform me now, before I incur expenses that I can in no way afford, if there is not a pension due to the children in the case, (as the Widow is now dead ) if she was alive at the time of the passage of the act of 1832, or (perhaps) of 1836. If there is a pension, as I believe there is, I mean to see that it is had, provided I can

isfy you that his case is met by the law, or Pension acts in operation. But of the application of those acts you are the determinate Judge, not I.
With Due Respect, Your Obedt Servant David Chamberlain
J. L. Edwards, Com. Rev. Washington City

State of New Jersey County of Hunterdon
Be it Known, that on this Sixth day of April A. D. 185 3 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Samuel Chamberlain resident of Bethlehem in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the legal heir of David Chamberlain who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 1818 that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT , of Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of David Chamberlain for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Samuel Chamberlain
Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Samuel Chamberlain to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Wm. H. Leggett
State of New Jersey County of Hunterdon } ss
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas that Samuel Chamberlain the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the Identical reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that William Egbert Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this fourteenth day of April 185 3
Wm Emery Clarke
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3 "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

Bethlehem N.J. Sept. 27/17
Sir, I have this day received, from the Co. clerk of Hunterdon Co. N.J. the Affidavit of Thankful Hope, and the Certificate of Jos. Betson, the said Co. clerk, — all of which were sent to me, (together with your letter of the 18th. directed to said Betson,) by the Co. clerk aforesaid. In your letter, (of the 18th.) you say: "It appears to have been transmitted to this office by you" [i.e. the said Jos. Betson.] And as no letter accompanied it, I do not know to what case it is intended to be applied."
I herewith transmit you the said Affidavit and Certificate, together with your letter referred to. It applies to the Case of Said Chamberlain who is the Subject of the two affidavits sent you two or three weeks ago; the one given by William Chamberlain, brother of said Said Chamberlain deceased, and the other by Cornelius Slack, relative to the same Chamberlain, — and all the three, (this one and the two already forwarded,) have reference to a claim to a pension in consequence of his services for 9 months, in the Revolutionary war.

I regret that I am unable to specify the date of the affidavits already sent to your Office, with that of the accompanying letter, — but am of the opinion that they were sent about 14 or 20 days since.
I hope it will be in your power, and suitable for you to give me a reply at an early day. David P. Fowler
J L Edwards Esq. Washington