Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,698, for Edmund Rice, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Rice, Edmund Betsey
W. 5698
B.L.W. 3146-160-55
CONTENTS

93711 Edmund Rice -
  Prat  19  Mr  23  day    Agst  3   19      23   12     14.  4  16  06   
May 9 1833
P. 386
P. D. Bangs's Certificate signed 21. Augt 1833
  233    38    255  
  6333    255    65.88    15.00    3.17    84.052  
  168  10    142  02    10  12  
Easthampton Mass

9374
BRIEF in the case of  Edmund Rice  of  Middlesex Cy  in the State of  Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77  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.     a few days before 19 ap l 75 to about 10 January 76 — 8 12 Private Capt Andworth Col Brewer   30 July 76 - 1 March 77 — 7 — do Capt Brooks, - Genl Ward   Last of ap l 78 - Jan y 79 — — — Sergt from 1st Sept 78 to 1 Jan 79 Capt Smith Col Jacoby   3 19 — Sergt   4 11 — do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Concord - Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? don't say - suppose East Sudbury Mass. 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? A Sergeant's Warrant one living Witness 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The proper officer has not certified to the official character of the Magistrate. The papers not properly authenticated.  I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk. 16 Feb 1833

Map
July 53 - no 518
Vol R. page 66,
19.622 Act March 3 d 1853 Recd " 28 "
Betsey Rice wid of Edmund Rice Pvt. & Sergt.
Capt Nathan Rowes } Col John Jacobs }
Est.
Dis.
Now a pensioner of the US
War of the Revolution
Admit to Alms July 26/53,
W. W. W.
13. 1853
3146 of July 26/53
Alex Ray,
Present,

21.675 Massachusetts
Edmund Rice
of Middlesex in the State of Mass. who was a S gt in the Company commanded by Captain Adams of the Reg t commanded by Col Dawes in the Campaign for 19 months & 23 days Private 3 " 19 " Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $4 - Dollars 05 Cents per annum, in commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of Oct 1838 and sent Grace Fiske Est Cambridge Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Sep r 1835 $210.82 Pension allowance ending Dec r 1835 42.03 $252.85
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Adams Clerk. Book E Vol. 2 Page 73
79 M rs Rice 25 April 1840 (225) 26, 1840. 8 and 1 May 9, 1838 Col. H. A. N. Ammons

518
Massachusetts
Delsey Rice widow of Edmund Rice Maf who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Priv Sgt
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 84 Dollars 05
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
30th February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of May 1853 and sent to
Eliza Clarke Wrighton Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act Jan 22 1853, Page 45 Vol. A
1832
18391 Ms. A. 9. 2. 16 Rice history Prev

Edmund Price 93/4
Isaac Hooke East Cambridge Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this Market day of December 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, Edmund Dune a resident of East Sudbury in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven 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: He enlisted as a minute
man a few days before the 19. of April 1775 - at which time he marched to Concord & was in Concord fight on the 19. of April 1775 - he was also in Brinker Hill Battle & was afterwards stationed at Cambridge & continued in the service eight months & twelve days: - he belonged to Capt. Cudworth's Company & Col. Brewer's Regiment. - The term of service expired about the first of January 1776: - Richard Head of East Sudbury who is now alive, enlisted at the same time & was in the same service during the same period. -
He then said he enlisted on the 30 th of July 1776 into a Company of Militia commanded by Cap. Brooks & was under the immediate command of General Ward; there being two companies to guard the Magazine at Roxbury; of which Cap. Brooks was one: - & I was dismissed March 1 st 1777 having served under this enlistment seven months: - He knows of no man now living who can testify as to this service. -
In the last of April 1778 he again enlisted into a Company commanded by Cap. Smith , Col. Jacobs Regiment: he enlisted at Concord near East Sudbury & marched to Rhode Island & was in Sullivan's expedition & continued in the service till January 1 st 1779: - He received a Sergeant's warrant dated Sept r 12. 1778 & did duty as a Sergeant till the 1 st of January 1779: - He was wounded by an accidental discharge of a gun. - The Sergeant's warrant is herewith exhibited.
He was born in East Sudbury Nov r  (1755) 28. 1775 & his birth is recorded in an old bible: He has no other documents respecting his service than those which accompany this application: - He received no discharge nor no commission except that of Sergeant. He is known to the Rev. John B. Wright & also Richard Head -

I Richard Heard of East Sudbury in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy eight, do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Edmund Dine of said East Sudbury who is about my age & have known him since we were boys; we were schoolmates together in the town of East Sudbury when we both were raised since our birth; the said Edmund Dine served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war as hereinafter stated; we, enlisted in the spring of 1775 into a company commanded by Col. Cudworth, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Brewer & were in several fights & also at Bunker Hill Battle & afterwards were stationed at Cambridge & continued in the service eight months & twelve days; — I was during the whole of said time, in the same company & in the same mess. — And further I say not.  Richard Heard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. In Probate Court August 30. 1892 Personally appeared the above named Richard Heard who is known to be a man of veracity & entitled to credit, & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true.
J. P. May Probate

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,
Sworn the [blank] the day & year aforesaid J. P. P. Day Prob
Edmund Rice
We, John B. Wright a clergyman, residing in the town of East Sudbury and Richard Heard residing in said East Sudbury hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Edmund Rice who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be seventy seven 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 John M. Wright  Richard Heard  J. P. P. Day Prob
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 John B. Wright who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in East Sudbury — and that Richard Heard who has also signed the same, is a resident in said East Sudbury and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Day Prob
I Isaac Tinker 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 Edmund Rice for a pension. I also certify that Saml T. Day whose own proffered signature is set to the certificate of the deposition of Richard Heard hereunto annexed is the Judge of Probate & Justice of the Peace within said County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Isaac Tinker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Middlesex ss
On this fifteenth day of March eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before the Hon. Samuel P. P. Fay, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, and State aforesaid, Betsey Rice a resident of Weston in said County of Middlesex, being seventy seven years of age, 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 February 3 d 1853, as well as the Acts of July, 1 st and 2 d , 1848, granting Pensions to the widows of Revolutionary Officers & Soldiers, That She is the widow of Edmund Rice, late of Mayland in said County of Middlesex, which was formerly the the East part of Sudbury in the County of Middlesex aforesaid, that the said Edmund Rice was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, under the Law of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, in consideration of his services in the War of the Revolution as a private Corporal & Sergeant, and that he received his pension at the agency for paying pensions in Boston State of Massachusetts, and she refers to the evidence and papers furnished by the said Edmund Rice filed at the Pension Office in Washington, by which he received his pension. She further declared, that She was married to the said Edmund Rice, in Weston aforesaid, by the Rev d Joseph Field, Pastor of the First Church & Society

on Thursday the second. in David Morton, the first week in December, in the year eighteen hundred and fifteen. That her husband the aforesaid Edmund Rice died at his residence in Wayland aforesaid on the fourteenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and forty one. 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 eighteen hundred and fifty three. "Viz," at the time above stated. She further swears, that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made a declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension.
Betsy Rice
Subscribed & sworn to in open court by the said Betsy Rice on the day & year first above written & I hereby certify that I am in no manner interested in the result of the foregoing application, & am not con- cerned in the prosecution thereof — The words "on Thursday the second" being interlined before signing —
J. A. Bay judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
I Alfred A. Prescott — Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, hereby certify, that at a Court of Probate holden at in and for said county, on the day of  in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
Samuel P. P. Gay of Cambridge in said County, is Judge of Probate for said County, was duly appointed and authorized to act in that capacity, and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed, is his true and and gave Bond to the acceptance of the Judge of said Court for the due performance of said trust according to law: genuine Signature,
I also certify, that it appears by the records and files in said office, that said appointment remains in full force, in no wise revoked, reversed, or annulled.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court this fifteenth day of March — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three,
A. A. Prescott Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 24 th 1855,
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation's here annexed, Elijah Cluck and Benjamin Pierce were Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. M. Wightman Secretary of the Commonwealth.

19.622
Betsy Rice arr Feb 2/55
Also Ray
28 March/55-
Washington

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex, ss
On this twenty second day of March A.D. eighteen hun- -dred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County, and State aforesaid. Betsey Rice, aged seventy nine years, a resident of Newton in the State of Massachusetts who, being duly sworn according to law, declared that she is the widow of Edmund Rice, who was a private and sergeant, in several services in the War of the Revolution, for two years or more, that she was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832, and that she is in receipt of a pension under the Act of March 3, 1833, of eighty four dollars per annum. She further states that she was married to the said Edmund Rice on the first week in December eighteen hundred and fifteen. That her name before her said marriage, was Betsey Dain. That her said husband died at Wayland on the fourteenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and forty one, 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 3, 1833.
Betsey Rice

We Elizabeth D Jones and O. A. Train residents of Newton in the state of Massachusetts Upon our oaths, declare, that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Betsey 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.
Elizabeth D. Jones O. A. Train
The foregoing declaration and affidavit 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.
Elijah Clark Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts.

A Return of Marriages Solemnized by the Rev. Joseph Field Pastor of the Congregational Church in Weston A.D. 1815.
" Edmund Rice of East Sudbury and Betsey Train of Weston. "
I, Nathan Hagar, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Weston in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have in my care and keeping the Records of said Town of Weston and that the above is a true extract from the original Records of said town.
- Nathan Hagar Town Clerk of Weston,
Middlesex S. Weston March 23. 1855,
Then personally appeared Nathan Hagar, Town Clerk, and made oath that the above certificate by him made and subscribed is true and I certify that I am not interested in the claim for which this Certificate is made
Know all men by these presents } Justice of the Peace

I, Otis Train of Newton in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, fifty six years of age, do testify and say, that I was personally acquaint- ed with Edmond Rice late of Weyland in said County deceased, that I attended his funeral in said Weyland two or three days after his decease which was about thirteen years since. That Betsey Rice, the widow of the said Edmond Rice, is now residing in Newton and remains a widow never had intermarried since the death of the said Edmond Rice, who was a Revolutionary Soldier of the United States.
Otis Train
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Newton, March. 22. 1835.
Then personally appeared Otis Train, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed, and I certify that he is a credible witness, and that I am not interested in the claim for which this affidavit is taken.
Eliza H. Clark, Justice of the Peace.

This certifies that I find in my record of marriages the names of Edmund Rice of East Sudbury & Betsey Train of Weston as having been married by me in the year eighteen hundred & fifteen
I hereby Certify that the above is a true extract from my record of marriages with the exception of date which is expressed in far legible figures as follows 1815
Joseph Field
This certifies that I am pastor of the first church & society in Weston. County of Middlesex - in state of Massachusetts and that the above is true as Certified by me
Joseph Field pastor of the first church & society in Weston
Town of Weston ss I do hereby certify that the above is a true extract from my record of marriages and that the above certificate by him submitted is true and I certify that I have not interest in the above claim
By me Justice of the peace

Extract from the Records of the Town of Wayland County of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts
"Died Edmund Rice aged 86 Nov 14 - 1841"
I Henry Wright depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Wayland County & State aforesaid that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Wayland
Henry Wright
Town Clerk
Middlesex ss. Feby. 28. 1853.
Then personally appeared the above named Henry Wright, the subscriber to the foregoing cer- tificate, and made solemn oath before me, the underscriber to this cer- tificate, that the certificate by him subscribed is just and true, and I further certify, that I have no interest in the result of this case and am in no way concerned in its prosecution.
Edward Miller Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

I Edward Rice of Wayland county of Middlesex, and Commonwealth altho' Massachusett, yeoman, depose and say, that I am now sixty years old, and that I am son of Edmund Rice, late of said Wayland, yeoman, and that my said father died at said Wayland on Sunday evening on or about the 10th of November A.D. 1841 the present eight hundred and forty one. That he was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States. That he left at his decease Betsey Rice his widow, who now resides in Weston in said Middlesex; and that she has not since intermarried.
Edward Rice
Middlesex ss. Feby 28. 1853. Then personally appeared the above named Edward Rice and made solemn oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is just and true, before me the undersigned, and I certify that I have no interest in the result of this case, and am in no way concerned in its prosecution. I further certify that said Rice, the signer of the foregoing certificate, is in all respects a credible witness. Edward Mellen Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 15 th 1883.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Benjamin Pierce was a justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex - and Edward Mellan was a justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

No. 19.622
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received March 28 187 55
Betsy Rice Wife of Edmunds Rice Print Sergh Capt Nathaniel Rowles Col John Jacobs War of the Revolution
Warrant 3146-160-55
Alex Rice Presents

Edmund Rice Warrant
R
Edmund Rice W. 5698. Mass.

By John Jacobs Esq.
Colonel of A Reg t of Infantry Rais d in the Massachusetts State Now in the Service of the United States —
To Edmund Rice Greeting
By virtue of the Power and Authority of the Gen l Court of the Massachusetts State to me given, do by these Presents Reposing Special Trust and confidence in your Loyalty courage and good Conduct do constitute and Appoint you the S d Edmund Rice to be A Sergeant in A Comp y commanded By Capt n Nathan Poulton in the Afore S d Reg t Under my Command, you are therefore Carefully to discharge the duty of A Serg t in the Reg t Afore S d and you are faithfully to Observe and Play all such Orders as you may Receive from time to time from your Superior Officers for which this Shall Be your Sufficient Warrant Given Under my hand Seal this twelfth day of Sept r in the thirteenth year of American Independa
A 1778
John Jacobs Col l

3146
Storans

Pay  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3698
Betsey Rice Wid.
Edmund Rice Sergt Rev. War
Act: 1832
Index:—Vol. 86 , Page 161
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Feb 3rd 1853
at 10

Brief in the case of Betsey Rice Middlesex County and State of Mass. act 7 Feb 1839.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase." )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner at $84.05. Record proof of marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Elijah Clarke Brigham Mass
J. C. C. Examining Clerk.

Thud & Blood off.
John Loken and Gray
Mid F. 5698
W.C. 508
Beloy Rain.

I Thaddeus Blood of Concord in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts: aged Seventy seven, do testify & say, that I knew one Edmund Rice (who now resides in East Bridgewater) in the year 1770; he was a Sargeant; he belonged to a Company commanded commanded by Capt. Smith in a Regiment commanded by Col. Jacobs; I belonged to the same company with him part of the time; He received a wound on or about the twelfth day of September A.D. 1778 by an accidental discharge of a musket, I stood near to him when he received it, it was a severe wound in the elbow; — I know not how long he served at this time; He was
Thaddeus Blood
Subscribed before me Aug. 18 th 1882. sworn to by Thaddeus Blood
J. P. P. Gay Prob
I hereby certify that Thaddeus Blood who has subscribed the above deposition is a respectable & credible man —
J. P. P. Gay Prob.

9374 Edmund Rice
It having been recently ascertained that there are Rolls of service of the Mass. Militia & State Troops in the office of the Secy of State of Mass. applica- tion must therefore be made to that office for evidence of the claimant's service
Augt 21. 1833
Isaac Fiske East Cambridge Mass. JF

9374 Edmund Rice
In reply to the Directions on the back hereof. I have made application to the Secretary's Office of this Commonwealth & have procured a certificate from Edward D. Bangs Esq. Secretary, & herewith forward the same; — The evidence from the Secretary's Office does not reach the whole time claimed by the Applicant; but it is respectfully suggested that the Applicant should not be concluded thereby, inasmuch as the documents in the Secretary's Office are defective, incomplete & much mutilated. & as the Applicant has furnished the usual evidence in addition thereto, — thereby —
It having been recently ascertained that there are rolls of series of the Misses Melcher & Kate Brooks in the office of the Secy of State of Mass. application has been made therefor to be made to that office for evidence of the claimants name
Augt 21. 1835
Isaac Dike East Cambridge Mass. J.S.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 9374 Edmund Rice 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes 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? Yes
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? No
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? Not to 3
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.

Washington April 24. 1840 -
Sir
I wish you would inform me what is the amount of Pension paid to Edmund Hill of Maryland - Does he receive Rev. Purvis & Tuckers Pension?
Very respectfully
Yr obedt. Servt,
Wm Purvis
James L Edwards Esq
Counsel of Purvis
x at East Sudbury Mass.

Brighton, Mass. March. 23 d 1855.
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the claims of Mrs Betsey Rice, of Weston Widow of the late Edmund Rice of Maryland claiming a pension under the Act of Congress of 2 d Section of the Act of February, 3 d 1855, and former laws, for widows of Revolutionary Officers and Soldiers.
Very Respectfully yours Chas. St. & C Elijah Clark
Hon. J. P. Heath Commissioner of Pensions Washington City, D. C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 30 th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Edmund Rice, jr. as a private, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth's Company, in Col. Abijah Pierce's Regt. April 19 th 1775, where he is allowed, for services and travel, seven days. — — — — — m d 7
Edmund Rice's name is found on a Muster Roll of Capt. Caleb Brooks' Company, in Col. Dikes' Regt, where he is allowed from December 1 st 1776, to the last of Feb y 1777, three months. — — — — — 3=0
Edmund Rice's name is found on a Pay Roll of Capt. Nathan Rowles' Company, in Col. John Jacobs' Regt. where he is allowed, from Feb y 20 th 1778, for services and travel, ten months and thirteen days. — — — — — 10=18 / 13=20
Edmund Rice's name is borne on an Abstract of the Milage money to and from Camp, due to the Company of Capt. Caleb Brooks, in Col. Nicholas Dikes' Regt. dated November 27 th 1776, where he is allowed forty miles travel. —

Amount brought Over.—
m a 13 = 20
Edmund Price claims for further services under Capt. Budworth in 1773, also under Capt. Brooks in 1776. the rolls of which are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs Esq

Edmund Rice
Born in East Sudbury Middlesex Co Mass Nov 28. 1775 evidently an error - probably should be 1755 as he stated when he applied for pension in Aug 1832. He was living in East Sudbury aged 77 years. He died Nov 14 1841. born in east part of Middlesex Co of Wayland alluded to as aged 86 years Married in Weston Middlesex Co Tuesday 2 nd week Dec 1815 to Betsey Traen
Applied from Weston for pension in March 1853 aged 77 years
Edward Rice of Wayland died July 1853 aged 60 yrs was a son
As a "minuteman" he marched April 19. 1775 when he to, & was in the fight at Concord & in organization of the Troops for the Siege of Boston he enlisted for 8 mos with Col Nath Cudworth & Col d Brown & was at the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17. 1775).
Second 7 mos In July 1776 Col. Decker (Nichols) under Capt Calib Brooks Station in the immediate vicinity of Col. Ward to guard the Magazine at Roxbury Fort Cambridge
In April 1778 he enlisted with Capt Smith & Sohn Col d Jacobs proceeded to R.I. Joining Gen Sullivan's army & was at F t S t in Col d Rookes Co y Sept 12 1778 Wounded by accidental discharge of a musket