Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,390, for Abiah Rice, Massachusetts

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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Rice, Abiah
Sarah
W. 26,390
B.L. Wt. 317-60-55
CONTENTS

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242.857 Act Mar. 3. '55
April 21. 56
Sarah Rice, wid
Abiah Rice, Sergt.
Revy war
Pensd Act V. agency
Wt. 4891 p: for 100 ac Feb 21"1792
Mass line
Vt Feby 48-200
Ad: 60 ac Sept 3d 1856
B [illegible]
Ferdinand Hawkins
Felchville Vt
[written diagonally across center] No. 317 iss Sept. 6/56

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[left side] 200
Vermont Montpelier
Sarah Rice 
widow of Abiah Rice
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
120 Dollars--
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
15 day of June 1848
and sent to
Thomas H. Hammond
Brownsville
Windsor Co
Vert
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2.1848, Page 85 VOl. 3.
[right side] Reported
242851

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Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Consd with
Ad Ch Wid
File #26.390

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406 451.
No. of Orig payment 406
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
July 29 1828
Abiah Rice of Woodstock in the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and, continued until its termination, at which period he was a Sergeant in captain Pray's company, in the first regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary,
A. Dinkins
TREASURE DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
2nd August 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Abijah Rice in the Massachusetts line
It further appears that Abijah Rice is not now on the pension list of any agency, and has not been so since the 3d March 1826
Peter Hagner Aud
In the Duscgarge which he transmitted
the XI name is written Abijah
No 29132

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For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of "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, Abiah Rice of Woodstock in the County of Windsor and state of Vermont do hereby declare that I enlisted in the continental line of the army of the Revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination, at which time I was a Sergeant in Capt. John Pray's Company in first Regiment of the Massachusetts line. And a I also declare that I afterwards received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars to which I was entitled under the resolve of Congress passed the 15th of May 1778.
Abiah Rice
State of Vermont
Windsor County Ss} Before me Job Lyman one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, personally appeared Colo. Jonas Cutting and Walter Palmer Esq. both of Woodstock aforesaid known to me to be credible witnesses and men of truth and veracity and on this fifth day of July AD. 1828 did severally make oath that Abiah Rice, by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a sergeant in the army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand this fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Job Lyman Just. of Peace

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State of Vermont
Windsor County Ss} I, Benjamin Swan, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont do certify that Job Lyman before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn was, at the time a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Windsor and duly empowered to administer oaths
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Woodstock in said County this fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Benj. Swan

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Woodstock Vermont
July 5. 1828.
Sir,
I herewith enclose the application and declaration of Abiah Rice for a pension and also his discharge from the revolutionary army, which discharge he desires you will have the goodness to return to him when examined.
You will please inform me the result of this application, as soon as shall be consistent with the business of the Department.
I am Sir, respectfully
Your obt Servant
Norman Williams
Hon Secretary of the Treasury

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114
12165
4891 Feb 12 1/92 Vermont
Rd Aug 18.1845
Sarah Rice
M. bf '94 d 26 Apl 1845
15 May 1828
2 yrs Sergeant
vid. 406 act 15 May 28.
Admitted $120
2 7 mo Sergt
$120 from
26 Apl 45 the day of her 
husbands death
Thos F. Hammond Esq
Brownsville
Windsor Co
Vt

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State of Vermont
District of Windsor ss.}
On this fourteenth day of May, in the year, one thousand eight hundred and forty five, personally appeared before the Probate Court in and for the District of Windsor aforesaid, Sarah Rice, a resident of Reading in said District, aged seventy eight years in August last past who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838. March 3. 1843. April 30. 1844. and June 17. 1844.
That she is the widow of Abiah Rice who was a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, and enlisted for "during the war" and after serving three years and five months was discharged from the first Massachusetts Regiment on the 9th day of June, seventeen hundred and eighty three; That he was afterwards placed on the Pension List Roll of the United States, at the rate of ten dollars a month, under the Act entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15, May, 1828, as appears by his original Pension Certificate, number 406, given under the seal of the Treasury of the United States, the third day of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine, and of Independence, the fifty fourth. Signed by S. D. Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury
That for further proofs reference may be had to his Declaration and evidence accompanying the same on file in the Pension Department.
She further declares that she was married to the said Abiah rice in the early part of the Spring of the year seventeen hundred and eighty seven at Woodstock in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, by Jabez Cottle a Justice of the Peace, her former name being Sarah Sterling; that she cannot remember the day of the month on which she was married, but she thinks it was in March or April in the year last aforesaid.
That her husband, the aforesaid Abiah Rice died at Reading in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, on the twenty sixth day of April in the year, eighteen hundred and forty five; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen

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hundred and ninety four viz; at the time above stated; that she has not since intermarried but continues the widow of the said Abiah Rice and is now sole and unmarried.
Sarah Rice
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Sarah Rice on this 14th day of May 1845
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of Probate for the District of Windsor, Vt.
State of Vermont
District of Windsor ss.} I, Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of the Probate Court in and for said district, do hereby certify, that Sarah Rice who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Declaration, is a person of truth and veracity and that the statements by her made are entitled to full credit and belief. And I further certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that the within named Abiah Rice died at Reading in said district in the year 1845, on the twenty sixth day of April. And I also further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said Sarah Rice for more that fifty three years past, and know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be in the within declaration.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Reading in said District this fourteenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge.
State of Vermont
District of Windsor ss.} I, Salmon F. Dutton, Register of the Probate Court for the District of Windsor aforesaid, hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond before whom the foregoing Declaration of said Sarah Rice was sworn to and subscribed is Judge of the Probate Court for the District aforesaid, which court is a court of Record; and I further certify that the signature annexed to the certificate of the oath and of the credibility of the said Declarant, purporting to be the signature of him, the said Thomas F. Hammond is his own proper and genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name at Cavendish in said District, this fourth day of June A.D. 1845. Salmon F. Dutton Register

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Should a certificate be granted on the foregoing application of Sarah Rice the same may be sent to me at Browns Ville, Windsor Co. Vermont
Thomas F. Hammond

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242857
Sarah Rice
for
Bounty Land Act March
3d 1855
Ferdinand Hawkins
Attorney
Felchville
Vermont
Revolutionary claim

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State of Vermont
Windsor County Ss}
On this 3d day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty six, personally before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Windsor and State aforesaid,
Sarah Rice
aged Eighty Eight years a resident of Reading in the State of Vermont, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of the identical Abiah Rice deceased who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was also a Revolutionary pensioner of the State of Vermont, and as she believes at late one hundred and twenty dollars per annum. She cannot state as to her said husband "the aforesaid Abiah Rice," military services but refers to his original declaration now on file at the pension office for particulars.
She further states that she is the identical Sarah Rice who is a revolutionary pensioner of the State of Vermont, at rate one hundred and twenty dollars per annum.
She further states that she was married to the said Abiah Rice in Woodstock the day of Ad. by one Jabez Cottle a Minister of the Gospel, and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Starling that her said husband died at Reading on the 26 day of April AD. 1845 and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3d 1855.
She also declares that she has neve applied for nor received, under this or any other act of Congress

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any bounty-land Warrant. I request the Warrant when issued be forwarded to Ferdinand Hawkins Felchville Vermont
Sarah Rice
We J.L. Hawkins and George H. Hammond, residents of Reading, in the State of Vermont, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Rice in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
J.L. Hawkins
G.H. Hammond
The foregoing declaration and affadavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Solomon Keyes Justice of the Peace
STATE OF VERMONT
WINDSOR COUNTY ss.} I NORMAN WILLIAMS, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Solomon Keyes was, at the date of the paper writing to which this is attached, and still is, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deeds, and that his signature foregoing is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 17th day of April A.D. 1856.
Norman Williams,

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I William L. Hawkins of Reading in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged Eighty two (82) testify and say that I was well acquainted with Abiah Rice late of said Reading deceased and had been so acquainted for more than fifty years previous to his said death.
I further say that the said Rice was a pensioner of the State of Vermont and as I believe at rate of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum, $120, and that the said Rice at the time of his death left a widow by the name of Sarah Rice, who now lives in said Reading and still remains the widow of the said Abiah Rice, and is a pensioner of the State of Vermont; I further say that the said Abiah Rice died at said Reading April 26, AD. 1845. And the said Sarah Rice has made a declaration for bounty land as the widow of the said Abiah Rice dated January third AD. 1856, under act, March third 1855, and I know her to be the widow of the identical Abiah Rice who was a pensioner of the State of Vermont, as aforesaid. I further say that I knew the said Abiah Rice & Sarah Rice in the lifetime of the said Abiah to live together as husband and wife for more than fifty years previous to his said death and that they were so reputed to be husband and wife I have before me the declaration of the said Sarah Rice
nor received, under this or any other act of Congress.

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for Bounty Land under act March 3d 1855 and know her to be the person she (in said declaration) represents herself to be
W.L. Hawkins
State of Vermont
Windsor County Ss} At Reading in said County this 16th day of April AD. 1856 personally appeared William L. Hawkins and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affadavit by him subscribed, and I certify that he is a credible witness.
Before me
Josiah Q. Hawkins Justice of Peace
I Lyman Cady of Reading in the State of Vermont testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Abiah Rice late of said Reading deceased & that he died at said Reading April 26, 1845. I was present at his funeral. I further say that at the time of his death he left a widow by the name of Sarah Rice who is now living in said Reading and still remains the widow of the said Abiah Rice, and is a pensioner of the State of Vermont and as I believe at rate of $120 per annum
Lyman Cady

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State of Vermont
Windsor County Ss} At Reading April 16. personally appeared Lyman Cady and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affadavit by him subscribed-and I certify that he is a credible witness
STATE OF VERMONT,
WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.}I NORMAN WILLIAMS, Clerk of the County Court, of the County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Josiah Q. Hawkins was, at the date of the paper writing to which this is attached, and still is, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deeds, and that his signatures foregoing (two in number) are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 17th day of April A.D. 1856.
Norman Williams, Clerk,
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records in this office and the marriage of "Abiah Rice to Sarah Starling does not appear in said records-
Attest Nahum Haskell Town Clerk
I Nahum Haskell above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Woodstock aforesaid, in the State of Vermont, and that the above is true from my personal examination. Nahum Haskell
Subscribed & sworn to this Eighteenth day of April AD. 1856-
Before me, Nathan T. Churchill Justice Peace
nor received, under this or any other act of Congress.

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State of Vermont
Windsor County Ss} At Reading April 16 personally appeared Lyman Cody and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affadavit by him subscribed-and I certify that he is a credible witness-
Before me
Josiah Q. Hawkins Justice Peace
Town Clerks Office
Woodstock Vermont
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records in this office and the marriage of "Abiah Rice to Sarah Starling does not appear in said Records-
Attest Nahum Haskell Town Clerk
I Nahum Haskell above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Woodstock aforesaid, in the State of Vermont, and that the above is true from my personal examination
Nahum Haskell
Subscribed & sworn to this Eighteenth day of April AD. 1845.
Before me, Nathan T. Churchill Justice Peace
nor received under this or any other act of Congress

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any bounty-land Warrant I request the Warrant
STATE OF VERMONT
WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.} I, NORMAN WILLIAMS, Clerk of the County Court, of the County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Nathan T. Churchill was, at the date of the paper writing to which this attached, and still is, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of deeds, and that his signature foregoing is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this 17th day of April A.D. 1856.
Norman Williams, Clerk
[written vertically] 242.851
Sarah Rice
for 
Bounty Land Act March
3d 1855
Ferdinand Hawkins
attorney
Fetchville
Vermont
Revolutionary Admin

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In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Abiah Rice a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
W. File 26390
[table headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (subheadings) CAPTAIN. COLONEL. | STATE. |
checkmark | 3 yrs 5 mos & dis June 9, 1783. | Sergt. | John Pray | checkmark | Mass.
Battles engaged in, (checkmark)
Residence of soldier at enlistment, (checkmark)
Date of application for pension, July 5, 1828 His claim was al
Residence at date of application, Woodstock, Windsor Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, not stated.
Remarks: Sol. mar. Woodstock, Vt Mch or Apl. 1787 Sarah Sterling
b. Aug 1766 he died Apl. 26, 1845 at Reading Vt.
She was als pens on her apls May 14, 1845 res, Reading, Windsor Co. Vt.
Very respectfully,

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Aug 1844
78
Aug 1766
1844
69
1775
12
1787

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N. 114
Montpelier Vermont
Sarah Rice
widow of Abiah Rice
who was a Sergeant
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
120 Dollars --
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 26th April 1845, when her husband died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of November 1845
and sent to Thomas T. Hammond
Brownsville 
Windsor County, Vermont
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book D.
Vol. 1 Page 137.
Rep

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[left side] June 3-1902
Harda G. Rugg - Exeter N.H.
1908 Nov.20. Hist to above ¢
1922 Feb 21.Hist to W.H. Mathews
aw
[right side] Revy 
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26.390
Sarah Rice
wid of
Abiah Rice
Serg. Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 1848
Index:--Vol. M, Page 166
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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Adm
Admitted
Thos. H. Hammond
Brownsville
Vt

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State of Vermont,
District of Windsor ss.} On this 15th day of May in the year, one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, personally appeared before the Probate Court in and for the District of Windsor aforesaid, Sarah Rice, a resident of Reading, in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged 81 years , who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision, made by the Act of Congress, of the 2nd February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; That she is the widow of Abiah Rice, who was a sergeant in the War of the Revolution, and served During the war; that he drew a pension of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum, under the Act of 1828; that she was, herself, placed upon the pension List at the rate of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum, under the Act of June 17th 1844, and continued on the pension List until the 4th March, 1848; She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sarah Rice
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written.
Before me Thomas F. Hammond, Judge
I certify, that the above named declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing Declaration.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge
The certificate may be forwarded to me at Brownsville, Windsor Co. Vt.
Thomas F. Hammond

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State of Vermont
District of Windsor ss.} I, Salmon F. Dutton, Register of the Probate Court for the District of Windsor aforesaid, hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond, before whom the foregoing Declaration of Sarah Rice was sworn to and subscribed, is Judge of the Probate Court for said District of Windsor, which is a Court of Record having probate jurisdiction; and that the signature annexed to the foregoing certificates of the oath and identity of the said Declarant, purporting to be the signature of him the said Thomas F. Hammond, is his proper and genuine signature.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at Cavendish in said District, this 15th day of May A.D. 1848.
Salmon F. Dutton Register.

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Proctorsville Vt
June.13.1863.
Hon. Joseph Barrett
Dear Sir
If you will direct the Agent at Rutland (Mr. J.B. Reynolds) to pay the Pension of Mrs. Sarah Rice (a Revolutionary Pensioner residing in Reading Vermont) instead of having it paid at the office in St. Johnsburg by Mr. Reddington, I shall feel greatly obliged, as I shall be able to get the pension at Rutland without the item "Commissions & Postage, 50." as given in the enclosed letter from Mr. Howard?
I think the pension Agents should send checks without extra charge and as likely a man as this county affords (Geo. S. Hill Cashier of Black River Bank in this village) would be very glad to do the work of Pension Agent with the salary alone--and not enter into any arrangement to squeeze out an extra quarter out of each pensioner.
Respectfully Yrs 
A.D. Hager
Agent for Mrs. Sarah Rice

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[stamp] DEPARTMENT
OF THE
INTERIOR
JUNE 16 1863
PENSION OFFICE

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12168
Sarah Rice
Vermont
Let to Tho. F. Hammond
Sept 23 1845
Act '41
No 195
Act of [illegible]

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31 of
60 acres

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ST. JOHNSBURY, VT.
March 16.1863
DEAR SIR:
Yours of the ........, to E.C REDINGTON, enclosing Pension Vouchers, was duly received; and enclosed I send you his check for amount of same, less commission and postage.
Respectfully Yours,
Theron Howard
Pension Case
Com & Postage 50
59.50

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Official Business
Free
[stamp-BROWNSVILLE
APR 
18
VT]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

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406
Discharge from Washington, dated
9th June 1783, in favor of Abiah Rice

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I Nahum Haskell of Woodstock in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, of lawful age, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk for the town of Woodstock aforesaid; that I have examined the record of Marriages remaining in my said Office, and that the Record of the marriage of Abiah Rice and Sarah Sterling do not appear thereon.
Woodstock. August 7th.1845.
N. Haskell Town Clerk of Woodstock
Sworn to and subscribed before me August 7.1845.
Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace
I Seth Sterling of Woodstock in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, a Clergyman aged eighty two years, being duly sworn, do depose and say, That I have resided in said Woodstock since the year seventeen hundred and eighty two; That I was married on the 27th of December seventeen hundred and eighty five, That Abiah Rice and Sarah Sterling were married at said Woodstock between one and two years after my said marriage, by Jabez Cottle a Justice of the Peace for said county of Windsor; That I was present at their wedding, and well acquainted with the said Abiah and Sarah, and know that they lived together in relation of husband and wife from the time of their marriage in 1787 to the time of the death of the said Abiah, which took place in the Spring of the present year, 1845. And I further say that the said Abiah Rice was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of ten dollars per month, and that the said Sarah is now living and is a widow. Woodstock August 7th A.D. 1845.
Seth Sterling
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Seth Sterling on this 7th day of August, 1845. Before me
Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace

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E. Elijah Sterling of Woodstock in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged sixty nine years on the 24th day of November 1844, now last past being duly sworn do depose and say, That I am a brother of Sarah Rice, now of Reading in said county, widow of Abiah Rice, That the said Abiah Rice and Sarah Sterling were married at said Woodstock, by Jabez Cottle a Justice of the Peace for said county when I was in my twelfth year; the marriage took place at my father's house in the latter part of the Winter or early part of the Spring of the year seventeen hundred and eighty seven; That I was present and saw them married; That from the time of their marriage to the death of the said Abiah, which took place in the Spring of the present year 1845, they the said Abiah and Sarah constantly lived together in the relation of husband and wife.
Woodstock August 7th A.D. 1845
Elijah Sterling
Sworn to & subscribed this 7th day of August, 1845. Before me
Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Seth Sterling and Elijah Sterling who have severally subscribed the foregoing Affidavits, are persons of truth and veracity, and that the statements by them made, are entitled to full credit and belief.
August 7th 1845.
Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
Windsor ss.} I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the state of Vermont, do hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond is a justice of the peace in and for said County of Windsor, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated October 31. 1844, and will expire on the thirtieth day of November next-and that his signatures to the foregoing certificates are genuine.-Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, at Woodstock in said County this ninth day of August AD. 1845.
N. Williams, Clerk

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Oct 10.1845.
Adal 6,
Sarah Rice
[written upside down-Paid 10
War Department
Pension Office
Washington, D.C.]

Page 38

[left side]Brownsville
Vt Oct 4
[right side] Paid 10
War Department.
Pension Office
Washington,
D.C.
[written upside down-Oct 10.1845.
Adae 6,
Sarah Rice]

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I, William L. Hawkins of Reading in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy two years, being duly sworn do depose and say, that I came into said town of Reading in the month of February, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two, and the town being thinly inhabited at that time, I soon became acquainted with all the principal settlers, and among others I became acquainted with Abiah Rice and his wife; said Rice was a farmer and I labored for him and boarded and lodged at his house, a portion of the time during the first two years after my coming into the said town of Reading. The said Rice then had one child, and he and his companion, Sarah, lived together in the relation of Husband and Wife, and ever afterwards, until his death, they continued to live together in the same relation; and I never heard their marriage questioned. Said Rice died in this town in April last, and said Sarah is now living in my immediate neighborhood and is the identical person who lived with said Abiah in 1792, seventeen hundred ninety two, and whom I then regarded as his wife; Said Rice has been a pensioner of the United States and was so at the time of his death.
Reading Sept. 30th 1845 (1845)
William L. Hawkins
Sworn to and subscribed by the said William L. Hawkins on this 30th day of September A.D. 1845. Before me. Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace.

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I Benjamin Hathorn of Reading in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged eighty three years in December last past, being duly sworn, depose and say, that I have lived in said Reading during a period of sixty three years now last past. That I was well acquainted with Abiah Rice before his marriage to Sarah Sterling, and that I also knew said Sarah before her marriage. That I was married in March 1787, and the said Abiah was said to have been married to said Sarah about the same time. They the said Abiah and Sarah, immediately after their marriage, moved into Reading, and have lived in Reading and Woodstock ever since, until he died in April last. I have all this time been acquainted with the said Abiah & Sarah and know that they lived together in the relation of husband and wife more than fifty eight years. The said Sarah now lives in my immediate neighborhood, and is a widow
Reading September 30th 1845. Benjamin Hathorn
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Benjamin Hathorn, this 30th day of September A.D. 1845. Before me Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that William L. Hawkins and Benjamin Hathorn, who have severally sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Affidavits, are persons of Truth and Veracity, and that the statements by them made, are entitled to full credit and belief.
Thomas F. Hammond, Justice of the Peace.

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STATE OF VERMONT, 
Windsor County...ss.} I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 31st day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signature hereunto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this Second day of October A.D. 1845.
Norman Williams, Clerk.

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[stamp-RECORD
JAN 27 1922
DIVISION]

Page 43

Rev Sec
Boston, Mass. Jan 25, 1922.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me a statement of the military service of Abiah Rice, said to have been a pensioner of the Revolution living at Reading & Bennington, Vt. after the war, but enlisted in Worcester County, Mass.? Please include any record of his family found in the application.
Thanking you for this favor.
I am,
Respectfully,
W.H. Mathews
640 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston.
[stamp-U.S. PENSION OFFICE D
JAN 27 1922]

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NOV
11
1908]
[stamp-U.S. PENSION OFFICE A
NOV
10
1908]

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Rev
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
HANOVER, N.H.
Nov 9.1908.
Eac
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
My dear Sir:
My great, great grandfather Abiah Rice of Reading Vermont was a soldier in the Rev. army. His widow Sally (Sarah) Sterling Rice received a government pension.
Can you give me any details about his enlistment and also give me the list of records where details of same may be found? In your records have you his birthplace, parentage, date & place of marriage? Do you furnish certified records which enable me to join the Sons of the Revolution?
Truly yours,
Harold Goddard Rugg

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[stamp-APR 8 1902
RECEIVED]

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Exeter, N.H.
April 3, 1902
Com. of Pensions
Washington, D.C.,
My dear Sir;
I am very anxious to secure any information concerning an ancestor of mine, Abiah Rice, who was engaged in the Revolutionary War.
I do not know from what date he went to the war nor in what battles he engaged. However I know that

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[stamp-U.S. PENSION OFFICE C
APR 7
1902]
he was a sargeant by rank and that his wife, Sarah Sterling Rice, of So. Reading Vt. was one of the last Revolutionary pensioners in Vermont.
Can you assist me in any way?
Sincerely yours,
Harold G. Rugg.
[stamp-U.S. PENSION OFFICE C
APR
7
1902]