Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,043, Caleb Champlin, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Champlin, Capt
815,043
CONTENTS
carded

7744 Connecticut
9944 Caleb Champlin
Lyme in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Connecticut Regiment commanded by Captain _____ of the Connecticut Regiment commanded by Colonel Wolcott in the Connecticut State Troops 7 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of June 1833 and sent Pensioner Lyme Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of March 31 $16 66 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 11 66
$58,32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 8

I hereby certify that Henry M c Waite before whom the annexed depositions of both Smith and Joseph Latham were taken, is and at the times when said depositions were taken, was a justice of the peace for the County of Newbern in the State of Connecticut duly appointed and qualified —
3835
Caleb Champlin's
7 months —
Proof
Samuel Matthews app d Seth Smith's do Joseph Morris do Joseph Latham do George Tilton do Richard Chadwick do
See documents annexed to Capt Matthews relation — de
3817 —

State of Connecticut County of New-London } ss Lyme Probate District of Lyme }
On this sixth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for the District of Lyme in the County of New-London aforesaid now sitting Caleb Champlin a resident of the Town of Lyme in the County of New-London (and State of Connecticut) aged 73 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 into the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
He was, in the Town of Lyme aforesaid, in the latter part of the month of April 1776 drafted from the 4 th Company of the 3 d Regiment of Connecticut Militia to serve for the term of two months in Captain Samuel Mathews Company in Colonel Erastus Wolcotts Regiment in New-London in said State. - He was immediately thereafter marched to Fort Trumbull at New-London and there served in said Company the said term of two months. - At the expiration

of that term he and a large portion of the other members of said Company who had been originally drafted at New-London aforesaid elected to serve in said Company a further term of five months and continued to serve in said Company the said further term of five months making in the whole seven months - He entered and served as a private - About the first of December of the same year after he had served the seven months he and the rest of the Company were discharged by Captain Mathis at New-London - Lee Lay was Lieutenant and John Johnson was Ensign of the Company - Jethro Smith a sergeant Joseph Marvin, George Tilton, and Joseph Latham all of said Lyme en- tered the Company at the same time aforesaid and served with him the whole seven months - Richard Chadwick a Corporal of said Company served in it two months - They and Capt Mathis can all testify to the benevolent service - His name is also when Captain Mathis rolls are forwarded with his application - Abner Lord was first Lieutenant of said Company

The deponent was born in said Lyme on the 20 th day of February 1759 — and has lived there ever since — He resided there at the time of entering into the service of the United States, and still resides there — knows of no record of his age except where in his family bible the town records of Lyme was drafted for the first two months and enlisted for the last five months, — was never a substitute — was never engaged in any battles — nor moved to any other place than said Lyme — except once when he went to Long Island in an expedition with a party of the company never received any written discharge — and has no documentary evidence of his service — except what is in possession of Capt. Samuel Grafton — was never on the pension list — is known to all the persons named above as witnesses of his service and to most of the inhabitants of Lyme, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution —
His service aforesaid was in the Militia of the State of Connecticut ordered out for the defense of the same —
The deponent hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity from the Government and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed the _____ 8 th day of April A.D. 1881. Caleb Champlin

We Herman L. Baill a Clergyman residing in the Town of Lyne, County of New-London and State of Connecticut and John L. Smith residing in the same Town of Lyne hereby cer- tify that we are well acquainted with Caleb Champlin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we con- cur in that opinion - Sworn to subscribed the                      Herman L. Baill day aforesaid -                                      John L. Smith
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 appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Herman L. Baill who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Lyne a- foresaid, and that John L. Smith who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of Lyne aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit - Joel S.oomin Judge of Probate Sworn and subscribed for the best of Lyne the day aforesaid

I Joshua R. Warren Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Lynn and County of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Caleb Champlaine for a pension—
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Probate Office this 6 th day of August—A.D. 1832—
Joshua R. Warren Clerk
I certify that Henry M c Waite Esq r before whom the foregoing Depositions of Seth Smith Joseph Latham,
were taken, was, at the time of taking the same, and ever since has been, a Justice of the Peace within the County of New London State of Connecticut: That his Certificates accompanying said Depositions are genuine in his own proper hand writing.
City of Washington D.C. December 29 th 1832
William L. Storrs Member of Congress from Connecticut

I hereby certify that Henry No. Waite before whom the annexed depositions of Seth Smith and Joseph Latham were taken, is and at the times when said depositions were taken, was a justice of the Peace for the County of Rutherford in the state of Connecticut duly appointed commissioned and qualified —
3835
Isaac Champlaine
7 months —
Proof
James No. Waite of the first Smith Joseph Latham etc Joseph Latham etc George Latham etc Richard Chapman etc for documents annexed to affidavit of petition - etc 8817
copy

3535
Caleb Champlin
Admitted Private of months
Capt. C. Champlin Lyons Connect

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
June 28 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Caleb Champlin, Lyne, Co.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 2 5 2 Private Captain Meathur } Col. E. M c lellan } 73 Years Lyne Co.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., 2-24 , 19 27
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Sales Champlin a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S 15043
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apl. 1776 7 mos. Col. Sam'l. Mather Erastus Walcott Conn.                                                   
Battles engaged in, None Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lyme, Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug. 6, 1832 - al. Residence at date of application, Lyme, New London Co., Conn. Age at date of application, Feb. 20, 1759 in Lyme, Conn.
Remarks: No fam. data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

I Seth Smith of Lyne in the County of New London and state of Connecticut aged 79 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Caleb Champlin of said Lyne. We were both born and brought up in said Lyne near each other - In the summer of 1776 I served seven months at Fort Trumbull in New- London in Captain Samuel Mathers Com- pany - I was a sergeant in the Com- pany and the said Caleb Champlin was a private and served seven months in the same company with me at New London. - We were drafted the latter part of April 1776 and served until the first of December 1776, and were then discharged at New-London The Company was composed of a few enlisted men, and a large number of drafted men - The Company was a large one, The men that were drafted were drafted for two months, but at the end of that time generally enlisted for another five months - The said Champlin after serving the first two months en- listed for five months more, and ac- tually served the whole seven months The Company was in actual service the whole of that time. They were prin- cipally employed in building Fort Trum- bull - Colonel Erastus Wolcott was the Colonel of the Regiment to which we belonged
Seth Smith

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield To all whom these presents shall come Greeting Personally appeared Seth Smith Esq. (and) before me subscribed (and) made oath to the foregoing deposition — And I certify that the aforesaid is personally known to me (and) is a credible person — Henry M. Wait Justice of Peace
Caleb Chaplin

I Joseph Lathan of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut aged 73 years on an oath before and say that I am well acquainted with Caleb Champlain of said Lyme. — We were both born and brought up near each other in said Lyme. And in the year 1776 I served seven months in Captain Samuel Mather Compa- ny at Fort Trumbull in New London. He entered and served the same time I did, in the same company. We were in April of that year, drafted for two months. Having served that time out, immediately enlisted for five months more, making seven months in the whole and served the whole of that time at New London. The company was in actual service the whole time and belonged to Colonel Erasmus Wolcott Regiment in the Connecticut Mi- litia. It was employed partly in building Fort Trum- bull. We were dismissed the first day of December 1776 at New London Joseph Lathan

State of Connecticut County of New London ss Syme December 15th, 1892 Personally appeared before me Henry M. Waite Justice of the Peace for the County of New London Joseph Lathan and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person
Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace
Joseph Lathan

MRS. LEWIS T. CHAMPLIN 142 GROVE STREET PUTNAM, CONN.
Jan. 28, 1922.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Kindly give me a record of the pension of CALEB CHAMPLIN in the Revolutionary War, in Col. Beebe's Regt., pensioned in 1832 New London County. "Connecticut Pension Rolls, p 133.
Very truly,
(Mrs) Lewis T. Champlin

Danielson Conn Oct 25 th 1897
War Dept -
I write to know if you can find on your Records a pensioner of the name of Caleb Champlin of Lyme or East Lyme Connecticut, as I want to join the D. A. R. through that ancestor please let me hear soon & address Mrs Earl Martin Danielson Conn

Nov. 3/97 Mrs. Earl Martin, Danielson, Conn., 1922, Feb. 24 hist. to Mrs. Lewis J. Champlin - Ev.
✓ 15.043 INVALID.
File No. 15.043
Caleb Champlin Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]