Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,474, Hiram Chappell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Conn
Chappell, Hiram
S. 12.474
CONTENTS
carded

New York 14.658
Hiram Chappell
of Washington Co. in the State of N. York who was a priv. in the Comp. commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt. commanded by Col. Durkee in the Continental line for
8 months 18. days -
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 28. Dollars 65. Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7. day of June 1832. and sent to J. P. Putnam, Cambridge, Washington Co. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 57. 38 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. - 14. 35
$ 71. 63
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. F. Francioni Clerk Book E. Vol. 4 - Page 51
21889-
Rate of death each m. 65.

In the Matter of Hiram Chaplin
21889 Dum
Don

State of New York Washington County ss
On thirteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas at the Court house in the town of Salem now sitting Hiram Chapell a resident of the town of White Creek in the County of Washington and State of New York aged sixty eight 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 seventh 1832 —
That he was born in the town of Lebanon County of Windham and State of Connecticut in the year of our Lord 1764 —
That he has no record of his age and only knows it from information derived from his parents —
That he lived when called into the military service in the war of the revolution in the said town of Lebanon. That he has lived since the revolutionary war about part of the time in the said town of Lebanon, part of the time in Coventry in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut, part of the time in Sunderland & Pawlet County of Bennington & Rutland and State of Vermont part of the time in New Sharon County of Schoharie & State of New York and part of the time in the said town of White Creek and that he lives there now —
That he was first called into service as a volunteer in Captain Williams' company of Militia in Col. Mearns' regiment and was ordered to New London to guard the City. That he served there one month every other day on fatigue building & repairing the fort at that place when he was discharged by the

captain without any writing - That there was a Regiment there at the time under Col. Mason besides a company of enlisted troops but who commanded there he does not now recollect -
That the latter part of August 1779 he enlisted whether in the State line or lines or in the Continental service he does not know but the men then raised were to fill up a regiment commanded by Col. John Durkee and in General Parsons' Brigade - That he enlisted for five months and in Captain Webb's company - That he was immediately ordered into service and marched from Windham under command of a recruiting officer by the name of Tracy and joined the army at Robertson's plains a few miles from West Point on the Hudson - Say three months then crossed the Hudson at Kings Ferry, marched to Morristown New Jersey thence to Baskinridge and prepared winter quarters - Staid there until the five months service was nearly expired and was then marched under Major John Bull to Danbury Connecticut and was there discharged by writing which discharge he has lost and arrived home about the last day of January 1780 -
That about the twentieth day of July 1780 he volunteered in a company commanded by Solomon Phelps but what his rank was he does not now recollect - The business of the company was the transportation of the baggage of the army and munitions of war by means of ox teams principally - That he immediately joined the company and marched to White Plains - Then they joined the French army under Count Rochambeau and after lying there a certain time how long he does not now recollect he crossed the Hudson at Kings ferry and with the said army went through Morristown, Princeton,

Trenton then crossed the Delaware river down to Phila- delphia, Baltimore and Annapolis - after staying only a short time at the latter place the loading was shipped as he was informed and the company or part of it returned under the same officer who recruited him and when they arrived at Hartford Connecticut the said officer Solomon Phelps discharged him without giving any writing to that effect - That he was in actual service in this company three months and three or four days. That he never received any other written discharge than the one above specified nor does he remember the names of any of the officers of the Continental army who were with them but General Washington was said to be with the army, he has no documentary evidence of his services and knows of no person whom his testimony he can prove who can testify to his service and that on account of the shortness of their residence in the place there is no clergyman in his neighborhood who can testify as applied by the said act - 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 and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid J. S. Leigh C.B.  Hiram Chappell
We Daniel H. Pratt residing in the Town of White Creek County of Washington and State of New York and John King of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hiram Chappell who has subscribed the above declaration. That we believe him to be sixty eight 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 -
Dan l H. Scott John King
Sworn to & Submitted the 29 th day of August 1832 in open court
Henry Rice Justice of Peace
J. S. Leigh C.R.
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel H. Pratt and John King who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the said town of White Creek and are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit -
I Joseph S. Leigh Clerk of the court of Common Pleas for the said County of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Hiram Chappell for a pension -
Adams copy
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 29 th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
J. S. Leigh C.R.

No 21889 Hiram Chapell Washington Co N.Y.
admitted.
8 mo. 18 days Private.
John P. Putnam Cambridge Washington Co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Co. C 5th Inf
A Statement, shewing the Service of Hiram Chapell Washington
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol at state's request Private   lost sight 15 Capt Williams 68 years Traditional evidence   1779 5 Col Mason Wadsworth state's credible by the   until Jan 80 Col Durkee county court   at 20th Jan Col Webb Connect   at 81 3 3 or 4 days   8 18  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper records, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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 , 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John R. Ashton

March 6, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hiram Chappell-S.12475 BA-J/AWF
Mr. Harold E. Devereaux One West Main Street Madison, Wisconsin
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Hiram Chappell, and the War of 1812 record of John K. Whaley.
The War of 1812 records of this office fail to show a claim for pension on file on account of the service of any John K. Whaley.
You are furnished herein the record of the only soldier named Hiram Chappell, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 12474, based upon his service in that war.
Hiram Chappell was born in the year 1764 in Lebanon, Windham County, Connecticut, names of his parents not given.
While residing in said Lebanon, Hiram Chappell volunteered, date not given, and served one month in Captain Williams' company, Colonel Mason's regiment, Connecticut militia. He enlisted the latter part of August, 1779, served five months as private in Captain Webb's company, Colonel John Durkee's Connecticut regiment. He volunteered July 20, 1781 in a company commanded by Solomon Phelps, marched to White Plains and joined "the French Army under Count Rochambeau", the purpose of this company was to transport baggage of the army and munitions of war, length of this service, five months and a few days.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-

68 yrs old cuted, August 28, 1832, then a resident of White Creek, Washington County, New York. After the Revolution he had lived in Coventry, Tolland County, Connecticut, Bennington County, Vermont, Pawlet, Rutland County, Vermont, and New Sharon, Schoharie County, New York.
There are no data in this claim relative to the family of the soldier, Hiram Chappell.
In order to obtain the date of that last payment of pension, the name and address to whom sent and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, Hiram Chappell, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing the following data-
Hiram Chappell Certificate No. 14650 Issued June 7, 1833 Rate $28.655 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

HAROLD E. DEVEREAUX, D. D. S ONE WEST MAIN STREET MADISON, WISCONSIN
2-17-34
Pension Department Washington, D. D.
In the census of pensioners, as of June 1 1840, there is listed one HIRAM CHAPPELL, aged 86 living with Benj. Sixbury at Canajoharie, Montgomery County, N.Y.
May I please have whatever information may be contained in your records, regarding this Hiram Chappell? All details if you please.
Very truly,
Harold E. Devereaux
Stamp enclosed
and I am in

HAROLD E. DEVEREAUX, D. D. S ONE WEST MAIN STREET MADISON, WISCONSIN
2-17-34
Pension Department;
From the War Dept., I have the record of John K. Whaley, who served as a fifer in Capt. Wm. Prince's Co., from the County of Wood, attached to the 1st Reg. (Connell's) Virginia Militia, from Sept. 16 1812 to Mch. 29 1813. Allowed pay to include Apr. 12 1813 for traveling home."
John K. Whaley later lived at Fairport and Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, where he was buried in an unmarked grave. If he, or his wife Phebe, received a pension, you would doubtless have a record to that effect. He probably did not die before 1840. Any information which might be contained in your records would of use to me, and I would be pleased to have such.
Very truly,
Harold E. Devereaux.

Rev War
124 3/4
INVALID.
File No. 12,474
William Chappel
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 14 82
Index: Vol. 2 Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1934-Mch 6 sent to Henry & Deborah