Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22163, Thomas Chappell, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Chappell, Thomas
S. 22163
CONTENTS

See letter Oct. 13. 1834 to P. Agt. & Hon. J. G. Watmough 2 May 21. 1836 to Hon. M. W. Ash - do. to same 25 May 1836 - do. to C. J. Jack Nov. 27. 1838 susp. removed. See letters to C. J. Jack & P. Agt. 22 d Dec. 1841 Letter to Pen Agt. of 3 d Aud. 10 th Jany 1842 - Letter to Pen Agt 16 J. Jack 10. 1842.
22.726.  Pennsylvania  Thomas Chappell of Pennsylvania , Co. in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Snyder of the Regt commanded by Col. Miller in the Pennsylvanian Militia —  6 No Pr — $ 25
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a at the rate of 25 Dollars — Books per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Dec r 1833 and sent to  Hon. J. G. Watmough, Ho. of Rep    Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 -  82.50    Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mch '34 -  12.50     $95.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded, by D. P. Wagner Clerk, Book C — Vol. 5 Page 10

State of Pennsylvania } County of Philada } ss.
On the twentieth day of November 1833, personally ap- peared in open Court before Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, the Thomas Chappell, a resident of Moreland township, in the County of Philada and State of Pennsylvania, aged seventy three years on the 21 st day of November 1833 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 he entered the army in July 1779 as a volunteer in the first troop of Cavalry raised in the city & County of Philada under the command of Captain David Singan, Lt. Abraham Duffield & Cornet Dull & marched to Trenton N. J. where they remained until the latter end of September being a period of three months when they received orders & marched to Newton under the command of General where they continued for the period of three months longer, making in the whole a period of six months when they were discharged & returned home. That the said troop was subsequently kept up for the space of two years was always ready for service - that said Thomas Chappell was not there- after called on duty - 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, & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid in Open Court
Thos. Chaplin
S. C. H. H. H.
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 said as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Theophilus Harris, who has signed the annexed certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of St. Louis and that Baker Br. & Nathaniel Boileau who have also signed a Certificate annexed are resident in the County of Montgomery State of Penna and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit -
Edward King John D. King
J. Richard Palmer Prothonotary J. L. B. Robt Clerk of Common Pleas, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Chaplin for a pension -
Witness my hand & seal of said Court at Philadelphia this 20 th day of 1833 -
J. M. Palmer

City & County of Philadelphia p
I Richard Palmer Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia Do certify that Leonard Knight before whom the annexed affidavit was made and who hath signed the same with his own hand existing, was at the time and still is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the said County duly authorized to administer oaths &c.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 20 November 1833
(Richard Palmer Prothonotary)
ms
ms

28. 140
Adm. B. Mo. Car. —
Hon J. G. Watmough Ho of Rep —

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 inquiry 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 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 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 in 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.

Resolution
22 163 INVALID.
File No. 22,163
Thomas Chappell
Pr. Reo War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Son of Joseph Brown, Ga - Susp - '32 is in the file room. JHC 1
Thomas Chapel
Room avnd act 32 1022/26
Ch Ch Mar 23/52

House Reps
Washington Jan'y 24. 1851
Hon: Jas. E. Heath
Sir;
One of My constituents writes to me to know whether there is a Pension due to Thomas Chappell of Phila County Penn a a Revolutionary soldier, it appears that he obtained a pension and therefore his name is on your books — I should be much gratified if you would give me an answer at an early period, of all the information asked for in the enclosed letter.
Please return the enclosed
Yours most respectfully John Robbins Jr

House Reps
Washington Feby 6. 1857
Am. Soc. of Health
Sir:
I was much gratified last evening to receive from you a reply to two letters sent you, one from O'Nambo & the other Mr. Little.
Although I have a number of cases before you unanswered - yet there are two of these if you could reply to shortly I should feel greatly obliged -
One is the letter of Israel Walton in relation to a pension of Thomas Chapell deceased - As this depends the settlement of his Estate — sent to you Jan'y 24/57 - - -
The other is the affidavit of Lieut. A. T. Townsend in the case of Mr. Rice deceased of Kentucky a soldier in the Mexican War - his widow Mary B. Rice is very anxious to know whether this affidavit is sufficient to cause a Warrant to be granted - sent to you Jan'y 23/57 Your reply to these two cases will oblige them & me Yours respectfully John Robinson

Washington May 23 d 1803.
Sir
I duly received your Communication of the 21 st Inst, and have forwarded a copy to Mr. Manasson.
I am in reply to your query, as to my knowledge of the Character of the Solomons, estate, that I have been acquainted with him from boyhood; I have not known anything on one occasion, during an electioneering campaign, often to him, (not having met with him) for about 18 years - He resides in the County of Philadelphia; and is estimated rich; - An Aunt of mine, is his Tenant, of a House of considerable value, and who is of rather a miserly disposition; His Character is above reproach as far as I know, or have ever heard; and very indifferent about the acquisition of money, yet very miserly in its expenditure. I would therefore as the result of my opinion of Mr. Gifford's estate, that he was incapable of the act alluded to in your Communication.
I have the Honor to be Very respectfully Your Friend & Servant Nicholas Stott
The Hon ble J. S. Edwards. P.S. - I am often requested

Byberry June 22 d 1851
Respected Friend
I have to acknowledge a number of interesting documents kindly sent by thee more particularly the report of the Naval Committee on establishing a line of Steam Ships to the Western coast of Africa. This is a very interesting paper. And now I have to ask another favour. I am Agent for the heirs of Thomas Chap pell deceased of Moreland township Philadelphia County. I am informed that he obtained a pension from Government for his Military services during the Revolutionary War but being a careless man he never collected it. He died about the 28 th of July 1828 and his heirs think this should be collected. My Lawyers say the same. I would be greatly obliged if thee would make the needful inquiry of the proper officers respecting the affair and see what is due him if anything and inform me what authority will enable me to collect it as I have some prospect of visiting Washington during the present session of Congress. Please to inform me of the result of thy inquiries as soon as is convenient.
Yerry respectfully
Israel Walton

In at Nov 26
ea
Free
J. S. Thomas Esquire Commission of Standing was length

I. Y. Edward 627
Sir,
Application has been made to Me in the case of Thomas Chappell who had a pen- sion on deposit procured for him by Gen- eral Ash. In Ash of the Army of Canada. I be- gan then but which was then found to have an error in it. That requir- -ed to have been returned to Your Depart- ment. It was sent to General Ash at Washington to have it amended. But it has not since been received. Will You please state what has been done in that case.
And oblige
Yours oblt. S
C. J. Jacob
Nov 24. 1838

Dear Sir,
I have at long last persuaded Captain Thomas Chappell to allow me to forward you the ex- planatory evidence required by you as to the alter- ation in his Pension Certificate. You will see by it that it was received by me the person appointed by me the person and noted also by that person for if ever was one. Some person I presume then for did it by way of imposition upon the old gentleman - At all events he is clear from it. I send you the most conclusive proofs upon that subject, please then for to send me the Pension Certificate now
And oblige
Yours obedtly
C. J. Sack
Philada Dec 20. 1841

Mr.
Washington May 19 th 1836.
I enclose the letter of Mr. Robert Allanson, on the subject of a Pension, granted to Thomas Chappel, of the County of Philadelphia; and will respectfully ask, whether your Department, can remedy the evil of which Mr. Allanson on behalf of Mr. Chappel, complains -
I am Sir with great regard, Very Respectfully J. P. Kennedy Nathaniel C. Hall
The Honble J. C. Edwards. Pension Office Department

Mr. Ingersoll requests Mrs Edwards to return the letters herewith with what ever may be the proper answer to it, to Mr. Ingersoll
Washington, Dec. 29

Wm. J. G. Watmough
13. Oct. 1834
G. C.
13
The human confidence of
Thomas Campbell has the feeling as
the self-love that
the self-love that
the self-love that
the self-love that
the self-love that
the self-love that
the self-love that
Burn, Vol 25 page 183.
William J. G. Watmough
Oct 13 1834
13 Oct 1834 Wm J. G. Watmough

War Dept.
Pension Office
Oct. 13. 1834
Sir,
The pension certificate of Thomas Chappell has been placed on our files. The alteration from $25 per annum has to $75 per annum was made after the certificate left this office. In all cases like this the pension is stopped, and the claimant is required to give a satisfactory explanation before the army payment can be made. Should you know where
Hon. John G. Watmough Philadelphia
7

Susp? Th. Chappell's case — see letters to Hon. J. G. Watmough & Pen. Ap. Oct. 13. 1834 — do. to Hon. M. W. Ash May 21. 1836 — suspension removed 22 Dec. 1841 Rel. to Hon. J. R. Ingersoll Jan'y 3rd 1848.

J. G. Hathorn
Colonel James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City - D.C.

Phil a Oct. 11. 1834
Dear Sir The enclosed has been placed in my hands within a few days by a friend of Thomas Chappell - There appears to be some difficulty as to the amount - It is certainly manifest that some attention has taken place in the 8 or the 10 - the Magistrate has taken the amount to be Seventy five - The Bank thinks Twenty five . Will you inform me which was intended. The old man himself I have not seen nor do I suppose him capable of an attempt to alter the Certificate. It may have happened by some accident or slip of the pen in the office - He sent it to me to have the matter set right - I remain very truly yours A. G. Harkness
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions -

Dear Sir
House of Representatives Dec. 5. 1833
I send you to day another Pension declaration which I beg the favor to take into consideration at your earliest convenience I return an your reply -
I am dear Sir with great respect Yr. Obs. Serv. H. G. Hartough
James L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions -

Payments to be made at Philadelphia, Pa by Genl W. S. BK — Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Pa
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 5 Page 10 by John S. Sprague Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Thomas Chappell of the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Seventy-five dollars and cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 12 th day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
John B. M c Kim Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Pennsylvania ss
Personally appeared before me, one of the Justices of the peace, in & for the county of Philadelphia, & State aforesaid, Baker Barnes, & Nathaniel B. Boileau, of the county of Montgomery & State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, did depose & say that they have been personally acquainted with Thomas Chappell of the county of Philadelphia aforesaid for many years that they served in the same Troop of horse with him, of the Pennsylvania militia, during the Revolutionary war. That they believe him to be about seventy three years of age. That he is a man of veracity, & that the representations he makes of his services, during the Revolutionary war, are true.
Sworn & subscribed before me this 16 th day of Nov. A.D. 1833 — Witness my hand & Seal —
Baker Barnes
N. B. Boileau
Leonard Knigh, Seal
This is to certify, that I Theophilus Harris, a clergyman and Justice of the peace of the county of Philadelphia am well acquainted with Thomas Chappell, that I believe his statement respecting his revolutionary services to be true, and from his general character consider him entitled to full credit as a man of veracity, I also am acquainted with Baker Barnes and Nathaniel B. Boileau and consider them men of character and veracity and entitled to full credit, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 10 th day of Nov. 1833. Theophilus Harris Seal

County of Philadelphia ss
Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the peace in and the said county Theophilus Harris Esq who being qualified according to law does say that the within statement he has made is true sworn and subscribed the 18th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Leonard Knight
Justice of the peace of Philadelphia County
And I do hereby further certify that the above named Theophilus Harris is a regularly ordained Preacher of the Gospel that his statements are fully entitled to credit and that Baker Barnes & Nathaniel B. Boileveau who have also signed the annexed certificate are residents of Montgomery County, State of Penn ty and are credible persons that their statement is entitled to credit —
Leonard Knight Justice of the peace

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. }
***** Be it Known , That before me ANDREW PETTIT , Esquire, an Alderman in and for ** Seal. ** the City aforesaid, personally appeared Thomas Chappell ***** and made Oath in due form of Law, that he is the identical Thomas Chappell named in an Original Certificate in his possession, of which (I Certify) the following is a true Copy.
WAR DEPARTMENT.—REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I Certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June 1832
Thomas Chappell of the State of Pennsylvania — who was a Private during the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Twenty five — dollars and — cents per Annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the war Office of the United States, this 12 th day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
SIGNED, Lewis Cass Secretary of War.
That he now resides in Philadelphia 6 7 / 8 and has resided there for the space of Thirty — years past, and that previous thereto he resided in Pittsburgh
Sworn and subscribed this 10 th day of Sept r — 1834 } Before me, J. Pettit " " " "
Thos. Chappell

I certify that I have been acquainted with Mr Thomas Chappell of Philadelphia County now residing near Bustleton.
For about Forty years, part of which time I resided near Holmesburgh, in said County at which time the said Thomas resided in that Town - and from my knowledge of his Character as well as from his general Character - I believe that he is incapable of committing any fraud of any kind and particularly of making an alteration in his Pension Certificate.
Michael Br. Keel
Philadelphia December 20 th 1844

In the matter of the Pension Certificate of Thomas Chappell of Perrytown.
Doctor Joseph B. Stratford being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with the said Chappell and has been for several years and days and says that the Pension Certificate for the said Thomas Chappell presented by the Secretary of War, came in an envelope under the hands of John G. Watmough then a Member of Congress from the 3rd Dist. of Pa. directed to Robert Menden, Somerton Post Office Philadelphia County. Which envelope was at the request of the said Menden opened by the said deponent. (Then in Law of said Menden,) that within said envelope was a note from said Watmough to Menden stating that he enclosed his friend Chappell, Certificate of Pension, that said en- velope did not contain the enclosure of the Commission of Pension, but only the Pension Certificate. That on examining the said Certifi- cate that deponent observed that it appeared as if there had been an erasure and remarked that in all probability the Chappell would have some difficulty in obtaining the money on it.

That Deponent delivered it to Chappell and pointed out to him the erasure - That Deponent delivered the said Certificate to General Ashbury to be presented to him and refused to deliver to him a proper one and that it has been in the hands of the steps on trust since. That the present has been in trust has been held in the name of the except as a friend of the said Chappell That Deponent knows that said erasure must have been made by some person at Washington time, although he entirely acquiesced in the knowledge of all knowledge of it and he for their position by knowing that it was not done by the said Thomas Chappell or by any person by his con- sent or command - That said Chappell is a very aged man and entirely incompetent both from character and physical incompetency to do any such act and in fact this Deponent has been almost unable to get him to take any steps to ob- tain his said erasure since said time, owing to

his indignation at its being supposed that he would be guilty of any such act. The said Chap- pell being always a man of a clear moral character - The said Chappell resides in the County about eleven miles from Philadelphia -
Sworn and subscribed in open court before me
This 20 - day of Dec 1841. J D Smith Jorist
J. B. Chappell M.D.
I certify that I am well acquainted wth the J. B. Chapell, and I am satisfied that he is a creditable in every way of belief by the Report of the -
Dec 20. 1841 -
Richd Randall
Hugh Adams being sworn says that he is well ac- quainted wth the said Chappell by character and lives about five miles from him and believes that from his character he would not be guilty of any act like that stated of altering his pension certificate -
Sworn & subscribed in open court Dec. 20. 1841. J D Smith Jorist
Hugh Adams

State of Pennsylvania County of Philadelphia ss
I Samuel Hart Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia Do certify that the Honorable Archibald Randall by whom the within and foregoing Certificate was made and given and whose name is thereto subscribed, is One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia duly commissioned, qualified & acting as such, to all whose Official acts full faith and credit are due and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Philadelphia this Twentieth day of December A.D. 1841.
S. Hart Prothonotary