Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1875, Shadrach Chapman, N H

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 76
Chapman, Shadrach Lydia
R. 1875-
CONTENTS

Application of Lydia Chapman for a pension
Act. July 7. 1838
8099.
m 86 d. 13
Hon. W. P. Resenda H. O.

United States of America.
District of Maine ss.
On this twenty third day of February 1841, personally appeared before Asahel Ware Judge of the United States District Court for Maine District, Lydia Chapman, a resident of Westbrook in the County of Cumberland in said District aged seventy one years, who being first 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 th . 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Shadrach Chapman, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution that he enlisted at Portsmouth in the spring or first of the summer of the year 1780 in a Company commanded by Captain John Dennett and in Col. Dearborns Regt. in the New Hampshire troops, and went with said Company to West point and with them there served and continued to serve as a soldier, or as an artificer part of the time in that employment for not less than six months. She further declares, that she was married to the said Shadrach Chapman on the sixteenth day of July in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six, and that her husband the aforesaid Shadrach Chapman died
on,

on the sixth day of August in the year 1813, that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
Lydia Chapman
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written,
Before
Ann Wan
Judge U.S. Dist. Court (for Illinois District)

I, Charles Jordan of Portland in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine, aged fifty three years, do testify and say that I have for forty years past been well acquainted with Lydia Chapman who has subscribed the foregoing application for a pension the her husband, Shadrach Chapman died on the 6th day of August 1813 - to whom I lived a near neighbor, and that she has remained and still continues the widow of said Shadrach Chapman Charles Jordan
I sworn to and subscribed before me, and I certify that the deponent is a credible witness -
Askin Wan
Judge of U. S. Dist. Court for Maine District

United States of America
Maine District
District Court February 23 d A.D. 1841.
I hereby certify that the within proceedings were had in Open Court before the Honorable Ashur Ware Judge of the United States in and for the said Maine District as therein set forth.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court the day and year above written
John Nussey Clerk D.C. Maine.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
I Charles Cobb Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that, Thomas Amory Dibble is a Justice of the Peace _____
as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is duly qualified to act as such; that his Commission is dated January 30. A. D. 1840. and will expire January 30 A. D. 1847 _____
and that the following signature purporting to be his is genuine.
TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, this twentieth day of February Anno Domini 1841.
Charles Cobb Clerk.

I, Joseph Colley Town Clerk of the Town of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland, State of Maine, do certify that in the book of records of said town, the marriage of Shadrach Chapman and Lydia Starbard by the Rev. Thomas Brown is recorded as follows: viz:
"Shadrach Chapman and Lydia Starbard, July sixteenth seventeen hundred and eighty six." —
I, Joseph Colley above named, depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk of the said Town of Falmouth, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows, viz: "July 16 th 1786."
Joseph Colley (Town Clerk of said Falmouth)
Sworn to and subscribed Feb'y 9 th 1841.
Before me, Thomas Arnoy Deblow Justice of the Peace
I, Joseph Colley of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine, on oath testify and say that I am the town Clerk of said town of Falmouth and that the records of said town are now in my custody by virtue of my office aforesaid that the extracts before written are certified

by me under my hands, and that they are found on said records, and are truly copied by me, and that I have every reason to believe that said records are wholly true. Joseph Colley
State of Maine
County of Cumberland
Portland February 9, 1841.
On this day, personally appeared before me, Joseph Colley whose signature is affixed to the above affidavit, that he signed said paper in my presence, and made solemn oath to the truth of said affidavit. That I am personally acquainted with said Joseph Colley and that he is a man of the strictest truth and veracity, and that full faith and confidence may be placed in his certificates and statements.
Thomas Amory Dabois Justice of the Peace.

A. H. Markland Present

STATE OF MAINE.
PROBATE COURT, } Cumberland County, ss. }
Be it Known, That on this Fourth day of May 18 53 It has been satisfactorily proved in open Court, being a Court of Record, That Shadrach Chapman late of Westbrook, Maine was a reputed Rev. Pensioner  Revolutionary Soldier of the United States, and that he died at Said Westbrook or about fifth on the fifth day of August 18 43 And that Sydia Chapman was the widow of Said Shadrach Chapman deceased, and remained a widow till her death which took place on the 19th of February 1857, and that Nancy Stevens is the child and the  and the only surviving child of the said Sydia Chapman deceased, and that he left no widow.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this fourth day of May in the year 18 53 Josiah Pirk Judge Register of Probate for Cumberland County.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, SS.
OFFICE OF THE COURT OF PROBATE.
I, Freeman Bradford , Register of Probate for said County, hereby certify, that Hon. Josiah Pierce whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate, is JUDGE OF PROBATE, in and for said County and State, duly commissioned and qualified agreeably to the Constitution and Laws of said State, that the annexed signature purporting to be his, is genuine, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given, to his official acts and attestations.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Official Seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this Twelfth day of May A. D. 185 3
Freeman Bradford Reg

May 19/53
Additional Evidence Case Lydia Chapman widow of Shadrach Maine 1838. Suspended
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Pensions
A. H. A. Cleveland Present

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1875.
REFLECTED
P. O. Sylvia Chapman
Service: _____
listed: _____, 18_____.
charged: _____, 18_____
Application filed: _____, 18_____
Pages: _____
-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18_____

Addl. evi: in case of Lydia Chapman dec'd widow of Sha- drah Chapman
A. H. Markland
Present
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Commissioner.

8099
Lydia Chapman widow of Shadrach the
Her w d Folsden 10 March 41 " " 6 Jany 42 " " 24 " " " B. D. Dunlap " 14 May 41 " Lydia Chapman July 22. " do. to Hon. H. J. Seam H. R. Decembe-22. 1846 A. H. Markland Aug 1/53
1875
Act July 7. 1838

Lydia Chapman
Oct 1832
Me.
A. H. Matland
3. 4. LEAVE 10. Identical
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

State of Maine County of Cumberland
Be it Known, that on this Thirteenth day of December A. D. 1852 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Nancy Stevens of Westbrook in the County and State aforesaid  resident of  in said County , and made oath according to law that she is a daughter of Thaddeus Chapman who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who as widow Lydia Chapman has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 4 That she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C. W. BENNETT , of Washington City , my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Lydia Chapman for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City  Maine Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Nancy Stevens
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Nancy Stevens to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Z. H. Harmon Just. Peace
State of Maine County of Cumberland
It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Cumberland County that Nancy Stevens the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the child of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Z. H. Harmon Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this thirteenth day of December 1852
C. H. Harmon Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court
names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

I Henry Parker of Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire, a Revolutionary Soldier & Prisoner, depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Shadrach Chapman a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who enlisted with me and others for six months, in the month of June 1780, at Portsmouth aforesaid. That said Chapman, with others, was ordered and marched to West Point to join the Army under the command of General Washington. After the said Chapman arrived at West Point, I believe he was transferred to the Artificers department, he being a blacksmith, having served his time in this Army. —
his
Henry Parker mark
Witnesses James Ladd Charles Stevens
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss. Boston Feb'y 1. 1841
Personally appeared before me James Ladd a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid, Henry Parker well known to me and worthy of credit, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed in my presence —
James Ladd
Jus. Peace.

United States of America District of New Hampshire ss.
Be it known unto all whom it may concern, that I Charles W. Cutter Clerk of the District Court of the United States, for the District of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that James Ladd, who has signed the act on the other side, is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, duly commissioned and sworn and that to all acts thus by him signed, full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
Given under my hand and the seal of the District Court of the United States, at Portsmouth this seventeenth day of February A. D. 1841. — " —
Charles W. Cutter Clerk

8099.
Dec 9. 1841
Me.
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Council of Pension -
Hon W.P. Fickenden H.R.

Hon J. L. Edwards, Sir,
House of Reps. May 11. 1844.
I wish to revive to your consideration the case of Sydia Chapman whose original papers are now in your office - an applicant for a pension on the ground of her husband's enlistment and service in the revolutionary War, for a period of six months . By a copy of the pay roll of the New Hampshire enlistments of new series in 1780, it is established that the applicant, her husband did enlist for a period of six months , but was paid for only 5 months and twenty days service.
In the case of W. Davis, reported in Vol. 1. N o 214, 2 d Sess. 25 th Congress of House Reports, it appears that where a soldier is proved to have enlisted for nine months service, but it appeared that he was discharged ten days before the expiration of the nine months, the Commissioner of Pensions decided against the applicant, claim on that ground, that the Secretary of War reversed the decision, and decided that although it was not an "actual service" of nine months, but wanted so few days as to bring it within the equity & policy of the law, and equivalent to a nine months service .
The Committee of the House of Representatives, in deciding on the same applicant, claim for a

pensions during the suspension of him under such erroneous decision of the Pension Department, express their concurrence in the above named constructions of the Secretary.
In the same vol. of H. Repts. N o 265, the case of R. Elliott will be found carrying out the same construction. In the case of D. Mellen, 3 d Sep 25 th Congress N o 146, H. Reps. Vol. 1. the same principle of construction will be found legislatively settled - all going directly to establish the claim of W m Chapman, notwithstanding the discharge of him of the term 8 or 10 days previous to the expiration for which he enlisted. His travel home, undoubtedly, though that be not known positively, consumed more than the remainder of the six months. Be that as it may, he enlisted as a six months man, was paid for 5 months & 20 days, & if then discharged, which may or may not have been so, he was not discharged from any appearance or pretence of fault, or violation of his part of the contract and every principle of justice would seem to entitle him to be treated by the Government as a six months man, and his widow as entitled to all the advantages incident to such a six months service.
In view of the above authorities & decisions, I trust the Commissioner will deem it proper to cause W m H. Chapman's name to be inserted on the roll of pensioners, and her pension granted

from the date of her application without compelling her to await the revision of her case by Congress.
I have the honor to be with Great respect your ob t serv t .
R. P. Darrall

July 17 46
272 JUL 13 To the Commissioners of Pensions me
In Congress at Washington City
Dr Crump
Recd
Syda Chapman

Westbrook:
July 11 1846
Friends if I may be allowed the expression a few days since I received A letter
from my lawyer Francis of Smith informing me I am cut off from all hopes of a pension I started back a few days but have risen and stand on my feet because god hears the groanings of the prisoners and comes down and Delivers Then I wish you to inform me if you will take the trouble what I have done to cut me of you have granted to others more difficult of time I am informed by allowing 15 days for the Soldier return home why not do the same for me I am as ready I am far advanced on the Down hill of life Seventy Seven years of age Six years since I had Government for my pension had it not been for the benevolence Of my friends I must have suffered I have been wet with the drops of the night while procuring my papers I have traveled hundreds of miles in hopes of receiving it but alas I am cut of had you been conversent with the Bible you could have have learnt a lesson from the unjust judge he feared neither god nor man yet he granted the widow her petition because of her importunity I do not write to you with my trembling hand to move you to pity me I think you inflexible to the cries of the widow Fatherless and orphan

Many years has past by since I made the Lord my trust I will still pray expecting my prayers to touch the upper link that opens the to the Throne of God my cries enter into the Ears of the God of Sabeth Hoping that the light that brought Paul to the Earth will shine about you Teach you never to ring no Widows heart as you have rung mine
N. B. Three years past I wrote to Lawyer William  Peter Resender the Cause of Thaddeus Chapman discha- ten days before the six months was expired Mr. Pachers Disposition states they enlisted about the middle of June the six months would have expired the middle of December Thaddeus Ch apman stated after both armies had retired to winter Quarters three miles Distance from Washington Camp his whole army to be Stockaded for the small pass than that had not had it he states when he recovered he had ten days lack but being weak by sickness he was in discharged in preference of being ordered Back to his post Lydia Chapman petition Commissioners Washington

Cohm
Am Jan 18. 1842.
Hostin of Capt Miles
Am W.P. Hickenden H.M.

Hann of Reps
Dec. 13. 1842
Sir I wish to obtain from the your office, copies of the papers filed in the several cases of Richard Lowall, Abijah Foster, and Jonathan Britton, Petitioners, for a pension -
In the case of Eben Storer, I believe he was an inhabitant of New York at the time he petitioned - and not of Maine I think the papers will be found in the office -
You will oblige me by having these copies, as well as those in the case of Mrs Lydia Chapman furnished soon - Respectfully, In all such
Hon. J. L. Edwards -
W. P. Fessenden

Library of State Office Second NH May 7- 1842
Mr Edmonds
Sir
I have recently received a letter from Lydia Chapman Widow of Hannah Chapman a Soldier of the Revolution in the June in 1780 from Portsmouth. - Evidence rec- forecited by Mr Flanders of Portland
We have in this office two Books in Vol 4 relating to the same service - In the one which was behind a forecited to your office no mention is made of the time allowed for Soldiers to return home - In the one which has not been behind an allowance is made of from eleven to thirteen days. If this is admitted it would give a Pension to the Widow.
Respectfully yours
Jonathan Stevens

Jan 8. 1842
Copy.
Hon W.P. Fessenden NR

House of Reps -
Jan. 7. 1842.
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Sir -
In the case of Mrs Lydia Chapman, I wished that the  all the papers might be returned to me, in order that I might make an application to Congress. If the originals must be kept on file, I wish to be furnished with copies.
I also wish for copies in the case of Ebenezer Storer, which are rejected, for the same purpose.
Respectfully, W. P. South.
W. P. Fifer

Lydia Chapman
3/kafer mils.

Washington - Dec. 6. 1841
Home of Reps -
Hon. J. L. Edwards -
Sir -
I herewith enclose the application of Mrs. Lydia Chapman, for a pension, under the act of 1838. The papers were placed in the hands of my predecessor, by him mislaid, which has delayed action upon them for a year. You will oblige me by giving them early attention, as Mrs. C. is very needy, & as, if there are difficulties in her way, she may have an opportunity to remove them as speedily as possible, or to apply to Congress for relief. Respectfully &c. Wm. P. Fessenden

Washington, May 19 th 1883
Hon S. P. Waldo.
I enclose herewith additional evidence in the case of Lydia Chapman, widow of Shadrack, Sus. pended act 7 July 1838, Maine. I hope the claim will now be allowed & the certificate sent to me
I am Very Respectful, Yours Oot Snt A Stillarkend
My power of attorney will be found among the papers already on file.

State of New Hampshire, Secretary of State's Office.
I do hereby certify, that from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the war of the Revolution which remain in this office it appears that the name of Shadrack Chapman is borne upon a Roll of "the New Levies raised by the State of New Hampshire in the year 1780 to serve in the continental Army for the term of six months" — Town he went from, Portsmouth; Time of Engagement June 27, 1780; Discharge with the time allowed to travel home, Decr, 16; Time in service, 5 months 20 days; Amount wages £759. 6; Allowance for Blankets &c. £335; Travel 197 miles = Amount £58. 4; Whole amount, £1152. 10; Advanced from the State £58. 4; Balances due £1094. 6.
And upon "A Return of New Levies join'd the Hampshire line & Muster'd in camp by Major William Scott, 1780, is borne the name of Shadrack Chapman, age, 18; Town, Portsmouth, County, Rockingham.

The name of Thadach Chapman is borne upon, "Orders drawn by the President in pur- suance of a vote of the 20 March 1781 "That the several officers now within this State be- longing to the New Hampshire Line & going to the Army have and receive out of the Treasury, including what they have already received a sum not exceeding three fourths of the nominal sum of their first Note for de- preciation in bills of the New Emission & that the same be endorsed on said note. And against the name of Thadach Chapman under New Emission is £ 50. 19. 0 - date Feb. 2 d 1782.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the State. This 13 th . day of May 1853.
John L. Badley Secretary of State.