Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,415, for Phinehas Rice, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Rice, Phinehas
NUMBER
S. 29,415
CONTENTS

Framingham, Middlesex Co. Mass. Aug. 29 th A. D. 1832 "Phinehas Rice the son of Jonathan Rice & of Ruth his wife, was born upon the 23 rd day of Nov r A. D. 1801". A true copy from the Town Records,
Attest
Elias Temple { Town Clerk of Framingham

10.485 Declaration of Prinsep Rice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Phinehas Thier a resident of Browningham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy one  years, who, being first duly sworn  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, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
In the summer of the year 1776 I entered the service in the Militia of Massachusetts as a substitute for my father Phinehas Thier who enlisted or was drafted to go to Noddle's Island in the United States service - I went as a private soldier and staid a few days at Charlestown near Boston and then was marched to Noddle's Island two miles from Boston - I staid on said Island & was employed there in said service between two & three months making a fort - Mr. Prentiss of Boston captain of my company had the charge at the Island, he was not much with us on the Island - Mr. Savage was my sergeant - we had not many officers & I don't recollect any others who were there -
In May 1778 I was drafted to go to Cambridge in the Massachusetts militia as a bridge in the Massachusetts militia as a private soldier - I went to Cambridge & was stationed there under one Capt. Holmes of Hopkinton & served under him three months - I think Colonel Reed commanded the detachment - our business was to guard the soldiers taken under Gen. Burgoyne prisoners of war - I served three months at this time.
In 1779 my said father enlisted in said militia service as a soldier to go to Rhode Island I went as his substitute in August and served four months and a half - I was first stationed at Providence and as soon as the British left Rhode Island I was marched on to it - my officers were one Hovey was my Captain, I think he was from Brooklyn - I do not recollect all the officers I think General Gates was at the Island.
In 1780 I was called out as a soldier in said militia to Rhode Island on an alarm from that place under Captain Nathan Drury Lieut. John Hunt ensign Abel Stone . Major of Hopkinton was my Colonel - John Farnbridge of Browningham was my Lt. Colonel - I served on this occasion near a month - it was between twenty and thirty days.

I were born in Framingham of said in 1761 — I do not know of any record of my age except the town record of Framingham — a copy is annexed. When called into the service I was a resident of said Framingham and have always made that place my home —
I served twice as a substitute for my father as above said — In May 1770 I was drafted — in 1780 I was detached on the alarm from the Island.
The names of regular and other troops were not familiar to me as my terms of service were all short — I do not remember that I ever received a written discharge —
I am personally acquainted with the Rev. David Kellogg, Major Josiah Stone, Lieut. John B. Kittredge & Col. David Brewer.
I have no written documents except as above.
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 any state,
Phinehas Mear
5
We, Charles Train Train (a clergyman, residing in the town of Framingham, and Josiah Stone residing in Framingham) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Phinehas Mear who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be about seventy years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. P. P. Bay Josiah Stone Charles Train
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 certify, that it appears to them that Charles Train who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Framingham and that Josiah Stone who has also signed the same, is a resident in Framingham — and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Bay Josiah Stone
I Isaac Tiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Phinehas Mear for a pension. I also certify that William Beck minister whose own proper signature is set to the deposition of Jonathan Mear hereto annexed is a justice of the Peace within said county of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
I also certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original proceedings of the said Court, and that the signature of William Beck minister is a true and correct copy of his own proper signature.
Isaac Tiske Agree to Prel
Isaac Tiske

10465 Phinehas Rice
Pm at 10 Mr 20 day
5-16 06
March 29 1833
P 315
\begin{array}{r} 33. 33 \\ 2. 20 \\ \hline 35. 53 \end{array}
Isaac Fiske Esq. East Cambridge Mass

10465
BRIEF in the case of  Phinehas Rice  County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 Sub between 2 & 3 Months Private Gen. Capt Prentiss. Beauregard   May 1778 Draf 3 Savage.   1779 Sub 4 1/2 " Capt Holmes. Col Reed.   1780 nearly 1 month " Capt Hovey.   " Capt Dury. Lt Bent.   " Col Perty.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Farmingham Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional, Verbal  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the seal as required. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk. Feb 27 th 1833

15.822
Mapachuntz Pinchas Rice
of Ellisville & Co in the State of Mapachuntz who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Prentiss of the Regt commanded by Col Reed in the Mapachuntz line for 10 mos 20 ds.
Mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Mapachuntz at the rate of 35 Dollars 53 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1833 and sent to Grace Fish E. Cambridge
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $71.06 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 17.76
$88.82
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 72

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Phinehas Rice a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
July 29, 1915
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec 11 76 1 yr 3 mos Priv. Prentiss Mass.   May 78 3 mos. Holmes Reed   Aug 79 1 1/2 mos. Hovey ✓   80 4 mos. Nathan Hovey Hovey  
* served as substitute for his father Jonathan Rice.
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Framingham Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug 13 1882.  Attleboro Residence at date of application, Framingham Mass. Age at date of application, Nov 24 1901  Framingham Mass. son of
Remarks: Jonathan & Ruth Rice.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

29 415 Rev INVALID.
1911 Nov. 2. History to Mrs. G. M. Brandon &
File No. 29, 415
Phinehas Rice
Dis Rev Mr
Act: June 7 '82
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 340
[ Arr. 1870. ]

Sara Price, Affidavit for Phoebe Price

I Jonathan Dine of Framingham in the County of Middlesex testify & say that Lieut. Phinehas Dine of said Framingham was a soldier on Noddles island & served under state officers of Massachusetts as a substitute for his father Jonathan. I was in the same service with him & we both staid a little more than three months
In 1778 the said Phinehas Dine went as a soldier to Cambridge to guard the Burgoyne troops - I was not there but he was absent from home on said expedition. Three months I lived in the same ferry with him & knew of his going & return.
In 1779 the said Phinehas served as a substitute for his father Jonathan Dine under militia officers at Rhode Island & Providence for four months and a half - I was there most of that time but not the whole time - according to my best belief & knowledge he served there four and a half months.
In 1780 said Phinehas went to Rhode Island as a soldier on an alarm from that place - I was there with him between twenty & thirty days - & further saith not.
Jonathan Dine
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 27. 1832
Then the above named Jonathan Dine personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me Wm. Bruckmiller Juff. of Peace I certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Jonathan Dine & that he is a credible witness Wm Bruckmiller Juff. of Peace

10665
Charles Rice
Grace Foster Esq East Cambridge Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Shine which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides ? 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 whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ? No
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

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. 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 his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with 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 shown 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 found 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.
¶ 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.

Blanchard Thies amendment of Declaration

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace within & for the County of Middle- sex in the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts Phinehas Dike, whose decla- ration for a pension is hereto annex- ed, 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 his service, but according to the best of his recollec- tion he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the grade of a private soldier — For ten months and twenty days I served as a private soldier, and for such ser- vice I claim a pension —
I cannot recollect the names of any more officers under whom I served than those mentioned in my declaration for a pension.
I further depose that for the time during which the service was perform- ed I was not employed in any civil pursuit.
Phinehas Dike
Sworn to before me by said Dike on this seventeenth day of April 1833
Wm. Buckingham

GEORGE BRANDON The Furnace Man
WE SELL THE CELEBRATED GREEN FURNACE
Hardware ————— Stoves ————— Tinware
BOTH PHONES
Special Attention Given to Galvanized Iron Work, Pumps and Job Work.
Heating and Ven- tilating Engineer, Furnaces Cleaned and Reset.
Jefferson, Iowa, Oct 24 1911
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
I find in looking up the descendants of - Lieut Johnathon Rice of Revolutionary War, he had a son Phineas, who died a pensioner - was he an officer in the Service? Will you send me the records of both Johnathon + Phineas and at the same time what offices they held if any - We are the descendants of those men and wish to enter the ranks of the D.A.R. have been advised to write to you for information - If there is any expense attached to the information let us know and we will remit at once as we are anxious to enter as soon as possible
Respect
Mrs Geo. N. Brandon
Jefferson Iowa
Box 764

noted