William Rice (1788–1863)

William Rice (March 13, 1788 – February 11, 1863)[1] was a Massachusetts businessman and public servant, a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and a registrar of deeds and treasurer for Hampden County, Massachusetts.

Early life

He was born in Belchertown, Massachusetts to Nathan Rice, an American Revolutionary War veteran, and Hepzibah Allen, a cousin of Ethan Allen, she witnessed the Battle of Concord from home. He was a descendant of Edmund Rice, an early immigrant to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.[2]

Career

He grew up in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and moved to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1818, were he remained for the rest of his life. He was involved in the mercantile business. He originally had the firm Rice and Upham, then worked with Rev. Daniel Dorchester and later Rev. Dr. Frederick Merrick to form "Rice, Dorchester & Merrick." He was well liked, and served in many positions including as a justice of the peace. He was elected Register of Deeds for Hampden County in 1830, which he continued for 30 years. In 1838, he was elected County Treasurer, and continued for 15 years. He was elected a town selectman in 1824, 25, 26 and 30, then a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Springfield in 1831.[3][4]

Methodism

He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he contributed to all three Methodist churches in Springfield. Many early church meetings were held at his house. He was one of the founders of Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy, giving it a third of its land, and helping the institution to succeed. He was president of its board for many years.[5]

He was a founder of the Pynchon Street Church in Springfield, which later became the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and later the Trinity United Methodist Church. He is depicted in a stained glass window in the church along with his son's Springfield Library. [6]

Family life

He married Jerusha Warriner, a descendent of William Warriner, who settled in Springfield in 1640. Their son William Rice Jr. was a Methodist minister and later longtime Springfield librarian.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "William Rice". Geni.
  2. ↑ "William Rice (1788-1863)". Edmund Rice (1638) Association. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Chapin, Charles Wells. Sketches of the Old Inhabitants and Other Citizens of Old Springfield of the ...
  4. ↑ Sherman, David. History of the Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, Mass., 1817-1890.
  5. ↑ Sherman, David. History of the Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, Mass., 1817-1890.
  6. ↑ "Our Windows". Trinity United Methodist Church.
  7. ↑ Rice, William North (1898). William Rice, A Memorial.


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