Background
Jonas Rice was born 6 March 1672 in Marlborough, Massachusetts to Thomas Rice (1621-1681) and Mary (King) Rice (1630-1714).
Jonas Rice was born 6 March 1672 in Marlborough, Massachusetts to Thomas Rice (1621-1681) and Mary (King) Rice (1630-1714).
He was elected as a judge to the Court of Common Pleas in Worcester County, Massachusetts and he served until his death. Rice resided before 1702 at Worcester, Massachusetts when it was known as Quinsigamond. Rice, along with most other residents, abandoned the town soon after the commencement of Queen Anne"s War.
He returned at the end of hostilities on 14 December 1711, and he bought 60 acres of land in what is now in central Worcester.
He was a signatory on petition dated 13 October 1713 presented to the Great and General Court expressing desire to reestablish Worcester as a town. Rice was selected as judge to the Court of Common Pleas in Worcester County on the establishment of the county.
Rice died on 22 September 1753 in Worcester, and was buried at Old Common Cemetery. He left a will on 23 July 1753, proved 7 November
1753. Absalom Rice was the executor.