The History of Peter Rice

By Sarrah Lemon Talbert

Some of the history on Peter Rice was gathered from his children: Emily Hin, Mamie Engram, Rev. Robert Rice, Mary Patrick and Anna Rice Lemon (Sarrah’s grandmother). It is known that Peter Rice was not one to talk about his life. According to records from the Houston County, Ga., Courthouse and old tax digests, it is known that Peter Rice’s grandmother was born in Africa. She is only found in the 1870 census and listed only as “Granny” at age 75. It is thought that she most likely died before 1880. Nothing else is known about her parents, siblings or lifemate.

Peter’s parents were Stephen “Step” and Sallie Rice. They were born somewhere in South Carolina. The family lived and mostly sharecropped on the William McGhehee Plantation in Houston County. It is believed that Stephen Rice’s family belonged to Dr. G.L.D. Rice of Houston County. In 1870, Stephen Rice owned personal property that had a value of $500, which was a lot of money during that time. Personal property could have been a horse and buggy, cattle, tools and household goods.

The 1870 census listed the following children belonging to Stephen and Sallie Rice: Stephen Jr., age 19; Lizzie, age 18; Peter, age 15; Robert, age 14; and Jack, age 10. Stephen and Sallie reportedly had two other daughters (Fannie and Rebecca); little is known about them. Peter’s mother, Sallie, apparently died in the 1870s as she is not found in the 1880 census but Stephen Rice is found living with son, Jack and grandson, Allen, age 3.

The Man

Peter Rice is the third child of Stephen “Step” and Sallie Rice. He was born in March 1853. Peter Rice had two wives: Sophie Ingraham (aka Engram) and Anna Kendricks, according to the Houston County Courthouse. Peter married Sophie around 1876. Sophie was a mulatto and was born in 1858 in South Carolina. Her mother was Joice Ingraham. She had several siblings. Sophie died in 1906 from a massive stroke.

In 1908 Peter married Anna (“Miss Sweetie”). Anna died in 1972. Peter was a Methodist by religion and was a founding member of the Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church. He died in 1927 of heart failure. He is buried at Flat Creek Cemetery in Perry, Ga. Peter lived a long and fruitful life as a farmer, husband and father.

The Father

From the union of Peter and Sophie, 15 children were born: Amos, Sarah Melissa, Ophelia, Joice, Willie, Anna, Jourdan, Peter Jr., Hammie, McKinley, George, Jessie, Johnny, Mary Lue and Sophie.

From the union of Peter and Anna, eight children were born: Robert, Emily, Mary, Mamie, Clarence, Routher James, Janie and Fanny. All of his children are now deceased.

The Legacy

Once again we are gathered to celebrate the love and accomplishments of Peter Rice’s descendants. Each year we see some familiar faces and some new faces. Sadly, we know that some of our cherished family members are not with us this year. The values and ideas that our ancestors had are reflected in the accomplishments of YOU — their descendants.

This information is furnished by Peter Rice’s great-granddaughter and our family historian Sarrah Lemon Talbert, 2061 Neimans Ave. SE, East Canton, OH 44730; (339) 488-0985.