Bowen & Rice family connections.
[ Rice & Bowen ] [ Rice Family ] [ Oliver H. Rice b 1830]
[ Rice family researcher : Anita Cooper's Home Page ]
[ Sons of the American Revolution ] [ Americas First Families ]
Don Wilt contacted the Bowen family web seeking information concerning the burial site of Oliver Rice, a Revolutionary War Soldier.
I have placed here a compilation of the information sent by Don, a member of the Sacramento, Ca. Sons of the American Revolution.Others of interest mentioned by Don are Jonas Rice , Nathan Rice, Thomas Rice.
Included below is a transcription of the will of Nathan Rice naming Thomas Rice as his son.
The transcription was done by Warren D. Wilt.
We are asking for any information that could be helpful in locating
the burial site of Oliver Rice (1726-1812).
Please contact Don Wilt if you have any information.Thank you,
Ben Bowen[ Read the reply from Anita Cooper ]
From Don Wilt
Ben,
As a descendant of Nathan and Jemima Rice I have been searching for the grave site of Nathan's father, Oliver Rice. Oliver was born November 07, 1726 in Brookfield, Worchester CO, MA. He died March 23, 1812 at the same location. Oliver married his cousin Lucy Rice. Oliver, his brother Jonas and his son Nathan all served in the Revolutionary War.
So far, I have been unable to locate his place of burial. All research leads to Brookfield, Massachusetts. However, there seems to be at least seven cemeteries in the area and none have any record of Oliver's grave.There was no problem finding Nathan Rice. He is in the Rainbow cemetery in Washington CO, Ohio.
Do You have any idea where Oliver Rice may be buried?
Is it possible that Oliver moved to Vermont with his son Nathan and died there. There is no indication of Oliver Rice having ever lived in Ohio.
Oliver is my 5th Great-grandfather and Jonas is my 5th Great-granduncle. Nathan is my 4th Great-grandfather.
My lineage traces from the Rice family down to the Witham Family down to the Wilt family. Massachusetts to Vermont to Ohio to Michigan and now California.
Are you a member of the "Sons of the American Revolution?" If you are a descendant of the Rice family, you are eligible. Oliver, his brother Jonas and his son Nathan all served in the Revolutionary War.
My lineage wanders all over the place. Here is how I relate to Oliver and his son Nathan:
My grandfather was Walter U. Wilt
His father was James P. Wilt who married Mary Frances Witham
Her father was Nathan Rice Witham
His mother was Zilpha Rice
Her father was Nathan Rice (brother to Thomas McClure Rice and uncle to your Oliver Hugh Rice)
His father was Oliver Rice.
If you are interested in the SAR ( Sons of The American Revolution) let me know as I will be most happy to assist with your research and application.
The Rice family traces back to Deacon Edmund Rice [ info -link ] born about 1594, died May 03, 1663 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was a founding father of Sudbury, MA. This qualifies you for membership in the organization "Americas First Families."
I would appreciate your including my query concerning the location of the grave site of Oliver Rice in the Bowen Family WEB site. Please feel free to include my e-mail address. Should you wish, you might also mention the eligibility for membership in the SAR, based on Oliver and Nathan Rice, with me as a reference.
If you don't already have it, here is a copy of the will of Nathan Rice naming Thomas as his son.
[ Read the reply from Anita Cooper ]
Washington County Probate Court, 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750; Vol. 6, page 150
The Last Will and Testament of Nathan Rice
I Nathan Rice in the county of Washington in the State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament in manor and form following that is to say. First it is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.
Second. I give devise and Bequeath to my beloved wife Jemima Rice in lieu of her dower the plantation on which we now reside Situate in Rainbow Settlement consisting about forty five acres during her natural life if she so long remain my widow and all the live stock, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs & by me now owned or may own at the time of my decease and kept thereon, also all the house hold furniture and other items not particularly named during her natural life as aforesaid. She however first disposing of a sufficiency thereof to pay my just debts as aforesaid. And at the death of my said wife all the property hereby devised or bequeathed or which I may possess at the time of my decease to her as aforesaid or so much thereof as may then remain unexpurgated to my four children Zilpha, Thomas, Sabrina and Lucy and to their airs and assigns forever.
Third. I give and devise to my eldest daughter Zilpha at the death of my wife as aforesaid one tenth of all my personal property.
Forth. I give and devise to Thomas my son the sum of three dollars in money and all my wearing apparel to be given him at the time of my decease.
Fifth. I give and devise to Sabrina my daughter one half of all my personal property which shall remain after making the above appropriation to be paid her at the death of my wife as aforesaid.
Sixth. I give and devise to my daughter Lucy the same proportion as Sabrina that is the remaining half and to be paid in like manner also all my real estates I hereby give to Lucy at the death of my wife aforesaid.
And lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint John Stacy and in case of his death Louis M. Wood executor for this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Sixth of April 1833. Nathan Rice {SL}
Signed published and declared by the above named Nathan Rice as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request have signed as witnasis to the same. Jock Stacy Sophia Wood
The State of Ohio } Court of Common Pleas April Third AD 1841.
Washington County SS }
The forgoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Nathan Rice late of this County deceased was produced in court for probate. Whereupon Joel Stacy and Sophia Wood two of the subscribing witnesses to said will being sworn severally depose & say that they saw said Nathan Rice sign said instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament that he was teen of sound mind and memory over the age of twenty one years and under no restraint in making said will and that they in his presence and at the request of the testator signed their names as witnesses thereto. Whereupon the same is accepted and approved by the Court & together with the probate thereof ordered to be recorded. And John Stacy and Louis M. Wood the executors named in said will having declined to take upon them the execution of said will. On motion of Lucy Rice daughter of said Nathan Rice deceased she is appointed administratrix on said decedents estates with his will annexed. And it is ordered that a letter be granted her accordingly on her giving bond as such administratrix with Louis M. Wood and Jack Stacy security in the penalty of three hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs.
Ordered that John Stacy, Joseph B. Dyar & Andrew Lake do appraise the personal estate of said decedent according to law.
(Examined) Attest Thomas W. Ewart, Clerk
This will, to the best of my ability, transcribed as written. April 17, 2001.Warren D. Wilt
The last sentence is my statement of transcription. I am Warren D, Wilt.
The will was written in long hand and had to be transcribed to make it more readable and understandable. I guess that in 1833 a dollar was worth a lot more. Today the inheritance of three dollars does not mean very much. Now getting Dad's clothing at today's prices would really be a savings.
e mail: Don Wilt
[ Read the reply from Anita Cooper ]
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