Elder Richard Champney emigrated on 10 Aug 1635 from England aboard the "Defence", arriving on 3 Oct 1635 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. He took the oath of freeman on 25 May 1636. He died on 26 Nov 1669.

The surname Champney is derived from the ancient district of Champagne, is listed in the Roll of Battell Abbey and seen in Domesday as Chemarnkee, Other spellings are Champness, Chamneis, Champneis and Chaumpenay. Johannes Chaumpenay lived in Yorkshire in 1379; and in 1581, William Champney and Emma Crocksall obtained a marriage license in London, England. The 1623 Visitation of Somerset lists Peter, John, William, George, Margaret and Thomasine as the youngest generation descended from Henry Champneys.

He was married to Jane in England.

Jane. Children were:

i. Esther Champney was born in 1629 in England. "Clark and Worth..." says she was born about 1633. She died on 5 Apr 1713 in Billerica, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married first, Deacon Josiah Converse on 26 Mar 1651, and, second, Capt. Jonathan Danforth Sr. on 17 Nov 1690 in Billerica, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
ii. Mary Champney was born in Oct 1634.
iii. Samuel Champney was born in Sep 1635.
iv. Sarah Champney was born in May 1638. She died on 19 Aug 1656.
v. Mary Champney.
vi. John Champney was born on 28 May 1641. "Clark and Worth..." says 23 May 1641.
vii. Lydia Champney was born about 1643. She died on 23 Jan 1691.
viii. Capt. Daniel Champney was born on 9 Mar 1644/45. He died on 19 Nov 1691.