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- by Roger E. Rice, Tenth Generation:
" Gersholm Rice, son of Thomas and Mary ( King ) Rice ; born May 9, 1667, at Marlborough, Mass. ; died Dec. 1768, at Worcester, Mass. , at age 101 years, 7 months, 10 days ; buried at Worcester, Mass. Following marriage removed to Groton, Conn. , probably before 1689, where he and brother Jonas had land conveyed to them April 28, 1704 , same land being conveyed from them May 19, 1709 ; removed to Marlborough, Mass. , prior to Oct. 13, 1713, from where petitioned to settle Worcester, Mass. Two settlements of the place having been broken up by Indians, he and brother Jonas removed to Worcester, Mass. , permanently in 1715 , with a grant of land acquired in 1718 ; credited as second settler there, his brother having beed first . Gershom Rice house was scene of first meetings for religious worship ; his was first orchard planted in settlement ; he and brother Jonas chosen to handle incorporation proceedings for town ; rendered important services for long period and called " fathers of the town. "
Married Elizabeth Balcom , daughter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Haynes ) Balcom, Aug. 12, 1666, at Charlestown, Mass. , by Lt. Edmund Goodnow ; she born ( . . . ) ; died ( . . . ) age about 80. Issued fourth generation children of record by wife Elizabeth: "
The following article was taken from "History of New London, Ct." by Caulkins, 1860:
"New inhabitants that appeared between 1670 and 1700. The exact period of settlement can not always be obtained. Many of the dates are menologion approximations to the time of arrival. By the phrase east of the river, the present towns of Groton and Ledyard are indicated."
Taken from list:
"Rice, Gershom; east of the river*, before 1700"
* It is believed that the river mentioned is the Thames River, New London, CT on the west side and Groton and Ledyard, CT on the east side.
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1667 - 1768 (101 years)
