Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33,557, for Ezra Rice, Massachusetts

SERVICE
mas. b.
Rice, Congra
NUMBER _____
S. 33. 557.
CONTENTS

16. 5925 R Massachusetts
John Rice of Holden — in the state of Massachusetts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bagelow — of the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of December 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th of Feby: 1820 and sent to the Hon Mr Adams
House of Representatives
Arrears to 4th of Apr: 1819 — £ 73. 06
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4. Mar: 1820. 48.
9 mo 4/30  $ 127.06
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Ezra Rice.
No. 16505
Feb. 1820
Cont? 14 Sep
1820
Mar 1820

Schedule of the Estate of Ezra Rice of Holden, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of May 1. 1820.
  1 Yearling heifer 8.-  8 Chains 1.50  9.50    Iron Ware 12/-  Drawer 15/-  3 Chest 9/-  6.-    Grid Roasting Irons 10/-  Shovel & tongs 2/6  2.17    Flat Irons 3/-  Table 1/6  3 Cup Saucers 8/-  2.08    Tin Wares  Warden Ware 8/-  1 Glap 2/-  1.92    Butts & Wedges  Yaws 6/-  Scythes & fork 7/6  2.25    Hoe 4/-  Barrels 9/-   2.25       $26.17  
I have no other property than that mentioned in the above Schedule. My occupation is that of a Labourer. I have a wife 59 years of age - infirm; and a daughter 20 years of age named Mary. I am lame & unable to perform hard labour.
Ezra Rice
provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Ezra Rice
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July, 1820 before the said Court.
Attest,
Nijah Bigelow, Clerk
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is twenty six dollars and seventeen cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this tenth day of July 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, Ezra Stice aged sixty three years, resident in Holden, in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: Entered a Company commanded by Capt William Gates in Col. Bigelow's Regt. in the Mass. Line, on the 3 rd day of April 1777, for 3 years, and served that period, as will appear by my original declaration dated in April 1818, on or about the 8 th day. My certificate however by mistake authorizes to draw pay only from the first day of Decr. 1818, and is numbered 16,505. I was in the Battle of Rhode Island and at Stillwater.
and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Ezra Stice
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July, 1820 before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow. flos
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is twenty six dollars and seventeen cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Ezra Dice. Memorial. Private 77 to 80 Bigelow Maptts Res.
Amitthuan The affidavit of L. Joel Pratt which, drawn up in full length is filed with Israel Man- -ning's Declaration
W. Adams

To The Honorable, the Secretary of the War Department I Ezra Bine of Holmen in the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, late a soldier in the army of the Revolution, do respectfully represent,
That on the 3 d day of April 1777, I was duly enlisted as a private soldier by one Lieut. Daniel Croot for the three years service and joined the fifteen th Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Colonel Dins- more Biglow, in which said duty to the entire satisfaction of my Offi- cers, (as I was never unserved) untill the first day of January A.D. 1780 with out interruption or absence. On the first day of January A.D. 1780 I with about eighty others belonging to said Regiment being then stationed near West Point in the State of N. York hav- ing made unsuccessful applications for our discharge & made known our determination to leave the army, did on the morn- ing of that day, openly and publicly leave it with a view to return to the government of Massachusetts whence we belonged, we were then all then convinced we had a right to do as we conceived our respective terms of enlistment had terminated and as the Officers in command refused to discharge us, we knew of no other course so proper to pursue with appeal from them to the State Government of Massachusetts. We accordingly pro- ceeded on our way to Boston untill we arrived at a place about 12 Miles west of Danbury in Connecticut, where we were over taken by a detachment of Troops and conducted back to Danbury, where by reason of a deep snow and the intense severity of the weather we remained about about two or three weeks but were never mistreated or treated in any manner different from our fellow soldiers.
We then returned to our former Quarters near West Point conducted by a single Lieutenant, by the name of Pratt, Our return was voluntary and unassisted by any other soldier or person except the above named Lieutenant. After our arrival, a Court was ordered to investigate our conduct and dis- cipline of the whole were punished the remainder were pardoned.
I was one of the last number and immediately returned to duty and served untill the third day of April A.D. 1780 when the three years from the time I enlisted expired. I was then reg- ularly discharged but have since lost my discharge.
It was a misfortune for me to set forth more fully the reasons which induced me to leave the army and have since been unable to remove the reproachful imputations

which rests on my character from being recorded as deserter when I was indicted by Lieutenant Court I was most solemnly sworn by him that although the articles of enlistment run for three years, yet the time should expire  terminate on the first day of January A.D. 1830 and I should then be discharged & that he was fully author- ized to give this assurance and to make this promise by Col. Brighton his commanding officer. I was then induced to enter my name as has been already mentioned on the 3 rd day of April 1777 and never entertained a doubt of the validity of this contract or had the remotest idea of any attempt on the part of officers to evade it until I applied for my discharge a little previous to the first of January 1830 - and this application proved unsuc- cessful - I was then informed that I must serve until the 3 rd of April & that no regard would be paid to Col. Brighton's engagement. Being much disappointed with the failure of this application & a positive refusal to recognize a positive & unambiguous contract on the part of Col. Brighton we resolved for the whole 30 claimed the like promise to be discharged on the first of January 1830 - to seek redress from the government of Massachusetts where we belonged. Accordingly left the camp the time & manner above stated with a view to proceed immediately to Boston if there lay was safe before the state au- thority and to act in pursuance of such advice & directions as we should then receive. We however did not arrive at Massachusetts but for the reasons and under the circumstances as already mentioned returned voluntary to camp.
When we were put on trial we relate these facts in justification and Col. Brighton was called on to testify as to any thing within his knowledge as to the agreement made at time of enlistment and he frankly confessed that such a contract according to the best of his recollection has been made with the whole column under his particular direction & authority but added that at that time thought it was safe to make such an engage- ment as he then was satisfied the war would terminate before January 1830 -
I here solemnly declare that the foregoing state of facts is the truth and nothing but the truth and that this is the only accusation and offence which I have ever been guilty of dur- ing the three years which I served as private soldier.
I will only add that I have performed much hard & perilous duty and often exposed my life in the service of my country. I was in the glorious battle of Stillwater and several skirmishes

In all these bloody conflicts as well as on all other occasions I have cheerfully devoted my life and strength to my country and spared no pains to be useful to in procuring the Independence we now enjoy; as a charity to those who are instrumental in procuring this great & glorious event Congress have bestowed a pension upon such as are indigent and poor one of that class. I am now nearly 61 years of age am very infirm & wholly dependent on my own labors for my daily support - I have attempted to avail myself of the benevolence of Government but my application has been rejected by the  by and I am newroded a clerical error, I must therefore throw myself upon the humanity of the honorable Secretary and will only add that if my application should now prove successful it will relieve me from many embarrassments & can contribute largely to render the few remaining days of my earthly pilgrimage comfortable & happy.  Holton Dec 1. 1818. Ezra Rice
Joel Pratt do testify and say, that I was the Lieutenant who marched back said soldiers from Danbury as above stated, and I have no doubt said Ezra Rice served out his time
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for said County of Worcester, certify, that Isaac Goodwin, Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit has been made, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this ninth day of December,
A. D. 1818.
Application of Ezra Rice - 3
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk

In all these bloody conflicts as well as on all other occasions I have cheerfully devoted my life and strength to my country and spared no pains to benefit the same in procuring the Independence we now enjoy; as a charity to those who were instrumental in procuring this great & glorious gift Congress have bestowed a pension upon such as are indigent and I am one of that class. I am now nearly 61 years years of age am very infirm & wholly dependent on my own labours for my daily support. I have attempted to avail myself of the benevolence of Government but my application has been rejected for want of  by the same recorded as a desertion, I must therefore throw myself upon the humanity of the honorable Secretary and will only add that if my application should now prove successful it will relieve me from many embarrassments & contribute largely to render the few remaining days of my earthly pilgrimage comfortable & happy. Hobson Dec 1. 1818. Ezra Rice.
I Joel Pratt do testify and say, that I was the Lieutenant who marched back said soldiers from Danbury as above stated, and I have no doubt said Ezra Rice served out his time honorably after his said pardon — And I further say that all said soldiers were considered faithful and good, both before and after their leaving the regiment. Joel Pratt.
Winsted Dec 9 th 1818.
Joel Pratt above named made oath to the truth of this affidavit before me — And I certify the said Pratt is a man of truth and veracity.
Isaac Goodwin, Jur. of Peace.

33 557 Rev INVALID.
File No. 33,557
Ezra Rice
Dr Rev 1840
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 341
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hon. Benja. Adams,
Member of Congress.
Washington, City.

Worcester Feby 9. 1820
Sir
Ebene Rice of Holden put in a claim for a pension which was once rejected but after- wards allowed upon a second application by Memorial, which memorial is now in my hands indorsed thus "Admitted on the affidavit of Lieutenant Joel Pratt which drawn up in full length is filed with Israel Mannings declar- ation," - The case of Manning, Rice & two others rested on the same state of facts being all rejected and all afterwards allowed upon memorial sup- ported by the affidavit of the above named Pratt - When I forwarded the memorials I also forwarded the Declarations of Manning & the two others but Rice was mistaid but was afterwards found & sent on - All the papers went into the hands of Mr. Strong to whom I have twice written upon the subject & the last answer I enclose - I some weeks since addressed a letter to the War Department on this subject but have recd no answer - The Declaration is undoubt- ly there & I personally know it bears date the same day of Mannings for I was present exhibiting & apisting Judge Parker at the time it was made & have a distinct recollection of these men - Almost two years have elapsed & Rice has recd no certificate - is very poor as will appear by the papers al- ready sent on & is extremely anxious to draw on the 4 th of March next - will you be kind enough Sir to make some enquiry into this matter & if any thing further is to be done here let me know so that the business may be accomplished early enough to draw on the 4 th of March next -

This is to be sure a small matter but Price has all the anxiety of a very needy man — I have that proper on the whole to en- close the memorial which I hope will not also be lost in the files —
I haste I remain Yours very Obedt Servt John D Davis
Pray give me an early answer — Faulkner's certificate has been duly recd for which I am much obliged — My letter enclosing Price's copy of Declaration was sent to Judge Strong White at Wash- ington last winter if

John Davis Esquire
Worster.

Feby 6. 1820.
Sir.
I find among my papers a letter from you dated Feby 27. 1819 in which you say you inclosed the declaration of Ebene Rice . I have never been able to find that declaration among my papers, although since I received your letter I have re-examined all of them. I am confident that immediately after the receipt of your letter, at Washington, I inclosed it in a letter to the War Department. I have written to that Department once upon the subject, and will write once more -
Yours very respectfully,
Solo. Hovey.

Payable on the 4th March and 4th September of each year, by the Pres t of the Branch Bank U.S. in Boston, Massachusetts
No pension is payable until the arrival of one or the other of the above dates, after the issue of a Certificate.
Registered, by J. D. Henshaw Clerk, in book B, volume 2 page 157

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818,
Ezra Price . . . . . late a Private in the Army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight . . . . . dollars per month, to com- mence on the first day of December one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this sixteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and twenty
John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.