Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 23, George Chamberlaine, Va. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va Sea Service Chamberlaine, George
R 23
Va Half Pay
CONTENTS
See Acc. No. 837 - Virginia State Navy George Chamberlain, G S File Va. Half Pay

Feb 17 45.
Geo Chamberlain Half way
James L. Edwards Pension office Washington City D.C.

Norfolk Feb 14 1845
Genl Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
I address you a letter on the 27 th Jany last. in relation to a claim for pension due to my Grandfather George Chamberlain who was a Lt in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution in which I informed you of the amt which had been paid me by a Mr Thos Wood who was my agent in the case & also expressing my fears that a larger sum had been paid that the rule  now  governing in the settlement of such claims demanded. This letter I erroneously addressed to Thos Edwards Com r of Pensions & only learned that I had made a mistake in your name yesterday. I beg to inquire if you have recd such a letter as the one above referred to, I am anxious to know that I may forward a duplicate if it has not reached you.
I am Very Respectfully Yrs W m Chamberlain

I cannot allow the claim.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obed. servt.
J. L. Edwards.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your obed. servt.
12
I have had considerable difficulty in this case; but upon the whole the weight of evidence in my mind, is in favor of the fact that George Drummond was a prisoner in England and remained there until his release came to London and succeeded. The fact of his promotion does not appear to me inconsistent with that of his capture. My present suspicion is, therefore that he was entitled to half pay. But the whole case is not presented. Surely some history of him can be given by his relations. - His return to this country - his correspondence etc. The weight of the objections should be accounted for.
Feb. 3. 1843.
J. C. S.
Hon. John Taliaferro Minister of Representation

Pension Office
December 22, 1842
Sir,
I have examined and filed the papers in the case of Lieut. George Chambulain, dec d . on account of whose service half-pay is claimed under the act of July 5, 1832. It appears from the Journal of the Navy Board that he was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy on the 2 d of December 1776; that on the 28 th January 1777 he was recommended as 2 d Lieutenant in the brig Mosquito, and on the 12 th of August 1777 he was recommended as a First Lieutenant. No evidence of a positive character appears on the Journal relative to him after that date. The Journal shews that there was a Lieutenant Chambulayne (no christian name given) in service in 1779. In September of that year he was ordered to take command of the brigantine Jefferson. George Chambulain received a certificate for the balance of his full pay in August 1783, amounting to £334:19:6, Virginia currency. This amount, if for pay alone, would have paid him for more than three years service. Two witnesses, seamen on board of the brig Mosquito, swear that Lieut. George Chambulain sailed in her in the Spring of 1777 on a cruise to the West Indies, in the course of which cruise the brig was captured, and the

officers and men sent prisoners to England. One of the witnesses swears that to the best of his recollection he left England by escape; the 23 d . January 1779, and that he left George Chamberlain there, where he remained till peace. The account given by all the witnesses is that the Mosquito sailed from Norfolk in the Spring of 1777 on a cruise to the West Indies; that in the course of the cruise the Mosquito captured two vessels, one of which escaped, and the other was taken into Point Peter and sold. Here, the witnesses say, they took the small pox, and after recovering from it they sailed on another cruise, and were taken by the Ariadne and carried in Barbadoes, and thence sent as prisoners to England. Another witness makes a similar statement, but does not give the christian name of Chamberlain. This is all the proof in the case.
It appears by the acts of the Virginia Assembly that the Navy of the State was ordered to be reduced by an act passed October Session 1779, and that the ships Tartar and Dragon, the Galleys Henry, Manly, Hero, Page, Lewis and Safe-Guard were directed to be sold by public vendue; and further that the ship Thetis, the brig Jefferson, the Accomack and Diligence Galleys, the Liberty and Patriot Boats were retained in the service of the State. The Navy was again reduced at the November Session of 1781. If I were satisfied that George Chamberlain was in the service at the last reduction I should have no hesitation in allowing his claim;

but it appears doubtful to me whether he was in the service till that time. My opinion is that the witnesses are mistaken in supposing that Chamberlain was a prisoner in England to the end of the war. I should presume from the statements of the witnesses that the crew of the Mosquito were in prison in August 1777, and if so, George Chamberlain was not with them, because at that time he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and if he had been in captivity it is not probable that he would have been promoted. Such a course was not consistent with the practice in those days. The Navy Journal shews that there were two other officers of the name of Chamberlain on board of the Mosquito , viz. Byrd Chamberlain, First Lieutenant, and Edward Chamberlain, Midshipman. Probably they mistook one of those for George Chamberlain. Byrd Chamberlain was unquestionably a prisoner of war in England, but he returned from captivity in 1778, for it appears from the Navy Journal that on the 26 th June 1778 Byrd Chamberlain applied for a renewal of his commission, and the record shews that the application was made in consequence of the loss of the original commission while the applicant was in captivity in England. The same officer resigned on the 21 st of August 1778. What became of Edward Chamberlain we cannot ascertain. He was appointed Midshipman to the Mosquito brig 21 st November 1776; but there is nothing to shew that he sailed in that vessel in the Spring

of 1777. None of the witnesses who testify as to the sailing of the Musquito in the Spring of 1777, or her capture, or the names of her officers, speak of Edward Chamberlain as being one of the captured officers, yet they all mention a number of other officers of various grades.
It seems to me a matter of uncertainty as to the precise time when Edward Chamberlain left the service, and therefore I cannot allow the claim.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. servt.
J. L. Edwards.
+ Is there not many George?
71.

August 6, 1932
BA-J/MLB
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
GEORGE CHAMBERLAINE R. 23
Miss M. Lucille Wales 1427 Westover Avenue Norfolk, Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to George Chamberlaine, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 23, based upon the Revolutionary War service of George Chamberlaine. The papers do not state the date of his birth and names of parents.
He was appointed 2 nd lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy December 2, 1776; on January 28, 1777, he was recommended as 2 nd lieutenant on the brig "Mosquito", and on August 12, 1777, as 1 st lieutenant. He was in service at the close of the Revolution in 1783.
He died January 10, 1792.
No reference was made in the claim to soldier's wife or children, but in 1945 Richard H. Chamberlaine, soldier's grandson (names of parents not shown), was a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was still living in 1950 when he was appointed administrator of soldier's estate and stated that he was his only heir.
On February 28, 1943, Richard H. Chamberlaine, soldier's grandson, was allowed half pay due on account of the service of George Chamberlaine in the Revolutionary War.
It was stated that there were two other officers of the name of Chamberlain on board the Mosquito, namely, Byrd Chamberlain and Edward Chamberlain; their relationship to

George Chamberlaine not stated.
There are no further family data in the claim.
For further information relative to George Chamberlaine, it is suggested that you address The Old Records Division, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator
Did not use all data given in letter dated Dec. 22, 1842, signed by J. L. Edwards, Comr of Pensions, as it was briefed from the Navy Journal. The original of which is in the Navy Dept., to which writer has been referred, and much of the information in said letter is not substantiated by any positive proof - M.L.B.

To.
Jas. L. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions.
Washington city
Mr
Mr. Founding Pres
Dr. J. May

Washington City July 18. 1880
Dear Sir,
I herewith submit to your consideration, & file, the claims of Rev Thomas Peabody, George Chamberland, John Jennings, & John Brittain, officers in the Virginia State Navy during the war of the rebellion, for commutation of interest thereon, and claim that the same be settled & adjusted on the principle settled recently in the case of James Barron & Richard Barron -
Very respectfully
Yr. obed. Servt.
P. Mayo atty & representation of the parties, claimants.
To
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Commr of Pensions

Declaration in Geo. Chamberlain claim to connection & related
List in St. Mary

Sir,
As the agent of Richard H Chamberlain, adw d of George Cham- berlain dec d : formerly a lieutenant in the V th State Navy during the war of the rebellion, I respectfully claim commu- tation & interest thereon - The papers here- tofore filed in his application for half pay shows that he is entitled to commutation & interest thereon - I therefore ask that his claim be settled on the principles estab- lished in Barron & Spencer & Applewhite cases -
Yrs. respectfully
H. H. Mays
To
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions

Geo: Chamberlayne Passes of G. Chamberlayne Wooded Black Creek Dec 20/50 returned to Branch
Cham

9 Treasury Department Third Auditor's Office February 13. 1850
In compliance with your report of this date I herewith hand you the papers in the cases of George Chamberlain, William Jennings and Edward Francis, for half pay under the act of July 5. 1832. When you have done with them please to return them to this Office.
The papers in the case of John Britton are not filed in this Office.
Very Respectfully
Your obed Servt
J. S. Gallaher, Auditor.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Geo: Chamberlain filed with papers of Thos Herbert
commutation

Feb 6. 1873
Geo Chamberlain 70 half pay
To the J. T. Saunders
Pension Officer
Hon J. Talafico V.S.R.

R H Chamberlain Power of Attorney.
Geo Chamberlain half pay.
per Mayo Jan 11. 50

State of Virginia
City of Norfolk to wit
Know all men by these presents that I Richard A. Chamberlain of the City of Norfolk, administrator of George Chamberlain deceased, do hereby constitute and appoint Peter P. Mayo of said City my true and lawful agent and attorney to ask for demand and receive from Government of the United States, or the proper officer thereof charged with the payment of the same, any and all sums of money, either Principal or Interest, due and owing, and arising out of, the services of the said George Chamberlain deceased as a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy during the war of the revolution, and my said attorney is hereby authorized and empowered to grant receipts for the same in my name and stead - and I do hereby, for my self & my heirs & executors, ratify & confirm all acts done or to be done by him in name. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this Eighth day of January Eighteen Hundred & Fifty —
Witnesses
Geo. Chamberlain Wm. Whitehead
R. A. Chamberlain adm: of Geo. Chamberlain the deceased.

State of Virginia City of Norfolk to wit } 3
Be it known that Richard H Chamberlain, (who is well known to me) this day personally appeared before me a jus- tice of the peace for said City, and acknow- ledged the within foregoing power of attorney to be his act & deed, and desired the same to be certified as such - Given under my hand & seal this eighth day of January Eighteen hundred & fifty -
N. C. Whitehead J. P. Esq.
State of Virginia City of Norfolk ss
I John Williams Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Norfolk aforesaid do hereby certify that Nathan C. Whitehead Esquire who hath given the above certificate is a justice of the peace in and for the said City duly appointed and qualified - that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such and that the signature "N. C. Whitehead" thereto subscribed is in his proper hand writing as I do verily believe. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto annexed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name this Eighth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty, and of the Commonwealth the seventy fourth
Jno. Williams cc

S Jan 2/50 R. W. Chamberlain January 5/50
Informs the Dept. that he will take out letters of admon in the Estate of Gen. H. Chamberlain dece d with a view to obtain interest which is due on claim heretofore p d for services in Va. State Navy.
S Jan 12/50 Commissioner of Pensions Dept of the Interior Jan 8/50

Norfolk Jan'y 5 th 1850.
Hono: H. Ewing Sec of the Interior
Dear Sir
I have understood that in consequence of a late decision made by the Attorney General of the U.S. interest will be paid to the heirs of the officers of the Revolution who belonged to the Virginia State Navy. I beg to apprise the Department that as the only heir of Geo Chamberlain who was a Lt in the Virg a State Navy I recd the half pay due that officer I think in the year 1842. The amt of which was $1,580. - I shall immediately take steps to administer on the Estate of My deceased as I will present it in our form before the d the object of this notice is to prevent action of any other person who may claim to be the adm r on his estate having some reason to believe that other parties may claim to act in that capacity who have no right to do so
I am
Very Respectfully Yrs Offt Sergeant R N Chamberlain

Geo Chamberlayne

Norfolk Aug t 13. 1849
John E. Edwards Esq Com r ?
Dear Sir
I have had several applications from persons soliciting their appointment by me as my agent to prosecute a claim for Interest upon the half pay which was allowed & paid some years since to me as the heir of Geo Champlaine my grandfather for services during the War of the Revolution. My past experience with such Agents has long since determined me never again if it could be avoided to constitute any one my agent for any such purpose. I beg to inquire of you if any precedent has been established to allow interest on such claims as mine would be the particulars of which one will know to you and is the case in which a large return was made by me to the Treasury. If there be any prospect of an allowance of interest or a settlement of the claim upon principals different from those which governed when it was paid I would thank

you to let me know it & I will at once give it my personal attention
Will you favor me with an answer at your earliest convenience & oblige
Yours Off Sergeant D. H. Chamberlain

This will show Mr Chamberlain how to act in the matter wherein he has evinced a degree of integrity that is as commendable as it is rare -
"Y"
aa

Treasury Department
Aug 3 1846
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30 th ult o and its enclosures concerning an overpayment made to R. A. Chamberlain by through an agent employed to establish the claim of George Chamberlain to half pay, and which excess Mr Chamberlain desires to refund into the Treasury. This may be readily done by depositing the sum of 2566.16 to the credit of the Treasurer of the US with the Exchange Bank of Virginia at Norfolk. The Cashier will give Mr Chamberlain the usual receipt, which will be proof of payment into the Treasury.
The course pursued by Mr Chamberlain reflects great credit upon his character as a gentleman of honor and integrity.
Very respectfully
Yours obed t Serv t
Rev A. Allinson
House of Representatives
from me
A. J. Walker
Secretary of the Treasury

No. 12566.16
Exchange Bank of Va. Norfolk, August 5. 1846
Received from R. H. Chamberlayne Esq. for the credit of the Treasurer of the United States the sum of Two thousand five hundred and Sixty Six Dollars; for which, of the same tenor and date, Duplicate Certificates are hereby granted.
W. Southgate P. Bay

My dear Sir,
14. Sept.
July 26. 1880.
This morning, I rode to write the chief portion of the day to you matter. I saw the Atty. Genl. He advised me to the solicitor - he sent me to the court of previous; he sent me to the auditor who said that I must go and see the Secretary of War - I did so, and after consulta- tion with him, I was glad to hear his high commendations on his part, and he said that, such evidence of integrity as is now, that he would see that under no circumstances you should be required to refund the portion your agents recd. He said you would not be morally responsible for the fraudulent acts of your agents - He concluded by advising that you should raise an appt. with the U.S. or rather state what you recd from your agents - and it from that sum the sum of $1591.50 the true sum that ought to have been paid by the government, & that you

deposits the balance in some bank at Norfolk, to the credit of the Treasury of the United States. I have from personal examination, that you, or here at least of your second father was entitled to $1591.50 - now you know what you owe. You can then readily deduct from the amt. you received, the sum of $1591.50 & the bal. is due to the U.S. - In view to a fur- ther turning of this matter at a future day, I advise you to send to me for the Secretary of the Treasury, a letter to the following effect but subject to your cor- rection - my purpose is to have that letter filed to show hereafter if necessary, how properly you have acted in the matter. It affords me pleasure that it is but justice to an honest man. But I shall say to you, that every man to whom I have mentioned the circumstances of your case, speak of you

conduct or remarkable the integrity of ourselves say that the crimes have ought to be published in the newspapers, or a similar case of loyalty - write to me before you make the reports and let me see the art. to which the L. S. is entitled - The government now has interest -
Yours A. Atkinson
Mr Chamberlain

Sir,
"3"
Norfolk V r July 1866.
About the year 1862, a man applied to me and requested that I would employ him as my agent to prosecute a claim that he said existed in my favor as heir of my grand father Geo. Chamberlain, who was a Lieutenant in the V a State Line Army in the war of the rebellion - requiring that I should pay or allow him one third part of all that he should receive (I being at no trouble or expense in the matter), other than to furnish evidence of heirship and the death of my grand father. I was, a mere stranger to me, and I agreed to his proposition - Thereupon I furnished him with evidence of heirship, and likewise the fact derived from the family bible, that the said George Chamberlain died on the 10th of January 1792. After this I heard but little about it, until on the 3 d of March 1863, a man called on me with a letter of introduction from my agent, in which the latter mentioned that many difficulties had arisen in the prosecution of my claim and that the prospects of receiving my inheritance were gloomy. He states that the bearer of the letter

was in possession of important documents, they evidently in relation to the claim, but was unwilling to allow it to be used, unless he could also be compensated. My agent for the state that I had better sue my claim for what I could get, to the broad of his letter. I have since found that my claim was about fourteen or fifteen hundred dollars, and I agreed to take for it $250, and one share for my claim in consideration of that sum paid to me, and out of that sum I was to compensate my agent who was to have 1/3 of the claim. On the 8 th or 9 th of March 1843, I assigned my claim which was represented to me to be about $1675. - After this, I had reason to think that they were had confiscated to the state, I heard that they had recd. a much larger sum than $1675. - I went to the city of Washington and found my agent, whom I charged with having with the man whom he had been several times, before me and a much greater sum that they had told me was due. My agent became alarmed, and acknowledged that he

has recd: $6573.50 on op. of my gov. estate. At that time I had no idea that a fraud had been practiced on the government, but supposed I was the only sufferer. I compelled him to pay me $2906.60, and obliged him to pay to the person to whom I had assigned my claim $1676. -- so that I recd. from the person to whom I sold the claim _____ $1250
and from my agent _____ 2906.60 making together the sum of $4156.60
I find that I was entitled to receive from the U.S. only 1591.50 so that I have overpaid I am _____ $2565.10
admitted to the amount of twenty five hundred and sixty five dollars & ten cents. My agent, it seems to me, committed a fraud on the govern- ment, in which beneficiaries I had no agency nor did I know it till after I recd. the money. I will keep no more than is my due, and make this disclosure to you, desiring you to advise me, in what way I shall refund the money which I have improperly in my hands, to the U.S. Govt.

This paper that I have say that this residue is voluntary; the records of papers in the apartment show no frame in the transaction, but I know that without my giving permission, man- aging recd. by my agent there was one I desire to put the matter to I have described what my friend the Attorney of the Comptroller of the U. State has as an attorney, and one as him of my attorney, from what my agent has paid me a. a. the balance I desire to pay him - I send this to my friend the Attorney who will arrange the matter with the apartment, & I desire that this letter may be filed as proof that I have done what in my conscience I believe is proper to be done. - I am your M c
R. C.
House R. J. Walker Secy. of the Treasury.

At a Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the City of Norfolk continued by adjournment and held at the Courthouse of said City on Monday the 7 th day of January Eighteen hundred and Fifty.
On the motion of Richard H Chamberlaine next of kin to George Chamberlaine the elder deceased, who made oath and together with Peter P Mays his security (who justified in oath as to his sufficiency) entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Ten Thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the Estate of the said George Chamberlaine the Elder deceased in due form.
State of Virginia City of Norfolk to wit
I John Williams Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of Norfolk aforesaid, do hereby certify that the above is a true Copy from the records of the said Court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto annexed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name this Eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty and of the Commonwealth the twenty fourth.
John Williams cc

Cow Jan 30 45
Geo Schambutanis
Dec. 2
Chalfay Cave
St. Louis Mo
Wm. F. Brantley
Washington City
D.C.

Norfolk Jan y 27. 1845
Thos L Edwards esq Com r of Pensions Sir
Some two or three years ago I was applied to by a Mr Thos Word who induced me to appoint him my agent to prosecute the claim of my Grandfather Mr. Chamberlaine for his services as a Lt in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution he stated that he had in his possession all proofs of his services to the end of the war & that at the time of its close Mr Chamberlaine was a prisoner in Fortin Jail England That my grandfather had been, an officer of merit in Revolutionary War, & had been, a prisoner in Fortin Jail was a fact well known by tradition to my family, I therefore did not doubt the justice of the claim & constituted him my agent to prosecute it. The proof required of me, was, my affidavit of hereditary proof as it will establish the length of time he survived after the war. This I furnished stating that he died on the 10 th day of January 1792. which was a matter of record in our family bible, & this bible was also handed to my agent appointed by Word who obtained on it, a certificate of the Court of Elizabeth City County book of which was forwarded to Word to be filed in the Case. The claim was finally allowed & I received from Word his colleague the sum of $4157. 66 this happened in the month of March 1843.

since that time, some circumstances have transpired (which will be explained at length if necessary), which induces me to fear, that some deception has been practiced on the department, and a think, a larger sum was paid than by the rules of the department, was justly due, & I beg of you to cause the case to be enquired into, as I am very unwilling to hold any sum to which I am not equitably entitled. The only agency I had in the prosecution of the claim was, to furnish the affidavit & the family record of the death of my ancestor, as before stated. I am not acquainted with the Law, & rules of the Department in relation to it. I beg you will give it your attention. Let me know the facts, that I may have an opportunity of rectifying any error, or be satisfied that none has been committed. I will offer no apology for thus troubling you, tho' a stranger, being satisfied, that with me you will be equally anxious that justice should be done as well to the Government as to myself.
I am Very Respectfully, Your Ob t Servant P. H. Chamberlain
If I have sent this to the wrong department, please excuse my ignorance & give it the right direction & oblige Yrs P. H. C.

Sir,
As the agent and attorney of Richard H Chamberlain the sole heir and administrator of George Chamberlain dec d . formerly a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy during the war of the revolution, I claim commutation and interest thereon, and herewith file a power of attorney authorizing me to receive the same - I refer to the evidence on file in the 3 d Auditor's office, in the Application for the Half pay of George Chamberlain as conclusion to show that he was in the Naval service of Virginia to the close of the war of the revolution, i.e. to the 21 st of April 1783, as a Lieutenant; and consequently he is entitled to commutation & interest thereon, according to the principles established in Barron's case & in Spencer's case - Dr. (Pfefferkorn, dec d )
I am very respectfully
Yr. obt. Servt.
F. F. Mayo
To
J. L. Edward Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
over.

P.S. For the purpose of explaining an error committed in the settlement of the claim for Halfpay due to George Chamberlain, I herewith file the 3 papers marked N o . 3. Y. K.
PMayo
Geo: Chamberlain Lieutenant in Virginia State Navy
declaration for commutation & interest from
22 nd April 1783 to
10 Jan y . 1792.

Aug 16 1842
Geo Chamberlain Esq
Jeffrey
Col J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
War Department
H. J. Schafers N.Y.

Washington 16 th of August 1842
Dear Sir,
May I ask your decision on the claim of George Chamberlin for Half-Pay, for his service in the Virginian Navy, as a Lieut:
His service appointment as a Lieut: in the Navy, in 1777, is shown by the Navy Journal -
His service to a period beyond the time when the Navy was reduced, is proven by his Certificate of pay - See the settlement of his pay account, as certified by Adm: Heath -
This is corroborated by the evidence of some three or four witnesses -
Can a claim for service be better sustained?
I respectfully &c &c - And am yours
John Taliaferro
Colo: J. L. Barras

Case of Geo. Chamberlain, D.W.P. Act July 5. 1832, allowed February 28. 1843.
Recorded in Volume 43 page 144.

Pension Office
February 28. 1843
I hereby certify that I have from an examination of the claim presented at this Office in the case of George Chamberlain, dec d . I am satisfied that he served to the end of the revolutionary war as a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy; that he died in the month of on or about the 27 th  month of April eighteen hundred and nineteen; that the case is embraced by the provisions of the act of the 5 th of July 1832, entitled "an act to provide for the liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia;" that the claim should therefore be allowed at the rate of one hundred and eighty two dollars and fifty cents per annum, from the twenty second of April seventeen hundred and eighty three, when the war terminated, to the twenty seventh of April eighteen hundred and nineteen; the and that the amount is payable to the Hon. John Taliaferro, member of Congress from Virginia, attorney of Thomas J. Stelle, administrator of said George Chamberlain, deceased.
Commissioner of Pensions
Approved
Secretary of War.

Pension Office
January 5. 1843
See Mr. Canfield
Comm te . of Pensions
Report in the case of George Chamberlain, deceased
(see within)

Pension Office January 5. 1843.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that I have again carefully examined the case of Lieutenant George Chamberlain, deceased, and I can discover no reason for changing my opinion as to the duration of his service. My objections are fully stated in the enclosed letter to the Hon. John Taliaferro, of the 22 nd ult o . I do not feel satisfied that Chamberlain served until the second reduction of the Navy in 1781; and if he did not serve till that time, the case is not embraced by the act of July 5. 1832. He might have served till the first reduction took place in 1779, but if he was not then left out of the service, he could not have been considered a supernumerary; and if not a supernumerary, then his case is not within the act. I do not think that the claim is a stronger one than that of Catlett and others mentioned in the letter of the Hon. J. Taliaferro.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, Sir,
Your obedient servant.
J. L. Edwards
Hon: John C. Spencer, Secretary of War.

for R. Atkinson
Mr. R. H. Chamberlain
Norfolk Va.
By Ballou
3" x 5" - "x"
for R. Atkinson Sep 17/75

The Misses Wales Heraldic Artists 1427 Westover Avenue Norfolk, Virginia
July 4th, 1932
Director of Pensions Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir,
Have you any War Records of George Chamberlaine , that would give names of his parents? We have the following records; - Minutes of the Navy Board from 6th, March 1779 to June 23rd, 1779... 1777, Lieuts in Va. Navy... Aug. 12th, Geo. Chamberlaine, recommended a 1st Lieut, p. 200 Philip Chamberlaine, one of the Chief Officers, Lieut. of brig "Dolphin"..... In list of Pension papers and Va. Half pay claims, in the adjutant Gen's Office, War Dept. Washington, D.C..... Geo Chamberlaine, Lieut. brig "Mosquito" Family record; - George Chamberlaine, b. in Warwick Co. Va. 1755, d. July 10th, 1792, in Norfolk, Va. m. Ann Harlow Lucas. George Chamberlaine also listed ; - July '78--- April '83, of Elizabeth City Co. Va., Lieut. in Va. State Navy of the Revolution (Wm. & Mary Quarterly) We would greatly appreciate any help you can give us.
Very truly yours
Misses Wales
G. M. Lucille Wales

1932 Aug. 2 - Sept. 6 Miss McAnille Miles - M.P.
✓
NOVEMBER 14, 1862.
3054 Spirits of Lieut George Chamberlain
U.S. Navy Revolution
Discharged _____, 186
11-0
3054
H g Pay - Act '32
Received _____, 187
23

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 2d, 1835.
WHEREAS the 4th section of the act of the 3d of March last, entitled "an Act to continue the office of the Commissioner of Pensions," directs that the duties heretofore required of, and performed by the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to Virginia claims for revolutionary services, and deficiency of commutation, be transferred to the Department of War, from and after the present month, and the Secretary of War having, by directions from the President of the United States, assigned those duties to the Commissioner of Pensions, notice is hereby given to all concerned, that communications in relation to the claims arising under the act of the 5th July, 1832, entitled "an Act to provide for liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia," will in future be addressed to said commissioner. The following regulations, which were adopted by the Treasury Department, on the 28th July, 1832, to govern the Accounting Officers of the Treasury, will be adhered to in the settlement of the claims that may be presented at this Department, under the 3d section of the act of July 5, 1832:
1. The settlement to be confined to those cases of which a list has been furnished by the Auditor of the State of Virginia, as containing the names of those Officers reported by the Board of Officers, in 1782 and 1784, (including part of Colonel Crockett's Regiment) whose claims for half pay have not been satisfied, nor prosecuted in Court; and of those cases in which judgments have been obtained against, but not paid by, the State of Virginia.
2. That sufficient evidence be required as to the identity of the Officer, on the part of whom, or of whose representatives, the claim is presented; and, that he is still living; or, if dead, of the period of his decease.
3. If the Officer be dead, that sufficient proof be required of the existence of heirs and of legal representatives, really and lawfully entitled to receive the amount due.
4. Where there are no executors, but administrators, and there are heirs living, that the assent of those heirs be had to the payment of the money to the administrator, or attorney at law or in fact, who may present himself at the Department, or that satisfactory reasons be assigned why such assent be not produced.
5. That administrators in all cases be required to satisfy the Accounting Officers whether there be or be not heirs living, and if there be any living, to state their names and residence, and if there be no heirs, to state the disposition to be made of the amount of the claim.
6. In the investigation of all those facts, the Accounting Officers will require the best proof the nature of the case will admit of, if in the possession of the party applying, and if not, the want of such proof must be satisfactorily accounted for; in which case only, secondary evidence will be admissible.

7. In all cases where claims are presented by executors, an authenticated copy of the will and probate must be produced.
8. No claim to be settled in favor of an assignee of a claimant.
9. Where payment is claimed by an attorney, the power of attorney must be subsequent to the passing of the law, and authorize the attorney to act under that law.
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
An Act to provide for liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the proper Accounting Officers of the Treasury do liquidate and pay the accounts of the Commonwealth of Virginia against the United States, for payments to the officers commanding in the Virginia line in the war of the revolution, on account of half pay for life, promised the officers aforesaid by that Commonwealth, the sum of one hundred one thirty-nine thousand five hundred and forty-three dollars and sixty-six cents.
SECTION 2. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby required and directed to pay to the State of Virginia the amount of the judgments which have been rendered against the said State, for and on account of the promise contained in an act passed by the General Assembly of the State of Virginia, in the month of May, anno domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, and in favor of the officers or representatives of the officers of the regiments and corps hereinafter recited, and not exceeding in the whole the sum of two hundred and forty-one thousand three hundred and forty-five dollars, to wit:
First. To the officers, or their legal representatives, of the regiment commanded by the late Colonel George Gibson, the amount of the judgments which they have obtained, and which are now unsatisfied.
Second. To the officers, or their legal representatives, of the regiment denominated the second State regiment, commanded, at times, by Colonels Brent and Dabney, the amount of the judgments which they have obtained, and which are now unsatisfied.
Third. To the officers, or their legal representatives, of the regiments of Colonels Clark and Crockett, and Captain Rogers's troop of cavalry, who were employed in the Illinois service, the amount of the judgments which they have obtained, and which are now unsatisfied.
Fourth. To the officers, or their legal representatives, serving in the regiment of State artillery commanded by the late Colonel Marshall, and those serving in the State garrison regiment, commanded by Colonel Muter, and serving in the State cavalry, commanded by Major Nelson, the amount of the judgments which they have obtained, and which are now unsatisfied.
Fifth. To the officers, or their legal representatives, who served in the navy of Virginia, during the war of the revolution, the amount of the judgments which they have obtained, and which are now unsatisfied.
SECTION 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed and required to adjust and settle those claims for half pay of the officers of the aforesaid regiments and corps, which have not been paid or prosecuted to judgments against the State of Virginia, and for which said State would be bound on the principles of the half pay cases already decided in the Supreme Court of Appeals of said State; which several sums of money herein directed to be settled or paid, shall be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated by law.
Approved, July 5, 1832.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Chamberlane, Benjamin GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 3963 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Apr. 1, 1790 to not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.