Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21446, for Joseph Rice, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Continental RI
Rice, Joseph
NUMBER
S.21446
CONTENTS
Page 3

14170
Joseph Rice of
R. I. 

[illegible] 8 [illegible] 27
[illegible] [illegible] 20
Private 8 15
March 26, 1833
314
26.67
  1.67
40.00
 4.50
  8.87
81.71
Wm G. Bowen Esq. 
East Greenwich, RI
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BRIEF in the case of Joseph Rice of Coventry in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge?   Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?  74 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period    Duration of Service Rank Name of General and Field Officer under whom he served17717
Years, Months, Days,  As a   Gen. 
1775 {illegible} 15   Private 
Capt. Johnson Col. [illegible] 
In 1776 believes 3 mo 15 day Sgt. Capt. Cole Col. [illegible]
1776  [illegible] Sergeant  Capt. Bennett Col.  Brown
1777  [blank]    [illegible] Capt. Bennett  Col. Brown
1777 [blank, blank] [illegible]  Capt. Bennett  Col. Brown
1777 [blank,] 15   private   Capt. Hopkins Col.  Brown
1777 [blank, blank] Sergeant  Capt. Bennett Col. Rosser
1778 [blank, blank] Sergeant  Ca[pt. Bennett, Col. Rosser
1778 [blank] 24  [illegible]  Capt. Roy, Col. Waterman
1780 [blank] 20 Lieutenant Capt. Bennett Col. Rosser

5. In what battles was he engaged?  none mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service:  Coventry
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, incidental evidence, for by the rolls? 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.   
Examing Clerk
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14170
Joseph Rice

William G Bowen
E Greenwich R I.
Page 7

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1882.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, 
COUNTY OF Kent
On this third day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the [crossed out, Judges or] Justices of the [crossed out, Court of] Supreme Judicial [crossed out, now sitting], Court now sitting at Seat Green _ within aforesaid county in said in the county of Kent and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.  
That he was born in said County in the house in which he now resides on the twenty eighth day of May AD 1758, and that his age is recorded in the first book for recording both Marriages & Deaths in the town clerks office in said County, That when he was called into the service of the United States as here in after stated he resided in said Country, now united then during said war except when in said service as length stated and he resided in said County ever since said war,
That about the middle of May 1775 this applicant enlisted as a private in a company under the command of Cap.t Edmond Johnson in Col James M Varnan's regiment of Brigader Gen.l Nathaniel Greene's Brigade of troops [illegible] by said state, for the term of Eight months, that soon after said enlistment, he marched with his company to form the army near Boston, said company and the first company of said regiment which arrived at the main army - That he served [said crossed out] the whole of said eight months in said company and regiment, and was honourably discharged from said service on the last day of December 1775.  and during said time he was stationed at Roxbury, inter Hill & Prospect Hill in the vicinity of Boston & that in first of said year 1775 he was at Roxbury at the time of the battle at Bunker hill and saw Charleston burnt, and that Jonah Gibbs was Leu.ts of s.d company & John Holden Ensign, ___Babcock was Leiu.t Col of the regiment & Christopher Green and Major --
That on the first day of January 1776 he enlisted in a company commanded by Cap.t Thomas Cole in Col. James M Varnan's regiment
Page 9

said company was commanded by Cap.t Asaph Bennet, and the applicant in said company and regiment was in actual service guarding the shores, of Narragansett bay in said state one month and a few days more, and was stationed during said time at East Greenwich aforesaid 
That in January 1777 the militia of said county Kent was drafted, and [illegible] into three divisions each of them to one month and this applicant was drafted into the first division, and served one month in a company under the command of said Cap.t Asaph Bennet, as a duty sergeant, and was stationed at said East Greenwich - 
That at the expiration of said last mentioned service he became a [illegible] for Benjamin Tillinghast Esq of East Greenwich -

That after the expiration of said last mentioned one month _ he was drafted in the month of April and under the command of Capt Asaph Bennet, Quidnesett neck in North Kingstown and was stationed there for fifteen days guarding shore, that the detachment in which he served this time, was commanded by Col Archibald Kasson, and this applicant served as quarter master for said detachment -

That in June 1777 he was drafted and served in said Country Militia under Cap.t Asaph Bennet, at said Quidnesett Neck for fifteen days guarding said shores, and he served at this time as orderly sergeant of said company - and in September following, he served in said Militia for sixteen days as he believes under Cap.t Lanford Weaver, and was stationed at East Greenwich aforesaid, he was drafted for said last mentioned service 

That in the month of September 1777, he was drafted and in a company of the Militia of said Country under Cap.t William Roy and in a regiment under Col John Waterman (of which said Roys company he was sergeant) marched from said County to Warwich. and from there went in the night to Warren in said state, and from there [then 3 crossed out words] The
Page 11

Decon.
Joseph Rice
14,170 WGB
Page 12

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or anuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year Aforesiad.
[signed on right] Joseph Rice

We, Thomas Whipple and James Parkerson residing in the County afors.d hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Rice who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
[signed on right] Thomas Whipple
James Parkerson

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Whipple and James Parkerson who has signed the preceeding certificate, and residents in said Country in said county and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit

I Christopher Johnson Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Rich for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth da of October AD 1832
[signed on right] Christopher Johnson Clerk
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Kent County Ss. State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations

At Coventry in said county of Kent on the Seventh day of July AD 1833. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace residing in said County and duly elected and qualified to act as such.  Joseph Rice of said Country who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of a part of his service described in the foregoing declaration, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the previous mentioned below and in the following grades to wit.
For seven months and one half month, I served between May 1775 and the last of December of the same year, as a private in Cap.t Edmond Johnson company, as stated in my said declaration
For three months and one half month, I served as a sergeant in Cap.t Thomas Coles company, beginning on the first day of January 1776 and being discharged in april of the same year as stated in said declaration --
For one month and three days, I served as orderly sergeant in Cap.t Asaph Bennets company, after the first of December 1776 as stated in said declaration.

For one month I served in said capt Asaph Bennets company about January 1777 and a sergeant and after that service I served one month in Cap.t Hopkins company as stated in said declaration, as [illegible]
For fifteen days I served in Quidnesett Neck as a quarter master appointed by Col Kasson as stated in said declaration --

For one month I served under Cap.t Asaph Bennett and Capt Langford Weaver as a sergeant. as stated in said declaration --
Page 14

For one month I served as a sergeant in Gen.l Spensors expedition as stated in said declaration

For twenty four days I served as sergeant in Gen.l Sullivans expedition as stated in said declaration
For twenty days I served as lieutenant in the summer of 1780 as stated in said declaration -
And for such season, the same being Eighteen months and two days I claim a pension 
[signed on right] Joseph Rice 
Sworn to by said Joseph Rice and
subscribed by him on said eleventh
day of July AD 1833 -
Before me
[signed] Asa Stone Jus.t Peace 

On the eleventh day of July AD 1833. I Charles Stone a clergyman residing in [illegible] adjoining Coventry Rhode Island, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Joseph Rice, who has  attended my meetings in said Coventry for more than Twenty years past, and who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration.  that I believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year last aforesaid
[signed on right] Charles Stone
Sworn to and subscribed by said
Charles Stone on the eleventh day
of July AD 1833
Before me Asa Stone Jus.t Peace
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County of Kent sc
State of Rhode Island &c
at Coventry of July 11th AD 1833
I Asa Stone a Justice of the peace within and for said town of Coventry in said County of Kent hereby certify that it appears to me that Charles Stone who has signed the preceeding [sic] certificate is a clergyman resident in Scituate within three miles of my residence in said Coventry, and that his statement aforesaid is entitled to credit.
Asa Stone Just. Peace

Kent sc State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
I John Brown clerk of the court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Kent in said state, hereby certify that Asa Stone Esquire whose name is above written is a Justice of the Peace in Coventry in said County of Kent, that the signatures above written purporting to be his are in the proper hand writing of said Asa Stone, and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of said Asa Stone
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of July AD 1833 at East Greenwich in said County of Kent
John Brown
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COPY
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
April 9, 1936
BA-J/EEL
Joseph Rice-S.21446

Honorable Henry E. Stubbs
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Stubbs:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request in behalf of Mr. J.S. Schutt, Lindsay, California, the Revolutionary War record of Joseph Rice, who, according to the copy of Mr. Schutt's letter enclosed by you, was born in 1758, and served in the Rhode Island Troops. 

The record has been found of only one soldier with the name Joseph Rice, under any spelling, of Rhode Island. His record follows as found in the pension claim based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Joseph Rice was born May 5, 1758, in Coventry, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in said Coventry, Joseph Rice enlisted about he middle of May, 1775, served as private in Captain Edmond Johnson's Company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Rode Island Regiment, a part of the time as waiter to Colonel Varnum, was stationed at several places around Boston, was at Roxbury at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill, and was discharged December 31, 1775: he reenlisted January 1, 1776, served as sergeant in Captain Thomas Cole's Company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Rhode Island Regiment, was on guard duty on Prospect Hill when the British evacuated Boston, March 17, 1776, then marched to New York, where he was discharged about the middle of April, 1776 and returned to his home in Coventry, Rhode Island.

Joseph Rice belonged to the 4th Company of militia of Coventry, and was afterward called out and served with the Rhode Island Troops, as follows: from December 1, 1776, one month and three days as orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Nathaniel Brown's Regiment: from January, 1777, one month in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, as orderly sergeant and one month in Captain Hopkins' Company: from April, 1777, fifteen days
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as quartermaster in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Archibald Kasson's Regiment from June 1777, fifteen days as orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company from September 1777, fifteen days as sergeant in Captain Langford Weaver's Company; from the last of September 1777 one month as sergeant is Captain William Roy's Company, Colonel John Waterman's Regiment, and was  in General Spencer's Rhode Island Expedition in the summer of 1778, twenty-four days as orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Thomas Holden's Regiment and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition; May 10, 1779, he was commissioned lieutenant of the 4th Company or Trained Band of Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, and in the summer 1780, served twenty days as such officer in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Kassan's Regiment. 
Joseph Rice was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, while residing in Coventry, Rhode Island, in the house in which he was born. 
He died May 29, 1835. The Place of his death and burial are not shown, nor is it stated that he ever resided in the state of New Hampshire.
There is no data as to soldier's family. 

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 18

Revolution
21446
Invalid
File No. 21, 446
Joseph Rice Lieut Rev War
Act: June 7, '32
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 339
{Arrangement of 1870}
1923 Jesse T. Hill to Miss Flora M. Hopkins
1924 Feb. 18 " to Marjorie J. Schult
1936 - Apr.  9 " to Hon. Henry E. Stubbs for Miss J. S. Schult
Page 19

16170
Joseph Rice

William G Bowen
East Greenwich
[Benj Cowell Esq crossed out]
[Providence crossed out]
RI
Page 20

Brief Objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Rice which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Doest the declaration show where the applicant resides:   Yes
II.Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resided: Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under who he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  Yes
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3
It is important in all cases to determine whith precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not fount on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

[icon of hand pointing right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 25

I Burton Briggs of West Greenwich in the County of Kent _ State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - - Being of lawful age and duly engaged according to law, do testify and say that in the year 1775 I enlisted to go to Boston in Captain Johnsons company in Col. Varnans Regiment for eight months and that Joseph Rice of Coventry in said County of Kent belonged to the same and served in the same the said term of eight months and that after the expiration of said eight months he enlisted and also myself into Captain Coles Company in said Varnons regiment for one year he the said Joseph Rice being a sergeant of said Company and that we went from Boston to New York, that is he the said Joseph Rice & myself

And further the deponent saith not
[signed on right] Burton X his mark Briggs 

Signed
In person of
[signed] Samuel R Hopkins   Diana Johnson
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State of Rhode Island
Kent Sc _ _ on the 16th day of August 1832 then appeared the within named Burton Briggs and after being carefully examined cautioned and sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth gave the within written deposition which was by me in his presence reduced to writing and by him subscribed in my presence -- Taken at the request of Joseph Rice - before me
[signed on right] Samuel R Hopkins Justice Peace 

I would further observe & certify that the above named Burton Briggs is a man of good character for truth and veracity
[signed on right] Samuel R Hopkins Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
That I Christopher Johnson Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State within and for said county of Kent hereby certify that Samuel R. Hopkins whose name is above written is a Justice of the Peace in Coventry in said County of Kent and that the signatures above, purporting to be his is the proper signatures and hand writing of said Hopkins and that full faith and credit [illegible] to the official attestations of said Hopkins
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this 8.th day of October AD 1832 at East Greenwich in said county
[signed on right] Christopher Johnson Clerk
Page 27

I Oliver Wickes of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, being duly sworn do testify and say, That I resided at Coventry in said County of Kent at the time of the Revolutionary War, and was then well acquainted with Joseph Rice of said Coventry and have ever since been well acquainted with him.  That in the year 1775.  I served as an enlisted Soldier in a Company commanded by Capt Jeremiah Olney in Col. Hitchcock's Regiment of Rhode Island State troops and was stationed at Boston for the term of Eight Months: and that the said Rice, during that time, was also a soldier and served there under Capt. Edmund Johnson in Col. Varnum's Regiment.  That I also served in the same Company, with the said Rice one Month at Tiverton in Genl. Spencer's Expedition under Capt Toy and the said Rice was a Sergeant of said Company.  I also served on Rhode Island in Genl. Sullivans Expedition under Capt Asaph Bennett in General Holden's Regiment.  The said Rice was then Sergeant of said Company and we were there in the August Storm. We served this time Twenty days.
[signed on right] Oliver Wickes
Page 28

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Kent Ss  I Christopher Johnson Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State within and for said County of Kent hereby certify that Nathan Whiting whose name is within written is a Justice of the Peace in East Greenwich in said county of Kent and that the signature within written purporting to be his is the proper signature and hand writing of said Whiting and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of said Whiting
In Witness whereof I herewith set my hand and seal of said Court this 7th day of October AD 1832 at East Greenwich in said county
[signed on right] Christopher Johnson Clerk
Page 30

Joseph Rice Lieutenant
of the Fourth Company Militia
Coventry

June the 10th AD 1779
Personally appeared Joseph Rice and was engaged to the office of Leut on this comission [sic]
Before me Joseph McPheroson Justice Peace

Joseph Rice
Ri.I
S.21446
Page 31

Box 6
East Greenwich, R. I.,
April 17, 1923.

United States Pension Office
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

I am desirous of securing the date of death of Joseph Rice, Born in Coventry, R. I. May 26, 1758 and having served in the Revolutionary War. He was placed on the Pension Roll on August 24, 1833 and his pension commenced March 4, 1831; age 76; residence, Kent County. (Rhode Island Pension Roll 1836, p.26) Can you send me a statement from the Pension Office?

Yours truly,
(Miss) Flora M. Hopkins

[stamped]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
Q
APR 18 1923
Page 32

Genesee Wesleyan Seminary
Lima, New York
Rev. Frank MacDaniel, D.D., President
Jan 14, 1824
Lima, N.Y.

Bureau of Pensions;_
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me information necessary for me to become a member of the D.A.R. My ancestor who was in the Revolution I believe was Joseph Rice of Coventry, Rhode Island and married Sarah Bowen in 1786. That is all the information I have.
Very truly yours,
Marjorie J. Schult

[stamped]
U.S. PENSION BUREAU
3
JAN 19 1924
Page 33

Rt. 2, Box 891,
Lindsay, California.
February 19, 1936.

Hon. Henry E. Stubbs,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
While in the east last summer, I tried to look up the genealogy of the Rice family. My great-grandfather was Joseph Rice, born in May 1758. Records show he served in the Revolutionary War, in the militia from Kent County, Rhode Island, as a private, sergeant and lieutenant. He died at Conway, New Hampshire, on February 20, 1826. I do not know whether or not he was buried there. Does the War Department have this information and could you get it for me.

Yours truly,
Signed: J. D. Schutt

COPY [stamped over letter]
Page 34

Henry E. "Pat" Stubbs
10th California District
Committees:
Irrigation and Reclamation
Indian Affairs
Public Lands

Charles P. Martin
Ellen A. Anderson
Secretaries

File No
Long Bldg
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

March 5, 1936.

Manager, 
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:

I am enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. J. S. Schutt, Rt. 2, Box 891, Lindsay, California, in which he asks for information regarding Joseph Rice, his great-grandfather, whom he believes served in the Revolutionary War. I would appreciate whatever information you may have on the subject.

Thanking you, I am 
Sincerely yours,
Henry E Stubbs [signature]
Henry E. Stubbs,
Member of Congress

[stamped]
RECEIVED
MAR 6 1936
CONGRESSIONAL
MAIL SUB-DIV.
Page 35

Rev. an 1812 Wars Section.

February 18, 1924.

Marjorie J. Schult,
Genesee Wesleyan Seminary,
Lima, N. Y.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21446, it appears that Joseph Rice was born May 26, 1758 in Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island.

While a resident of said Coventry, he enlisted in the middle of May 1775 and served as a private in Captain Edmond Johnson's Company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Regiment, Rhode Island Troops until December 31, 1775.

He then enlisted and served as follows: January 1, 1776, three and one half months as sergeant in Captain Thomas Cole's Company, Colonel James Varnum's Regiment; December 1, 1776, one month and three days, orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Nathaniel Brown's Regiment; January 1777, one month,. orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company; again in 1777
Page 36

one month as private in Captain Hopkins' Company; April 1777, fifteen days, Quartermaster in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Archibald Kasson's Regiment, Rhode Island Troops; June 1777, fifteen days, orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company; September 1777, fifteen days, sergeant in Captain Langford Weaver's Company; last of September 1777, one month, sergeant in Captain William Ray's (or Roy's) Company, Colonel John Waterman's Regiment; summer 178, twenty four days, orderly sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Thomas Holden's Regiment and on May 10, 1779 was commissioned Lieutenant and in 1780 served twenty days in Captain Asaph Bennet's Fourth Company or Trained Band of Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island in Colonel Kasson's Regiment. He was in Generals Spencer and Sullivan's Rhode Island Expeditions.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, while a resident of Coventry, Rhode Island. He died May 29, 1835. There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 37

[illegible] War Section
MHF

July 7, 1923

Miss Flora M. Hopkins
East Greenwich, Box 6
Rhode Island

Madam: In response to your letter received April 18, 1923, I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 21446 it appears that Joseph Rice was born May 26, 1758 in Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island.

While a resident of said Coventry he enlisted in the middle of May 1775 and served as a Private in Captain Edmond Johnson's Company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Regiment, Rode Island Troops until December 31, 1775.

He then enlisted and served as follows: January 1, 1776 three and one half months as Sergeant in Captain Thomas Cole's Company, Colonel James M. Varnum's Regiment; December 1, 1776, one month and three days, Orderly Sergeant in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel Nathaniel Brown's Regiment; January 1777, one month, Orderly Sergeant, in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company; again in 1777, one month, Private in Captain Hopkins' Company; April 1777. fifteen days, Quartermaster in Captain Asaph Bennet's Company, Colonel