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(The following information was extracted from Descendants of Rice Edwards of Wenham Mass. from 1642 by Donald Smith Kenney. For the complete article, go to
https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/k/e/n/Donald-S-Kenney/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0001.html)
Rice Edwards was born about 1615 in England or Wales,14 and died before 15 June 1683 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts.15 He married Elnor before June 1643 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts.16
In the records of a Selectmen's meeting held at Salem, Massachusetts, 13 th. of the 12 th. month 1642 [Julian Calendar] (13 February 1642-3 on the Gregorian Calendar) was: "Granted to Ryce Edwards 10 acres nere to Mr. Blackleach his farme to be laid out by the towne."8 This property was situated in that part of Salem which three months later, on 10 May 1643, was established by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony as the town of Wenham, a separate township from Salem. It is here that Rice Edwards a pioneer resident of Wenham, established his home and began raising a family.
Rice most probably came to the colonies from England or Wales. [There was] a Rice Edwards, shown as being Christened on 30 November 1614 at Willoughby-With-Slothby, Lincolnshire, England.12 This Rice was the son of John Edwards, had a brother named John and a sister named Susan. He also apparently had an uncle, or an older brother named Thomas. [While the connection to this Rice Edwards is not established, these] names as well as the birth date of Rice fit nicely with [this] Rice Edwards family.
Family tradition says that he was Welsh. If so, his name most probably would have been spelled R-H-Y-S and pronounced "Reece" in the Welsh. Rhys, as well as Edwards, are common names in Wales even today. There are instances of his name being spelled both Rhys and Reece in the Massachusetts records.
His name has not yet been found on any ship’s passenger records, and no evidence has been found to determine from what port in England Rice may have sailed, his port of entry into America, nor his date of arrival in the colonies. It is most likely that he arrived before 1640 … when "the migration of settlers [to New England] temporarily ceased."
A presentment against him and his wife was made in June 1643 in the Court at Salem, Massachusetts for incontinency (public display of affection) before marriage. He and his wife were admonished by the court for this act at the 10 December 1643 Court at Salem.[1] From this record, it appears that Rice was not married shortly before June 1643, but was married at the time of the presentment in June of that year. The name of his wife is not mentioned in these records.
Not long after Rice's arrival, the first church in Wenham was organized on 8 October 1644, by the Reverend John Fisk, a physician and graduate of Emanuel College, Cambridge, England. Seven families comprised the Congregational church's initial membership; the name of Rice Edwards was not then among them.
Wenham was not the quiet suburban community it is today. A town meeting on 28 November 1644 agreed that anyone killing a Wolf should be paid 20 shillings. This, in fact, was Wenham's first tax law. Town records later credit Rice Edwards "for killinge of 4 wolfs."
In the Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts at Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1 March 1647/8, is found: "Rice also (Reesse) Edwards and Henry Hagott (also Hendry Haggett) of Wenham admonished for fighting together. There were no blows given; they only struggled together. And never having been before the court for a similer offence, were to pay only witness fees and costs. Witness: Phyneas Fisk and Ezdras Reade."1
Also in the November 1648 session is found: "Wife of Henry Haggett fined for wishing the curse of God on Rice Edwards and that fire might come down from Heaven and consume his house, as it did Goodwife Ingersoll's barn."1 Fortunately for Rice and his family, his house was not struck by lightning!
The Records of the First Church in Boston 1630-1868 show as admitted on "The 9th day of the 3rd Month 1647 by my self, Joan Edwards the wife of Ryce Edwards a joyner."[4] [Some sources, much quoted, have confused this Joan or Joanne with the wife of Rice Edwards of Salem. That, however,] is highly questionable as Rice received a grant of land on 13 February 1642/3 in what was to become Wenham, was married by June 1643, and was raising a family in Wenham and later in Beverly from 1644 to 1662. In a court appearance at Salem on 1 March 1647/8, Rice was living in Wenham and in a later reference in November it is noted that he had a house in Wenham.
On 3 December 1677, when Rice Edwards of Beverly took the Oath of Fidelity to King Charles, his occupation is noted as "Pavir" or paver,[5] which is a person who lays or sets paving stones, an occupation very similar to that of a stone mason and in colonial times, one who would lay stones for house foundations and a builder of chimneys and stone walls. None of Rice Edwards' sons became joiners. In colonial times, a son usually followed his father's trade. His eldest son John, who would have been the most likely candidate for this trade was a stone mason.6 It is highly unlikely that Rice Edwards would have changed his profession especially from a Joiner, which is a finish carpenter, to Pavier, a stone worker.
Thus it would appear that the Ryce Edwards of Boston who was a Joiner and married Joan, was not the same Rice Edwards of Salem, Wenham and later Beverly.
[Salem historian,] Sidney Perley, states "The name of [Rice Edwards] wife was probably Elnor, and born about 1620." This was based on a court record in which Elnor Edwards is deposed. She “is at the house of Rice Edwards and she testified that she was about 60 years of age.” Sworn, 23 July 1680, 1 Elnor Edwards is of the correct age to be the wife of Rice Edwards and several females of the next generation are named Eleanor. Twins born in 1717 to grandson Joseph and his wife Hannah were named Rice and Eleanor. There seems to be no Edwards woman other than Elnor Edwards listed among the attendants of the Wenham Congregational Church, the only church in the area, who could be of the correct age to be his wife. While the name of the wife of Rice Edwards cannot be proved, it is likely that it was Elnor.
In the "Records of the Congregational Church in Wenham, Massachusetts" from the manuscript book of Rev. Joseph Gerrish, who began his ministry at Wenham on 13 January 1674, in one of Rev. Gerrish's first entries, under "Communicants" is found the name, Ellena Edwards listed as number 45 along with 77 other persons, all contemporaries of Rice Edwards.7 The persons on this list were members of the Wenham Congregational Church at the time the Reverend Joseph Gerrish began his pastorate. The name of Rice Edwards is not found on this list and may be an indication of his non-conformity to the Puritan principals. The only Edwards family in the Wenham area at the time of Rev. Gerrish's pastorate was that of Rice Edwards.
Town Records of Salem show that at a meeting of the Selectmen on 16th:4th mo. 1651 [Julian Calendar] (or 16 June 1651 Gregorian Calendar): "Granted to Rice Edwards 20 acres of land lying neare adjoyning to Richard Dodg his land in consideration of 10 acres of land he doth resigne to the towne lying below Makerill Cove towards the Cricke that he bought of Mr. Thornedick wch was formerlie granted to Richard Lambert."9
Mackerel Cove is that portion of Beverly from Curtis Point; that is the north end of the present Brackenberry Beach, west to what is now Hospital Point.The land in between these points is now called Beverly Cove. In colonial times it was also known as Cape-Ann-Side. The "Cricke" referred to above is most probably that small creek, still there today, that crosses Hale Street just east of the junction of Hale and Boyles Streets.A valuable piece of property today, but at the time of his resigning this land for that in North Beverly, I think he got the better of the deal. Several houses built in colonial times are still intact in this area. Rice Edwards evidently never lived on this property, but may have intended to use it for fishing purposes as most of those living in that area at the time are recorded as fishermen by trade.
On 29 December 1652, Rice Edwards sold to John Sallard (this is most likely John Solart, Sr.) his house and 10 acres of land in what was then and is still called "The Neck" in Wenham10 [which is the area around Larch Row and Walnut Road], and moved the short distance to the 20 acres of land which was located on the east side of the present Dodge's Row and abutted the land of Richard Dodge. This larger property was in that section of Salem which on 14 October 1668, became Beverly. On March 18, 1678-9, Grover Street was laid out, running southerly from Dodge's Row between the land of Rice Edwards and John Dodge.11
A new boundary between Beverly and Wenham was surveyed during the summer of 1679 by Charles Gott and John Batchelder of Wenham. When a dozen Beverly residents complained that they now found themselves residents of Wenham, Gott and Batchelder confessed "that the compass that they ran by sight was altogether false. It would not work, and the north point stood south or any way, so they shook it and turned it the way best answered their ends."
The most serious trouble occurred however, when it came time to collect taxes. Beverly Constable Peter Woodbury collected as usual from his previous townsmen. But when Wenham Selectmen Walter Fairfield and Thomas Fiske took it upon themselves to "run the line" again, they claimed John Dodge's house to be in Wenham. Accompanied by Wenham Constable Richard Hutton they visited Dodge's house when John Dodge was away and took three pewter platters in payment of Wenham taxes. They then passed by the house of Rice Edwards and when Sarah, wife of John Dodge came by and saw her purloined tableware, she tried to grab it.
At a General Court held at Boston, 19 May 1680, in the action of Beverly, by William Dodge and Paul Thorndike (selectmen, edt.) v. Capt. Fiske and others for the town of Wenham, they found for defendants, the land in controversy.
"Warrant, dated July 21, 1680, for the appearance of Richard Hutton, Thomas Fiske and Walter Fairfeild upon complaint of John Dodge, for entering his house, taking away some pewter when no one was at home, and afterwards striking his wife, so that she was much injured, signed by Daniel Denison for the court, and served by Samuel Moulton, Constable of Wenham."
"Elnor Edwards, aged about sixty years deposed in Court that, Hutton, Fiske and Fairfield came to the house of Rise Edwards with three pewter platters, which they took out of John Dodge's house. Dodge's wife Sarah, passed by and asked them why they rifled her house when nobody was at home, stepping up to take the platters away. They all three pulled her down and dragged her upon the ground, Thomas Fiske, Sr. striking her a blow on the neck with his fist. Then Rise Edwards cried out, "Rescue the woman, what will you let her be Cilld," and John Edwards stepped in and held Fiske and Fairfild by the shoulders. Sworn, July 23, 1680."
"John Edwards, aged about thirty-seven years, deposed that he came to his father's house and found Fiske, Hutten and Fairfield there asking for some fire to light their pipes. His father told them he was not willing they should have fire. Deponent told them they might have some if they would go to his house but not inside the door. He showed them a receipt for the rates in 1679, etc. Sworn, July 23, 1680."
"Benjamin Edwards, aged about eighteen years also deposed."
"Rise Edwards, aged about sixty-five years, deposed concerning the rough handling of the woman and why he cried out to rescue her. Sworn, July 23, 1680."
The court assessed the Wenham officials costs of £50 for the fracas.2
In Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Records, Book 307, page 134, is found an agreement between Rice Edwards and his son Benjamin by which the son agreed to take care of his father, in consideration of which he was to receive the greater share of his father's estate. This document is dated 18th. 2nd. 1681 [Julian Calendar] (or 18 April 1681 on the Gregorian Calendar). As no allusion is made to Rice's wife, it may be inferred that she was not living at that time.
This agreement is an interesting record of colonial care for the aged. It reads: (I) "doe surrender and yield up all my upland Meadows, Stock of Cattle, Sheep, horses and swine Except my Rideing mare & all my housing only Excepting a free and Quiet subsistence in my now Dwelling house untill he build another for me, and.." (he gives) 1/2 meadow & stock to son Benjamin on condition that he clear & Pay my debts & also that Son does Provide for me Conveniently as a Son for a father both in sickness & health both Respect to food Phisick & Cloths washing Lodging & Attendance as my age or Weakness doth Require & also twenty shillings a year in money to be paid me If I Require it also to keep Winter & Summer in able Condition a Mare or horse for my Riding...and not Expect any thing or labour further from me but to be at my own Pleasure, and furter it is hereby Declared that if he does not fulfil these terms, the doner is at Liberty to dispose of half his lands."
After the death of Rice, his son Benjamin was appointed administrator of Rice's estate. Rice's children joined in an agreement to give Benjamin the housing, land and stock, and to share the movable furniture. The date of this agreement is 15th-4th-1683 [Julian Calendar] (or 15 June 1683 Gregorian Calendar). It was signed by Rice Edwards' sons and sons-in-law as follows: John Edwards, Thomas Edwards, and "In right of Thy wife;" John Knowlton, John Leach, John Coy, William Cleaves and Richard Lee. (Essex County Probate Record Book 307:135). This document is of extreme genealogical importance as it names the sons of Rice Edwards and infers that he had five daughters, not named, but providing the name of their husband. Research has indicated that the daughters of Rice Edwards were Bethia, who married John Knowlton; Mary, who married John Leach; Elizabeth, who married John Coy; Martha, who married William Cleaves; and Sarah, who married Richard Lee.
The personal estate of Rice Edwards was appraised by neighbors John Dodge and Thomas Patch for 21 Pounds, 10 Shillings. (15 June 1683; Essex County Probate Book 307:132). There must have been a 17 year dispute over the estate, for Benjamin's execution was not approved by the court until 6 January 1700/01 (Essex County Probate Record Book 307:132). Two weeks later the two surviving sons, Benjamin and Thomas, settled the disposition of the land, 16 acres near the homestead, and two acres of meadow in Wenham south of Longham Brook, north of John Dodge's woods and east of Robert Bradford's meadow, and west of an acre Benjamin had sold to Thomas on 18 January 1700/01, (Essex County Probate Records Book 307:136). Finally, the inventory was presented in Probate Court and allowed on 17 February 1700/01, with bills for 6 Pounds, 2 Shillings, 6 Pence, including 4 shillings for funeral costs. (Essex County Probate)
Thomas Edwards was in court at Salem to confirm his title to land which his father gave to him during his lifetime. The land, consisting of about 16 acres, is situated on the south corner of Dodge Street at the junction of Grover Street. A map of 1700 shows another parcel belonging to Thomas Edwards on the North side of the junction of Dodge and Grover Streets.
Rice's neighbor in Beverly, Richard Dodge, dedicated a piece of his land as a burying ground for himself and posterity. He died 16 June 1671, and he most likely was buried in this burying ground as well as Rice Edwards and his wife, although no marker remains today to confirm this. Many Dodge and Edwards descendants married each other. The descendants of Richard Dodge and other members of the Dodge family used this burying place and on 24 February 1730/1, entered into an agreement to confirm and establish the privilege of burying on this land by several of the Dodge family as well as the two surviving sons of Rice Edwards: Thomas Edwards and Benjamin Edwards. This burying place is now known as the Dodge's Row Cemetery. The original burial ground is on the side of a hill, but it was enlarged into a flat area surrounded by a stone wall.
Legend has it (told to [Donald Smith Kenney] by [his] grandfather Benjamin I. Edwards) that a "giant" was buried here with the grave marker located outside the cemetery. It is suspected that due to the location of the grave, the "giant" was a slave. Many of the Dodge and Edwards family had slaves or "servants" as they were known. In the published records of Beverly, Mass, Vol. 2, page 227, under deaths, is the following entry: "Negro girl of Benjamin Edwards, Jr. May 24, 1763."