The Story of the Rice Boys: Captured by the Indians, August 8, 1704
Publisher: Westborough historical society
Published: 1906
Number of pages: 2
Table of contents: title: The Story of the Rice Boys; title: Captured by the Indians; title: August 8 1704; title: AS WRITTEN  BY; title: REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN; title: May, 1769; title: WESTBOROUGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY; title: 1906; title: FOUR RICES CAPTIVATED.; title: 1704.; title: On Aug 8th, in the year 1704, at the south part of Marlboro', then called Chauncy, now Westborough, as several persons were busy in spreading flax, on a plain about fourscore rods from the House of Mr. Thomas Rice (who was for several years representative for Marlboro') and a number of boys with them, two of which were sons of the said Mr. Thomas Rice; & three others, sons of Mr. Edmund Rice ; seven, some say ten, Indians, suddenly rushed down a woody hill close by, and seizing & scalping the least of the boys, (one of the three last mentioned, & about five years old) they took the other four captive, the two sons of Mr. Thomas Rice, namely Asher and  Adonijah, the oldest about 10, the other about 8 years; and the other two of Mr. Edmund Rice, of about 9 & 7, their names, Silas and Timothy; and carried them away to Canada; those persons who were spreading flax, escaping to the house safely.; title: Asher, in about four years, returned, being redeemed by his father. This was brought about by the kind mediation of the Rev. Mr. Lydius, then Minister of Albany.  It is a little observable, that when the old Indian sachem, Ouiitassogo, the Chief of the Cagnawagas at the Conference with. Gov. Belcher at Deerfield, made a visit to Boston, & stopped a while here in this town, the aforementioned Asher saw him and knew him to be one of those Indians, who rushed down the Hill, as above, when the children were captivated. This Mr. Asher Rice is now living in Spencer. His Brother Adonijah grew up in Canada; but married first a French, afterwards a Dutch woman; settled in husbandry, on some land a little way off from Montreal, on the north side of the great river; has had a good farm there for many years, as we have been certified; and he is, very probably now living there now at this day.; title: As to the two other boys, Silas and Timothy, (Sons of Mr. Edmund Rice aforesaid) we have had credible information from time to time, they mixed with the Indians; lost their mother tongue; had Indian wives, & children by them and lived at Cagnawagas. Their friends among us had news of them not long since, that they were then alive; so that they may be in all probability there still.; title: But respecting Timothy, the younger of them, who is by much the most noticeable, the age, we have always had, have represented him, as having been for many years, the third of the Six Chiefs of that tribe before mentioned. This advancement I understand was upon the death of his master, or foster-father, who adopted him to be his son, instead of a son which he, the former Chief, had lost. But however, Timothy had much recommended himself to the Indians by his own superior talents; his penetration courage, strength & warlike spirit; for  which he was much celebrated.  This was evident to me when in conversation with the late Mohawk Sachem Hendrick & Mr. Kellogg, at the time of their being in the Massachusetts; and his name was among them the same that we had known him by, viz  but he himself, in process of time, came to see us.; title: By the interposition of Col. Lydius, & your Captain Tarbel (who was carried away from Groton) a letter was sent me, bearing date July 23, 1740, which certified that if one of their brethren here, would go up to Albany, & be there at a time specified, they would meet him there & that one of them at least, would come hither to visit their friends in New England. This proposal was readily comply 'd with and it succeeded. For the chief above said came hither. The said Mr. Tarbell came also with him as an interpreter & companion. They arrived here Sept. 15th. They viewed the house where Mr. Rice dwelt, & the place from whence the children above spoke of, were captivated; of both which he retained a clear remembrance; as he did likewise of several elderly persons who were then living; there he had forgot our language.  His excellence Gov. Belcher sent for them; who accordingly waited on him at Boston. They visited also Tarbels relations at Groton; and then returned to us in their way back to Albany & Canada. Col. Lydius, when at Boston a while ago, said this Rice was the chief who made the speech to Gen. Gage (which we had in our public prints) in behalf of ye Cagnawagas,   Soon after the reduction of Montreal. This last may be further enquired into; but the rest which I have here writ, is from good authority, as I humbly suppose. In particular as to the captivating; three persons who were  present, & escaped the Indians hands, as above aid, are now alive, and testified to this ace. I am EBR. PARKMAN.  Westborough May 1769.; title: Note: — The above article was written on the first  two pages of a folded sheet of paper, 12 by 7 inches, with a wide margin at the back edge. The title at the head is on the fourth page. The paper is much discolored and is worn in the creases and at the edges, but the writing is very clear and legible.  It has been carefully treasured by the descendants of  Mr. Parkman, whose great-great-granddaughter, Mrs. W. R. Gould, has presented it to the society.