Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,040, Stephen Champlin, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Champlin, Stephen S 15,040
CONTENTS
carded

9807
Connerstown.
Stephen Champlin
of S. Lander in the State of Cont. who was a Sergeant in the Comp. commanded by Captain Dabcock of the Regt. commanded by Col. Mason in the Cont. time for 3 Mos. Service
0 R " Priv. { $10. $10. $55.00 }
Enrolled on the Roll of Cont. at the rate of 55 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of June 1832 and sent to D. Wallis Sebauon Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: '33 $110.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep: '33 27.50 $137.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. C. Miles Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 8

State of Connecticut New London County Probate Court Dis- trict of Lebanon
On this 10 th day of December A D 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate in and for the district of Lebanon now sitting Present Denison Watters Judge of said Court holding the same Stephen Memphis a resident of said Lebanon in New London County and State of Conn- ecticut aged sixty nine years on the 3 rd day of August A D 1832 who having first duly affirmed according to Law doth on his said affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated which on the first of September A D 1777 I entered the service of the United States as a substitute for one Daniel Rodman decd of South Kingston in the State of Rhode Island and served in a company of militia under the command of Captain Stephen Badcock decd of said South Kingston as a private for one month until the first of October following The Lieutenant of said company was Samuel Bad- cock decd of said South Kingston the company had no Ensign Robert Brown decd of said South Kingston was Colonel said company was occupied in guarding the Rhode Island coast I was at the time of being called up said service

an inhabitant of said South Kingstown From the first of October 1777 to the first of the number following I entered the service of the United States as a substitute for my brother Stephen Champlin the of South Kingstown aforesaid now dead and served as a private in a company of militia under the command of Captain Samuel Potter of said South Kingstown now dead not less than one month said company was employed in guarding the Rhode Island coast a few miles to the north of Point Judith Point I was in no battle at either of the before men- tioned periods.
From the first of November 1777 to the first of March following I was in the service of the United States as a private and volunteer the first two months the company to which I be- longed was commanded by Captain Timothy South of said South Kingstown now dead and the last two months said company was com- manded by Lieutenant Daniel Lofte of said South Kingstown now dead our company was Charles Dyer of North Kingstown (R.I.) and occupied in guarding the Rhode Island coast and was in no engagement except in October  October the ship Irene run ashore in the month of August 1778 I was drafted into the service of the United States and served as a private in the militia, the company to which I at this time belonged was commanded by Captain Parris Gardner of said South Kingstown now deceased and I served under said Gardner not less than one month and was employed in guarding the coast in the vicinity of the South Ferry (so called) in said South Kingstown.
On the 3rd day of June 1778 I was drafted into the service of the United States and served in the militia as a private

At the time of Sullivan's expedition it was in the service of the United States not less than one month in the militia as a private & as a drafted and served under Captain Timothy Locks for several South Kingston road etc. we marched to Providence (R.I.) and from Providence to Swanton in said State we at Swanton met the American troops coming from Rhode Island after the battle with the British and we then returned by the way of Providence to South Kingston, this was in the fall of the year 1780 As soon as I can recollect after we returned from Swanton we were stationed at a place called Boston neck in South Kingston and there completed the month.
On the first of June 1781 I was drafted into the service of the United States in the militia as a private and served under the aforesaid Captain Timothy Locks and went on to the Island of Rhode Island and was stationed at a Fort called Still Fork  Tommy  Locks  Locks Locks and was there under Captain Locks one month and when Locks left the Fort which was the first of July 1781 I then went into a company commanded by Thomas M. Ring an of Richmond (R.I.) Stationed who is also dead and  Stationed under said Ring an as a sergeant we were marched by Ring an from said Fort to a place on said Island called Bruns- ton Point and were stationed three months on said Point and were employed in keep- ing guard on the sea coast.
On the first of October 1781 I went with Lieutenant and Thomas Brann of Westerly (R.I.) now dead to Bristol (R.I.) after some cannon to be conveyed to Hartford (Conn) we put them on board a Schooner commanded by a Captain Frye and sailed to the mouth of Connecticut River Captain Brann

and his men being about thirty in number left the stock at the mouth of said river which proceeded to to Hardin's Spring and Brant's his men returned to Brenton's Point after staying there or four days till the first of December 1781. at the Point. I then went into the  Spring  Spring Fort on Brenton's Point and was one month in said Fort from the first of November  October to the first of December  November 1781 as a private under the command of a Captain Trappan (his christian name and place of abode I know not) whilst at said Fort, our Colonel's name whilst at the 3 d Fort was Crary and the Major's name was Whipple both from East Greenwich or that vicinity (R. I.) their christian names I cannot recall. From the first of December  November to the first of January  December 1782 I served as a sub- stitute for an  our Joseph Congdon of South King- stown aforesaid who died and as a private in said militia under the command of one Lieutenant Bliss of said Fort (R. I.) now dead and was stationed on Brenton's Point as aforesaid.
In which of the aforesaid periods that I served aforesaid is not not less than one year and three months according to the best of my recollection inasmuch as by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory I cannot state more particularly nor more precisely as to dates nor as to the officers under whom I served nor other circumstances. I was born in South Kingstown (R. I.) on the 3 d day of August 1763 my birth is recorded in my bible and I believe it is recorded

I lived in said South Berwick until the close of the Revolutionary War until the 1795 since which time I have lived in said town in the County of said Landers (said Landers having been 2 years ago taken from said New England and annexed to said New England County) in Connecticut. I was called into the service of the United States as stated above. The militia of Rhode Island in which I served was at that time badly organized and often had but one commissioned officer in a company and had no regular Battalion or regiments and of course every thing was in confusion. I have no documentary evidence of my service nor my written discharge. I never held any commission office but always served as a private except a short time until three months under Captain Thomas N. Bangs as a sergeant. None of us being witnesses to my service except the still when deposition is required. and Mr. Castle acquainted with the Wounded Irishman. and others who can testify to the character for veracity and belief of my service as a soldier of the revolution. I hereby request every claim which to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State Affirmed and subscribing the day and year aforesaid Stephen Champlin

19342 Stephen Chapman G.T.
Admitted 3 months Sergeant 12 do Private
D. Watters Lebanon Conn.
1286

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjjoined 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.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Stephen Champlin B.T.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Sep 1777 sub. 1 Private Capt Brach Col Drown guarding A.D. Coast 69 - born South Kingston { He lived there when he into war lives in N London { He having witness from Stone of 1 month and service generally Certificate of Chapman and Buggem   Octo 77 11 1 " Capt Potter "   Nov 1777 1 " Capt Lock guarding A.D. Coast   1778 Oct 1 " Capt Greville took a ship at Point Judith guarding Coast   " " 1 " Capt Lock south ferry   1 st Jan 1778 1 " " A.D. Army   " " 3 Sergeant Hill fort   Octo 11 3 Private St. Round Drumless Point   Sub - 1 " Capt Lapsen Major Whipple A.D. at the fort mouth of the River  
He said he did not serve less than 15 months - 3 Sept
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
12

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 record 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) 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 day 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 , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 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 is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Stephen Champlin
19342
✓

De Deft Brown a Vinsymen residing in the town of Lebanon County of New London and State of Connecticut I hereby certify that we are acquainted with Nathaniel Champlaine who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be the party and years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides therefore we believe in the revelation and that we can see in that opinion
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day in the presence of Isaac Brown Isaac Brown

Handwritten text in Arabic script, oriented vertically from right to left. The text is written in a cursive style with some words underlined.

Henry Hill of Lebanon in the County of New London and State of Connecticut being eighty nine years of age under oath depose and say that I was born in the town of East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island and have been acquainted with Mr Stephen Champlin of said Lebanon for more than fifty years and re- sides as his neighbor  friend in said Lebanon since his and my removal from Rhode Island for more than forty years I was with him in the service of the United States preceding the the war the Revolution the Revolutionary War and I was with him in the  service  of the  United  States in the  service  of the  United  States under under Captain Potter or his clerk a month we were together at the launching the launching the launching near Point Judith Point we were out from October to March last April following Charles Dyer was on board and we were together  at said Point a month or more he was together

under caption. Paris Garden Rd were together at several clerks my memory is poor and I cannot be into particulars but have a partial recollection of our being together three different terms in the whole amounting to not up then
eight months. Mr. Thompson is a man of a character for integrity seem to and substantiated by me this 7 th day of July
AD 1832
Henry Pratt
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter after examining the deposition of Henry Hill herewith annexed and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above-mentioned Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that Rev. Asahel Brown who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said Lebanon and that Colonel Isaiah Loomis 2 d who has also signed the same is a resident in said Lebanon and is a credible person and their statements is entitled to credit and this Court is also of opinion that the said Henry Hill is a man of truth and veracity and his deposition herewith annexed and entitled to credit said Hill was duly sworn to the truth of said deposition before said Court on the day of its date and on the same day said Brown and Loomis were sworn before said Court John Watters Clerk of the Court of Probate of said do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Chapman for a pension since the return of the first

LAW OFFICE OF
EDWIN S. CHITTENDEN,
FIRST NAT'L BANK BLDG. COR. FOURTH AND JACKSON STS.
Minn., Feb. 16 1893.
Stephens C. Cook St Paul Minn 170-E-3142
J. C. Cook Esq City Mr. Sir;
The Conn. record shows p. 655 that Stephen Champlin, residing in New London Co. was a Revolutionary pensioner in 1832.
On p. 661 it shows him to have been a Rev. pension living in 1840 in Lebanon, New London Co. at 77. As your gr. gr. father died there in 1848 at 85 undoubtedly he is the same person. The full record of Co. left. re could be procured in Washington. The above, with your Bible record is sufficient.
I do not find any record of free-masonic Perry
Yours faithfully
Have your envelopes printed with St Paul ed.

first entered the service at So myston Rd. in the month of Sept 1777 and was des finally discharged during the latter part of the year 1781 having received 12 mo actual service as a priv and 3 mo actual service as a sergeant in the R Troops. The Plt for an ment is off and when he

Oliver,
Capt
Capt Bedwell
Col Brown
Capt Potter Capt Lock
Col Dyer
Capt Gardner
Capt Traphen Col
Crary

15.040 INVALID.
File No. 15.040
Stephen Champlin Sergt: Peewee War
t: June 7 th 1832 Index:—Vol. 1, Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1893 Apr 19 Wish to S. Cleo St Paul Minn J.S.

S. H. P.
O. W. and N. Division.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., April 19, 1893.
Sir
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Stephen Champlin , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     From Sept 1777 he served several monthly tours in 1778, 1780 R.I. & 1781, including one of 3 months in the latter year as coast guard under Capt. Babcock, Potter, Lock, Gardner & Avery. Parts of the time he was in command of Col. Dyer. He claimed 15 months service.  
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, South Kingston R.I.
Date of application for pension, Dec 10 1832
Residence at date of application, Lebanon, Conn m
Age at date of application, born Aug 3 1763 in South Kingston R.I.
Remarks: Moved to Lebanon Conn m
Very respectfully,
Wm Stephen C Cook 170 E 3 rd St St Paul Minn m
Act g Commissioner.
Handwritten notes: this is not a duplicate and some things are different R. J. M. [unclear] A. C. [unclear] April 16/93