Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23812, Nathan Chapin, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Chapin, Nathan - Lavina.
W. 238/2
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 15250
Nathan Chapin
of Berkshire in the State of Mass ts who was a pri r in the company commanded by Captain Pillsbury of the Reg t commanded by Col. Smith in the Mass ts line for Connecticut
Call
recited on the Roll of Chap ts at the rate of 20 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of June '33 and sent H.W. Bishop Lenox, Mass -
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 4 0 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept " - 1 0
$ 5 0
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 11
11 Berkshire

Reported July 29/49
31192
Massachusetts Lavina Chapin widow of Nathan Mass who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1849 and sent to
J. S. Bulfinch Boston Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 27 Vol. 2

Nathan Chapin. New Marlboro. Mass Application for Pension Nov 14 1832 18746

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this Fourteenth day of November A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting,
Nathan Chapin a resident of the town of New Marlborough in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That entered the service as a volunteer and served Six months in the Year 1780 - in a company commanded by Captain Pillsbury in a Regiment commanded by Col. Smith. - That he joined the company in June of that year at Sheffield & marched to West Point in the State of New York & after staying there awhile, he marched with the Army down the River & crossed the River at King's Ferry & thence marched into New Jersey, to Morristown, Elizabethtown etc. That he was with the Army at the execution of Major Andross - That he came back from New Jersey in November & went into Winter Quarters at West Point and that he was then discharged in December of the same day he does not recollect - but it was the end of the six months which he served as a volunteer. That he can prove the above service by John Hyde & Benjamin Spaulding

1 That he was born in New Marlborough April 22. 1764— 2 That there is a Record of his age on the town Books and in his family Bible. 3 — That he lived in New Marlborough when called into service, that he has lived there since the Revolutionary war & that he now lives there. 4 — That he entered the service as before stated by voluntarily enlisting and served as a soldier as before stated — 5 — That during his station at West Point then were with the troops the following officers — Col. Sprout, Col. Dickinson & Genl. Howe was the Maj. Genl. of his Division — Genl. Glover was his Brigadier 6 — That he received no written discharge from the service as he recollects, but if he did receive one it is not to be found — 7 — That the following persons to whom he is known can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution — namely — Rev d . Harley Goodwin & Benjamin Sheldon Esq. —

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
Nathan Chapin
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker I. Probate
We Harley Goodwin a Clergyman, residing in the town of New Marlboro. and Benjamin Sheldon residing in New Marlboro. hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathan Chapin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 68 — 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.
Harley Goodwin Benjamin Sheldon
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker I. Probate
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 Harley Goodwin who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of New Marlboro. in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Benjamin Sheldon who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Marlboro. in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker I. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Nathan Chapin for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fourteenth day of November the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss- Berkshire County
On this fifteenth day of June A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the Hon. William P. Walker judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, the same being a Court of record Mrs. Lavina Chapin, a resident of New Marlborough in said County of Berkshire aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows, and also of the act of 23 d August 1842 and the joint resolution of 16 th August last and the decision founded upon said acts and resolution, That she is the widow of Nathan Chapin, who was a private in the army of the revolution and served according to her best recollection and belief as follows viz. at West Point and in and about the city of New York was present at the execution of Maj. Andre. does not recollect of his being in any battle. She further declares that her husband the aforesaid Nathan Chapin was a pensioner under the law of the 7 June 1832 at 20. per annum which amount he received until the semi annual payment prior to his death. She further declares that she was married to the said Nathan Chapin on the second day of September in the year nineteen hundred and eighty four. That her husband the aforesaid Nathan Chapin died on the eighteenth day of October 1841. That she was not married to him prior to his being the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January nineteen hundred and thirty four viz. at the time above stated and that since his decease she has not intermarried, but still continues the widow of the said Nathan Chapin deceased.
S. June 15. '43 Witness. Levi L. Smith                      Lavina her + Chapin mark.
Subscribed and sworn to, by the said Lavina Chapin, at her residence in said New Marlborough, on the day and

year first aforesaid, and I certify that the said Savina, by reason of old age and bodily infirmity was unable to attend in open Court
Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire county ss.
I Henry M. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for said county of Berkshire do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Judge of said Court in the matter of the application of Savina Chapin for a pension. That the Hon William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this sixteenth day of June in the year eighteen hundred & forty three Henry M. Bishop Reg d Prob.

1 Sept Second Seventeen hundred Eighty four Nathaniel Chapin & Lovina Foster was — married by me Gabe Ward Justice peace I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is express- ed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows :" Sept 2 d 1784
Henry A Sheldon Town Clerk
I Henry A Sheldon above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of New Marlborough, County of Berkshire and State of — Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception — above named as certified by me
Henry A Sheldon Town Clerk
Berkshire ss. June 15. 1843
Sworn to before me. Levi L. Smith Justice of the Peace
I certify that Henry A. Sheldon above named is Town Clerk of the town of New Marlborough —
Levi L. Smith Just. of the Peace

18,746
Nathan Chapin
Map
Col Smith Almst a private born 1821

BRIEF in the case of 60 of Durkshire
Nathan Chapin in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 68.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     I am In 17 80 volunteer 6 Gen Pillsbury Col Smith  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Marlborough Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional and two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor Examining Clerk.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23812
Laura Chapin wid of Nathan Chapin Prs Rev War
Act Feb 2 d 48
Index: Vol _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

2262 Lavinia Chapin Lavinia Chapin
ad 3. March 1843
$20 per ann
L. M. Stone Boston Mass.

State of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss-
On this fifteenth day of June 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County Lavinia Chapin a resident of New Marlborough in the County of Hampshire aforesaid aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed 3 d March 1843 granting pensions to certain widows, whose husbands served during the revolutionary war - That she is the widow of Nathan Chapin who was a private in the Army, and served according to my best recollection and belief as I have this day stated or set forth, in an application for a pension, under the law of 1838 and the acts amending said act, reference thereto being had for full particulars - She further declares that no pension has ever been granted to her, but that she is now an applicant for a pension under the laws aforesaid, and she would beg leave to refer to the application above named and the papers accompanying the same for the necessary proofs of her marriage, identity, and time of her husband's death - She further declares that she has ever continued a widow since the death of her husband the aforesaid Nathan Chapin.
Lavinia Chapin
S. June 15. 1843. Witness. Levi L. Smith - mark.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me by the said Lavinia Chapin, at her residence in said New Marlborough, she being unable by reason of old age and bodily infirmity to attend in open Court. Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate
11 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Berkshire do certify that the Hon. William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of said Court this sixteenth day of June A.D. 1843 Henry W. Bishop Reg t Prob.

KE
Issue 2 certificates in this case
ET

Lavinia Chapin's papers acted on a few days since and handed to the Com te — probably adm d & Certificate not made out.

7662 Massachusetts
Refer.
Lavina Chapin widow of Nathan Chapin
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 18 th October 1841 of Berkshire Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Pillsbury of the regt. commanded by Col. Smith in the Mass. line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the — 15 th — day of Sept r 1843 and sent to L. M. Stone Boston, Mass.
Whole amount due . . . . . $ 100 —
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A Vol. 1. Page 81,

Rep?
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6. April 1838 from 4. Sep 1841. to the 18 Oct 1841. age Modified 24. April 1845
1971
Massachusetts
Lavinia Chapin
widow of Nathan Chapin who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Sept. 1843 and sent to L. M. Stone Boston, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 1. Vol. 1, Page 39.

I John Hyde of New Bedford and Benjamin Spaulding of Sheffield, all in the county of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that we are personally acquainted with Mr. Nathan Chapin of said New Bedford. and that said Nathan Chapin, in the year 1780 served six months in the Continental Service under Col. Pillsbury in Col. Smith's Regiment, in which Service we were also engaged at the same time
June 27. June 1832 Witn: P. L. Hall
John Hyde his Benjamin X Spaulding mark
Berkshire ss. June 27. 1832 - Personally appeared John Hyde and Benjamin Spaulding, whom I certify to be credible witnesses and in my presence subscribed the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same
Before Parker L. Hall J. P. Bruns

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
shire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate for said County, do hereby certify that Parke S.
Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of November
A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

Lavinia Chapman
all 1971

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September 2 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Levi S. Smith was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Berkshire,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. Duff Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. Berkshire COUNTY, }
On this twenty fifth day of August 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Lavina Chapin a resident of New Marlboro' in the county of Berkshire aforesaid aged ninety one years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Nathan Chapin who was a resident of New Marlboro' and who was a private in the War of the Revolution and is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of twenty dollars and cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Lavina Chapin 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day } Before me, and year above written, }
In presence of Anne Chapin Levi L. Smith Justice of the Peace.
I Certify , That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares.
Levi L. Smith Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY, }
Clerk of the the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
the Seal of said Court, this
CLERK.

Boston, 22 d June 1843.
Sir,
I forward herewith the application of Mrs. L. Chapin for a pension under the law of 7 th July 1838.
Very Resp t .
Yr. ob t Serv t
L. M. Stone
J. L. Edwards Esq r Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

Nathan Chapin
Map
1846

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathan Chapin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

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

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

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
July 14 th 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of Nathan Chapin, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Boston, Mass. Agency, at the rate of Twenty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1841, to the 18 th Oct. 1841.  Respectfully, yours,
J. Sevier, acting Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

No 9113 Lavinia Chapino Mass ts Act July 7 1888
Admitted 6 mo. priv $20 pr an. ~
Σ
L. M. Stone Esq, Boston Mass ts

I Solomon Hart of New Marlborough in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts depose and say, that I have known Nathan Chapin for the last fifty years, that he was a soldier in the army of the revolution, by reputation, that he was a pensioner of the United States, and that Lavinia Chapin, the applicant for a pension, was the wife and is now the widow of the said Nathan Chapin deceased
Solomon Hart
Berkshire ss. Sworn and subscribed this fifteenth day of June A.D. 1843 before me
Levi L. Smith justice of the Peace
I certify that the above deponent is personally known to me that he is a credible witness and entitled to belief Levi L. Smith

I Anna Chapin of New Marlborough, in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Nathan Chapin late of said New Marlborough, deceased, a revolutionary pensioner, that he died at said New Marlborough on the eighteenth day of October eighteen hundred and forty one - And further saith none -
Anna Chapin
Commonwealth of Mass.
Berkshire ss. June 15. 1843.
Subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid, by the said Anna Chapin known to me as a credible witness & entitled to belief -
Luci L. Smith Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I Charles Sedgwick, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Berkshire, do certify, that Louis L. Smith Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Smith and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three Chas. Sedgwick Clerk.