Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19057, for Oliver Rice, Massachusetts
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Service
Mass.
Rice, Oliver

Number S. 19057
B.L.Wt. 1783 - 200 Lieut
Issued Apr. 1. 1790 -
No papers
Carded

Contents
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3593

Ohio Roll

Oliver Rice,
Mass
Lieutenant Colonel H. Jackson's rgt 80 War

In the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the roll of Ohio
At the rate of twenty dollars per month to commence on the 14th of May 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th of October 1818 and went to Judge Sharp Marietta

Arrears to the 4th of September 1818. 74.28
Semi-anl. All’ce ending 4th March 1819  120:
                                               [total] $194.28

3 mths 60:00
18/31. 11:61:3
4/30. 2:66:6

Revolutionary claim Act 18th March, 1818

Belpre Washington Co.
Page 3

Lieutenant Oliver Rice 14 May
Sergeant March [77?] promoted 2 June [17]78 to an Ensign - Lieutenant
5 September [17]80

4 for Judge Sharp

* refers to the clerks certificate of Judge Sharp's being an associate Judge
Page 4

State of Ohio Washington County } Ss On this 14th Day of May in the year of our Lord 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas for the county of Washington personally appeared Oliver Rice aged Sixty five years resident in the Township of Bellpre, State & County aforesaid, who being by me Duly Sworn as the law Directs, Doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress Entitled an act to provide for Certain persons Engaged in the land & Naval Services of the United States in the Revolutionary war, that he the said Oliver Rice Enlisted into the army of the United States, in the Month of March AD 1777 in the Town of Concord in the State of Massachusetts - his term of Enlistment was for During the war, - he Served as a Sergeant Major in the Ninth Regiment Commanded by Col James Mason of the Massachusetts line _ that he Served in Said Regiment in that Capacity untill the 2nd Day in June of 1778 when he Recieved a Commission from the United States as an Ensign, signed by Samuel Huntington, president of Congress, in which Capacity he Served in Said Ninth Regiment, untill Some time in 1781, but on the fifteenth Day of September 1780 he was Commissioned a Lieutenant, in, Eighty one he was transferred from the Ninth, to the fourth Regiment of Said line Commanded by Col Henry Jackson - that he continued to Serve in the army untill the End of the Revolutionary War - That he quited the Service at west point, when that portion of the army was Disbanded - that he was in the Battle of Lexington 19th of April 1775 - that he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill - that he was in the Battles of the 19th of September & Seventh of October 1777 Shortly before the Surrender of the British army under Burgoyne -  that he was in the Battle of Monmouth June 28th 1778 in New Jersey -  that he is in Reduced Circumstances & Needs the assistance of his Country for his Support that he has No other Evidence of his Services Now in his power, Save his Commissions -  That of Ensign Dated 2d June 1778 & that of Lieutenant Dated 15th September 1780 -
Oliver Rice
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the Day & year aforesaid
John Sharp Judge of the Court of Common pleas Washington County
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I John Sharp Judge of the Court of Common pleas as aforesaid, Do Certify that it Appears to my Satisfaction, that the Said Oliver Rice Did Serve in the Revolutionary war, as Stated in the preceeding Declaration against the Common Enemy for the Term of Nine Months, or for the time Stated in his Declaration on the Continental Establishment _ the Said Oliver Rice, produced to me two commissions - one of them an Ensign Commission Dated June 2d 1778 - & one as Lieutenant, Dated fifteenth September 1780 - but was unwilling to forward them to the war office, thinking it not Necessary - & I now transmit the proceedings & Testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of the Department of war, pursuant to the Directions of the aforementioned act of Congress
Marietta May 14th 1818
  John Sharp
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Rev. and 1812 Wars, Section     [illegible]
November 22, 192[4?]

Honorable Charles E. Fuller
House of Representatives

My dear Mr. Fuller:
  In response to your letter of the 21st instant, I have the honor to advice you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 19057 it appears that Oliver Rice was engaged in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the officers and length of service not stated.
 He enlisted in Concord, Massachusetts in March 1777, served as Sergeant Major in Colonel James Wesson's Ninth Massachusetts Regiment and was at both battles of Saratoga; on June 2, 1778 was commissioned Ensign in said regiment and was at the battle of Monmouth; on September 15, 1780 was commissioned Lieutenant in same regiment and served until in 1781 when he was transferred to Colonel Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts Regiment and served as Lieutenant to the close of the war.
  he was allowed pension on his application executed May 14, 1818 while a resident of Bellpre Township, Washing-
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ton County, Ohio aged sixty-five years. He stated that he was formerly of Sudbury, Massachusetts.
 He was allowed two hundred acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 1783 which issued April 1, 1790. For location of said land, apply to the Commissioner of General Land Office.
 It is not stated whether he was married.
 The above noted is the only soldier named Oliver Rice found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
  Sincerely,
  Commissioner.
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19.057
INVALID

File No. 19,057
Oliver Rice
Lieut Rev War  Mass line  No 461
Act: May 15th 28 on Ohio roll
Index: - Vol.  __, Page __
[Arrangement of 1870]

[on side]
1921 Feb 2. Hist to Olive H. Lash [Aw?]
1924 - Nov 22 Hist to Hon Chas. E. Fuller [?]
1924 - Nov 26 - Hist to L.C. Rice [?]
1926 - Sept 29 - Hist to Spencer E. Smith [?]
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Oliver Rice- Lieut $320 per annum

Act 15 May 1828. Ohio Roll

To what time does he appear to have been paid?

Pension Office

Nov 23 1836

[written by another party with faded ink]
He does not appear to have been paid since he was transferred to our Books    JH

paid to 3 March 1835 by our books JDW
Page 11

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati
14th Nov 1836
Sir
The enclosed pension voucher of Oliver Rice, who was a Lieut. of Infantry under the act of 15 May 1828 is for your examination, which if found correct you will please return to this Agency with an order for payment.
I am yours very respectfully
John H. Groesbeck P.A.
By R W. Lawrence

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 13

Mrs. Olive Harwood Lash
349 Brunson Ave.
Benton Harbor, Mich.

Feb. 8, 1921

Madam:

In response to your letter of the 27th ultimo, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Benjamin Wilson, Samuel Blackmer and Issac Brunson transcribed by you.

You are requested to furnish any data in your possession relative to the alleged pension of Issac Brunson, giving also the approximate dates of his birth and death, place of residence and given name of the widow, then another search of the records will be made on your behalf.

You are herewith furnished the histories of Oliver Rice and George Gage for which no fee is charged. Please find enclosed the dollar which was forwarded by you in your above noted letter.

Very respectfully,

F. D. Byington

Commissioner
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3

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division

JAN 31 1921

Chief of Rev War Section

Sir:

I have this day received from Mrs. Olive Harwood Lash Cash [draft No. - crossed out] $1.00 requesting [post office addresses - crossed out] copy as per letter herewith

[noted on receipt] One Dollar returned to Mrs. Lash- Finance Division. Notif. AW Feb. 2

Very respectfully, 

W H Campbell [asst?]
Chief of Division.
Page 15

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
September 29, 1926

Spencer F. Smith
199 West Seventh St.,
St. Paul, Minn.

Sir:

I have to advise you that [illegible] Revolutionary War pension claim S. 19057 it appears that Oliver Rice engaged in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the officers and length of service not stated.

He enlisted in Concord, Massachusetts in March 1777, served as Sergeant Major in Colonel James Wesson's Ninth Massachusetts Regiment and was at both battles of Saratoga; on June 2, 1778 was commissioned Ensign in said Regiment and was at the battle of Monmouth; on September 15, 1780 was commissioned Lieutenant in same regiment and served until in 1781 when he was transferred to Colonel Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts Regiment and served as Lieutenant to the close of the war.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 14, 1818 while a resident of Bellpre Township, Washington County, Ohio aged sixty-five years. He stated
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DUPLICATE OF PRIOR PAGE

Spencer F. Smith
199 West Seventh St.,
St. Paul, Minn.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 19057 it appears that Oliver Rice engaged in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the officers and length of service not stated.

He enlisted in Concord, Massachusetts in March 1777, served as Sergeant Major in Colonel James Wesson's Ninth Massachusetts Regiment and was at both battles of Saratoga; on June 2, 1778 was commissioned Ensign in said Regiment and was at the battle of Monmouth; on September 15, 1780 was commissioned Lieutenant in same regiment and served until in 1781 when he was transferred to Colonel Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts Regiment and served as Lieutenant to the close of the war.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 14, 1818 while a resident of Bellpre Township, Washington County, Ohio aged sixty-five years. He stated
Page 17

that he was formerly of Sudbury, Massachusetts.

He was allowed two hundred acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 1783 which issued April 1, 1790.
For location of said land, apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington, D. C.

It is not stated whether he was married.

The above noted is the only soldier named Oliver Rice (under any spelling of the name) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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PHONE 4870

L. C. RICE & SON
REAL ESTATE
137 N. E. FIRST STREET
MIAMI, FLORIDA

November 10, 1924.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

In re:  Oliver Rice

Dear Sir:

I am writing to see if you have any information on Oliver Rice ( Royce ) who served as an express rider under Washington during the Revolutionary War. We are quite sure that he enlisted from the State of Massachusetts and after the War settled at Palentine Bridge,
Mont Omery County, and then near Mayfield, which is now called Riceville, Montgomery County, now Fulton County, New York. He died in 1859 at Riceville, and his wife's name was Alice Parrish Rice and died some time previous to his death.

Any information that you might have concerning this party, would be more than appreciated.

Very truly yours,
L C Rice
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CHARLES E. BULLEN
JOHN W. LANGLEY, KY.
JOHN M. NELSON, WIS.
RICHARD N. ELLIOTT, IND.
EDWARD M. BEERS, PA.
WILLIAM I. SWOOPE, PA.
FREDERICK G. FLEETWOOD, VT.
ROBERT G. SIMMONS, NESR.
KNUD WEFALD, MINN.
THOMAS H. CULLEN, N. Y.
CHARLES F. M. O'BRIEN, N. J.
STANLEY N. RUNE, ILL.
SAMUEL E. COOK, IND.
SAMUEL F. GLATFELTER, PA.
MELL G. UNDERWOOD, OHIO.
JAMES F. FULBRIGHT, MO.
FRANK T. MORAN, CLERK.
EDWIN A. LOOP, ASST CLERK.
JOHN BOND NEVERS, ASST. CLERK.
NORMAN E. IVES, EXAMINER.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON INVALID PENSIONS

November 31, 1924

Hon. Washington Gardner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Commissioner:

Will you kindly advise me Military Record of one Oliver Rice, who enlisted I believe from the State of Connecticut in the Revolutionary War. I am of opinion that this soldier fought under General Washington, and that at the close of the War was given a land grant at or near Mayfield, New York.

Any information along this line will be very much appreciated by me.

Very truly yours,
Chas. E. Fuller
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199 W. 7th St
St. Paul Minn. Aug - 1826

Commissionr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir, Is there any record of a pension applied for or granted to Oliver Rice who was a Lieutenant in Col. James Wesson's 9th Massachusetts Regiment in the Revolutionary War?  If so is it stated what service he performed.

Very Respectfully
Spencer E. Smith
199 W. 7th St.
St. Paul Minn.
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St. Paul Minn Sep - 1926

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:  Mr. Oliver Rice was one of my Revolutionary ancesters.  He enlisted in the 9th Massachusetts Regiment  Was promoted to Ensign June 2 - 1778; Promoted to Lieutentant Sep. 15 - 1780.  Is there any further information regarding him in the Pension office.  Did he apply for a pension as a Revolutionary soldier.  
A reply at your earliest convenience would greatly oblige.

Very Truly Yours
Spencer E. Smith
199 West 7th street
St. Paul, Minn.
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Post Office Department
Official Bureau
Registered Art[..?]
No. 79.234
INSURED PARCEL
[postal mark] FEB 4 1924 MICH
No. __
REVIEW DIVISION
Return to.. (Name of Sender)
Street and Number or Post Office Box} 
 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON D.C.

[oval stamp] Record Division FEB 9 1924
Page 23

RETURN RECEIPT
Received from the Postmaster the Registered or Insured Article, the original number of which appears on the face of this card
 Olive Harwood Lash

[oval stamp]
[M [?] B SEC BD OF REV.
CHIEF'S DE[..?]
FEB 8 1921
Date of delivery ..., 191
[on side]
Revolutionary - [?] O H Lash - 2/2/21 MJC
Oliver Rice S19057
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$1.00 in Currency rec'd - CSW

349 Brunson Ave. Benton Harbor, Mich.
Janurary, 27- 1921

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:  The Connecticut Historical Society inform me that the Connecticut men in the Revolutionary War record ISAAC BRUNSON, who saw service and became a pensioner.  Will you kindly send me the record of his service.
Was GEORGE GAGE from Vermont a pensioner?  he finally settled in Pittstown, N.Y.  Would like his record; also that of BENJAMIN WILSON, husband of Sah [crossed out] Sarah - from New Hampshire, and Mass., also Oliver Rice of Marlboro, Mass. - married Hannah Barrett of Grafton, Mass. - a descendant of Deacon Edmund Rice of Sudbury, Mass (1638).  The Commonwealth of Mass are not sure about his service.  He settled later at Hard-
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[Hard]wick, Mass.
[*] Vermont Historical society give Samuel Blackmer, Bennington, appointed sealer of weights and measures March 1776 - was in Castleton Alarm (1781), born at Taunton, Mass.  married Abigail Brunson - was he a pensioner?
[*] Samuel Blackmer - Bennington Vermont Rolls
[*] George Gage, of {Danby, Ct. Pittstown, N.Y.} Vermont Rolls
[*] Isaac Brunson, Bolton, Connecticut
[*] Oliver Rice, Marlboro, Mass. also Sudbury Concord
[*] Benjamin Wilson, - {Townsend, Mass New Hampshire

I am enclosing a fee, but feel it is not enough - if you will please tell me how much to send, shall gladly do so
over
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yours very truly
(Mrs) Olive Harwood Lash
349 Brunson Ave.
Benton Harbor, Mich
[postal mark] PENSION OFFICE A JAN 31 1921
[rectangular stamp] FINANCE DIVISION
 JAN 31 1921
Bureau of Pensions
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Revolutionary War Records Section 3-525 Department of the Interior S19257 Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C. , , 19 
In reply to your request of , received for a statement of the military history of Oliver Rice a soldier of the REVOLTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Dates of Enlistment of Appointment 1775 [illegible] 1777 June 2 1778 Sept 15 1780 [illegible] 1781 Length of service End service at close of war Officers under whom service was rendered Captain [illegible] of officers met status Colonel James Warren Harry Jackson State 9 Massachusetts Battles engaged in, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Two of Saratoga, Narragansett Residence of soldier at enlistment He cut at [illegible] Date of application for pension, May 14, 1878 [illegible] Residence at date of application [illegible] Washington Co Ohio Age at date of application, 65 Remarks: Lt also lived at Sudbury Mass [illegible] Respectfully, Commissioner.
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Act 1828
settled at Treasury
Consd with Invalid file
# 40.343
Page 30

for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an act entitled
"An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers
of the army of the Revolution" approved on the 15th of May, 1828
I Oliver Rice of Belpre, in the County of Washington in
the State of Ohio, do hereby declare that I was an officer in
the Continental Line of the army of the Revolution, and served
as such to the end of the war, at which period I was a
Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Line.
And I also declare, That I afterwards received a certificate (commonly
called a commutation certificate) for a sum equal to the
amount of five years full pay; which sum was offered
by the resolve of Congress, of the 22d of March, 1783, instead
of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the
resolve of the 21st of October 1780.-
And I do further declare, That I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3d day of March, 1826,
No money. (Signed) Oliver Rice [???]
Before me, Bial Stedman Justice of the Peace, in the County
of Washington in the State of Ohio, personally appeared this
day Nahum Bent, and Wim Pitt Putnam, of said County, who
did severally make oath, that Oliver Rice, by whom the
foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed
and believed to have been an officer in the Army of the
Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this 17th day of July in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Bial Stedman Just Peace
Page 31

I George Dunlevy Clerk of the County of Common Pleas of the County of Washington in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that Beal Steadman Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, was at that time a Justice of the Peace within and for the Township of Belpre, in said County and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight.
Geo. Dunlevy, Clerk.
(fee. 50C paid)
Page 32

Belpre July 17th 1828
Hon. Richard Busk, Sir, I herewith enclose agreeably to request of the Treasury department my commission as Lieutenant in the Massachusetts 
Commission in favor of Oliver Rice as Ensign in the 9th Massachusetts Regiment dated 19th September 1779.
Commission for the same as Lieutenant in the Massachusetts line dated 6 November 1782.
Page 34

PAID
J H Groesbeek Esq
President of the Franklin Bank
Cincinnatti  Cincinnatti  Ohio
[postal mark] MARIETTA O. NOV 9

[?] 552  Act May 13 1828
Issued Aug 3 1829
Lieut
Page 35

461
Lt
Mass
The answer [? roll] to this letter must be directed to "Bents. P.O." Washington County Ohio
[upside down]
[postal mark] MARIETTA O. NOV 9
J.H. Groesbeck Esq -
President of the Franklin Bank
Cincinnatti  Cincinnatti Ohio

[?] 552
[?] Aug 3, 1829
Act May 15? 1838
Page 36

State of Ohio
Washington County } Ss
 Be it known that before me Jesse M Ames a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid Personally appeared Oliver Rice and made oath in due form of law - that he is the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession of which I certify the following is a true copy
No 552 Render the act entitled an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution approved 15th May 1828  I certify that Oliver Rice of Belpre in the county of Washington and in the State of Ohio is entitled to receive pay under the above mentioned act as a surviving Lieut of Infantry in the Massachusetts line of the Army of the Revolution at the rate of twenty six dollars and sixty six and 2/3 cents a month payable during his life on the third day of March and third day of September in each year.
 It is provided by law that the said pay shall not in any way be transferable or liable to attachment levy or seizure by any legal process whatever.
 Given under my hand and the seal of the Treasury of the United States this third day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. And of Independence the fifty fourth John Ingham Secretary of the Treasury  That he now resides in Belpre and has resided there for the space of forty years past And that he formerly resided in Sudbury Massachusetts
  Oliver Rice
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty six
  Jesse M. Ames  Just Peace  [seal]
Page 37

State of Ohio
Washington County } Ss I Jesse M Ames a Magistrate in the county above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence namely from personal knowledge having known him for thirty years past that Oliver Rice who this day appeared before me to take the oath of identity is the identical person named in the pension certificate which he has exhibited before me numbered five hundred fifty two and bearing date at the Treasury office the third day of August 1829 And signed by J D Ingham Secretary of the Treasury
  Given under my hand and seal this 24th day of October 1836  Jesse M Ames  Just pea [seal]

State of Ohio
Washington County Ss.}
 I, George Dunlevy, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jesse M. Ames is a Justice of the peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the fourteenth day of April 1836, and will expire on the fourteenth day of April 1839, and that his signature above written is genuine.
  Given under my hand and the seal of said County this eighth day of November Anno Domini 1836 (1836)  Geo. Dunlevy Clerk

To John H Groesbeck Esqr
 Dr Sir  Not having received any part of my pension since the 4th of March 1835 there is now therefore due to me four hundred and eighty dollars $480 up to the 4th of September [last?] you will please to deposit the amount due in the Franklin Bank of Cincinnati  to the credit of A. Nye Esqr Cashier of the Bank of Marietta, Ohio; and give him notice thereof
 and oblige -  Yours
  Oliver Rice
Belpre Oct. 25th 1836