Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,378, for John Rice, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Rice, John Mehitable
W. 26,378
CONTENTS

Maine 3325
Mehitable Rice, widow of John Rice.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June '32 and who died on the 29 th May 1835- of Kennebec in the State of Maine who was a P.M. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Parkers of the Reg t commanded by McCobb in the Mass s line for 9 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of June 39, and Geo. W. Morrison Augusta, Me.
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $ 90.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 15.00
$105.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Purdie Clerk Book A Vol. 1 Page 22.

Maine 11.417
John Rice
of Kennebec Co. in the State of Maine who was a — Dr — in the Company commanded by Captain Walking — of the Regt commanded by Col. McCobb in the Mass Volunteer Troops
9. Mo Private — $30
Inscribed on the Roll of — Maine at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cts per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of April 1833 — R. C. Rose and sent to Augusta Me.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 67.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sept " 1.5
75
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. S. Sprague Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 48 —
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 5 th April 1838 from 4 Ward to the 29 th May 1835 the day of his death. Agent notified 25 Aug 1838.
Dead

217 STATE OF MAINE.
Kennebec County, ss.
AT the Supreme Judicial Court, begun and holden at Augusta, within and for the County of Kennebec, on the first Tuesday of October, A. D. 1832, and thence by adjournment on the 26 th day of March A. D. 1833.
PERSONALLY appears in open Court John Rice by whom the annexed declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832, was made before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jr. on the 14 th day of July A. D. 1832, and makes oath, in due form of law, that the annexed declaration, by him made and signed, is true.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
Nathan Weston Sub. S. J. C.
I, JOHN ALPHONSO CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Rice for pension.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix the seal of said Supreme Judicial Court, and subscribe my name this 26 th day of March A. D. 1833.
J. A. Chandler

108 Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. KENNEBEC COUNTY, }
On this fourteenth day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, John Rice a resident of Hallowell in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following dec- laration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1780 with Captain Walker and served in Col. Samuel McCobb's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Walker Captain, McCobb Colonel , that in March 1780 he was drafted for nine months in that company and regiment in the war of the revolution. That this period he fully served out, and was honorably discharged at Camden, Maine, in December 1780.

And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department, he answers: that he was born in 1760 near Bristol England, where his birth is recorded if any where, that at the age of nine he came to America, before the revolution, and became settled at Hallowell, Maine, where his home was during his revolutionary service. and where he now lives That he did not take any written discharge. That he was drafted, and was not received as a substitute. That he served at George's river Thomaston, and at Camden Maine, guarding and defending the coast. That Ulver was his Major, Thompson his lieutenant and that Gen Peter Wardworth commanded the troops on the coast of Maine. That any of his neighbors will testify to his character for truth and belief of his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
John Rice
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before
Nathan Weston Jr Not S. P. C.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Nathan Weston Jr

John Rice No 2890
James Weeks Private - Mass. troops
Walker's Co: McCobb's regt. 9 months.
9 months as a private
Declaration in open court
March 26. 1833.
9 mths
$ 300
R.C. Vose. Augusta, Maine.
State of Maine
I Thaddeus Small, aged seventy four years, a soldier of the revolution, upon oath testify and declare, that I know that John Rice then and now of Hallowell, Maine was, in March 1780, drafted as a private to serve in the war of the revolution. I know that he accordingly went into the service at that time, and that he returned the fore part of the winter following. I lived at the time in the same town, Hallowell, and was a near neighbor to said Rice.
Thaddeus Small
Subscribed and sworn to, July 24 1832, the deponent being an credible witness. Before
Nathan Weston Jr.
Not S.P.C.
State of Maine
I James Weeks, aged seventy years, a soldier of the revolution, upon oath testify and declare, that in April 1780 I enlisted as a private in April 1780 in Capt Walker's company and Col. McCobb's regiment and served until sometime in November of that year, and I further testify that while I served, John Rice then and now of Hallowell, served as a private in the same company and regiment - and I further testify that I found him serving when I enlisted, and I left him in the service, when I was discharged.
James Weeks
Subscribed and sworn to July 26 1832, the deponent being a credible witness. Before
Nathan Weston Jr. Not S.P.C.

State of Maine
I James Weeks, aged seventy years, a soldier of the revolution, upon oath testify and declare, that in April 1780 I enlisted as a private in April 1780 in Capt Walker's company and Col. McCobb's regiment and served until sometime in November of that year, and I further testify that while I served, John Rice then and now of Hallowell, served as a private in the same company and regiment - and I further testify that I found him serving when I enlisted, and I left him in the service, when I was discharged. JAMES WEEKS
Kennebec ss. Subscribed and sworn to July 26 1832, the deponent being a credible witness. Before Nathan Weston Jun. Just. S.P.C.
State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss.—I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of John Rice for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 14 th day of July
A. D. 1832.
J. A. Chandler

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE OF MAINE.
Kennebec County, ss.
On this thirteenth day of August A. D., 1838, personally appeared before the Hon. Nathan Weston Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Maine Michalab Rice a resident of Hallowell in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged Sixty eight years, 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 7th, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of John Rice late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under Act of Congress of June 7. 1832. That her said late husband furnished the War Department with evidence of his services in the War of the Revolution in order to obtain the benefit of said Act of June 7. 1832 to which she refers.
She further declares, that she was married to the said John Rice on the eighteenth day of November in the year seventeen hundred and ninety one ; that her husband, the aforesaid John Rice died on the twenty ninth day of May 1835 at Hallowell, Maine ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated; that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. That her maiden name was Michalab Parkman and that she was married in Readfield Maine.
Michalab Rice
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me (the applicant being, from age and infirmity, unable to appear in open court)
Nathan Weston C.J. S.J.C.

State of Maine.
On the thirteenth day of August, 1830, Mehitable Rice, the applicant within named, was examined and sworn, and within stated. I am satisfied, that she was married to John Rice, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, on the eighteenth day of November, 1791, that the said John Rice deceased on the twenty ninth day of May, 1835, and that the applicant has ever since remained his widow.
The within declaration was Nathaniel Weston C.J. received at the residence of the S. J. C. applicant. She was confined to her bed by disease, entirely unable to move, or to be removed, from her house.
Nathaniel Weston
STATE OF MAINE.
November 88.
I the subscriber clerk of the Judicial Court for said County hereby CERTIFY, That the Hon. Nathaniel Weston before whom the proceedings were had, is the chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State. I also CERTIFY, That the foregoing summons contains the original proceedings of the said Chief Justice in the matter of the application of Mehitable Rice for a pension.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this twenty first day of September A. D., 1835.
The Swan

John Rice, son of John Rice, was born in Great Britain, June Seventeen hundred & Sixty - came to this town Seventeen hundred & Seventy four - Married Mehitable, daughter of Joshua Packer of Readfield, who was Sept r Six, Seventeen hundred & Sixty eight.
Their children are as follows, viz.
John, born November Eight, Seventeen hundred ninety one Reuel, born Sept r One, Seventeen hundred ninety three Betsey, born June Seventeen, Seventeen hundred ninety six Rufus, born Feb y Nineteen, Seventeen hundred ninety nine Alden, born July eighteen  Eighteen , Seventeen hundred & four Julianne, born Jan y sixteen, Eighteen hundred & seven Mary, born Oct r twenty five, Eighteen hundred nine.
I certify that the above is a true copy of a Record found in the "Register of Families" for the town of Hallowell, page One hundred and forty four, with the exception of the dates, which are expressed in the said Record in fair, legible figures, as follows, viz: -
"John Rice, son of John Rice, was born in Great Britain, June 1760 - came to this town 1774 - Married Mehitable, daughter of Joshua Packer of Readfield, who was Sept r 6. 1768.
Their children are as follows, viz.
John, born November 8, 1791 Reuel, born Sept r 1, 1793 Betsey, born June 17, 1796 Rufus, born Feb y 19, 1799 Alden, born July 18, 1804 Julianne, born Jan y 16, 1807 Mary, born Oct r 25, 1809 -
A. W. Robinson, Town clerk of Hallowell

State of Maine
Kennebec ss. Sept. 27 th 1838. Personally appeared S. W. Robinson and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed — also that he is the Town clerk of the Town of Hallowell in said County of Kennebec and State of Maine — Also that the Record of which the foregoing is a copy, is an ancient record of said Town of Hallowell, and that he verily believes the same to be in the hand writing of Mr. John Stewart who was for a long time Town clerk of said Town, and who has been dead many years —
Before me
E. H. Butler Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
Kennebec ss. I the subscriber Clerk of the Judicial courts for said County, hereby certify that E. H. Butler Esq. before whom the above affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for said County.
Witness my hand & the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, this 10 th day of December 1838.

2015
Mehitable Rice, widow of John Rice, who was a pensioner on Maine Roll under Act June 7, 1832. Act July 7, 1838.
Me
Respectfully Informing
the Hon. the Governor of Maine
91.35-
adm d.
9 mo / cri
30 3/4
No deduction
George W. Morton Augusta Me
State of Maine, I the undersigned Clerk of the Judicial Court for said County do hereby certify that the within Summons, Process & Bills before whom the within Summons, affidavits were returnable and Justice of the Peace for said County. Witness my hand at the seat of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, this 28 th day of January 1839.
L. H. Chamberlain 1839 44 1791

I Mary Rice of Hanover in the County of Kennebec. State of Maine of lawful age do testify and declare upon oath that John Rice late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States died at said town of Han- -over in the month of May 1835 and that Mehitable Rice now living in said town is the widow of the said John Rice having remained unmarried ever since his decease My. Rice
State of Maine County of Kennebec ss. August 13. 1838 Subscribed and sworn. I certify the deponent a credible witness Before me Nathan Weston C.J.S.P.C.
I Lydia Packard of Readfield, Kennebec County, aged sixty seven years upwards, upon oath state, that I was present in November seventeen hundred & ninety one, at the marriage of the within named John Rice to the within named Mehitable Packard, at Readfield. The marriage was solemnized by a W. Emerson a Justice of the Peace. The said Mehitable was my late husband's sister.
Lydia Packard
State of Maine, Kennebec, ss. Subscribed - Sworn to this 14 th day of September, A.D. 1838, the deponent being credible witness,
William Woodworth Esq. Before me is a justice of the peace for Kennebec Nathan Weston

2013
Veritable Peace order of John Peck. who was a prisoner in Maine Hall under act June 7, 1832. Act July 7, 1838, Me
91.95- adm'd 9 mo / cu 30 3/4
Hotel du Chem
George W. Norton in quito me
State of Maine, Wernersville Jo I the subscriber Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County hereby certify that E. K. Burleigh & William Mount Jo Byers before whom the within & several affidavits were sworn and Justices of the Peace for said County.
Witness my hand & the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, this 28 th day of January 1839.
J. A. Seward - 1834 42 1791

March 15, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. George Wharton Rice Hotel Thomas Jefferson Tampa, Florida
John Rice, W. 26378 BA-J/MCS
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Benjamin Hutchings and John Rice.
Because of the large number of requests for records of Revolutionary War soldiers and the lack of clerical force available for furnishing such information it has been impossible to comply in full with requests similar to yours. The record of John Rice is furnished herein.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 26378, based upon the military service of John Rice.
He was born in June, 1760, near Bristol, England, and came to America when he was nine years of age and settled at Hallowell, Maine, in 1774. He was the son of John Rice.
While a resident of Hallowell (which was first Massachusetts but later Maine) he enlisted in March, 1780, and served nine months as private in Captain Walker's company in Colonel Samuel McCobb's Massachusetts regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 14, 1832, at which time he was living in Hallowell, Kennebec County, Maine.
John Rice died May 29, 1835, at Hallowell, Maine.
He married November 18, 1791, at Readfield, Maine, Mehitable Packard who was born September 6, 1768, and was the daughter of Joshua Packard.

As the widow of John Rice, Mehitable Rice was allowed pension on her application executed August 13, 1838, at which time she was living at Hallowell, Maine.
The names of the following children were given and it was stated that they were copied from the town records at Hallowell, Maine:
John born November 8, 1791. Reuel " September 1, 1793. Betsey " June 17, 1796. Rufus " February 19, 1799. Alden " July 18, 1804. Juliana " January 18, 1807. Mary " October 25, 1809.
In 1838 Lydia Packard of Readfield, Maine, aged "sixty-seven years and upwards" stated that the widow was her late husband's sister.
There are no further data relative to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Reg
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,378
Mehitable Rice Wid of John Rice Brn Mass line
Act July 7th 1838
Index : Vol 8 , Page 165
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1916, Sept. 5. History to Mr Miss S. G. Noyes. 1918, May 4. History to Mr Herbert Folger. 1921 Apr. 9 Hist. to Mr. Emerson Rice 1922 Apr. 27. Hist. to Mrs. J. S. Bordwell. Ad. 1938 Mar. 15. Hist. to Mr. George Wharton Rice

Washington, Feb. 12. 1839.
Sir:
This package contains the claims of Mary Ridley, Susanna Whitehouse, Hannah Beeman, Deborah Brown, Melitable Rice, Isabella Preble, Susanna Thing, and Melitable Wiggins, returned with such corrections as required in your letter of 27th Nov last, also the additional certificates of the Judge in the cases of Phebe Atherton, Olin Doe, Lydia Fairbanks, Dorothy Greeley, Mary Smith and Joanna Turner, whose original declarations are now on file in your office. Will you have the goodness, should the claims now be satisfactorily proved, to transmit me at Augusta Maine, pension certificates for them
I am very respectfully Your Oth Servt Geo. W. Morton
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington D.C.

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 23. 1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of John Rice deceased a Pensioner on the Roll of the Maize Agency, at the rate of Thirty Dollars and " " - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th. June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1835 to the 29th of May 1835, the day of his death —
Respectfully, yours,
Meriwether Lewis Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

February 27, 1938
The Administrator, Veterans Administration
Sir:
Acknowledgment with thanks is made of your letter of February 15, with military record of Benjamin Babcock, soldier of the Revolution.
It would oblige me greatly to have the record of Benjamin Hutchings (or Hutchins), reported to have served in the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War. A U. S. pensioner, he perhaps was seventy-six years of age in 1835, and probably lived in Edgecomb, Lincoln County, Maine. In the summer of 1776 he was a private in Captain Israel Davis's company of Boothbay militia. (District of Maine)
Also of my great grandfather, John Rice (B. in England, 1760; d. at Hallowell, Maine, 1835, ae. about 76). He was a private in the Massachusetts militia (District of Maine) in 1780, and is thought to have served on the Penobscot expedition, from July 12, to Sep. 24, 1779. Said John Rice was a pensioner, briefly.
Such information is desired solely for a historical purpose.
Very respectfully,
Attention Hon. A. D. Miller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Also BA&J/ILL

Rev Sec at
Pension Bureau Washington, D.C. Gentlemen -
RECORDED MAR 27 1922
I should like to know if my great grandfather John Rice, born Bristol, Eng., about 1758 and died Hallowell, Me., May 29, 1835 was on the pension list of the Revolutionary war.
My understanding is this: He was an officer in the British navy, deserted to the American forces during the Revolutionary war and for his services was given a tract of Gov. land at Hallowell,

Maine, where he lived till 1835.
One of his sons, Alden Rice was my grandfather and he served in the Amoskeag navy. His son, Charles Thomas Rice was my father. He served in the 16 Me. Inf'ty, Co. A. under Capt. Chas. Hildreth and was discharged near Washington, D.C. June 5 th 1863 at expiration of service.
His pension certificate was No. 1061197.
In making out my D.A.R. papers, I gave John Rice as my Revolutionary ancestor and I have had a letter from Miss Emma Stride, Registrar-general D.A.R. at Washington, suggesting that I write you to see if he was not on the pension list. Thanking you in advance. Hence my inquiry.
Most Sincerely Yours
(Mrs. J.) Anna Alden Rice Bowdwell 987 Crescent Drive Riverside, Calif.

HERBERT FOLGER HISTORIAN BERKELEY
HERBERT FOLGER, HISTORIAN SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 2715 CLAREMONT BOULEVARD BERKELEY, CALIF.
SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
April 21, 1918
The Commissioner of Pensions, Revolutionary War Department, Washington, D. C.
Sir,
I shall consider it a favor if you will cause the records of Revolutionary War Pensions to be examined, for an account of John Rice, born in Bristol, England, who is said to have enlisted more than once, and who married Mehitable Packard, of Readfield, Maine. It is stated that she received a pension for some years after the death of her husband, and as long as she lived. I am aware that their son, Alden Rice, was born at Hallowell, Maine, in June, 1805, but am not informed as to their other children. Their great-grandchildren are desirous of procuring evidence of their marriage, dates and places of birth, &c.; and anything in your record which will certify to names, places, dates, &c. will be highly valued.
Respectfully,
Historian

1779. Rev.
EMERSON RICE 87 ARLINGTON ST HYDE PARK - MASS.
Pension Dept. Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
I am writing to ascertain whether the rolls of Revolutionary pensioners contain the name of Mehitable Packard Rice, wife of John Rice of Farmingdale, Me., formerly Readfield, Me. John Rice was private in Capt. Archibald M c Alister's Co., Col. David M c Cobb's Regt. Lincoln Co. Maine (then Mass). He enlisted Sep. 24 1779.
I am told that his widow drew a pension after his death, (32)

and wish to verify it from your Washington records
I am
Yours truly,
Emerson Rice

119 Winter Street Portland Maine
Commissioner of Pensions Interior Department Washington, D. C.
May I ask if you have the date of Death of David Nelson of Rowley Mass., who was placed on the Pension list Aug. 22, 1833 under Act of June 7, 1832. Or if not date of death can I get date of last pension payment?
Also may I get copy of pension application of John Price of Kennebec County Maine placed on Pension list, as private Mass. militia, Apr. 29, 1833 under Act of Mar. 4, 1831. June 7, 1832.
Thanking you for the favor I am Yours truly Miss S. G. Noyes.
Aug. 27-1916.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Rice a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. N. F. 26,378.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Incl. 1780 9 mos. Pri. Walker. Samuel McCobb Mass.                                     
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hallowell, Maine
Date of application for pension, July 14, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Hallowell, Kennebec Co., Maine.
Age at date of application, { He was the son of John Rice, and was born, in June, 1760, near Bristol, England.
Remarks: He came to America when 9 years of age, and settled at Hallowell, Mass. He was born Nov. 12, 1791 at Roadfield, Me. Mehitable, dau. of a soldier died May 29, 1835, at Hallowell, Maine and she was at pension on her ap. ex. Aug. 13, 1838, while 68 yrs old & a resident of Hallowell, Maine. Children: John, Pamel, Betsey, Rufus, Aldea, Julia, Mary. Respectfully,
(Omit dates of battles on acct of date of birth of 1 st child -)
Commissioner.