By the Name of Rice

OSEPH RICE (9.8) was the Deacon's
8th. child and the last one born in
Hertfordshire. He was the "toddler"
on the outward voyage and his "nose
was out of joint" before the voyage
was done. He was forced, by circumstances
over which he had no control, to take to spoon
victuals. The voyage had been long and not utterly
devoid of "squalls," for the Deacon's wife with the
Arabian Night's name had added another to the
passenger list. This was little Edmund, born at sea, in
1638, a man without a country; born when his mother
was away from home, and named, in honor of the
Deacon, Edmund.
The usurping Edmund died. No one knows when. No
record of his ever having married, or of his residence,
or death, or settlement of any estate ever belonging to
him has been discovered.
Joseph lived.
He lived and had 4 wives; not simultaneously
nor contemporaneously, but quite continuously.
Joseph Rice was baptized at Berkhamstead, Hertford-
at a tender
shire, England, March 13, 1637. Coming
age to Mass. Colony he considered it his duty to become
a Pilgrim Father. Like a good Democrat he
married early and often. In rapid succession we find
his wives to have been, 1st.
Mercy; 2nd. Martha; 3d.
Mary; 4-th.^Sarah. Beyond this and the fact that the
names of his ten children are recorded at Sudbury we
have no further knowledge of his marital exploits.
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