MILITARY: Widow Pension; Elizabeth (Crowner) Rice; Champion, Jefferson co., NY submitted by Shelley Morrison (sam2813 @ aol.com) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm Submitted Date: February 23,2004 This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/nyfiles/ File size: 16.9 Kb ************************************************ Elizabeth Rice (Crowner) Claim for Widow Pension Act of March 9, 1878 Claim No. 14096 War of 1812 State of New York. County of Jefferson. On the 28th day of March, A.D., 1878, personally appeared before me, J.A. Brown a Justice of the Peace, the same being a Court of Record within and for the county and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Rice aged 88 years, a resident of Champion, in the State of New York, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is a widow of Joel P. Rice deceased, who was the identical Joel P. Rice, who served under the name of Joel P. Rice an Orderly Sergt in the company commanded by Captain Noadiah Hubbard, in the regiment of New York Militia, commanded by Col. Gersham Tuttle in the war of 1812; that her said husband was enrolled at Champion New York for defense of Sackets Harbor on or about Feb. 1813 and continued in actual service in said war for the term of, she cannot state, and whose services terminated, by reason of an honorable discharge at Sackets Harbor, N.Y. 1815. She further states that the following is a full description of her said husband at the time of his enlistment: age 31 years, height 5ft. 9 inches, brown hair, blue eyes, fair complexion, occupation a farmer. She further states that she was married to the said Joel P. Rice at the town of Denmark, in the county of Lewis, in the State of New York, on the 20th day of January 1806, by one Rev. Nathanial Dutton, who was a Congregational Minister, now dead, and that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Crowner, and that she has not remarried since the death of the said soldier; and she further states that she nor her said husband had been previously married. There is no public record of her marriage and but one living witness to her marriage, and that her said husband Joel P. Rice died at Champion, in the State of N. Y. on the 7th day of May, 1873; and she further declares that the following have been the places of residence of herself and her said husband since the date of his discharge from the Army: said husband always lived in Champion N. Y. from date of their marriage. He became Captain of said Company. He was called out on various occasions. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she may be entitled under the provisions of Sections 4736 to 4740 inclusive Revised Statues, and the Act of March 9, 1878, and hereby constitutes and appoints with full power of substitution and revocation Edgar North of Watertown N.Y. her true and lawful attorney, to prosecute her claim and she further declares that she has heretofore made no application for a pension. Her husband applied but did not succeed. She cannot give dates of service. He got a land warrant. Her residence is town of Champion, county of Jefferson, State of N.Y. and that her post-office address is Carthage N.Y. She is unable to travel to where is an officer of a Court of Record by reason of infirmity of age. (Her mark) X (Her name) Elizabeth Rice Attest: J.A. Brown, Justice of the Peace A.E. Rice Also personally appeared Roswell O. Woolson, aged 74 years, residing in Carthage N.Y. and James Mix, aged 80 years, residing in Carthage, N.Y., persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they have known the said Elizabeth Rice for 53 years and for 70 years respectively; that they were present and saw her make her mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and the further say that they are able to identify her as the person who was the wife of the identical Joel P. Rice, who rendered the service alleged in the above application in the company of Captain N. Hubbard in the regiment of New York State Militia (76), in the war of 1812 by the following named-facts and circumstances: (Unfortunately the rest of this is covered over by the name and affixed seal of the County Clerk, George Cole.) Aug. 5, 1878. Letter from the Department of Interior, to attorney Edgar North: Sir- In the claim, No. 14,096, Elizabeth Rice for service pension, under the act of March 9th, 1878, as the widow of Joel P. Rice, you should file proof of the applicant's marriage to the soldier as per the requirements of the enclosed circular marked "M". A new declaration in conformity with the requirements of paragraph 3 of general instructions herewith, should be filed, the application on file having been made before Justice of the Peace, who failed to certify as to the infirmity of the applicant. The applicant should state under oath the names of the captains under whom her husband served during the war of 1812; the number of his application for pension and bounty land warrant and through whom she said applications were filed as attorney. The testimony of reputable persons, their ages and means of information being definitely stated showing whether the applicant has remained a widow ever since the death of the soldier and showing the date of the said death should be filed. Please return this letter with your reply. Oct. 9, 1878. State of New York. County of Jefferson. On this 9th day of Oct., 1878, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public, the same being within and for the county and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Rice, aged 88 years, a resident of Champion, in the State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is a widow of Joel P. Rice deceased, who was the identical Joel P. Rice, who served under the name of Joel P. Rice in the company commanded by Captain N. Hubbard & John McNitt, in the regiment of New York State Militia, commanded by Col. G. Tuttle in the was of 1812; that her said husband was enrolled at Champion on or about Feb. 4, 1813 and whose services terminated, by of an honorable discharge at Sackets Harbor. She further states that the following is a full description of her said husband at the time of his enlistment: Age about 32 years, height about 5ft. 5in., brown hair, blue eyes, light complexion, occupation farmer. She further states that she was married to the said Joel P. Rice, at the town of Denmark, in the county of Lewis, in the State of New York, on the 20th day of Jan. 1807, by one Nathanel Dutton, who was a Presbyterian Clergyman now deceased, and that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Crowner, and that she has not remarried since the death of the said soldier; and she further states that neither she nor her said husband were previously married. That there is no public record of her said marriage and that her said husband Joel P. Rice died at Champion in the State of New York on the 7th day of May, 1873; and she further declares that the following have been the places of residence of herself and her said husband since the date of discharge from the Army: Always lived in Champion, Jeff. CO. NY until his death. Since his death, lived in Champion & Wilna NY. Her said husband obtained land warrant 12,623 for 120 acres. Also a pension. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she may be entitle under the provisions of Sections 4736 to 4740 inclusive Revised Statues, and the Act of March 9, 1878, and hereby constitutes and appoints with full power of substitution and revocation, Edgar North of Watertown NY her true and lawful attorney, to prosecute her claim and she further declares that she has heretofore made no application for pension. Said application for Bounty Land warrant & pension was filed by Ambrose Babcock. Because of infirmity of age, she is unable to travel; and that her residence is town of Champion, county of Jefferson, State of New York, and that her post-office address is Carthage, Jeff. Co. NY. (Her mark) X (Her name) Elizabeth Rice Attest: James Mix Roswell O. Woolson Also personally appeared James Mix, aged 81 years, residing in Champion, and Roswell O. Woolson, aged 75 years, residing in Champion, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they have known the said Elizabeth Rice for 75 years and for 50 years, respectively; that they were present and saw her sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and they further say that they are able to identify her as the person who was the wife of the identical Joel P. Rice, who rendered the service alleged in the above application (In the company of Captain Hubbard & McNitt, in the regiment of New York State Militia, in the war of 1812) by the following named facts and circumstances: We are well acquainted with (unreadable) to have lived together & been recognized by their neighbors as husband & wife during all of the aforesaid period. And that the said Elizabeth Rice has remained the widow of the said Joel P. Rice continuously since his death which occurred on the 7th day of May 1873, up to the present time. (Signature of witnesses) James Mix & Roswell O. Woolson Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of Oct. 1878 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing and that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim. I hereby certify that by reason of infirmity of age, said Elizabeth Rice is unable to travel to where there is an officer of the court of record. (Signature) Charles D. Shumway, Notary Public. May 15, 1879. Record entry as follows: I think under the present practice of the office, the chief of the division will accept the declaration in this case, as the applicant alleges 88 years as her age and declares infirmity by reason of age. I also think that the testimony of the identifying witnesses together with that of the soldiers in this claim for pension as for proof of marriage to entitle under act of Mar. 9, 1878 may be accepted. Death is not so clearly shown. A new (unreadable) should be made direct on the applicant for whatever may be necessary to complete claim and if all is made it should be sent in care of P.M.-this # 14,096 for Joel P. Rice. (Signed) Atwood. May 29, 1879. Widow's Brief. Admitted for pension. Summary of Proof. Marriage- Date Jan. 20, 1807 of Joel P. Rice to Elizabeth Crowner, as testified by claimant and by soldier in his pension claim. James Mix & Roswell O. Woolson testify to cohabitation. Proof as to capacity to marry- Claimant states neither herself nor her husband had been previously married. Death of Soldier- May 7, 1873 as testified by James Mix and Roswell O. Woolson and alleged by claimant. Widowhood- Claimant alleges and James Mix & Roswell O. Woolson testify that she has remained a widow since soldiers death. Incidental Matter- Claimants statement as to her infirmity is certified to by the proper officer. Claimant states that there is no record of her marriage. Soldier applied for a pension under Act of Feb. 14, 1871 but claim was rejected on the ground of insufficient service. Alleged service- Was enrolled in Capt. N. Hubbard & John McNitt's Company, NY Militia at Champion in Feb. 1813 and was honorably discharged at Sackets Harbor. Record evidence of service- 3rd Auditor reports Dec. 18, 1872 the service of Joel P. Rice in Capt. Noadiah Hubbards Co. NY Militia from Feb. 28 to Mar. 21, 1813 and also in Capt. John W. McNitt's Co. from July 28 to Aug. 22, 1813. Length of service- 48 days Proof of identity- By affidavits of James Mix and Roswell O. Woolson who have known the claimant 75 & 50 years. Claimant resides in the same county where soldier lived when applied for pension and land bounty. Admitted May 27, 1879 to a pension of eight dollars per month from March 9, 1878 the date of the Act. No pension previously applied for. (Signed) Alex R. Spell, Pension Searcher. Bounty Land # 12623-120-55 issued Canadaigua Agency (Syracuse). Certificate No. 24,665 Jan. 28, 1881. Elizabeth (Crowner) Rice of Champion, Jefferson County, NY dies. Mar. 11, 1881. Application for Reimbursement: I Alfred W. Rice, do swear that Elizabeth Rice, late resident of the Town of Champion, County of Jefferson, State of New York, died on the 28th day of Jan. 1881; that the decedent drew a pension, under Certificate No. 24, 665, up to the 4th day of Dec. 1880, as the widow of Joel P. Rice, formerly a soldier in the service of the United States; that said decedent left surviving neither widow nor child under sixteen years of age, and did not leave sufficient assets to meet the expenses of decedent's last sickness and burial; and that said expenses are correctly enumerated in the following statement, the names of the persons who rendered service or furnished necessaries being given, with items and amounts; Dr. Geo. N. Hubbard- service as physician. Paid $1.25 Orville L. Cutler- coffin, hearse and attending funeral of deceased. Paid $35.00 Charles Draper- digging grave. Paid $2.75 Rev. W.R. Cobb- Preaching funeral service. Paid $5.00 Total= $54.00 I therefore hereby make application for reimbursement under the provisions of Section 4718, R.S., claiming the sum of fifty four dollars. The total value of all property of whatever kind, personal and real, left by the decedent did not exceed ten dollars and consisted of her clothing and bed and only the sum of nothing dollars of said assets has been, or can be, available for reimbursement of the above named expenses. The decedents last sickness continued uninterruptedly from Jan. 25th, 1881 to date of death, and its nature and degree were as follows: apoplexy & paralysis. My residence is in the Town or City of Carthage, County of Jefferson, State of New York, and my Post-Office address is Carthage, Jefferson County, NY. (Affiants Signature) Alfred W. Rice Attest: C.G. Austin John Varley Deceased Pensioner Certificate No. 24,665 Neighbors Affidavit Before me personally appeared Winslow W. Bohall, residing on Martin street in the town of Champion State of New York, and Joseph Huse, residing at aforesaid town or city, who being duly sworn say that they well and personally knew Elizabeth Rice who was pensioned as the widow of Joel P. Rice, formerly a soldier in the service of the United States; that said pensioner died on the 28th day of Jan. 1881; that neither widow, nor child under sixteen years of age at that date survived; and that they were well acquainted with the pecuniary circumstances of said decedent, and know that all property of whatever kind, personal and real, left by her did not exceed in value ten dollars, and consisted of her clothing and one bed. (Signatures of affiants) Joseph Huse & Winslow W. Bohall Oct. 19, 1881. Letter from the Department of Interior to Alfred W. Rice: Sir- In support of your claim for reimbursement in the case of Elizabeth Rice, deceased, certificate no. 24665-1812- you are required to furnish the sworn receipt of the undertaker. Please return with this letter. Oct. 22, 1881. Deceased Pensioner-Certificate No. 24665. Expense Account: On the 31st day of Jan. 1881, I Orville L. Cutler, residing in Carthage, NY, did receive from Alfred W. Rice, a resident of Champion, NY, the sum of $35 dollars in payment of the following account, which is in every particular just and true, and which I verily believe embraces only such items of service and expenditure as were made necessary by the last sickness and the death Elizabeth Rice late United States pensioner residing at Champion, NY: Jan. 31. 1881-items coffin, shroud & hearse at funeral. Amount $35.00 (Signature of payee) O.L. Cutler Nov. 2, 1881. From the Department of the Interior to Alfred W. Rice: Sir- You are hereby notified that the U.S. Pension Agent at Syracuse, NY has been directed to pay you, on duly certified voucher, out of the accrued pension in the case of Elizabeth Rice (war 1812), deceased, Certificate No. 24665, the sum of thirty five dollars, on account of expenses of decedents last sickness and burial. Additional Comments: Elizabeth's first affidavit states that the year of her marriage was 1806 but the second affidavit says 1807, which agrees with husband Joel's affidavit.