Lot 118: Richard Collins (Gosport 1755 - London 1831)

An Officer, possibly General Henry Champion (1751-1836), wearing uniform, scarlet coat with blue facings and gold epaulettes, black stock and white cravat
inscribed indistinctly on reverse and signed Gen Champion/ Collins, gilt-metal frame, the reverse engraved General Champneys/ Collins
Oval, 82mm. (3 1/4ins.) high

H.M., 1999
P.A., 1999
S.N.P.G., 2000-2003

S.N.P.F., no.84

General Henry Champion, served in the revolution as ensign at the Lexington alarm. In 1775, he was appointed 2nd lieutenant of the Eighth company, Second regiment, and promoted to 1st lieutenant the same year. He was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 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 the city. He took part in the battles of Long Island and White Plains, In 1777, he was promoted captain of the First Connecticut Line and in 1779, he was appointed acting major of the First battalion, Light Brigade.
He was deputy to the general assembly for many year and deacon in the Westchester church from 1813-28. He was interested in the Connecticut Land Company, to which he subscribed over 85,000 dollars. The towns of Champion, New York, and Champion, Ohio, were named in his honour. He married, in 1781, Abigail Tinker (1758-1818), together they had 10 children.