The typescript Champlin Memorial : a record of the descendants of Geoffrey Champlin of Newport, R.I. in 1638, and of Westerly in 1661. by John D. Champlin was published in 1903[1].
The most complete family history is by Robert Champlin of Newmarket, Ontario[2]. He provided a computer file of many of the early Champlin families to the author.
Christopher Champlin, youngest son of Jeffrey Champlin and Eulalia Garde, was born at Newport, Rhode Island on September 26, 1656[2].
Christopher married twice. The name of his first wife has been lost to posterity[1-2,6], and she was the mother to all six of his children, each of whom was born at Westerly:
* Christopher Champlin (1684-1734), married 1705 Elizabeth Denison (1689-1749)
* John Champlin (1686-1746), married 1712 Elizabeth Raymond (1687-1766).
* William Champlin (1687-1778), married c1720 Joanna --?-- (c1692-c1762)
* Jeffrey Champlin (1689-1751), married c1730 Sarah --?-- (c1692-c1751).
* Joseph Champlin (1690-1731), married c1720 Sarah Brown (c1694-1763).
* Mary Ann Champlin (1692-1725), married 1716 Daniel Ely (c1693-1776).
Christopher Champlin married, secondly, to Elizabeth (Whitehead?) Davol (1670-1722), widow of William Davol (1666-1719)[1-2,7]. They had no children together.
Christopher Champlin was admitted a freeman of Westerly on October 17, 1679. He was not as prominent in public affairs as his brothers but he held several positions of trust. In 1682 he was chosen "For the Jury of tryalls for the corte of tryalls to be held in Newporte." In 1698 he was appointed constable, in 1703 he was a member of the Town Council, and in 1706 and 1707 he was a deputy to the Rhode Island General Assembly representing Westerly[1-2].
On 11 September 1700, Christopher bought of "Ninicraft, Chief Sachem of yr Narragansetts for twelve pounds of N.E. silver," a tract of 140 acres in Westerly, bounded west by a river yt comes from Taukkacassett Pond and part by land of John Meson, south by the Great Pond, east as ye fence no standeth east by ye hills of rocks behind north of ye house where ye now dwelleth."
On 11 February 1711 he deeded Christopher Champlin Jr. a 150 acre farm including what he had originally purchased from the Sachem Ninecraft, 300 pounds and then 10 years later 200 pounds and his farm, house, and land in Westerly[1-2].
On 21 August 1722, Christopher Champlin and his second wife, Elizabeth (--?--), widow of William Davell, made an agreement[1-3]. It says (very difficult to read):
"To all Christian people to whome these presents shall come Know ye that whereas there is a Legacy Given to Elizabeth Champlin wife to Christopher Champlin Senr who was formerly Relict to Mr. William Danell deceased & he being of the town of Westerly in his Majesties Colony of Rhoad Island and Providence Plantations in New England (Viz.)
"Twenty Pounds mony twenty Loads of wood & the keeping of four Cretures ?? ?????? and yearly and every year during the whole course of her naturall life to be paid by the Son William Danel of sd Town & Colony as may appear by the last Will & Testament of the sd William Danel deceased who did make by sd last Will make and ordain William Danel her son an Executor to sd Last Will and testament and upon probation of sd will before the town Counsel of the town of Westerly the sd Councel did Require Bond of sd Danel with two sureties for his ??? Administration and performance of sd will & In Compliance with the sd Request Samuel Clark and Christopher Champlin Junr Both of the said town and Colony were both bound with the sd William Danel unto the aforesd Counsel as may appear by their Bond of two thousand pounds Currant mony of New England which is upon Record for the due performance of sd will the Bond haves date March the thirteenth day in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighteen Coming nineteen & for the Better Securing the sd Sureties or bondsmen Clark and Champlin their Estates Heirs & Succesers which is altogether Requisite and needfull by Reason that it ????? Evident that the aforesd William Danel hath ??paid a Great part of his Estate & doth Still go on Wasting & Embezzling of the same Reference being had to the above written precept and Every Article & Clause yrof ???? of one Sd Elizabeth Champlin having Considered the Difficulty that may arise to said Bondsmen by ???? [an unreadable line inserted] of these presents for Ever Exhonorate Requit and Discharge the aforesd Samuel Clark and Christopher Champlin Sr and their heirs Executors and admr for Ever of and from all and Every part and parcel of the Legacy of twenty pounds mony twenty Loads of wood and keeping of four Cretures that is to say I do for Ever Requitt and Discharge the sd Clark and Champlin their heirs and Succesors from all that hath been due unto me by the above mentioned will from the begining of the world to the Date of these presence and from the Date of these presents to the end of the world. I the Sd Christopher Champlin Senr do by these presents allow and confirm all the above writen premises and in token and Confirmation that this is our lone and voluntary act and deed we have hereunto Sett our hands and seales this twenty first day of August Annoq Domini 1722.
Signed Sealed and Delivered his
in the presents of us Christopher CC Champlin (seal)
Edward Greenman mark
Robert Austin her
Joanna Champlin Elizabeth EC Champlin (seal)
G Davisson mark
"Mr. Christopher Champlin and Mrs. Elizabeth Champlin the Subscribing both presents appeared in Westerly this 29 Day of August 1722 and acknowledged the above writen instrument to be their voluntary act and deed before me, Joseph Stanton, Justice."
Christopher Champlin appears often in the Westerly land records (FHL microfilm numbers in parentheses)[1]:
* Westerly deeds, Vol. 4, 1725-1738, Pages 142-43 (940232), Christopher Champlin to William Champlin, son of sd Christopher Champlin, cordwainer, 37 ½ A bounded: Nicholas Saterly, Capt. John Babcock, Roger Elderton; mentions a deed by John Lewis dated Dec. 17, 1722, Dec. 9, 1726. Witnesses: George Babcock, Henry Davison.
* Westerly deeds, Vol. 5, Pages 253-254 (940233), Indenture dated April 7, 1730, between Christopher Champlin and Elizabeth his wife, and Roger Elderton, 37 ½ A bounded: Nicholas Saterly, Capt. John Babcock, .. deed from under hand and seal of John Lewis dated Dec. 17, 1722. Witnesses: William Bassett and Jos. Hull.
* Westerly deeds, Vol. 5, Page 273 (940233), Christopher Champlin quit claim to Joseph Hull rights in dwelling house and land which Joseph Hull bought of Caleb Church, Bloomer, Dec. 22, 1730. Witnesses: Isaac Browne and Jeffery Champlin.
* Westerly deeds, Vol. 6, Pages 207-08 (940233), Christopher Champlin and Elizabeth his wife to son Christopher Champlin, Husbandman, 100 A bounded: Charles Ninegrett, land I have given to my son Joseph Champlin, Nov. 17, 1733. Witnesses: Joseph Champlin and Rebeckah Champlin.
* Westerly deeds, Vol. 6 Pages 209-10 (940233), Christopher Champlin and Elizabeth his wife to son Joseph Champlin 74 A bounded: land I have given to my son Christopher Champlin, Maj. Joseph Stanton, Nov. 17, 1733. Witnesses: Christopher Champlin jr and Hannah Champlin.
* Westerly deeds, Vol. 6, Pages 219-220, Christopher Champlin Jr. and Hannah his wife to Christopher Champlin sr., 100 A, Nov. 27, 1733. Witnesses: Enoch Kinyon and John Bell.
Christopher Champlin died at Westerly on 2 April 1732[1-2,5]. His will was offered for probate, 24 April 1732, but, for some informality, it was set aside and on the same day the Town Council of Westerly voted that "Capt. Christo^r Champlin shall have Letter of Administration on his own bond on his father's estate."[1,4]
On 24 April 1732, the inventory of Christopher Champlin of the town of Westerly in King's County in the Colony of Rhoad Island, yeoman lately deceased, was appraised by Samuel Perry, Benjamin Perry and John Hill. The inventory is short with only 13 lines, but is difficult to decipher. It totaled 189 pounds, 4 shillings and 10 pence. The major portion of the estate was a "bond from Thomas Mitchell of Block Island, a Desperate Debt" valued at 156 pounds. There is also an entry for "an old Negro woman worse than Nothing" with a value of 00-00-00. The inventory was recorded on 24 (?) April 1732[1,4].
The “accompt of ye Subscribers proceedings as administrator of ye Estate of Christopher Champlin, Senr, late of Westerly desesed,” was signed Chr. Champlin and dated December 25, 1732. Among the items are:
“to Doctor Babcock as per Receipt £2 – 11 - 6”
“to funerall Charges 8 – 15 - 0”
“to 5 days spent in ye affaire 01 – 05 - 0”
It is not known where Christopher Champlin or his two wives are buried in Westerly.
