Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4802, for Reuben Rice, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Rice, Reuben
S 4802
hard
CONTENTS

April 7 th 1885 Copy of data furnished to Ezra S. Stearne Esq Ashburnham - Mass for historical use. Copy inside
2020.
Massachusetts
Reuben Rice
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain of the Reg't commanded by Col. Whitney in the (May) time for 7 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of March 1832 and sent to John  of Worcester now present
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $49.99 Pension allowance ending 4 June 33 16.66
$66.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. H. 1693 Clerk. Book D Vol. 27 Page 79.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Nathl. Paine, Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting Reuben Rice a resident of Sturminster in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy five 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. In the month of December or January A.D. 1776 he was drafted to serve in the army of the revolution for the term of three months; that he was then residing in the town of Lancaster, in said County of Worcester from which place he marched, to a place called Bound Brook, in the State of N. Jersey by way of Worcester, Hopkinton, Mendon, and Morristown, N. Jersey, crossing the river Hudson at Kings Ferry; that he was stationed at, or near, said Bound Brook during the three months aforesaid, and served in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Eager of Sterling, in said County of Worcester in the Regt. of Col. Whitney of Lancaster, Mass. That one of his St. names was Joel, he thinks the names of the other company and field officers he cannot recollect; that the troops at Bound Brook were employed in protecting the persons and property of the inhabitants from insult & plunder by detachments from the British Army which lay in the neighborhood; that they had about a dozen prisoners of war under guard; that there were troops from Maryland quartered near them; that he cannot produce any specific proof of his service aforesaid. (See affidavit No. 1.)
That in the month of September A.D. 1777, he enlisted into the army of the revolution for the term of one month at that time residing in the town of Westminster, in said County of Worcester; that he enlisted, and marched, in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Boynton of said Westminster to Saratoga, N.Y. passing on his way through Southfield, Mass. and Bennington, Vermont; that after remaining a few days at Saratoga they were ordered up the river, to Fort Eder, then down the river again, a few miles; that the last move was near there that Burgoyne surrendered to the Americans; that he saw the arms of the enemy stacked on the field, after they had marched off; that he saw a party of Canadians start for Canada after the surrender; that he cannot recollect the names of any officers that he saw during the last term mentioned except Capt. Boynton aforesaid; that he cannot produce any more direct proof of his services last aforesaid than what is contained in affidavit No. 1 aforesaid.
That in the month of July A.D. 1780 he again enlisted into the army of the revolution for the term of three months; that he served during the whole of said three months in a company of Mass. Militia commanded by Capt. Boutelle of Lancaster, said County of Worcester, in the Regt. of Col. Brand of Westminster Mass.; that immediately after his enlistment he marched to West Point in the State of N.Y. where he was stationed during said three months at the time of the Saratoga campaign; that he was at said West Point at the time of Arnold's attempt to betray the American army; that he recollects of hearing that Gen. Washington was at West Point about this time, but he is unable to say that he saw him; that he recollects seeing officers of high rank at different times while he was in service but is not able to specify the names, nor the places at which he saw them; that he served in the army of the revolution seven months in the whole as a private soldier.

that in the month of July  June 1775 that he served during the whole of said three months for the term of three months and that he served during the whole of said three months in company of Col. William  John  Williams  W. Williams commanded by Capt. Bartlett  Bartlett of Leominster  Leominster said County of Worcester, in the Regt. of Col. Brande  Brande of Westminster Col.  Col. that immediately after his enlistment he marched to Nest Point  Nest Point in the State of S.C. where he was detained during said three months at the time of Arnold's  Arnold's attempt to dismiss: that he was at said Nest Point  Nest Point at the time of Arnold's  Arnold's attempt to dismiss the American Army - that he recollects of hearing that Gen. Washington  Washington was at Nest Point  Nest Point about this time, but he is not able to say that he saw him (Gen. Washington) at said Nest Point  Nest Point at different times while he was in service but is not able to specify the names, nor the places at which he served in the Army of the revolution. Seven months in the whole as a private soldier.
In reply to interrogatories proposed by the Court he further says that he was born in Lancaster aforesaid, on the tenth of August 1757. That he generally resided in said Lancaster till the  the close of the year 1780 when he removed to said Auburnham where he has ever resided: that he has no record of his age: that he was drafted for the months of the  the remainder of his services were voluntary - that he does not state positively the names of any officers except those above named: that he does not remember that he ever received any written discharge nor any written evidence of his services aforesaid: that he is acquainted with Joseph Jewett, Abraham Luce and Hosea Standley, Esqrs. Samuel Skinner, Jonathan Swann, Col. Charles Barrett and Rev. S. Spaulding all residing in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity 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 aforesaid.
Before me North Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Parson Rice
Wm. B. Spaulding  Spaulding a Clergyman residing in the State of  State of  Massachusetts  Massachusetts

We Nathan B. Spaulding a Clergyman residing in the town of Ashburnham and Abraham Lowe residing in the same Ashburnham hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Rice who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Myron N. Taine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Nathan B. Spaulding Abraham Lowe
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nathan B. Spaulding who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Ashburnham and that Abraham Lowe who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Ashburnham and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathan B. Spaulding Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Shephard Wheeler Register , Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Rice for a pension.
That Joseph Swift before whom the annexed affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Worcester and that the signature is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 18th day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Shephard Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

Application of Reuben Rice for permit 18345
Wants to transmit the are donated to Geol. G. Partners - Ashmun - Ham Clapp
Admitted 7 March 1834 $23.33
Rev. Reuben Clapp The G. G. G.

I, Eliakim Rice, of Hartland, in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, of lawful age, depose & say, that in the year 1777 my brother, Reuben Rice, now of Ashtabula in the County of Ashtabula & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but then of Haverhill, in said County of Worcester, were labaring the town of Winchendon in said County of Worcester: that in the month of September of the same year 1777 I enlisted into the revolutionary army and marched from said Winchendon in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Fairbanks, if am not mistaken in the name; and marched immediately to Still Water in the State of N. York. I further depose & say that for a few days after I arrived at said Still Water, my said brother Reuben, visited me, stating at the time that he had enlisted for one month a short time after I left Winchendon & that he was then stationed with his company, on the side of the river opposite to Still Water, and I fully believe that the said Reuben did enlist as above stated & that he served in the army of the revolution during the month aforesaid. I further depose & say that in the year 1776-7 I was in the army of the revolution & served in the State of New Jersey for the term of three months - that I re- turned from said town in the month of February or March 1777 to my father in Lancaster in said County of Worcester; that I then found my said brother Reuben at my father's & he informed me that he had returned from a similar term of three months in revolutionary army - that he was drafted to serve in company of militia for that term & that he had so served, at a place called Bound Brook in the State of New Jersey - I did not see the said Reuben while in the (S 1)

any but from the relation he then gave me I have no doubt but that he was drafted & had served for three months as before stated. I further testify & say that it was believed in my father's family & in the neighborhood that the said Reuben performed the services before named.
Arlington 27 Aug 1832
Eliakim Rice
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Warrenton 27 Aug 1832. Then the above named Eliakim Rice personally appeared & made oath that the above by him subscribed is true.
Before me
Joseph Jewett { Jus Pacis
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Eliakim Rice & that in my opinion he is a disinterested & credible witness.
Jos Jewett { Jus Pacis

William Rice, Affidavit for Reuben Rice

I Thomas Gibson of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do depose & say that I am acquainted with Reuben Dice now of said Ashburnham but formerly of Leicester in said County; that in the month of July 1780 the said Dice enlisted for the term of three months, as a private soldier, in the Army of the Revolution, in a Company of Militia command- ed by Capt. Boutelle of Leicester in said County in the Regt of Col. Rand of Westminster in said County. I resided at that time in Fitchburg in said County, and enlisted in the same Company with the said Dice for the same time. I marched with him to West Point in the State of New York, where we were stationed during said three months, we marched to West Point by way of Fairfield Connecticut & were at West Point, at the time Arnold's treasonable Plot was discovered. At the end of the said three months the said Dice was honorably discharged at said West Point.
Ashburnham 27 Aug 1832.
Thomas Gibson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss 27 Aug 1832 Then the above named Thomas Gibson personally appeared & made oath that the above named affidavit by him subscribed is true before me Joseph Jewett Justice's
I certify that I am acquainted with the above named Thomas Gibson & that he is a credible Witness
Jos. Jewett Justice's

Rev War
4802. INVALID.
File No. 4802 —
Reuben Rice Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: —Vol. IV , Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

U. S. Pension Office.
Reuben Rice - of Ashland, Maine - Oct. 16 th 1832 - aged 75 -
Alley - was drafted in Nov. or Dec. 1775 - for a three mos. service - was then residing at Lancaster - served in the Co. of Capt. Sager of Sterling - in Col. Whitney's Regt. They proceeded to Bound Brook, N. Jersey, by way of Worcester - Danbury & Morristown - crossing the river at Kings Ferry - that their duty was to protect the person & property of the inhabitants from plunder & insult - by de- tachments from the British Army which lay near by - They also had about a dozen prisoners of war under guard.
In Sept. 1777 again enlisted in the militia Co. of Capt. Boynton of Winchendon, where he then resided - for the term of one mo. They marched to Saratoga, by way of Northfield & Bennington - then went up the river to Fort Edward. Then down the river a few miles - this camp where was near the time of Burgoyne's surrender - he saw the army of the enemy stacked on the field after they had marched off. & saw a party of Canadians start for Canada after the surrender.
In July 1780 again enlisted in the militia Co. of Capt. Boutelle of Seamen's, of Col. Rands Regt.

marched to West Point, where he remained during this term (3 mos.) service - during this service Arnold attempted to break the American army.
Says he was born in Leicester Aug. (10) 1757. He resided here generally until 1780, after which he resided at Asliburnham.
Eliakim Rice of Hartland Bt. after that of Greenleaf testifies in the case - Both were in the service at about the same time but not in the same company.
Thomas Liles of Ash- burnham testified to service with Greenleaf at West Point in Capt. Boutelle's Co.