History of the Rice Family

The earliest knowledge we have of our ancestors is very obscure. We only know that a family of four, father, mother and two sons, Frederick William and Barnhart Rice left Wittenberg, Germany, date unknown and sought the forests of America and the hardships of a rude pioneer life in the yet unbroken wilderness of Pennsylvania.

No further trace of the parents can be found but tradition according to Mr. T. J. Rice of Oberlin, Ohio, who claims Frederick William to be his grandfather, quotes "My great grandfather Frederick William Rice was under Washington at Braddock's defeat during the French and Indian war of 1755 and was one of the rear guard and was cut off in the retreat and escaped the Indians by hiding in the swamps for many days."

Barnhart Rice the older son married and settled in Bethlehem, Northampton Co., Penn., and had a family of two daughters and one son Frederick.

- Rice Family History, abt. 1920, p.6.


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Marjorie Rice Chance (9648 Ashland Rd., Wooster, OH 44691)
sent me a copy of a reprint of the Rice Reunion report
published originally in "The Jacksonian", 3 Sep 1885,
Wooster. " A family of four, father, mother, and two
sons, George and Barnhart came from Wittenburg, Ger. ...
"George was killed in 1755 in 'Braddock's Defeat'.''

Barnhart, b. ca 1728, married Anna Elizabeth ___; lived in
Northampton Co., PA. (PA Archives 2nd Series, V.2 - List
of officers and soldiers, 1744-1764. Reis, Bernt, age 18,
enlisted July 11, 1746, laborer; Capt. John Deimer's
return, Sept. 1746.) ("Daniel Schumacher's Baptismal
Register" translated by Frederich Weiser, PA Ger. Society,
1969. Bernhard and wife Anna Elizabeth Reiss appear
together as sponsors for a child of Conrad Linck, Jan.
1769.* note date, and separately as married as sponsors
for Eberhard children, 1760 and 1765. Confirmatios of
Maria Margaretha Reissin and Frederick Reiss were recorded
29 April 1770* across the Lehigh in the church on Indian
land.)
("Naturalizations of Foreign Protestants in the American
and West Indian Colonies", edited by M.S. Guiseppi F.S.A.,
1964. Date Sacrament taken.
Reiss,Bernard, Lehigh Twp, Northampton Co. - Oct 6, 1765
Lauffer, Christian," " " " _ Oct 20, 1765)

- Email from Ellen Yost of Wayne County, Ohio.

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Barnhart Rice was the father of Frederick Rice. It is likely there was a
close association of the two pioneer families, Barnhart and Rice before
coming to America.

- from Frederick "Fritz" Rice (of North Carolina) email, Re: [OHWAYNE] 1817 tax list, sent to Gary Rice 3/23/99.

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1. Frederick Rice b: 29 SEP 1753 in Bethlehem, Northampton Co., PA
2. Anna Margaretha Rice b: UNKNOWN
3. Christina Rice b: 1765

1. Title: Email; Record of the Frederick Rice Family, 1753 - 1926
   Author: Ellen Yost
   Publication: Email detailing many of Frederick Rice's children and grandchildren.
   Note: "John Nicholas RICE, b. 28 June 1828; d. 20 July 1864; Oakhill Cem., Wayne Co., OH; m. Polly Dull"
   Note: Fair
   Repository:
   Note: Gary Rice family geneological files
   Media: Letter
   Page: Page 1
   Text: "Barnhart, b. ca 1728, married Anna Elizabeth _____; lived in Northampton Co., PA, (PA Archives 2nd Series, V.2 - List of officers and soldiers, 1744-1764."
2. Title: History of the Henry Rice, Sr. Family, 1921
   Author: Rice Committee, William F. Rice
   Publication: Family History
   Note: Good
   Repository:
   Note: Huntington City-Township library; A copy is in Gary Rice genealogy files
   Media: Book
   Page: Page 6
   Text: "Barnhart Rice, the older son married and settled in Bethlehem, Northampton Co., Penn., and had a family of two daughters and one son Frederick."