Person:Christopher Champlin (13)

CHAMPLAIN, Christopher, Jr., of Christopher and Margaret, [born] April 12, 1768.

Christopher Grant Champlin (1768-1840), or "CGC", was the oldest child and only son of Christopher Champlin. By the 1790's he had graduated from Harvard, and was sent on a European tour to "refine" him and ready him for a merchant's life. He returned, settled to New York and lost a fortune in stock speculation, almost ruining his father. He returned to Newport, where he married Martha Redwood Ellery (1772- ) in 1793. He continued to assist his father in business, and in 1796, decided to run for Congress.

Like his father, CGC used opportunities for financial reward. For example, many of his friends he met while in Europe became contacts for trade, or financial partners. Also, to help his chances for winning a seat, CGC swore that he had not speculated in southern lands and would not use his office to help his investment. In reality, CGC had speculated heavily in the Tennessee Company with his Harvard College friend, Nathaniel Prince (Prime?). He was elected and served in Congress from 1797 to 180l. During his tenure, he participated in a duel with a South Carolina congressman, James A. Bayard. Champlin was later appointed to fill a Senate term from 1809 to 1811.

He returned to Rhode Island in 1811 and concentrated on local and state politics as well as his business ventures. Eventually he became president of the Bank of Rhode Island, an office his father had held. CGC's only male heir died young and in 1840, at the death of CGC, the Champlin family and wealth were dispersed.

CHAMPLIN, Christopher Grant 1768c - 28 Mar 1840 NT003

Christopher Grant Champlin of Newport. Will dated 14 June 1839, proved 26 Apr 1840, pps. 205-310.
Father (unnamed) deceased
Uncle George Champlin
Mother (unnamed) deceased
Mother's father Sueton Grant.
Wife Martha Redwood Champlin
Son Christopher who died 12 Jan 1811 in the 22 year of his age in Nassau in the island of New Providence where he went for the recovery of his health.
Sisters: Margaret Mason widow, sister who is wife of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry deceased who was father of testator's nephew Christopher Grant Perry whose college the testator paid for after death of the Commodore, sister wife of the late John Coffin Jones of Boston who was father of testator's nephew John Coffin Jones, & unnamed sister wife of Ebenezer Chadwick of Boston who is father of testator's nephew Christopher Champlin Chadwick under 21.
Nephew George Champlin Mason sole exor who appears to be father of testator's nephew George Champlin Mason Jr under 21.
Nephews: George Champlin Mason Jr. & Benjamin Augustus Mason both under 21, Christopher Grant Perry received farm in Charlestown, Oliver Hazard Perry under 21, & Christopher Raymond Perry under 21.
Nieces: Martha Champlin Mason & Margaret Champlin Mason.
Niece Elizabeth Mason Perry under 21 daughter of niece Elizabeth Champlin Perry.
Nephew John Coffin Jones who "doesn't need anything of me" son of the late John Coffin Jones of Boston.
Nephew Christopher Champlin Chadwick under 21 son of Ebenezer Chadwick of Boston.
Friends: Thomas Hornsby & John Remington of Jamestown.
Servants: Violet Carr woman of color native of Ja[mestown] & Robert Wilson (commonly called Robert Wilson Irish) man of color & Rosannah his wife.
Various societies, Redwood Library, church.
Witnesses: Saml Baker, Saml B. Vernon, Benjn Finch.