Godfrey Champlin, founder of the Rhode Island branch to Edward Peckham Champlin File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan W. Pieroth, (© 1997 Susan W. Pieroth) USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages are for the use of indivisual researchers, and may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ___________________________________________________________________ The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biographical, by the American Historical Society, Inc., 1920. For an unknown reason there are two copies of the book with the same title page, but with different contents. Page 71 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edward Peckham Champlin There is, probably no citizen of Block Island who throughout his career has been more thoroughly identified with the interests of the place than has Mr. Champlin. His large farm is one of the finest on the island, and for more than a quarter of a century he has filled the position of town clerk of New Shoreham. In addition to this he now holds the offices of clerk of the Town Council, clerk of the Probate Court, and clerk of the Board of Assessors. (I) Godfrey Champlin, founder of the Rhode Island branch of the family, was born in England, and was in Westerly in 1631, and in Newport in 1638. He married, in 1650, in Newport, and his children wee: Godfrey, born in 1652; William, born in 1654; Christopher, mentioned below. The name of the wife of Godfrey Champlin, the immigrant, has not come down to us. (II) Christopher Champlin, son of Godfrey Champlin, was born in 1656. He married, about 1682. He and his wife were the parents of six children. (III) Christopher (2) Champlin, son of Christopher (1) Champlin, was born September 21, 1684. He married, December 5, 1705, Elizabeth Dennison. (IV) Joseph Champlin, son of Christopher (2) and Elizabeth (Dennison) Champlin, was born August 4, 1709. He married, in 1732, Rebecca Chesborough. (V) Elihu Champlin, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Chesborough) Champlin, was born June 19, 1737. He married ----- Lewis. (VI) Nathaniel Lewis Champlin, son of Elihu and ----- (Lewis) Champlin, was born June 14, 1767. About 1800 he settled on Block Island. He married Thankful Hull, of that place, who was born in 1769, daughter of Edward Hull, one o f the largest landholders of Rhode Island. Mr. Champlin, who was a farmer, died April 18, 1836, and his widow passed away on April 13, 1845. Their children were: Mary, born Dec. 12, 1793; Uriah, born Jan. I, 1796, died July 5, 1878; Ruhama L., born Jan. 14, 1798; Peleg C., mentioned below; Alvirah, born Feb. 13, 1803; John E. H., born Feb. 5, 1805, died Aug. 17, 1836; Christopher, born Feb. 16, 1806, died May 30, 1885, the grandfather of Dr. John C. and Christopher E. Champlin, the latter for twenty-five years represented Block Island in the Rhode Island Legislature; Johanna H., born in 1808. (VII) Peleg C. Champlin, son of Nathaniel Lewis and Thankful (Hull) Champlin, was born February 20, 1801. He married Lucy P. Dunn. Their children were: Edward Hull, mention below; Weedon H., born Nov. 22, 1829, died May 18, 1906; Lucy A., born Nov. 30, 1830, died April 21, 1866. The death of Mr. Champlin occurred November 30, 1880. (VIII) Edward Hull Champlin, son of Peleg C. and Lucy P. (Dunn) Champlin, was born January 23, 1823, on Block Island. He followed agricultural pursuits, and for twenty years was town treasurer of New Shoreham. He married Susan Sheffield Peckham, who was born June 20, 1825, on Block Island, and their children were: Mary J. H., born in 1848, married M. V. Ball, of Block Island; Carrie E., born in 1857; Edward Peckham, mentioned below. Mrs. Champlin passed away July 7, 1900, and the death of Mr. Champlin occurred October 31, 1911. (IX) Edward Peckham Champlin, son of Edward Hull and Susan Sheffield (Peckham) Champlin, was born January 18, 1865, on Block Island. He received his preparatory education in local schools, afterward entering the State Normal School, Providence, with the class of 1884. For two years thereafter he taught in the Block Island schools, but at the end of that time took his place in his ancestral line of agriculturalists. Today he is the owner of a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, all under cultivation, proving that he inherits the ability as well as the inclination of his forefathers. From early manhood Mr. Champlin has been active in local politics. The many years during which he has served as town clerk furnish conclusive evidence of his efficiency and of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens, as does also his tenure of the other offices of which they have made him the incumbent. In addition to everything else he is a notary public, devoting much of his time to the work belonging to the position. He affiliates with Atlantic Lodge, No. 31, Free and Accepted Masons, of Block Island, and is a charter member of the Eastern Star. One of his chief pleasures consists of his interests as a fancier of fine stock. Mr. Champlin married, November 23, 1886, at Niantic, Conn., Evelyn H., daughter of Robert G. and Mary (Champlin) Payne, of that place. Mr. Payne is a farmer, and his wife is a native of Block Island. Mr. and Mrs. Champlin are the parents of one son: Robert Payne, born September 23, 1889; attended the State Agricultural College, Kingston, R. I., and is now associated with his father in the management of the farm. He married, August 24, 1912, Lillian S. Chase, of Swansea, Mass., and they are the parents of two children: Edward Russell, born May 16, 1914; and Katherine Isadora, born Nov. 14, 1918. Edward Peckham Champlin has been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the community of which his ancestors, for three generations, were useful citizens. He has followed their example and upheld their traditions and in doing so has conferred additional honor on the family name. He, with Dr. John C. and Christopher C. Champlin and others, were largely instrumental in the opening and completion of the great South Pond Harbor of Refuge on Block Island. This has much historical significance and these men played important parts.