Notes & Fragments of Monson, Maine Sprague's Journal of Maine History No. I Vol. VII MAY JUNE JULY 1919 pages 55-56 Notes and Fragments We take the following for the Monson (Maine) correspondent of the Piscataquis Observer: A goodly number of member of Euclid chapter, O.E.S., were present at the regular meeting Friday evening to participate in a surprise party for Mrs. Amelia D. Knight, more commonly known as "Aunt Amelia," which took place after the regular work of the lodge. "Aunt Amelia" became a member of the chapter soon after it was organized 20 years ago and is held high in the esteem of its members. The following is a brief sketch of this grand old lady's life as told in her own words: "In the old Rice family Bible in John R. Flint's house it is recorded that Amelia D. Rice was born in Monson April 7, 1839. The modern house of Dr. Varney now stands on the lot where I first saw the light. A quaint old house was there 80 years ago and a creaking old signboard announced to the public that the place was Capt. Rice's Tavern. The old building was burned in the big fire of 1860. "I have lived over half of my days, off and on, in the village, though soon after my marriage 60 years ago we went to Pennsylvania. Since my husband's death in 1888 I have lived in various towns in Maine but for the past few years have lived in my native village. I am surrounded by younger relatives and friends, all of whom are very dear to me. The "Captain Rice" here referred to as Peobody H. Rice, who with his brother John H. Rice, moved from the Kennebec region about the year 1835. Both were active and enterprising young men who later became active in the affairs of Monson and the County of Piscataquis as well. The Captain was engaged in trading, lumbering, tavern keeping and farming. He was an office holder in Monson for many years. He represented the Monson class in the Maine Legislature for one term, about 1860. He met with a severe accident, several years prior to his death which ever confined him to the house. John Hovey Rice, became a lawyer, entered politics, for many years had a leading part in political events in Piscataquis County, and was County Attorney for several years. He was a member of Congress from the fourth congressional district, serving in the thirty-seventh, thirty-eighth, and thirty-ninth Congress. He was a man of marked ability and one of Maine's most popular congressmen. His son, Mr. F. Willis Rice, now a publisher in Chicago, refers to him in a recent communication (v. 6, p. 174) to the Journal. (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.