Major Henry Champion (Continental Army)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Champion_(general)

"General Henry (4) Champion, son of Colonel Henry (3) Champion, was born in Westchester, Connecticut, March 16, 1751, and died there July 13, 1836. He served in the revolution as ensign at the Lexington alarm. On April 26, 1775, he was appointed second lieutenant of the Eighth company, Second regiment, and on May 1 promoted to first lieutenant. He was on duty at Roxbury until December 10, He was in the battle of Bunker Hill. On January 1, 1776, he was promoted adjutant on the staff of Colonel Samuel Wyllys, and after the evacuation of Boston, marched to New York, and assisted in fortifying that city. He took part in the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, and was with the army at White Plains, October 28, remaining until December, 1776. On January 1, 1777, he was promoted captain of the First Connecticut Line, remaining until the regiment was reorganized as the Third. On July 15, 1779, he was appointed acting major of the First battalion, Light Brigade. This corps was composed of picked men from all the regiments under Washington's immediate command, and was organized especially to attempt the capture of Stony Point, which was successfully done. Major Champion remained in the army until the close of the revolution. He was a member of the Order of the Cincinnati in Connecticut.

        Major Champion was deputy to the general assembly in 1789, 1793-98, 1800-05, and from 1806 to 1817 was assistant. He was a deacon in the Westchester church from 1813 to 1828. General Champion always celebrated July 16, "Stony Point Day," at his home in Westchester. He obtained the charter for the Phoenix Bank of Hartford, because the State Bank had refused him the accommodation of a loan. He was largely interested in the Connecticut Land Company, to which he subscribed over eighty-five thousand dollars. The towns of Champion, New York, and Champion, Ohio, were named in his honor. He was instrumental in obtaining the school fund for Connecticut, and was chairman of the committee of the legislature appointed to arranme for the holding of the Hartford Convention in 1814. His opitaph reads as follows:

"The patriotism of General Champion early led him to join the army of the Revolution. He was a brave and efficient subaltern officer at the battle of Bunker Hill. He shared in the perilous retreat of the American troops from Long Island. He rendered essential services under Kosciusko in constructing the defences at West Point. He led the first battalion of Connecticut Light Infantry at the capture of Stony Point. Subsequently he filled many offices of honor and trust in his native State. By his talents and influence he promoted the welfare of the community where he resided. He died cheered by the hope and sustained by the promises of the Gospel, leaving a memory respected by his friends, cherished by his family and honorable to the place of his birth."
He married, in East Haddam, October 10, 1781, Abigail Tinker, born March 24, 1758, died April 19, 1818, daughter of Sylvanus and Abigail (Olmstead) Tinker, Children, born in Westchester: 1. Henry, born August 6, 1782. 2. Aristarchus, born October 23, 1784. 3. Aristobulus, twin of Aristarchus, died February 3, 1786. 4. Abigail, mentioned below. 5. Harriet, born May 2, 1789. 6. Maria, born November 19, 1791. 7. Infant, born March 11, 1794; died young. 8. Infant, born September 2. 1795; died young. 9. Eliza, born July 19, 1797. 10. William, twin of Eliza, died April 21, 1798. "
Source: http://ntgen.tripod.com/bw/sp_fmus.html#henry

For other people named Henry Champion, see Henry Champion. General Henry Champion

Henry Champion III Born March 16, 1751 Westchester, Connecticut Died July 13, 1836 Occupation War Veteran, Politician and Landowner Spouse Abigail Tinker Children Henry, Aristarchus and Aristobulus Parents Colonel Henry Champion, Deborah Brainard

General Henry Champion (March 16, 1751 – July 13, 1836) was born to Colonel Henry Champion and Deborah Brainard. He is a descendant of the Henry Champion who settled in Connecticut in 1647. He sailed to the colony from Norwich, Norfolk, England.

Biography

Henry Champion III was born in Westchester, Connecticut, at his family's magnificent Federal style house which is placed on the National Register of Historic Places. He was the eldest of 7 children born to Col. Champion. His brother General Epaphroditus Champion was born in 1756 and also became a staunch Federalist.

On October 10, 1781, Henry married Abigail Tinker, daughter of Sylvanus and Abigail (Olmstead) Tinker. Their family consisted of their three sons; Henry IV and the twins Aristarchus and Aristobulus. Henry IV married Ruth Robbins and settled in Westchester. Aristarchus moved to Rochester, NY and died there childless. Aristobulus died at the age of 2 in Westchester.

Military service

Henry Champion entered into service in the Continental Army at the Lexington Alarm. He served as Ensign for 22 days before being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the Eighth Company, Second Regiment on April 26, 1775. In May, he became a 1st Lieutenant of the same. He was one of the men who fought at Bunker Hill. January 1776 be was again promoted to Adjutant on the staff of Col. Samuel Wyllys. One year later, he was Captain of the First Connecticut Line.

July 15, 1779, Captain Champion was detached from his old regiment and appointed Acting Major of the First Battalion Light Brigade. The Light Brigade had been organized by General George Washington to attempt the capture of Stony Point on the Hudson. The corps was composed of men picked from all regiments and under direct command of General Washington. Major Champion continued his career in the army until the close of the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati.

After the War Years

After returning home to Westchester, Gen. Champion entered the life of politics. He was Deputy from Colchester to the Connecticut Assembly in 1789, 1793 to 1798 and 1800-1805. From 1806 to 1817 he held the office of Assistant. From 1813-1828 he was a deacon in a church in Westchester. General Champion always celebrated July 15 which he called Stony Point Day, in due and ancient form at his famous old country seat in Westchester. He obtained a charter for the Phoenix Bank of Hartford, because the State Bank had refused him the accommodation of $2,000.

He was largely interested in the Connecticut Land Company to which he subscribed over $85,000, and the towns of Champion, NY and Champion, OH, named in his honor.

After his death, in 1836, the Champion Homestead was sold to the Loomis Family and Henry's male line had died out in 1865.

Henry Champion House

The Henry Champion House was built by Colonel Henry Champion. The house was built in the Colonial Federal style. Today the Champion house still stands and is located on Westchester Rd in Colchester, CT. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house in now privately owned and not open to the public.

References in literature

The Champion Genealogy, A History of The Descendants of Henry Champion of Saybrook and Lyme, Connecticut together with Some account of Other Families of the Name by Francis Bacon Trowbridge. Published 1891

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Aug 2 2016, 21:02:47 UTC