Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12451, Calvin Chapin, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
chapin, calvin
S. 12451
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 929
Calvin Chapin
of Winsted in the State of Conn. who was a musician in the Company commanded by Captain Morgan of the Regt commanded by Col. Mason in the Guards — line for
Musician
6 months
Mass. Line Records completed Oct. 7, 1905.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. at the rate of 22. Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of April 1833. and sent to J. H. Parsons - Hartford Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 — 44.00
Pension, allowance ending Sept 1833 — 11.00
$ 55.00
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Francis T. Fancini Clerk Book C. Vol. 3rd Page 7

Double
Rocky Hill Ct. 12 1/2 Paid Jan'y 31 st - paid 12 1/2
Samuel H. Parsons Esq.
Hartford
64

1. Calvin Chapin, of Weathersfield, County of Hartford, & State of Connecticut, am entitled to one fourth part of a full pension, by a late Act of Congress, for military service performed, in the early part of the war for the Independence of my Country. In proof, the following facts are adduced, viz:
1. I was, at least six months before , by voluntary enlistment, in the United States' Guard , for the protection & safe preservation, of warlike munitions, in Springfield, Mass. A man, who was called Col. Mason, had the superintendence, or charge, of the artillery, arsenal, & national property, of every description, during the half year, in which I served. One Morgan was Captain of the Guard, during, at least, the same period. Lewis Chapin, a son of my Father's Brother, being now 69 years of age, was drummer. I was, then, of course, a boy; robust in constitution; could make noise enough with a Fife; passed muster, as a musician; enlisted for six months , & served out the time, thus fulfilling my obligations, to an hour. --- Then, as through the war, men were almost continually, demanded for the public service. If they would not enlist, they must be drafted. My Father's family must turn out one; although Lucius, a Brother, three years older than myself, was then in the army, on a three years' enlistment - having, in 1775, been, a few months, on a militia expedition, at Deerbury, Mass. - & in 1776, at Ticonderoga, N. Y. With perfect punctuality, he fulfilled every engagement - closing his 3 years' duty, the Fife Major of a regiment. The family devoted me to the service, here in view, because a Brother, yet older, could be more useful, on the farm, than I. Soon after my enlistment, British prisoners, Germans, Hessians, Scotch, & English, in considerable numbers, were brought into town. These were a part, at least, of Burgoyne's army, & were placed, I know not how long, in the barracks, which the National Guard occupied - or which were connected with those barracks. In one of them, I found a British Fifer, requested him to play - which he did, very much to my gratification.
2. The following I fully believe to have been facts, & can sincerely & religiously affirm, that such is my belief. I will not, however, say positively, that there is no shade of misrecollection. Occasion for reviewing & specifying, with precision, many items in that service, after the lapse of more than half a century, was never expected. No facts, therefore, but the most striking, would, by repetition, be fixed in the memory. --- My belief is, that my enlistment took place, in the latter half of October, 1777. My Father, Capt. Morgan, & others, were present, when I wrote my name. This was done, in a public house, or tavern, on a road leading from main street to the ferry. Solomon Brewer was Lieutenant, & Benoni Chapin, Brother of the drummer, was his waiter & lived in his family, on the river's bank. Several others put their names to the same paper. I well remember a facetious reply of Captain Morgan to an inquiry which one of them was making. General Knox spent several days there, & was present at exercises of firing, for a trial of skill in the use of 6 lb. cannon & mortars. The company may have consisted of, perhaps, 30. Probably, eight were daily detached, for the protection of the National stores , & marched about 1/2 to 3/4 a mile from the Quarters of the company, in military style, to the depot . Some of that guard may yet survive. I was, by years, the youngest. I know of none that continue in life, unless it be Benoni. Lewis is dead. Those Brothers went & settled together, in Jerico, a few miles from Lake Champlain, Vt. The foregoing service was wholly National . I ought that I can perceive, it may have been as useful, & as necessary, to American success, as if I had been, 6 months, in the army of Gates, that captured Burgoyne, near Saratoga - or in that of Washington, which put the yoke upon Cornwallis's neck, at Yorktown.

State of Connecticut } Sct. Hartford County of Hartford }
On this day of February A.D. 1833 before the Probate Court for the City of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, per- sonally appeared The Reverend Calvin Chapin a resi- dent of Wethersfield in said County of Hartford, aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the declaration on the opposite side written, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
And in reply to certain interrogatories prescri- bed by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent further declares.
1st. That he was born at Springfield in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts on the 22 d day of July 1763. 2 nd That the day and year of his birth is recorded in the Family Records at the deponent's house in Wethersfield. 3 rd . That when he was called into service, he resided at Springfield in the County of Hartford & State of Massachusetts. 4 th . That he served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration. 5 th . That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration, and also the names of such Officers as he distinctly recollects. 6 th . That he never received a written discharge from the service. 7 th . That he is personally known to The Hon Thomas S. Williams, Hon William M. Ellsworth, Thomas Day, Enoch Parsons and Henry L. Ellsworth Esquires, all of the City & County of Hartford aforesaid, whose certificates as to his character and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution are attached to a declaration made by the deponent before The Hon Thomas S. Williams on the 21 st day of July 1832, and are herewith presented as a part of the evidence in support of this application for a pension. The deponent has also officiated for many years as the Clergyman of the Parish.

State of Connecticut } Sct. Hartford County of Hartford }
On this day of February A.D. 1833 before the Probate Court for the City of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, per- sonally appeared The Reverend Calvin Chapin a resi- dent of Wethersfield in said County of Hartford, aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the declaration on the opposite side written, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
And in reply to certain interrogatories prescri- bed by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent further declares.
1st. That he was born at Springfield in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts on the 22 d day of July 1763 2 nd That the day and year of his birth is recorded in the Family Records at the deponent's house in Wethersfield 3 rd . That when he was called into service, he resided at Springfield in the County of Hartford & State of Massachusetts 4 th . That he served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration 5 th . That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration, and also the names of such Officers as he distinctly recollects. 6 th . That he never received a written discharge from the service. 7 th . That he is personally known to The Hon Thomas S. Williams, Hon William M. Ellsworth, Thomas Day, Enoch Parsons and Henry L. Ellsworth Esquires, all of the City & County of Hartford aforesaid, whose certificates as to his character and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution are attached to a declaration made by the deponent before The Hon Thomas S. Williams on the 21 st day of July 1832, and are herewith presented as a part of the evidence in support of this application for a pension. The deponent has also officiated for many years as the Clergyman of the Parish

of Rockyhill in said Town of Wethersfield and is known to many respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides, who (if requisite) can add their testimony to the certificates herewith forwarded, in relation to his general character & their belief of his services in the Revolutionary war;
The deponent also offers in support of the present application the the Affidavit of his Brother Aaron Chapin of said Hartford, aged seventy nine years, who recollects distinctly that the deponent, sometime in the forepart of the revolutionary war served as a musician in the guard at Springfield, having frequently conversed with the family of his father upon the subject -
And the said Calvin Chapin 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 and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid Calvin Chapin
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after their investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the Reverend Calvin Chapin the above named applicant, was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that the certificates (hereto attached) from the Hon. Thomas Williams, Hon. Wm. W. Ellsworth, Thomas Day, Enoch Parsons & Henry L. Ellsworth Esquires are entitled to implicit credit - and that Deacon Aaron Chapin whose affidavit is hereto annexed, is well known to the Court, as a gentleman of unexceptionable character, and that his Statements are entitled to credit.
I William Whitman Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the Rev d Calvin Chapin for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 4 th day of February 1833. Attest: Wm Whitman, Clk of Court of Probate for district of Hartford.

Shockey Hill, Conn. 31 st Jan. 1833.
My Dear Sir,
I, last evening, rec'd yours, of inst. 24. Indispensable preengagements forbid my calling, this week, to pursue the game of pension.
Not doubting, that papers, new throughout , wd be necessary, I sat immediately down & rewrote my statement of the case, & transmit it inclosed, to day. I do this for the purpose of saving time, when I call, apprehending, that it may be more convenient for you to prepare, fill up, & finish, the papers for the new measures, before I go, than when there.
Again. Not being a lawyer, I know not, precisely, the distinction, between a court of record & any other court - or between an open court & a court with closed doors. Thinking it possible, however, that these requisitions may render it necessary, for me to attend, when the court has, in manner & form, a public session, & is occupied in the investigation of causes that fall within the limits of its cognisance & jurisdiction, I make the following statements. - -
I hope, that, in any part of next week, I shall be able to see you, & proceed in this thing, if the weather & traveling permit. Now, for my proposition & request. If it be requisite, that I attend, when the court is in formal & open session, will you have the goodness to name to me, by Mail, the day & the hour . But if, between this & the early part of next week, I receive no word, or direction, from you, I will take it as fact, that the court will be as ready & competent at one time as another. Of course, I will make it an object to be at your office, as soon, next week, as shall be convenient.
Very respectfully yours,
L. Chapin
S. H. Parsons, Esq.
In directing to me, omit, if you please, Warnersfield , because, in relation to our office, Shockey Hill is the word found in the Post books. Thus superscribed, Letters come directly to me - but if the name of the town be put on, there is, sometimes, a delay in the older & larger office.

War Department Pension Office 30 th November 1832.
Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of the Rev d Doctor Chapin to a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832. have been examined. It is regarded as an indispensable rule that all declarations be made before a Court of Record, unless where this is shown to be impossible from the bodily infirmity of the Claimant must also be stated, and in short, the regulations must be strictly adhered to in all cases without distinction of persons. The papers in this case are herewith returned.
I

I am, respectfully Your ob. Servt J. L. Edwards
Sam l H. Parsons, Esq. Hartford, Conn.

Declaration, in order to obtain of the 7th of June, 1832
the benefit of the act of Congress,
I, Calvin Chapin, of Wethersfield, County of Hartford, & State of Connecticut, am entitled, by a late Act of Congress, to one fourth part of a full pension, for military service rendered to my country, in the course of the war for North American Independence. In proof, the following facts are offered, viz.
1. I was, six months at least, Fifer, by voluntary enlistment, in the Guard for the protection of National & Warlike Munitions kept in Springfield, Mass.
One Col. Mason was Superintendent of those Munitions, & of the mechanical works connected with them. One Morgan commanded the Guard. Lewis Chapin was Drummer.
I was, then, a mere boy - could make noise enough with a Fife - passed muster as a Musician - enlisted for, at least, half a year - & fulfilled the obligation, to an hour.
Almost unceasingly, through the whole course of that trying war, & especially when I enlisted, the demand for men was very urgent & pressing. My Father had, then, a son in the army, under an enlistment for three years. He must, now, turn out another - I, a mere boy, was offered, in stead of an adult Brother, who could be more useful than I, on the farm.
It is my impression, that, on account of my boyhood, I could not have been accepted to carry a musket & stand Sentry.
Soon after my enlistment, British prisoners were marched into the town, & placed in barracks joined to those which were occupied by the Guard.
Of these outlines I feel assured, & am ready to affirm their truth, in any manner that is suitable & necessary. 2. The subjoined statements, I fully believe, had facts for their foundation. I will not, however, say positively, that there is no shade of misrecollection. Occasion for recalling circumstances evidential of service performed, more than fifty four years ago, was never, till within these few weeks, expected. No facts, therefore, but the most prominent, would be riveted in memory by repetition. As to written documents, I know not whether any remain - or, if they remain, where they can be found?
According to my best recollection & belief, my enlistment took place, the latter part of Oct. 1777, because my idea has been, that I had, then, recently completed my fourteenth year, & because the prisoners of Burgoyne's army must have been escorted to their various destinations, about that time - & they were the prisoners above mentioned
My Father, & Capt. Morgan, & others, were present, when I wrote my name. Several, beside me, put their names, then & there, to the same paper. These enlistments took place in the house of a Mr. Lamb, a taverner, on the road leading from main street to the ferry. Solomon Brewer was Lieutenant of the Guard. Benoni Chapin jun. was Lieut. Brewer's waiter, & lived in his family, on the bank of the river, at the ferry. Gen. Knox spent several days in an inspection of those National Munitions, & was present, at some of the experimental exercises with cannon & mortars. The company consisted of about 30 men. One Haskell was orderly sergeant. Frost was the name of a musket bearer. Other names are doubtfully recollected. The daily detachment, to stand alternately, as sentries, for the protection of the ordnance & arsenal, may have consisted of about eight men. That public property & those stores were located toward the northern part of the village, nearly, or quite, six tenths of a mile from the barracks, which constituted the dormitories of the men, & from which the detachment was, every day, marched, in military style, through the street, to the Depot. Our rations were drawn at the center of the town.
Sworn & subscribed at Hartford, the 21 st day of July, 1832. Calvin Chapin
Thos. Williams a Judge
of the Superior Court
Hockley Hill, Connecticut, 10 th July, 1832.
Sam'l H. Parsons, Esq.
My Dear Sir,
If, on looking at the foregoing reminiscences, any step occurs, which it may be useful for me to take, will you have the goodness to drop me a line by Mail - directed, Hockley Hill, Ct? I hope to visit Springfield, in the course of the summer. It seems doubtful, however, whether any light can be thrown upon the subject, from that point. I was, I believe, the youngest of the Guard, by several years. I may be the only survivor of Capt. Morgan's company - Benoni, Brother of the Drummer, possibly, excepted. Nearly, or quite, a century, Jerico in Vermont, has been his home. If, nevertheless, others do yet survive, it doubt not, they will, ere long, make themselves known, for the same reason, that I inquire.
Respectfully yours, C. Chapin

County of Hartford
On this 21st day of July 1832, before the Subscriber, a Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut, personally appeared the Reverend Calvin Chapin of Wethersfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the declaration, hereto prefixed (and by him subscribed in my presence) in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. That he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
H. S. Williams a Judge of
The Supr Court of Conn
I, Thomas S. Williams a Judge of the Superior Court of Law the State of Connecticut do hereby declare my opinion that the Rev. Calvin Chapin the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states -
and I further certify that I have long known the Rev. Doct. Chapin & that he is a clergyman highly distinguished for his piety learning & talents
H. S. Williams a Judge of
The Supr Court
Rev. Dr. Chapin Case 17

Hartford July 21 st 1832. - From a long personal acquaintance with the Rev. Doct r Chapin of Wethersfield, & with his reputation for talents learning & piety, I have not the slightest doubt of the correctness of his narrative, in relation to his military services in the early part of the revolutionary war. I fully concur in the opinions expressed by the Hon ble Judge Williams, W m Secretary Day & the Hon ble W m H Ellsworth.
Ebenezer Parsons. Pres. U.S. B k Bank, at Hartford.
Hartford July 21 1832
From long acquaintance with the Rev Doct r Chapin I cheerfully concur in the character given of him in the certificates of Messrs Williams, Day, Parsons & Ellsworth.
21
Hartford
General Parsons Esq.
July 21 st 1832 E. Parsons

3564
I Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut and Keeper of the Seal thereof do hereby certify, that Thomas S. Williams Esquire, whose name is subscribed, in his proper hand-writing, to the foregoing certificate purporting to be signed by him, is, and for more than three years last past has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Errors of said State, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of said Judge in court and country.
I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the Rev. Calvin Chapin D.D., whose name is subscribed in his proper hand-writing, to the foregoing declaration purporting to be signed by him; that I sincerely believe that he was a revolutionary soldier and served in the capacity and manner stated by him in his said declaration; and that his character for truth and integrity is entirely above suspicion.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, the twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Thomas Day
I have long been acquainted with the Rev. Calvin Chapin & do most fully concur in the foregoing certificates of Judge Williams & Mr Day Esq. as to the character of Mr Chapin as to excellence in truth & piety. Wm Ellsworth, Chamber of Commerce

State of Connecticut } Is Hartford Hartford County }
I Aaron Chapin of Hartford aforesaid aged Seventy nine years depose & say that I am Brother to the Rev. Calvin Chapin a Clergyman in Wethersfield in said County - That I well remember that my said Brother some time in the first part of the revolutionary War, served as a musician in the Guard or Troops at Springfield. How long he served - & the time when he served is not within my personal knowledge as I was from home at that time but Mother heard our family speak on the subject & it is my impression & full belief that the term of my said Brother's service was about six months & that it was in the year 1777. Further the Deponent saith not.
Dated at Hartford this 21 st day of July A.D. 1832.
Sworn & subscribed Aaron Chapin the day & year last above written before me E. N. Parsons Just. Peace.

The within named deponent is personally known to me, to be a gentleman of respectability, & to sustain a very fair & unexceptionable character for verac- ity & good morals.
En. Parsons Just. Pac.
State of Connecticut ss. Hartford County of Hartford
I Samuel H. Parsons, a Notary Public for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Enoch Parsons Esq., before whom the within Affidavit was taken and executed is a Justice of the peace for the County of Hartford, and that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 10th day of December 1832
Samuel H. Parsons Notary Public

St. Louis
12,451 INVALID.
File No. 12,451
Calvin Chapman Musician Rev. Br.
Act: June 7 th 1852
Index:—Vol. a , Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev S Chapins papers
Rec d March 6 th
65
Returned
Adm d
6 th minicium
# 22
P. A. Parsons
Hartford
Ct

Hartford February 5 th 1833
Dear Sir,
On behalf of the Reverend Doctor Chapin, I herewith enclose to your care, his application for a pension under the Act of 1832. Will it be convenient to hand the papers personally to the Secretary of War, and ask the favour of an early examination - The first application was made in July, but was deemed inadmissible, inasmuch as it was not taken before a Court of Record ; That objection is now obviated, and I presume there can be no necessity for delaying the issuing of a pension certificate - The service being 16 months entitles the applicant to 20$ per annum.
I am respectfully
Hon. Wm. W. W. W. Wm. C. C. Washington
Yr H. S. Sam H. Parsons