Edmund Rice

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1638, , , Massachusetts, USA
• Residence: 13 May 1639, , , Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

from Ancestry of Edward Wales Blake and Clarissa Matilda Glidden (p208-9)

EDMUND RICE was born in England about 1594, probably in Stanstead, Suffolk. He was either younger brother or son of Henry Rice who married Elizabeth Frost, sister of Thomasine, in 1605. The marriage of Edmund Rice and Thomasine Frost was recorded on the register of Saint Mary’s, Bury, Suffolk, on 10/15/1618. She was born in Stanstead, Suffolk, on 8/11/1600, the daughter of a wealthy clothier, Edward Frost….She died in Sudbury, MA, on 6/13/1654, and Edmund married again in Marlboro, MA, on 3/1/1655, Mercy (Hurd), the widow of Thomas Brigham of Cambridge, MA. She had three sons and two daughters by her first marriage. Edmund died on 5/3/1663 in Marlboro, but was buried in Sudbury….

The Rice family lived first in Stanstead, Suffolk, and later in Great Barkhamstead, Hartfordshire, England. They were settled in Sudbury, MA, by 1639, where Edmund was made Freeman in 1640. He was Selectman in 1639, 1644, and subsequently Deacon in 1640 and Representative in 1654.

He was one of the substantial men of the plantation, owning lands in and out of the town, some by the grant of the Court. He shared in all the divisions of uplands and commons. The total number of acres which he received as an original inhabitant was 247 acres. His first dwelling in Sudbury was on old North Street. This he sold in 1642 to John Moore…. He bought of the Widow Mary Axtell six acres of land with her dwelling house, in the south part of the town, and some years afterwards he bought of Philemon Whale…his house and nine acres adjacent to the Axtell place. These together formed the old Rice homestead in Sudbury, which remained in the family for many years. In 1647 he took a ten-year lease on the Oliver Glover farm, mostly in what is now Framingham. In 1657 he bought 200 more acres. In 1656 he was a petitioner for the new town of Marlborough, where he received grants of a house-lot and fifty acres, and other lands in proportion, and whither he removed in 1660.

His inventory amounted to £566, the house, etc., to £170.

Children of Edmund and Thomasine:

1. Mary: bap Stanstead 8/23/1619; d before family emigrated
2. Henry : bap “” 2/13/1621; d 2/10/1711
3. Edward: bap “” 10/26/1622; d 1712
4. Thomas: bap “” 1/26/1626; d Marlboro 1681
5. Lydia bap Barkhamstead 3/9/1628; m Hugh Drury c1645; d Boston, 4/5/1675
6. Matthew: bap “” 2/28/1630; d 1717
7. Daniel: bap “” 11/1/1632; d same year
8. Samuel: bap ““ 11/12/1634; d 1685
9. Joseph: bap “” 3/13/1638
10. Edmund?: perhaps b at sea 1638

Edmund married Thomasine Frost on 15 Oct 1618 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. Thomasine was born on 11 Aug 1600 in Stanstead, Suffolk, England; died on 13 Jun 1654 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edmund married Mercy/Mary Hurd on 1 Mar 1655 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mercy/Mary was born in 1615 in , , , England; died on 22 Dec 1693 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Mary Wilford in 1633 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary was born in 1613 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 13 Oct 1698 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Agnes Ann Bent in 1646 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Agnes was born on 12 Dec 1631 in Penton Grafton, Hampshire, England; died on 4 Jun 1713 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas emigrated with his parents and lived in Sudbury where he was made a freeman in 1660. He moved to Marlborough in 1664 and was one of the original proprietors of the town. In 1675, when the Indians destroyed the town, Thomas moved back to Sudbury and remained there the rest of his life.

He was termed a yeoman and/or husbandman (both meaning farmer). He seemed to continue in his father's footsteps, making many real estate transactions all for the improvement of the family fortunes.

His wife Mary was named executrix of his will, which was dated 11 Nov 1681 and proved 4 Apr 1682. The initial inventory placed the value at 702 Pounds, but a secondary inventory dated 19 Dec 1681 added another 370.01.00 Pounds to the total. An item in the inventory that I found interestingly worded was, "Horse, bridle, saddle with all his trooping furniture at 10 Pounds.

Thomas Rice (1626-1681) of Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, son of Edmund and Thomasine (Frost) Rice. Thomas Rice married Mary King (1630-1715), daughter of Thomas and Anne (--?--) King in about 1651, and they had thirteen children: Grace King (1653-1654); Thomas Rice (1654-????); Mary Rice (1656-1733); Peter Rice (1658-1753); Nathaniel Rice (1660-1726); Sarah Rice (1662-1742); Ephraim Rice (1665-1732); Gershom Rice (1667-1768); James Rice (1670-1730); Frances Rice (1671-1721); Jonas Rice (1673-1753); Grace Rice (1675-1768); and Elisha Rice (1679-1761).

Thomas Rice of Sudbury died 16 Nov 1681 with a fairly large estate. His will (transcribed from Middlesex County Probate Records, Probate Packet #18,810, FHL Microfilm 0,421,502, copy in Middlesex County Probate Records, volume 5, pages 394-395):

"The Last Will & Testament of Thomas Rice of Sudbury in the County of Midlesex of the Massachusets Colony in New England, made the eleventh day of November in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred eighty & one.

"Inasmuch as I Thomas Rice am now weak in body (though of sound understanding & memory) I do have reason to expect my great change, doe comitt my soul to God & my body after my decease to be buryed at discretion of my wife & friends to rest in the grave in hope of a blessed resurrection through ye merrits of my Dear Redeemer, & for my outward estate I doe hereby will & dispose ye same as followeth.

"Imprimus. I give & bequeath & confirme unto my Eldest Son Thomas, what I formerly promised (to will) one halfe pt of my houslott at Marlborough, yt is to say, the halfe pt next ye Pond & also my stirrup (?) meadow & nonsuch meadow at ... which shall be his own & at his dispose for ever.

"Item. I Give & bequeath unto my second son Peter, the other halfe pt of my houslott at Marlborough & my parcell of meadow ground in Marlborough, called three corner meadow which shall be his own & at his dispose forever.

"Item: I Give & bequeath unto my third son Nathaniel yt my houselott at Marlborough which I lately bought of John Brown, & the first division of meadow which I also bought of sd Brown wch shall be his own & at his dispose forever.

"Item: I give & bequeath unto my fourth son Ephraim, all yt my uplands yt lyes in Sudbury at or near to Hogg House Hill & also all yt my parcell of meadow ground lying near unto it wch I lately bought of my brother Benjamin Rice wch shall be his own as soon as he shall be one & twenty years of age & from thereon shall be at his own dispose for ever.

"Item: I Give & bequeath unto Mary my beloved wife all ye rest of my estate of housing, lands, cattell, beasts, mony, goods & moveables, debts due to me wherever they may be found during her natural life to be by her used & improved at her pleasure for the remainder of her life & also to be disposed of unto the rest of my younger children not abovenamed at her will & discretion both in her lifetime & at her death.

"My will also is yt all my debts which I really owe to any person shall be paid by just proportion out of my whole estate, & also my funerall expenses, excepting out of ye legacys abovegiven to my eldest son Thomas as abovesd.

"And I do hereby declare, will & constitute Mary my beloved wife the only Executrix of this my will & also I do desire & constitute my loveing friend Deacon John Haynes of Sudbury & my three brethren Henry Rice, Matthew Rice & Peter King to be overseers & to be assisting counselling & every way helpful to my deare wife and children in all things needfull. Dated yt day & yeare first above written, & in the three & thirtieth yeare of his Majesties reign.
........................................... Thomas Rice & seale
"Signed, sealed & owned by ye abovenamed Thos Rice to
be his last will in presence
of us John Green
John Haynes
John Haynes senr Peter King"

The will was proved on 4 April 1682, with John Haynes senior and Peter King making oath to the will.

On 19 December 1681, the lands and chattels of Thomas Rice senior, deceased, in Marlborough were appraised by Gamaliel Beaman, Samuel Rice and Abraham Williams. This inventory totaled 370 pounds. It included the following real property:

1) Homestall and housestall given him by the town of Marlborough being 35 acres of upland and the second and third divisions of upland and all his divisions of meadows and rights in the town (260 pounds).
2) A houselott and homestall purchased of Jno Brown, being a grant of the town containing 18 acres with second and third divisions of upland and all his divisions of meadows and rights in the town (60 pounds)

An inventory of the estate of Corporal Thomas Rice of Sudbury, deceased, was taken by Henry Rice, Peter King, Mathew Rice and John Haynes on 26 February 1682. This inventory totalled 702 pounds, including the following real estate:

1) Housing, homestall & uplands & meadows (400 pounds)
SudburySudbury with all town rights and privileges in commons (80 pounds)

In addition, they found 50 pounds in money to be paid out of the estate. On 4 April 1682, Mary Rice Executrix appeared in Court and made oath to the above inventory.

The will names only his four sons and his wife, Mary. There is no mention of the four youngest sons (Gershom, James, Jonas, and Elisha), and the four daughters that survived him (Mary, Sarah, Frances, and Grace).

Thomas married Mary King in 1651 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary was born on 12 Feb 1630 in Shaston, Dorset, England; died on 22 May 1714 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Samuel Welles. Samuel was born on 13 Apr 1660 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 28 Aug 1731 in Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John Rice (1651-1719)
Birth: Dec. 20, 1651, Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Death: Sep. 6, 1719, Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA

John Rice was born on 20 December 1651 at Sudbury, Massachusetts, a son of Edward Rice and Agnes Bent. He married Tabitha Stone, daughter of Deacon John Stone and Anna Rogers, on 2 November 1674 at Sudbury. John and Tabitha were the parents of eleven children:

John Rice (1675-1733)
Anna Rice (1678- )
Deliverence Rice (1681- )
Tabitha Rice (1683- )
Prudence Rice (1685-abt 1776)
Abigail Rice (1687-1754)
Edward Rice (1689-1756)
Dinah Rice (1691- )
Moses Rice (1694-1755)
Tamar Rice (1697- )
Aaron Rice (1700-1755)

The part of Sudbury that John Rice resided in is now part of Wayland, on the easterly side of the road leading from Weston to Saxonville, and on part of the homestead of his grandfather Edmund Rice, not far distant from "the spring," near which was the residence of his brother, Deacon Edmund Rice. John was a subscriber of Prince's Chronology, and was fond of historical reading.
John died on 6 September 1719 at Sudbury. His estate was probated on 29 January 1719/20 at Wayland, Middlesex Co, MA. He died intestate. His widow Tabitha and son Moses were appointed Administrators. Inventory was taken Sept 17, 1719, "Widow Tabitha, being aged and infirm, made oath at Weston."
Exact burial site is unknown, but possibly in the oldest cemetery in Sudbury, he was possibly buried on the family property.

John married Tabitha Stone on 2 Nov 1674 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Tabitha was born on 29 May 1655 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 17 Sep 1719 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Bethiah Ward on 10 Jan 1681 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Bethiah was born on 27 Nov 1658 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 8 Dec 1721 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Josiah White on 28 Nov 1678 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Josiah (son of John White and Joane West) was born on 4 Jun 1643 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 11 Nov 1714 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Thomas Sawyer on 15 Jul 1718 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Thomas was born on 2 Jul 1649 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; died on 5 Sep 1736 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1675, Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

Peter married Rebecca Howe in 1688 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Rebecca (daughter of Abraham Howe and Hannah Ward) was born on 4 Feb 1668 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 10 May 1749 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathaniel married Patience Brown on 1 Dec 1704 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Patience (daughter of Thomas Brown and Patience Foster) was born on 26 Feb 1672 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 13 Nov 1722 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Gershom Rice was son of Thomas, who was the third son of the emigrant Edmund Rice, who came from England and settled in Sudbury in 1639, and afterward removed to Marlboro, where he died May 3, 1663. Gershom Rice was the second settler of Worcester coming here in 1715. Selectman, 1724, 27, 31, 33, 36, 46. Town treasurer, 1736-39. It was at his house that religious services were first held in the town. It was through the personal effort of Mr. Rice in a letter to the Governor of the Province that a guard of nineteen men was stationed here in 1724 for the defence of the settlers.

Cemetery: Old Burial Ground On the Common
Stone: 251
Name: Gershom Rice
Death Date: 19 Dec AD 1768
Age: in ye 102d year of his age
Relative: son: Thomas
Inscription: Here lies Buried ye Body of

Gershom married Elizabeth Balcom on 12 Aug 1696 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 16 Aug 1672 in Charlestown, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA; died on 16 Aug 1752 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth Clapp on 13 Mar 1700 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 1 Oct 1682 in Milton, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA; died on 1 Jul 1716 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Deliverance married John Howe on 3 Nov 1703 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. John was born on 16 Sep 1682 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 19 May 1754 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Rachel Elgit on 18 Jun 1719 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Rachel was born in 1689 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 5 Jan 1760 in Rutland, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Moses Rice's Death
In June of 1755, Moses and others were working in a meadow in the upper part of Charlemont near Rice's fort. A small group of Algonquin Indians were lying in wait, and attacked and ambushed the party. Captain Moses Rice was shot in the thigh, was severely wounded, and carried off into the woods where he was tomahawked and scalped.

A young soldier, Phineas Arms who had been pacing the field with his musket and acting as sentinel was shot and killed outright. Titus King, a relative, and Moses' grandson 9-year old grandson Asa Rice, who was riding a horse but was thrown off when the horse was spooked by gunfire, were both captured by the Indians and taken to Canada. Asa Rice was ransomed six years later and returned to Charlemont. King was eventually sent to France, then to England, and from there returned to his native town of Northampton. Moses' youngest son, 20-year old Artemas Rice escaped after a hot pursuit and was able to make it to nearby Taylor's Fort. Later that day, Moses was found barely still alive. He was brought to his son's house but died later that evening.

Moses was in the military in 1724 at Rutland under the command of Capt. Samuel Wright of Rutland on garrison duty with others from Worcester. He commanded a company of cavalry while he resided at Worcester

In 1743, Moses was the first settler of a new plantation called Charlemont having purchased 2200 acres there. The location was among the furthest out in the wilderness from the established towns of Massachusetts. At the time, the nearest town was Deerfield, 22 miles away. In August of 1746, the Rices were warned that hostile Indians were approaching from the north. They fled to Deerfield for safety. Unfortunately, their home, crops, tools and everything they left behind were destroyed by the Indians. Three years later, the family returned and settled permanently. By 1752, there were about a dozen families in Charlemont. Because Charlemont was a frontier settlement and vulnerable to attack, a series of fortifications and blockade houses were built for protection. They were not manned as heavily as they should have been according to several petitions made to the General Court. As the French and Indians continued to make attacks on the English settlements, the most outlying ones such as Charlemont were most at risk of attack.

Moses married Sarah King on 16 Nov 1719 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Sarah was born on 16 May 1699 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1788 in Charlemont, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Aaron married Hannah Wright on 29 Aug 1726 in Rutland, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Hannah was born on 2 Jun 1704 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 23 Aug 1741 in Rutland, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Aaron married Elizabeth Shepard on 14 Apr 1743 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 13 May 1707 in Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA; died on 18 Nov 1760 in Hardwick, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eleazer married Thankful Fletcher on 8 Dec 1720 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Thankful was born on 19 Jul 1701 in Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1730 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Capt John White, b in Lancaster Sept 20, 1684; m. Eunice, dau. of Lieut. Nathaniel and Mary (Sawyer) Wilder, b. , 1690. The date of their marriage has not been found, but the following (found in Worcester Deeds, Vol. 4, page 162), dated May 1, 1724, proves her parentage :

"To all people to whom these present shall come Greeting. Know ye we the Subscribers namely Samuel Carter and John White, both of the town of l.ancaster in the County of Worcester in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England Yeoman, together with each of our wives namely Dorothy the wife of me the said Samuel Carter and Eunice the wife of me the said John White both our sd wives being daughters of Lieut. Nathaniel Wilder, some time of sd Lancaster Deceased, for and in consideration of the Sum, of Forty pounds. Hereby acquit exonerate & forever discharge our loving brother vis. Cornet Nathaniel Wilder of I-ancaster."

Capt. John White was a cooper and blacksmith by trade. He was with Capt. Lovell at the killing of the ten Indians. "Instructions to Captains Willard, White and Blanchard.

S'. Having Commissionated you to Command a Company of Voluntiers against the Indian Enemy, you are hereby Directed to Exercise and maintain good Discipline and Government among your Officers and Soldiers and to Suppress and punish all Disorders, Vice, and Immorality and to Keep up the Worship of (rod in your said Company. You must march to Pigwacket, unless you shall upon mature Consideration Judge any other tour more effectual for the service, withall Convenient Dispatch Joining such Companys of Voluntiers in the County of Middlesex as shall be ready to proceed with you and from thence march to such places where by your Intelligence may Judge it probable to meet with the Indian Enemy. If you Judge it necessary to keep the whole Body together in order to attack any Tribe or Settlement of Indians I shall approve of your so doing, othwise that Two Companys or hälfe your Body proceed Eastw & the other hälfe to proceed from Pigwacket to Strike over to Amrescoggin & Kennebeck River, endeavouring to get higher up the said Rivers then the places of the Indians Settlements one party of which to Come down Amrescoggin River to Fort George & the other down Kennebeck River to Richmond, and if your provision should fall short so as that the whole cannot be sufficiently furnishd for the march to Amrescoggin & Kennebeck Rivers, some of your Feeblest men must Come into Berwick. The remaining part of the Body to go off to the North Westward in Quest of the Indian Enemy said to be there taking with them the Mohawks for their Guides. Let your Marches be with all the Secrecy & Silence as well as Dispatch, you are Capable of. You must Kill, Take & Destroy to the utmost of your power all the Enemy Indians you can meet with in your March, & Search for their Corn, destroying all you can find. And give Intelligence from time to time of every thing of Importance that may happen."

(Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 250.)

"Lancaster, May 9th, 1725. May it please your Honour.
Being returned home I thought myself oblidged to Inform your Honour that on the 5lh of April last, I went from Lancaster to Dunstable and the 8lh Day of April from thence up Merrimack with 30 men, two of which came back in A short time, one of them being taken sick, and yc other having scalt himself very badly. 1 marcht up Merrimack about 130 mile, and there discovered some signs of Indians, some old, which we Judged were made sometime this winter and one new track on the Bank of the River, wch we Judged had gone but a few days before I sent out scouts but could discover nothing further. We then turned off to y* Westward towards Coos, marched 10 miles the 24th of April. Alt evening one of our men viz Sam" Mossman of Sodbury being about Encamping, took hold of his Gun that stood among some Bushes drew it towards him with the muzzle towards him some twigg caught hold of the cock, the dun went off, and shott him throgh, he died ¡mediately. We went across to Connecticut River came down that to Northfield and from thence across the woods to I^ncaster, we gott in yesterday. I have endeavoured faithfully to attend your Honours orders already recieved, and if your Honour has any further service for me I desire your Honour would let me know it. I have not as yet compleated my Journal, but hope to finish it in a short time that it may be Laid before your Honour. I am your Honours most obedient humble Servant On his Majesties Service John White.

For the Honourable William Dummer Esq.
Lieut Governour &c. In Boston. These"
(Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 230.)
"Sir, I have the Account of y ' March & Return by your Letter of the 9lh Instant & Approve of your Proceedings, tho I am heartily grieved for the Death of the poor Man, & wonder that so many unhappy Accidents of this Kind have not been sufficient to warn our People of the Effects of such Indiscretion. The Season being now advanced for the Appearance of the Enemy, and it being more likely to meet with them now than before, I desire you would go out with the Same Number of Men & upon the same Establishm ' which will be allowd you : I should be glad you could immediately proceed, & make up a Muster Roll for your two Marches upon your Return. For mcl) Time will otherwise be lost at this critical Juncture. However if you must first come to Town let there be no Delay ; If any of your men are backward to go out again you must enlist others to make up your number. I shall not prescribe any Rout to you, you being-best able to judge where the Enemy may be mett with : Carry out as much Provision as you can, That so you maynt be obliged to return very soon : Be very silent & watchful on your March & Ambushments. I heartily wish you Success, and am your Serv1. Wm Dummer.

Boston 11 May 1725.
Capt White
Capt Welds"

(Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 233).

"In an appendix to an Address delivered in Bolton at the Centennial Celebration, July 4, 1876, by Reverend Richard S. Edes, is printed part of a diary 'found among the papers of the first clerks of the town.' The copyist acids, ' How old the book is, no one can tell.' It is a journal of the scout of Captains Lovell and White 'when the 10 Indians were killed,' February, 1724; probably written by one of the Lancaster soldiers there present. The minutes of the first eight days have been torn off."

"9. We traveled 14 miles and camped at the norwest corner of winipisocket pond.
10. We traveled 16 miles, and camped at the north side of Cusumpe pond.
11. We traveled 6 miles N by E from Cusumpe and there camped — and sent out scouts, and some of our scouts thought they discovered smoke.
12. We sent out scouts, and they discovered nothing.
13. We lay still and sent out scouts, and to strengthen us to go farther we sent home 29 men.
14. We traveled 10 miles toward Pigwackett, and then came upon a branch of the Saco river, and sent out scouts.
15. We lay still and sent out scouts and discovered nothing.
16. We traveled 6 miles and came upon an Indian wigwam—the Indians being gone we left 16 men with our packs and the rest pursued them till dark and stayed there all night.
17. We followed their track till eight o'clock next day and then we came back to fetch our packs, traveled the remaining part of that day and the night ensuing six miles.
18. We traveled 20 miles and camped at the great pond upon Sawco river.
19. We traveled 22 miles and camped at a great pond.
20. We traveled 5 miles and came to a wigwam where the Indians had been lately gone from, and then we pursued their track about 2 miles further, and discovered their smoke and then tarried till about two o'clock at night and then came upon them and killed 10 Indians which was all there was.
21. We traveled 6 miles.
22. Wre lay still and kept scouts upon our back tracks to see if there would any pursue.
23. We traveled 30 miles and Camped at Cocheco.
A tru journall of my travells began the 5th of April, 1725 We trauel •* to Groten 12 milds and thear stayed by reson of foul wether
6 day we traueld to dunstabel 12 milds and thear Lay the night
7 day we Lay stil by reson of foull wether
8 day we mustered and went oner the riuer to the hous of John Taylors about 3 milds
9 day we march t up the riuer about 8 milds and then campt one of our men being taken uerey sik for he kold trauel no ferther, his name was Thomas Simson, Our Doctor Joseph Whetcomb that night set his fut into a Ketel of biling broth that he cold trauel no ferther
10 day was foul wether and we sent 2 men in to dunstabel with the bik and Lam men and (they) returned that night to us again
11 day we traueled about 13 milds and then campt about 3 mild aboue amoskeeg falls.
12 day we traueled 11 milds and then campt at the mouth of penekoock riuer.
13 day we traueled 7 milds and then campt at the iarish fort in penekook Enteruals that day it rayend uery hard all day.
14 day we traueld 10 milds and then Crost meremack riuer aboue the mouth of Contookock riuer and then Campt.
15 day we traueld 8 milds north west from Contockock to a litel stream that runs into meremack Riuer about 3 milds weittard from meremack and then campt and sent out skouts
16 day we traueld 12 milds and Cam to a pond which was uery Long and we turned to the east sid of it and then campt, and then sent out skouts that day we lay about 3 milds westard of the mouth of \Vinepiseocket
17 day it raynd uere hard the fore part of the day and a litel before night it cleared up & we sent skouts but found northen
18 day we traueled 14 milds and that day we Crost 2 great streames that runs in to meremack, one of them comes out of a great pond which sum indens says it is 3 days jurney round it the Land is uerey full of great hils and mountains and uerey rockey abundance of sprus and hemlock and fur and sum bech and maple and we campt
19 day we traueld 11 milds and then campt at the Louar End of pemichewashet Lour Enteruals and sent out skouts.
20 day we lay stil by reson of foull wether and towards nit it Cleard up and we sent out skouts and found whear Cornol Tyng crost meremack.
21 day we traueld 12 milds up pemichewashet Riuer and found old sines of indens and we sent out skouts that night and found one new track and we lay that night by the riuer and mad new camps. The I-and that lys by this riuer is uere rich and good the upland uere full of hils and mountains, uery bad traueling
22 day we traueld 2 milds and then sent out skouts ouer the riuer and up a stream that runs into the riuer but found northen
23 day we traueld up the riuer about 14 milds and that day we Crost 3 streames that runs into the riuer this riuer corns sheally from the north west & then we campt
24 day we traueld 10 milds westward and that day we found old signs of indens whear they had bin this spring and in the winter, and sent out skouts but cold find now indens This day Samil Moosman actidently kild himself with his own gun
25 day it rained uery hard and we lay stil that day til amost night it clearcl up and we sent out skouts but found northen
26 day we traueld 18 milds and came upon Conetecut riuer and one of our men was taken uere sik that night we campt by the riuer
27 day we traueld down the riuer and found a bark cannow which was of great saruis to our sik man & to us ; that day we traueld about 18 milds and then campt.
28 day we traueld I1) milds and then campt This Riuer runs cheafly upon a south westerly pint this day we crost seural litel streams that runs into Conetecut riuer.
29 day we traueld 20 milds and then campt.
30 day we traueld 17 milds and crost one litel riuer below the great falls and then campt
May the first we traueld 24 milds and came to the fort above north field and thare lay all night
2 day we traueld 10 milds and came to northfield and there stayed that night
3 day we lay still it Ix>okt uery lykly ferr foul wether and we lay thare that night
4 day we set out for Lancaster a cros the woods and traueld about 12 milds and then campt.
5 day we traueld 15 milds and then campt
6 day we traueld 14 milds and comm to Lancaster about 4 a clock this day it raind uery hard all day.
(Endorsed) Capt Whites Journal May 1725"

(Massachusetts Archives XXXVIII, A, 97-98.)
"Dunstable July the 10 : 1725. May it Please your Hon r :
Old Christian Being this morning Being Taken with a violent Bleeding Caused our Companyes to stop and within a few hours he died & the other mohaucks are not willing to Leave him before he is Buried & our desine is to march oner Merimack River and There to Take a True List of our mens Names, & shall march as Quick as Possible. Who Remain Still your Honours at Comand John White Seth Wyman"
(Massachusetts Archives, LIT, 222.)

(From The Early Records of Lancaster, Mass., by Hon. Henry S. Nourse.)
Capt. White cl. Sept. 12, 1725. In 1728 Rev. John Prentice records baptizing the "Widow White's children."
Administration on his estate, was granted to widow Eunice, Jan. 28, 1725-6, who gave bonds with Eben ' r Wilder and Josiah White.—
Inventory appraised at ,£1,270 :0 :4. by Jos. Wilder Jonas & Joña. Houghton.
Commission to Samuel Willard, Capt. James Wilder, James Keys, Samuel Carter & Jona Houghton, all of Lancaster, Worcester Co. "(lately Middlesex)." to divide estate of John White, late of Lancaster, dec'd. Feb. 25, 1735-6.

To Eunice wid. of Capt. John — her 3lls—23 acres —
West part of the house, & E. part of the barn . . . ,£410 : 07 :06.
5 acres on W. side of highway 55 :03 : 06.
20 acres intervale 120:00:00.
133 acres at the Neck 53:14:08.
1 acre at the Home place 22 :00 :00.
,£661 :05:08.
To eldest son John.— 73 acres at Ciunbery on W. side of Penacook river, over against Harvard ;£230 : OÜ : 00.
3 acres intervale 40:10:00.
5 acres in common land 21:07:06.
pounds Town right originally John White's . . . . 2:00:06.
To Thomas, 2d son,— 67 acres on both sides of brook, that runneth out of Unkoochawatoounk meadow . . ,£134 : 00 :00.

Of which sum he is to pay dau. Dorothy £9 :01. 3 acres meadow in sd additional grant 18:08:08.

,£140:19 :00.

Note :—the ,£40 Town Right of sd Thomas is £19 to the right of John White & £21, to the right of John Whitcomb.

To Nathaniel, the 3d & youngest son, 180 acres in the additional Grant to Lancaster, lying on each side of N'orth river, & 145 acres, on E. side of the river . . £108 : 00 : 00.

A the after rights & divisions in sd Grant 3 : 00 : 00.

22 acres in Lancaster Old Township 14:lb:00.

The White pond, containing 50 acres 20 :12 : 06.

£21. Town right 00:10:06.

£140:19:00.

To Eunice, wife of Aaron Osgood, & eldest daughter of dec'd, i the 20 acres Intervale, cont'g 220 acres. (the other half being set off to Bettey, 2d dau. of dec'd & now wife of David Whitcomb) : the sd Osgood & Whitcomb, have agreed to divide it themselves . £77:00:00.

& of 16 acres 20 rods & part of 6.J acres adjoining . . 30 :08 :03.

£12 in and of the house 12:00:00.

59 acres yet to be laid out in l,ancaster Old Township 14 :15 :00.

13 " at White pond 12:12:00.

£7 :10 of Town right 00 : 03 : 09.

£146:19:00. To Bettey, 2d dau., now wife of David Whitcomb, ^ the

intervale, called "the 20 acres" cont'g 220 acres . £77 :00 :00. ¿ of 16 acres, 20 Rod lying part in the stated common

& part in the 6.] acres adjoining 30 : 08 : 03.

,£12 in & of the house 12:00:00.

59 acres in Lancaster Old Township 14 : 15 :00.

13 " at White pond 12:12:00.

£7 :10 * of Town right 00:03:09.

£146:19:00.

To Dorothy 3 d dau. wife of Benj. Whitcomb, 9 acres of

N. part of the homestead, on W. of highway . . . ,£90:00:00.

Ц acres meadow, on E. side of Still river 15 : 00 : 00.

3 acres 100 rods, in stated common 14:10:00.

25 " to be laid out 6 : 05 :00.

Thomas White is to pay sd Dorothy 9:01:00.

£b. Town right, formerly that of Edw'd Breck & £\ to

right of Jeremiah Rogers 0 : 03 : 00.

/12 in & of the house 12:00:00.

,£146:19:00.

To Mary, 5th dau. the other half of the above 21J acres
& £12 in the house & 9A acres to lay out .... .£146 : 19 :00.

Signed
John White
Aaron Osgood
David Whetcomb
Benjamin Whetcomb
Eunice White for herself,
& guardian for Nath'e & Mary
josiah White, gdn. for
Thomas & I.x>is.

"To the Hon ь
с. William Dummer Esqr. Lieut. Governour and Comander in Chief the honblc. the councill and Representatives for the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in General Court Assembled at Boston the 23d day of December Anno Dom 1727.

The Petition of Eunice White Relict widow of Capt. John White late of Lancaster deced. Humbly Sheweth. That Whereas your Petrs. sd husband in his life time in the years 1724 & 1725 as well as at other times performed sundry marches ag '. the Indian Enemy and did other services for the good of his Country & was active and vigorous in the Defence thereof against those barbarous Salvages, not only hazarding his life but Expending good part of his substance therein, as is well known to many. Some few Instances whereof your Petr. would humbly ripresent to this Honblc Court. Vor. Petrs. sd. husband altho he had divers times had the honour to bear command yet voluntarily Enlisted himself under the late Capt. hovewell, and choose rather to go as an Under Officer at that time because he would do what in him lay to Encourage others to Enlist and marched with him at the time when they killed the 'J'en Indians, in which march they were out near Forty days. Then he performed a march to a place called Cohosse on Connecticut River thinking to meet with the Enemy there and came in at Fort Dummer, being out thirty four days, tho they missed of their desired Success ; Then in about Eight days time he had a Company raised and went to Pigwacket to bury Capt. Lovewell which he performed in'a very difficult season of the year. Then he went to Connecticut at his own cost and charge to get a Company of Mohege Indians in order to go down to St. Francois to take an Indian fort there, but failing of his aim, he returned home and then enlisted a Company of Voluntiers and marched designing for a Fort beyond Pigwacket, but was taken sick before he got there, returned home and dyed leaving your Petr. his bereaved widow with seven Children the Eldest about Fifteen years old and Four of them very young, & one she then went with who is now living; In all which Services your Petitrs. said husband cheerfully underwent many hardships and difficulties for the good of his country, and was at considerable Cost and Charge, by Supplying those that Enlisted under him with necessaries which could not be readily obtained elsewhere, purely to make dispatch.

Now Forasmuch as the Sickness of which your Petrs. husband dyed was in all probability Occasioned by means of yc difficulties he underwent in the Publick Service, & that he never in his life time had an Opportunity of asking your Honrs. Favour for his past Services but was taken away in the Strength and vigour of his life, without receiving anything from the Publick more than 2s 6(1 p day for the three marches he performed as afores1' and in regard your Petr. is left a disconsolate widow with several Fatherless Children to bring up who stand in daily need of relief and Support, your Petr. finding it very difficult to provide for them. She therefore most humbly Implores your Honrs. pity and Compassion to herself & Children, and that as you have been pleased in like cases to reward those that have served the Province, and the Representatives of those that have lost their lives in the Publick Service. So that she may Experience of the Bounty & Goodness of this Honoble Court to her in her difficult Circumstances, and that you will be pleased to Grant her Two hundred and Fifty acres of the unappropriated Lands of the Province that she may dispose of the same for the Education and bringing up her aforesd. Children or that your Honrs. would otherwise relieve her as in your Great Goodness & Compassion you shall see meet. And as in duty bound your Petitr. shall ever pray &c.

Eunice White."

In the House of Representatives December 28th. 1727. Read and in answer to this Petition, Resolved That the sum of One Hundred pounds be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury to the petitioner the widow Eunice White in Consideration of the good Services done this province by her late husband Capt. John White, and great expences for which he has had no Consideration, as particularly set forth in the petition and the better to enable the petitioner to support her Family and bring up her Children. Sent up for Concurrence

Wm Dudley Spr

In Council Dec. 28, 1727. Read & Concurd. J. Willard Secry

Consented to Wm. Dummer.

(Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 325, et. seq.)

(From the Early Records of Lancaster, Mass., by Hon. Henry S. Nourse.)

John married Eunice Wilder in 1710 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Eunice was born in 1690 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; died on 15 May 1778 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Zipperan Rice

Cyprian married Lydia Elizabeth Rice on 25 Dec 1721 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Lydia (daughter of Benjamin Rice and Mary Chamberlain) was born on 6 Jun 1695 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 10 Jan 1755 in Sherbourn, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Dinah Woolcot on 22 Sep 1730 in Brookfield, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Dinah was born in 1712 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 6 Mar 1785 in Warren, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Warren, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lieut Gershom Rice Jr was born about 1696 in Groton, CT, and died on 24 Sep 1781 in Worcester, MA, aged about 85.

Death Notes: From EPITAPHS FROM THE CEMETERY ON WORCESTER COMMONS: "Lieut. Gershom Rice; d. Sept. 24, 1781; aged 85.

Gershom Rice, Jr. was the next one to live in the homestead and he assisted in organizing the new church and town. He was succeeded by his son, Comfort Rice, who is buried in Auburn beside Center Church. Then his son Edward Rice and his son, Ezra Rice lived there. From 1736 when the house was built, five generations of Rice family lived there for 152 years. Thirty one children were born there by the name of Rice. Pakachoag Church used to be a school and the land was given by a Rice.

From the "Muster Roll of Captain Paul Brigham's Company, 1775-77", from the Clayton Genealogy Library and New England Genealogy database:

Peter Rice, Corp., Continental Army 1776, 1 turn.
Ashbel Rice, North. Army, 1776, hired; MA service 3 months, 1777, 1 turn; militia North. Army, 3 months and 2/4, 1777, 1 turn.
Thomas Rice, Jr., North. Army, 1776, 1 turn; militia to North. Army, 30 days, 1777, 1 turn.
Gershom Rice, Jr., Militia, 6 weeks, 1775, 1 turn; Continental Army 1776; 1 turn.
Solomon Rice, Province service, 1776, 1 turn; militia North. Army, 3 months and 2/4, 1777, 1 turn.
Phineas Rice, Militia to NY, 2 months, 1776, 1 turn; militia North. Army, 3 months and 2/4, 1777, 1 turn.

Gershom married Esther Haynes, daughter of Peter Haynes and Elizabeth Rice, about 1720. Esther was born in 1697 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., MA and died in 1770 aged 73.

Residence: circa 1720; Worcester, Worcester Co, MA.
Children of Gershom and Hester born at Worcester, Worcester Co, MA.
Dau: Elizabeth Rice 31 Mar 1721
Son: Darius Rice 23 Jun 1723
Dau: Keziah Rice 15 Sep 1724
Dau: Elizabeth Rice 21 Feb 1726/27
Son: Comfort Rice 10 Aug 1729
Son: Darius Rice 21 Mar 1731
Dau: Keziah Rice 14 Jun 1734
Son: Gershom Rice 1736
Son: Peter Rice 31 Mar 1739

F i. Elizabeth Rice was born on 31 Mar 1721 and died on 29 Aug 1723 aged 2.
M ii. Darius Rice was born on 23 Jun 1723 and died on 20 Sep 1723.
F iii. Keziah Rice was born on 15 Sep 1724 and died on 23 Aug 1728 aged 3.
F iv. Elizabeth Rice was born on 21 Feb 1727 and died in 1814 aged 87.
M v. Comfort Rice was born on 10 Aug 1729 in Worcester, MA, USA and died in Aug 1816 aged 87.
M vi. Darius Rice was born on 21 Mar 1731 and died on 19 Sep 1741 aged 10.
F vii. Keziah Rice was born on 14 Jun 1734 and died on 11 Apr 1767 in Leicester, Middlesex Co, MA aged 32.
M viii. Gershom Rice was born in 1736 and died in 1829 in Auburn, MA aged 93.
M ix. Peter Rice was born on 31 Mar 1739 and died on 16 Oct 1741 aged 2.

Gershom married Esther Haynes on 8 Dec 1715 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Esther was born on 28 Jan 1697 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 16 Aug 1770 in Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]