Author: James Edward Mitchell
Fisher Rice, SAR Patriot #: P-278016, a company Captain commissioned prior to Aug., 1776 for Culpeper County, St. Mark’s Parish, Virginia (VA) Minutemen Militia Regiment
Fisher Rice, SAR Patriot #: P-278016, a company Captain commissioned prior to Aug., 1776 for Culpeper County, St. Mark’s Parish, Virginia (VA) Minutemen militia Rgt, commanded by Lieut. Col. James Slaughter, SAR Patriot #: P-290964 a member (1775) of the Committee of Safety. After Aug., this unit joined the regular Continental forces 1st (VA) Bgde. Culpeper County (Co.) formed 1749 from Orange.
Fisher Rice, logically was a son of Henry Rice and wife, Margaret Bohannon, whose inventory (i.), was recorded during 1747 at Orange Co., VA; see, Virginia Wills and Administrations: An Index, compiled by Clayton Torrence, publ. 1930, printed by Genealogical Publ. Co., Inc., Baltimore, pg 356, and Captain Fisher Rice / Find A Grave Memorial # 187452524.
A search of the “Hebron” Baptismal Register: 1769, 2nd Edition, 2004 publ., by John Blankenbaker, P.O. Box 120, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, available for public sale, published Margaret Bohannon (relationship?) as a sponsor for Susanna Carpenter (aka Zimmerman), baptized 7 May 1769, and a brother, Josua baptized 22 Aug 1771; children of Maria Tanner wife, and Christopher Carpenter (aka Zimmerman), a German variant surname. Hebron Lutheran Church, est. 1740, then located at Orange Co., VA, holds weekly services still; however, today the church is mapped off White Oak Run and the Robinson River at Madison, VA. First communion service dated 13 May 1727; source, A Hornbook of Virginia History publ., 1949 by J. R. V. Daniel VA Dept. of Conservation and Development at Richmond, VA, pg 53.
Rice’s parents, are indeed genealogically allied with numerous surnamed families that are recorded within this biographic work pertaining to Culpeper Co., formed 1749 from neighboring Orange Co. While writing this biography, I determined from a review of my public <ancestry.com> Mitchell Family Tree that Margaret Bohanon (aka Bohannon) was an “aunt of husband of sister-in-law of 1st cousin 7x removed”. As a dau. of Duncan Bohanon, Jr., she married during 1737, Henry Rice of St. Mark’s Parish, Orange Co.; source, Virginia Land, Marriage and Probate Records, 1639-1850.
Fisher Rice was recorded born approximately in 1738 at Orange Co., VA; source, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Ancestor #: A094897. The DAR determined that Fisher Rice resided in Culpeper Co., where he married Agnes Pulliam; no further information was furnished.
A separate search of U.S. Pension Applications for names - Fisher Rice and Mark Finks determined that Joseph Dicken, age 68 appeared at Court in Campbell Co., Kentucky and furnished an affidavit on 27 Aug 1832, that he initially entered Revolutionary service in Virginia during approximately June, 1779 in the company raised for Culpeper commanded by Capt. Fisher Rice. During Sept. and Nov., 1779, Joseph Dicken stated that he reentered into service again for Culpeper Co., in the company of Capt. Mark Finks [Mark Finks (Jr.) SAR Patriot #: P-158264] as a substitute in the place of *John Burdine (aka Burdyne) and the company marched along the James River to guard Norfolk against Tories. In Apr and/or May 1780 Dicken reentered into service again for Culpeper Co., in the company of Capt. Henry Towles and they were marched into the Carolinas before dismissal to return home. Joseph Dicken reenlisted in Capt. Elijah Kirtley’s company raised for Culpeper Co., in the months of Aug. and Sept., 1780 and marched with him into the Carolinas, higher up in the backcountry (Hillsborough) to guard prisoners than when he marched previously with Capt. Towles; source, https://www.fold3.com/image/15223066
A search of ‘Index’ pgs 157 -194 for the publication, Culpeper County Virginia” Will Books B and C, Court Suits, 1965, publ., by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck variously identified Joseph Dicken -pg 61; Capt. Rice -pg 31 and Agnes Rice -pg 25 and Fisher Rice -pgs 31, 38, 41-42; Mark Finks -pgs 9, 31, 75, 78, 82 and 84; Henry Towles -pgs 37, 46, 47, 57, 58, 64 and 72; Elijah Kirtley -pgs 23, 43, 57, 64, 68 and 78; Ambrose and Elliott Bohannon family, index pg 159; and *John Burdine index pg 161, pgs 31-32. Also, Will of Christopher Dicken, dec’d. Dated 21 Aug 1778. Proved 21 Sep., 1778 at Culpeper Co., identified Legatees: Son, Christopher Dicken (a minor), sons -Richard, Benjamin and William Dicken; Agnes Rice aunt to my dau. Sarah Dicken, act as guardian to her; etc., pg 25. An Account of Sales of Estate of Christopher Dicken, dec’d. Recorded 17 Apr 1780 identified purchasers: associates: neighbors and kin; see, Ambrose Bohannon; Capt. Fisher Rice; Lewis and [Michael Gaar, SAR Patriot #: P-163339 (brothers)]; Adam Yager; Mark Finks; Reginal and *John Burdine; Mary Dicken, Richard, Benjamin and William (Will) Dicken (brothers); Jeremiah and William Kirtley and Frederick Tanner, pgs 31-32.
An interesting Will of *John Burdyne of Bromfield Parish, Culpeper Co. Dated 28 Mar 1786. Proved Apr 1786 was found on pg 61 of Dorothy Ford Wulfeck’s publication, above. Legatees: Wife “Betty Burdyne land in Cantuckey (sic) bought of John Dicken, known as Cartwright Tract and all of estate. At her death divided equally among eight children: Benjamin, Susanner, Catherine, Sarah, Betty, Amos, Nancy and Agnes Burdyne (all minors). 30L [Pounds (sterling)] in trust to Wm. Chapman for support of his mother, Catherine Burdyne. Executors: Wife, Betty Burdyne; John Dicken, Joseph Dicken, subject of U.S. Pension Application, above.
Madison County (VA) Homes: A Collection, 1975 publ., by writer Vee Dove and printed by Kingsport Press, Kingsport, Tennessee, pgs 58-59 featured that Fisher Rice and Agnes, his wife, deeded 104 acres to Henry Lewis in Jun 1786, recorded 16 Oct 1786, mapped along a “north prong of the Robinson River, boundary with William Dickens [(sic) true name Dicken] on the side of a mountain.” Vee Dove narrated linkage between Fisher Rice’s 104-acre tract and the Historic Tom Finks House built after, 1792 standing, west of Syria on Route 648.
Fisher Rice at approximately, age 76 died during May, 1814 at his home/tavern, now demolished at Nicholasville, Jessamine Co., Kentucky (KY) 37°52′50″N 84°34′23″W. Although he was buried within his families private burying ground, the marked graves were regrettably lost; source, Find A Grave Memorial # 187452524.