Documents
*Please note that documents were transcribed to the best of my ability. Words that appear in brackets were a "best guess", as many words were unreadable. I also left spelling and grammar errors intact as to closely match the original documents.
Christian Rice Sr.'s Pension Application
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State of Pennsylvania
County of Somerset
On this thirtieth day of January 1838 personally appeared before the Court of
Common pleas of Somerset County, Christian Rice a resident of Milford Township
Somerset County and state of Pennsylvania first duly sworn, according to law,
doth on his solemn oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. "That
he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777 in the latter part
of May or first of June at Sunbury Northumberland County Pennsylvania (where he
then resided) in the company of Captain Thomas Gascon, first Lieutenant Moses
Van Camp, Second Lieutenant John Meeds that he enlisted for six months and at
the expiration of that time he received a written discharge signed by Captain
Thomas Gascon which was destroyed in his mother's house when the same was burned
by the Indians. From Sunbury Declarant marched with the principal part of his
company to Wyoming on the Susquehanna River where the company joined the army
where it was assembled. General Sullivan was the commander of the army at
Wyoming. The troops raided three officers who had been killed by the Indians a
few days before and buried, and they were again buried with military honors.
From Wyoming we marched to Tioga in Pennsylvania where we built a fort called
Tioga fort between the Chemung and the North fork. From Tioga fort Declarant
marched with part of the army to Chemung where the Indians occupied a fort. A
severe action took place here in which there were thirty four Indians killed and
about he same number of our troops killed and wounded, the Indians were
dislodged by throwing in bomb schells and scaling the works. Declarant was sent
back to Wyoming with the wounded. From Chemung we marched to Queen Esther's
town, an Indian village. From Queen Esther's town, declarant returned with part
of the army to Tioga fort. From Tioga fort we marched to Wyoming and from thence
to Cox's town twelve miles above Harrisburg, where declarant with many others
was discharged at the battle of Chemung. Amongst others killed or wounded
declarant remembers Lieutenant [McCurdy] killed and he thinks Lieutenant Davison
shot through the knee. At Tioga fort declarant well recollects that the
following circumstance occurred. Two soldiers who had been convicted of taking a
keg of flour from some of the officers and were sentenced to run the [gruntles].
When they passed declarant he had broken his stick close to his hand so as not
to be able to strike. A lieutenant came up behind declarant and struck him three
blows with rattan at the same time using this [casseression] "you damned young
rascal I will make an honest soldier of you". From lapse of time and loss of
memory condegaent upon old age he is unable to state the names of any other
general officers or circumstances than those mentioned already. Declarant
further states that the record of his age was lost at the burning of his
mother's house. After his discharge he went to Lancaster Pennsylvania. He
resided between Lancaster and Columbia seven or eight years. From thence he
removed to Somerset County where he has resided ever since. Declarant was
unwilling to apply for a pension as long as he could work or live comfortably
without it, but as he is old and has become a perfect cripple as he believes
through the hardships endured while in the army. He is compelled to ask aid from
a generous country whom he has faithfully served. Declarant further states that
he knows of no living witness who can prove his service. George Johnston,
Esquire who died about a year since and who was a pensioner was the only person
declarant ever knew in this country who could have stated his service. Since
stating the foregoing facts declarant remembers that Patrick Sullivan was the
commissary. 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
Role of any agency in any state or (if only on that. Declarant further states in
answer to a question by the court that he was born in the state of New York.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
W.H. Postleshweite, Prothonotary Christian Rice
We George Gebhart and Michael Frease residing in Milford Township Somerset
County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christian Rice who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy
five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
sworn and subscribed before me in open court the day and year aforesaid.
W.H. Postleshweite, Prothonotary George Gebhart Michael Frease
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of
the matter and after putting the questions or interrogations prescribed by the
[Mar] Department that the within named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier,
and served as he states, and the court further certifies that it appears to them
that George Gebhart and Michael Frease are residents in the township of Milford
and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
A. [Thomason Prescatent]
I William H. Postleshweite, Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of
Somerset County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original
proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Christian
Rice for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have [herecante] set my hand and Seal of [office], this
thirtieth day of January, eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
William H. Postleshweite, Prothonotary
NOTE: From this document there were a few things that I believe are possible. Since Christian refers to his "mother's house" to me it implies that perhaps his father had already died. Since the men were the head of the household back then it seems somewhat unorthodox to refer to the house as his mother's
Pension Payment Information
Christian Rice of
1839 Nov 29 John Koontz [unreadable word] 1 July 1839 299 20
1840 Dec 8 Do (John Koontz) 1 July 1840 405 40
1841 Dec Do (John Koontz) 1 July 1841 377 40
1842 Oct Jacob Snyder 1 July 1842 1977 40
1843 July “ (Jacob Snyder) 1 Jan 1843 356 20
[unreadable] “ (Jacob Snyder) July 1843 7052 20
Source: RG-2 Military Pension Accounts and Related Papers, series #2.53. Pension Ledger, Special Act of Assembly, 1839-1848 (volume 11).
Christian Rice Somerset $40 Gratuity $40 Annuity from 1 Jany 1838 per Act of 20 March 1838
1839 March Paid Gratuity 12 Mo Annuity Due 1 Jany 1839 40
1839 November Paid 6 Mo. Annuity Due 1 July 1839 20
1840 Dec Paid 12 Mo. Annuity Due 1 July 1841 41
1841 Dec Paid 12 Mo. Annuity Due 1 July 1841 40
1842 Oct Paid 12 Mo. Annuity Due 1 July 1842 40
1843 July Paid 6 Mo. Annuity Due 1 Jan 1843 20
1843 Nov? Paid 6 Mo. Annuity Due 1 July 1843 20
Source: RG-2 Military Pension Accounts and Related Papers, series #2.53. Pension Ledger, Special Act of Assembly, 1839-1848 (volume 9).
Christian Rice Jr.'s Last Will and Testament
In the name of the Benevolent Father of All
I Christian Rice of Canaan in the county of Athens and state of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament.
Item 1st Give and bequeath unto my beloved wife during her natural life (all my real estate) the use and occupancy, rents and projects, of all my real estate consisting of the north half of the south west quarter of section four, town five, Rauge thirteen, containing eighty acres more or less, also all all the stock, household goods, furniture, provisions, and other goods and [chattles] which may be there on at the time of my decease or in any [wiso] belonging to me at any other place also all monies and credits which may belong to me at my decease, she however being required to dispense of or use so much as will be required to pay all my past debts and funeral expenses
Item 2nd At the death my said wife, the real estate aforesaid, together with the unexpended balance of all my personal estate and monies and credits I give and bequeath unto my son William and his heirs and [assign's] forever.
Item 3rd I do hereby nominate and appoint my son William executor of this, my last will and testament hereby [authorizing] and empowering him to compromise, adjust, release, and discharge insuch manner as he may desire prefer, the [diats] and claims due me, I do also authorize the said executor to sell at private sale, dispose of and manage the persononal property to the best advantage for my said wife during her life time.
Item 4th I desire that no appraisement and no sale of my personal property be made, and that the court of probate direct the omission of the [sauce] in [purenance] of the statute.
I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this third day of April 1861.
Signed sealed acknowledged by said Christian Rice as his last will and and testament, in our presence, and signed by us in his presence.
Christian Rice Hiram Gard Priscilla Jane Tucker
The last will and testament of Christian Rice of Canaan, Athens County, Ohio, was this day produced in open court, and Hiram Gard and Priscilla Jane Tucker the subscribing _________ to said will also appeared in open court and, being sworn, testified to the __________execution of said will which said testimony was _________ ___________ [to writing] subscribed and _________ to said will and it appearing to the court by said testimony that said will was duly [executed] and that said testator at the time of executing the same, was of full age and of sound mind and _____ any _____ not ___________any ____ at his request in the presence of each other. This _______ that said will and testamentary _________________ to writing be ___________of Recorder and William Rice having been named in said will. Executor thereof and the Court approving his appointment. It is _________ that he give ________ in the sum of $4,000 with Hiram Gard and James Rice bail constituted according to law and therefore said executor appeared in open court, accepted said trust and gave ___________ accordingly, letters _____________ same day.
Calvary Morris
Probate [Judge]
The second part to the will was very hard to read. The blanks could not really even be interpreted into a guess.
GRANTEE INDEX, SOMERSET COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIAOctober 28, 1812 - Vol. 6, page 55 (LDS Library in Salt Lake City, Utah) Microfilm
“John Bateman to Christian Rice”
To all people to whom these present shall come, John Bateman and Mary his wife, of Somerset Township, Somerset County and State of Pennsylvania send greeting, know ye that we the said John Bateman and Mary his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars, lawful money of the United States to them in hand paid, hath released, remised, and forever quit claims and by these presents doth for themselves and their heirs and assigns remise release and forever quit claim all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever, of them the said John and Mary of into and out of the one undivided eighth part of a certain, messuage, and tract of land situate in the township County and State first above-mentioned, adjoining on the south of Christian Rice and Michael Walters on the north Jacob Lehmer, Peter Copp and others on the east and west being the messuage, land of plantation whereon Mrs. Sarah Penrod now lives and occupies, with the appurtenances unto Christian Rice, innkeeper, of Milford Township in the County and State aforesaid his heirs and assigns. To have and to hold the said messuage, tract of land and promise above mentioned and described unto him the said Christian Rice, his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behalf of him the said Christian Rice, his heirs and assigns forever, so that neither he the said John Bateman, nor Mary his wife, nor his or her heirs or assigns nor any other person or persons for him, her or them, or in his, her or them, or in his her or their names or right shall of May by any way or means whatsoever at any time hereafter claim, challenge or demand any estate, right, title, interest, claim or demand of in or to said messuage, lands, and premises, right, title interest, claim, or demand of in or to the said premises or any part or parcel thereof they and every of them shall be forever bound by these presents; and the said John Bateman, and his heirs the said messuage, lands, hereditaments, premises with the appurtenances to the said Christian Rice, his heirs, and assigns against him the said John Bateman and Mary, his wife, and his and her heirs shall and will warrant and forever defend. In witness whereof the said John Bateman and Mary, his wife, have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seals the twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seven. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Sam Selby, Jeane Selby. John Beatman (seal)Mary Beatman seal) Received the 12th day of December 1807 of the within named Christian Rice - One hundred and twenty dollars lawful money of the United States, it being the full consideration money within mentioned. Witness at signing Sam Selby Jeane Selby
Be it remembered that on the 12 Day of December, John Bateman and Mary, his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars lawful money of the United States to them in hand Paid by Christian Rice at or before the signing - here of hath this day granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell unto him the said Christian Rice all the personal estate, goods, and chattels that may be coming or legally their share of distribution of personal estate of Mrs. Sarah Penrod at her decease, the said Mary Bateman being one of the legal representatives at the decease of the said Sarah Penrod. To have and to hold the said distributive share of personal estate unto him the said Christian Rice, his heirs, and assigns forever and to and for no other use, interest, or purpose whatsoever. In Witness where of they have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written, signed, sealed and delivered in presents of Sam Selby and Jeane Selby, Somerset County. John Beatman (seal), Mary Bateman (seal)
Personally came before me Jacob Schnider, Esquire, a Justice of the Peace in and for Somerset County James Clark, who being sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of Samuel Selby and that to the best of his knowledge the name of Samuel Selby to the above deed is witness of said deceased. Sworn and inscribed Before me 28th October 1812 Jacob Schnider (seal) James Clark
Misc. PA-Roots Records
18 Mar 1805. Petition of George CHORPENNY, Rosina CHORPENNY, and of Mary Ann CHORPENNY (widow of John CHORPENNY dec'd) in behalf of Michael, Jacob, David, and Catharine (the last four mentioned being minors under the age of 14 years) stating that the said George CHORPENNY (Chorpenning?) has chosen Gideon LIGHTEBERGER for his guardian; Rosina CHORPENNY has chosen George BARRON for her guardian; and the said Mary Ann CHORPENNY has nominated David ANKENY guardian to Michael, Christian RICE as guardian to Jacob, and Michael HUGUS as guardian for David and Catharine. Approved by the Court.
(Source:
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Jones, William
February Court 1816. Whereas at an Orphans Court held at Somerset the last Monday in August of 1815 upon the petition of Thomas JONES, one of the sons of William JONES (late of Milford Twp, yeoman, dec'd), to award an Inquest to make
partition or valuation of two several messuages and tracts of land in Somerset County located on both sides of the road leading from Somerset to Union Town, the first called "JONES Stage" and containing 292 1/2 acres and the second called "Second Partnership" containing 160 1/2 acres bounded by John KENDLE, Benjamin
(BANKSTONE ?), and others. And whereas a writ of partition or valuation was issued, bearing test 02 Sep 1815, to the Sheriff commanding him to summon an Inquest, the results of which he should have before the Judges of this Court the
last Monday in November 1815, at which time Jacob ANKENY Esq, Sheriff, made return of said writ, stating that the real estate could not be divided among the parties without spoiling the whole, and therefore, the Inquest had appraised
the first tract at $16.25 per acre ($4,753.12 total) and the second tract at 76 per acre ($121.98 total), which said report was confirmed by the Court. At an Orphans Court held at Somerset the last Monday in February of 1816 it was adjudged that Isaac JONES, eldest son of William JONES (of Somerset County,
dec'd), shall, upon paying to the other heirs their proportional shares of the valuation, enjoy the two properties as legally as did his father. Isaac JONES offers Christian RICE, John McCLEAN, Jacob GRAFT, and Henry BOUSHINGER as sureties. Approved by the Court. Whereupon Isaac JONES became bound for $9,750.21
to the widow and other children for payment of their proportional shares within 12 months from this time. The sureties became jointly bound in the same amount for the same. Acknowledged in open Court 28 Feb 1816.
Exit Scire Facias sur Recognizance against Isaac JONES to June Term 1827, #117.
Received of Isaac ANKENY Esq, late Sheriff of Somerset County, $25.30, being the amount of monies in his hands from the sale of the above described two tracts of land as per(receipts?) of the said Sheriff as per pages 212 and 213 of this book. 07 Feb 1828. Joseph (GRANDEY?) in right of his wife and the other heirs of (William ?) JONES dec'd.
Received of Charles OGLE $5.30, being the balance of the purchase money after deducting the costs of sale made on (--?--) (--?--) issuedtoAugTerm1825 #92 by the sale of the within tract of land called "Partnership" containing 160 acres sold as the property of Isaac (A?) JONES to the said Charles OGLE 12 Dec 1826. Isaac
Received of Charles OGLE $20, being the balance of the purchase money after deducting costs of sale made on Venditioni Exponas issued to January Term 1825 #117 by the sale of the within tract of land called "JONES Stage" containing 292"2 acres with the appurtenances, which amount is appropriated to this recognizance, the same being the eldest lien in the name of Isaac (0 ?) JONES against
said tract of land. 15 Apr 1825. Isaac
(Source: Orphans Court Abstracts, Somerset Co., Docket 2, Somerset Co.,
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Chorpenny, John18 Mar 1805. Petition of Mary Ann CHORPENNY, widow and relict of John CHORPENNY dec'd, stating that the petitioner's said husband lately died intestate leaving a widow and seven children: Henry (eldest son), George, Rosina, Michael, Jacob, David, and Catharine, the six last named of whom are still in their minority; that the said intestate died seized in his demense as of fee of and in the following described messuages and tracts of land, houses, and lots of ground with the appurtenances, to wit: 1.) 153 acre plantation tract, being the late mansion house of the deceased, situated on the waters of Coxes Creek, formerly in Milford Twp., now in Somerset Twp., adjoining lands of Peter ANKENY and others, granted to the said John CHORPENNY by patent 11 Jun 1789; 2.) 57 acres, adjoining the above tract, purchased from Herman HUSBAND by deed dated 14 Dec 1787; 3.) 248 acre tract with the appurtenances, adjoining the first above mentioned tract, purchased from Caspar PILE by deed dated 16 Apr 1802; 4.) 69 3/4 acres, adjoining the last mentioned tract, purchased from Caspar PILE by deed 16 Apr 1802; 5.) 240 ¼ acres situated on the waters of Laurel Hill Creek on both sides of the road called the Middle Road leading from Bedford to CHERRY's Mill, adjoining lands of William RAMBO, Adam FLICK, and others in Somerset Twp., purchased from Ludwig YOUNG by deed dated 23 Jun 1790; 6.) 16 acre piece of ground, adjoining land now of Henry CHORPENNY, Adam HURRAW, and others in Milford Twp., purchased from John KOOZER by deed dated 31 Dec 1791; 7.) 300 acre tract, adjoining the preceeding tract on Middle Creek in Milford Twp., now in the possession of Henry CHORPENNY; 8.) Lot #106 with the appurtenances situated in the Town of Somerset on the north side of Main Street, bounded by Jacob GRAFT's lot on the west and Jacob SCHNEIDER's lot on the east, purchased from Adam SCHNEIDER (one of the proprietaries of said
town) by deed dated 15 Sep 1797; 9.) Lot #4 in the Town of Somerset situated
on the north side of Main Street, bounded by Adam MOONY's lot on the west and
a 16' wide alley on the east; 10.) Lot #137 situated in the Town on Somerset
on the south side of Patriot Street fronting on main cross street on the east and Church Alley on the west, purchased from the Commissioners of Somerset
County by deed dated 26 Sep 1803; 11.) 6 acre 60 perch outlot with the appurtenances in the vicinity of the Town of Somerset on the south side thereof, adjoining an outlot of Peter ANKENY on the west and adjoining East Street on
the east; and requesting the Court to appoint Peter CAPP, Godfrey STALL, John KOOZER, John WEIMER, Isaac HUSBAND, John LORE, and Adam SCHNEIDER (who are chosen by the petitioners for that purpose) to make partition of the lands among the children and representatives of the said intestate, if such can be done without spoiling the whole, otherwise to value the same. To which petition was annexed the following certificate: "We the undersigned parties do hereby chose and appoint Peter COPP, Godfrey STALL, John KUZER, John WEIMER, Isaac HUSBAND, John LORE, Adam SCHNEIDER to serve as an Inquest to make partition and distribution of the estate of John CHORPENNY deceased to and amongst the widow and children of said deceased. 18 March 1805." (signed) Michael HUGUS, (David?) (--?--) (in old German), (--?--) (LICHTEBARGER?) (in old German), Christian RICE, George BARRON, Mary (x) KORPINNING, and Henry CHORPENNING. So ordered by the Court. Note: "Balance of proceedings never recorded, but all papers on file in box. Writ of Partition 1798 to 1814".
(Source:
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23 Dec 1809. Leonard (x) HILDEN (debtor) and Jacob NEEFE (also NEFFE), Sr. (security) are bound to Christian RICE, John SUTTON, and Mathias PITNER, for the use of Charles HEFFLEY and others, in the sum of $110. Witness: James CARSON.
(Source: Insolvent Debtors, Somerset County, Pa., 1800-1820.)
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Goshet, Mathias
07 Jan 1805. The account of Christian RICE and Alexander OGLE, administrators of the estate of Mathias GOSHET, dec'd., was exhibited to and examined by the
Court, and allowed and passed.
(Source: Orphans Court Abstracts, Somerset County, Pa., Docket 2, p. 90.)
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Rice, Christian; Bower, Adam
January 10, 1795. Christian Rice vs. Adam Bower, debt, for plaintiff, £2/3/9.
(Source: Adam Miller, Esq., Justice of the Peace, Brothers Valley Twp., Bedford Co.,
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Switzar, Peter; Rice, Christian; Waggerline, Phili
(Source: Adam Miller, Esq., Justice of the Peace, Brothers Valley Twp., Bedford Co.,
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Rice, Christian; Switzer, Peter(Source: Adam Miller, Esq., Justice of the Peace, Brothers Valley Twp., Bedford Co.,
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Kimmel, Philip; John Husband(Source: Deed Abstracts, Somerset County, Book I, p. 91.)
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15 Mar 1824. John BRALLIER (debtor) and Jacob SIPE (security) are bound to Joseph HOFFMAN, Samuel G. BAILEY, George CHORPENNING, James ATCHESON, John FLETCHER, Jacob KIMMEL, Esq., Jacob ALTER, William SHUNK, Rudolph ULRICH, Herman UPDEGRAFF, Frederick GEBHART, Joseph IMHOOF, John COLEMAN, Michael WEYAND, and John MILLER in the sum of $300. Witness was George ROSS.(Source: Insolvent Debtors Roster, Somerset County, Pa., 1824.)
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18 Jun 1823. William STALL (STAHL?) (debtor) and John FLICK (security) are bound to Herman UPDEGRAFF, David CHORPENNING (Abraham MILLER's administrators), George CHORPENNING, John L. SNYDER, Abraham KIMMEL, Nicholas BOWMAN, John (PATTON?), Michael WEYAND (WEYANT?), John ELDER, John G. FISHER, John LIGHTEBERGER, John FRITZ, and William SHUNK in the sum of $55.25. Witness: Joseph IMHOFF.
(Source: Insolvent Debtors, Somerset Co., Pa., 1822-1823.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Source: Will and Administration Abstracts,
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23 Oct 1824. Jacob RISHERBERGER (debtor) and Charles OGLE (security) are bound to Henry WEYAND in the sum of $11. Witness was Robert FLETCHER.
(Source: Insolvent Debtors Roster, Somerset County, Pa., 1824.)
Source:
Laurel Messenger Pg. 5, August 1977
1850 Census, Somerest County, PA, Summit Twp.
George Rice listed as living with Samuel and Hannah Reiman. He was age 45 and was a lime kiln worker.
1840 Census, Somerset County, PA, Milford Twp.
Joseph Rice listed as having 1 male 0-5, 1 male 20-30, 1 female 20-30.
1840 Census, Somerset County, PA, Somerset Twp.
James Rice listed as having 1 male 30-40
Notes: These were all likely to be Christian Rice and Margaret Weyand's children. George Rice in the 1850 census is the same that was born on 10 Nov 1805. Joseph Rice was mentioned in Christian Sr's estate records, and would have been born abt 1814. James Rice was also mentioned in Christian Sr.'s estate records as inheiriting a large bible, and it would be wise to assume this was his son. James Rice would have been born abt 1810.
Selected Census Records
Christian Rice Sr.'s Estate Records...Various pages
Know all __________ these ________ that we George Meese, John Crichfield, and ________ are held and firmly bound unto the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the sum of two thousand dollars lawful money of the United States to which payment will and truly to be made. we bind ourselves jointly and [severally] our [heirs] execution and administration firmly by these presentors sealed with out hands and dated the 19th day of February AC 1844. Where do at an orphans court held at Somerset on the 4th day of December 1843 the court granted an order to George Meese administrator of the estate of Christian Rice dec'd for the sale of the real estate of said deceased as by the records of the said court will more fully appear. Now the _________ of the _________ is such that if the said George Meese administrator as aforesaid shall will and faithfully appropriate and pay over according to law the proceeds of the sale to said real estate whether he shall sell the same by virtue of the said order now granted upon a continuance thereof or by virtue of a new order for that purpose. Then this obligation to the said _______ to remain in full for a virtue
Signed Sealed in presence of John O Kimmel George Meese [J Cummins] John Crichfield
To the honorable ______________ of the court of common pleas now sitting as an orphans court. The petition of George Meese Adm. of Christian Rice dec'd. respectfully he presents thus in pursuance of the writtin order of court that he did (often giving due and timely notice according to law) proceed to sell as [jubilee outcry] the real estate of said de'd that he did will the same to Daniel Weyand for the sum of twelve hundred and sixty five dollars he being the highest bidder and thus the best price bidden for the same. the _______ _________ in hand and the remainder of two hundred dollars yearly payments without [intent]. He therefore prays your honor to confirm said sale _________ to the terms thereof and allow and authorize him to make a deed to the said Daniel Weyand upon the payment of Weyand money and the owning ________ payment of the ________. he will pray to
George Meese, Adm.
Personally came before me a justice of the peace in afore said county George Meese petitions within named who after being sworn according to law [with] that the ___________ set forth in the praying petition with the schedule annexed and __________ to the court of his __________ ____________ and belief that there is no other payments belonging to the estate of said dec'd as far as he known or believes from [thousands] before me this day of Dec. AD 1843.
John O Kimmel George Meese
Of the aforesaid court of Somerset County I William H. Picking register ________ probate of wills and granting letter of administration and for the county of Somerset do dewly certify the within to be a true copy of the account of George Meese administrator of Christian Rice dec'd as the same remains filed in my office as of read. And I do further certify that all ___________ [creditors] and other persons have been notified in more than thirty days [last part] of the filing of said account in my office and that the same would be presented to the orphans court in confirmation and allowance on Monday July 15 1847. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office as ___________ July 15, 1847.
William H. Picking Register
As an orphan court held at Somerset in a for said county on the first Monday of December 1843 before the [con] judges thereof the court of petition grants an order of sale to George Meese administrator of Christian Rice deceased for the sale of the Real Estate of said deceased viz at plantation or tract of land situate in Somerset and Milford Township containing about two hundred acres more or less adjoining lands of John Crichfield, George Meese, and others on which is credited at one story log house, a large spring house and log [bark] barn with about one hundred and fifty acres, twenty of which are in meadow.
By the court John O Kimmel
I hereby waive my right to administrater on the estate of my late husband Christian Rice of Milford Township deceased and desire that letters of administration he granted to George Meese and Patrick Burns or either of them. Witness my hand this 26th day of August AD 1843.
[attest] Simon Young Margaret Rice
The petition of George Meese administrator of Christian Rice late of Milford Township in said court dec'd respectfully represents that the _________ estate of the said Christian Rice dec'd is insufficient for the payments of his debts as by N. Natemens here with [produced appears] and that the said Christian Rice did sign in his demise of fee of and in a certain _________ of land situate in the townships of [Jenner] and Milford containing about two hundred acres more or less adjoining the land of John Crichfield, George Meese, and others on which is ___________ one story log house, a large spring house, one log [bark] barn, then buildings are in bad order, an orchard with about one hundred and fifty acres of cleared land about twenty acres of which is in just meadow.
Many of the items received were unreadable. I only listed what I could read below:
James Rice listed as receiving: 1 hammer and [drawing] knife, The Life of Christ, 1 Large Bible
George Rice listed as receiving: 100 note, 2 cow chains, 2 sifter and fork, 1 wall wheal, 1 hogshed, 1 waggon
Joseph Rice listed as receiving: 1 cow chain, 1 [shoule], 2 barrels, 2 tight barrells, 1 oats box, 1 watering can
Widow listed as receiving: 1 cow, 1 mantle clock, 1 copper kittle
Birth Records
Source: Church Book of Both Congregations: The Evangelical Lutheran and the Evangelical Reformed, situated in Bedford County, Brothersvalley Townshipo, Province of Pennsylvania.
Pg. 70
Jacob Born May 24, 1797
Bapt. Sept. 17, 1797
Par. Christian Reiss
Wit. Jacob Weigand & Wife
Pg. 74
Christian Born Jan. 27, 1795
Bapt. Jan. 27, 1795
Par. Christian Reis
Wit. Christian Ubell & Wife
Pg. 78
John Born Aug. 31, 1792
Bapt. Mar. 31, 1793
Par. Christian Rauch & Margaretha
Wit. John Jacob Winger & Catherine
Pg. 93
Margaretha Born Feb. 10, 1806
Bapt. Apr. 20, 1806
Par. Michael Riem (Ream).
Wit. Christian Reis & Wife.
Source: Baptismals (1777-1807) Reformed Church, Berlin, Somerset Co., PA. Vol I
(Different translation of above)
Pg. 52.
John born 8-31-1793 Par. Ranch, Christian wf Margaret.
bapt. 3-31-1793 (?) Sponsors. John Jacob Weigand & wf Cath
Pg. 52.
Christian born 1-27-1795 Par. Rees, Christian
bapt. 1-27-1796 Sponsors. Christian Evil & wf
Pg. 52.
Jacob born 5-26-1797 Par. Reise, Christian
bapt. 9-17-1797 Sponsors. Jacob Wiegand & wf
Source: Early Baptismal Records of the Sanner Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church 1782-1850. Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Compiled and Indexed by Dorothy Yoder Coffman, 1988.
Pg. 2
Hannah Born. 16 Jun 1815 Par. Cramer, Benjamin & Polly Rice
Bapt. 13 Aug 1815 Spon.: Rice, Christian & Margaret
Pg. 3
Katherine Born. 2 May 1815 Par. Rice, John & Rosina
Bapt. 16 Jul 1815 Spons. Rice, Christ & Margaret
Pg. 10
George Born. 10 Nov. 1805 Par. Rice, Christian & Margaret
Spons. Gebhart, John
Pg. 12
Henry Born. 7 Jan 1807 Par. Rice, Christian & Margaret
Bapt. 23 Apr 1808 Spons. Chorpening, Henry & Fronica
Pg. 17
Christian, Jr. Born. 25 Sept. 1811 Par. Rice, Christian
Spons. Walter, Michael & Rebecca
NOTE: I believe the parents and sponsors were mixed up. I have seen other documents that list Christian Walter's birthdate as 25 Sept. 1811. I do not think Christian Rice and Margaret Weyand would have named two living children Christian.
Pg. 18
Margaret Born. 4 Dec. 1816 Par. Reiss, John & Rosina
Bapt. 11 May 1817 Spons. WeyandReis, Margaret (Grndmthr)
Source: Births and Baptisms of Somerset Co., PA. Reformed and Lutheran Church Records, of Berlin, Somerset County, PA. Translated from the German Script by E.C. Saylor, Berlin, PA. 1929. Vol. I
Pg. 35
Catherine Born July 22, 1800
Bapt. Oct. 26, 1800
Par. Christian Keis & Margaret
Wit. Catherine Kuhn