[1] The family lived in Bridgeton, New Jersey while Champneys attended Princeton College for two years, but moved upon the death of his father in 1814.

He moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and completed his legal studies under Judge George Bryan Porter, the future Territorial Governor of Michigan.

He was appointed Deputy Attorney General for Lancaster County by Governor David R. Porter and served from 1830 to 1833.

He was appointed state Attorney General by Governor Francis R. Shunk and served from 1846 to 1848.

[5] A daughter, Elizabeth, would marry a same-named great-grandson of William Augustus Atlee.