The Marlborough
Historical Society

Edmund Rice and his family came to this new land from England about the year 1638. Edmund was a prominent figure in the settlement of both Sudbury and Marlborough. His numerous descendants included a grandson named Peter Rice. 

Peter Rice was one of thirteen children born to Thomas and Mary (___) Rice. At the time of his birth on October 24, 1658, the family was living in Sudbury. Thomas had received a grant of land in Sudbury during 1655, and shortly thereafter a grant of land in Marlborough. Upon filling a contractual obligation with Sudbury in 1664/1665, the family moved to Marlborough.  Indian uprisings threatened the settlement and the Thomas Rice home became one of the eight garrisons established in October, 1675. A few months later, on March 26, 1676, Marlborough was ravaged by Indians, and most of the inhabitants sought sanctuary in other towns. It is not known if Thomas took his family to Watertown as did many others, or if they returned to Sudbury.

Thomas died in Sudbury in 1681. He bequeathed one half his house lot at Marlborough to his son Thomas. To his son Peter he left the other half of the house lot (seventeen acres) and a parcel of meadow ground called Three Corner Meadow.  (No house or buildings are mentioned.) 

It is interesting to note that Charles Hudson, in his History of Marlborough, Mass. (view - buy) does not list the brothers Peter and Thomas as being among the principal inhabitants of the town in 1686, though both men were by then over the age of twenty-five.

Marriage and Eleven Children

The marriage of Peter Rice to Rebecca Howe, daughter of Abraham and Hannah (Ward) Howe took place in 1688.  According to tradition, he brought her to his homestead site. 

While no description of that first dwelling has been found, if it was like most others of that time, it consisted of a low house of one or two rooms with a fireplace for heat and cooking and an overhead loft.

Peter and Rebecca had eleven children: Elisha, 1690; Zipporah and Zephania, 1691; Cyprian, 1693; Pelatiah, 1697; Elnathan, 1698; Peter, 1700; Abigail, 1702; Deborah, 1704; Rebecca, 1706; and, Abraham, 1709. 

Elnathan died at a young age, and no information has been found about the twins. The others all married and settled in central Massachusetts.

Peter had cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs.  Crops included corn, rye, barley, wheat, flax, and oats.  Apples were grown for cider.  No mention of poultry or the kitchen garden has been found in the archives.

Peter was active in civil affairs.  He served as Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1709 - 11, 1714, 1720, 1721, and 1728 - 30. At the time of Queen Ann's War in 1711, he was one of a committee who designated garrison houses. He also was captain of the train band.

A full life

Peter's wife Rebecca died at age 81 on May 10, 1749, and Peter at age 95 on November 28, 1753. They are buried in the Old Common Cemetery, which is behind the Walker Building.

One would certainly consider Peter Rice and his family among the prominent households in early Marlborough. In the sixty years since 1686, Peter Rice raised his family, acquired land that extended well into Westborough and Northborough, was active in civic affairs, and provided his wife and children with substantial monetary bequests.

A timeline of the ownership of the Peter Rice Homestead:

1681   Thomas Rice to Peter Rice 
1854   Dennis Witherbee
1855   Henry Russell
1894   Laura A. Fitch
1914   Edward McLeod
1939   Marlborough Savings Bank
1939   Anna Labelle
1945   Emile Labelle
1967   Honeywell, Inc.
1968   The Marlborough Historical Society

The Peter Rice Homestead was included in the Marlborough Survey of Historic, Architectural, and Cultural Resources.  View the listing on Elm Street here.

Visiting the Peter Rice Homestead

Today the Peter Rice Homestead is the home of the Marlborough Historical Society and is normally open during monthly programs and special events held at the homestead, and for research and tours with at least ten days notice.   You can also download this detailed self-guided tour [PDF] of the homestead to learn more about what's inside and about the history of the home's earlier owners.

Effective December 16, 2023, the Marlborough Historical Society opens Homestead up for tours, by appointment only.

The Marlborough Historical Society will be opening the Peter Rice Homestead, 377 Elm Street, Marlborough, MA up for tours.  The Homestead, built in 1688 by Peter Rice for his wife Rebecca Howe, became home to his 11 children.  The building has a rich history and the tour will include this information.

Available for tour will be the first floor which has three fireplaces and a beehive oven. The first floor also has a Military room which houses many items from local veterans. The second floor which has an antiqued filled bedroom. Also on the second floor is an authentic school room from the late 1800’s. The Marlborough room is also located on the second floor. This room includes displays on Marlborough’s once thriving shoe industry, the Marlborough police and fire department and more.

If you are interested in a tour and would like to set a time, please contact: Linda Rennie at lrennie5371@gmail.com. You may also use our handy Contact Form. Please be sure to include your phone number and email address. Children are especially welcome.

Restoring and maintaining the Peter Rice Homestead

The home is owned and maintained by the members of the Society and others who support historic preservation in Marlborough through their membership in, purchases from, and contributions to the Society, as well as their attendance at Society special events, including the annual "Festival of Trees" and "Christmas at the Farm".

With this support, the roof of the Homestead was repaired, the boiler replaced (2011) with one that is modern and more fuel-efficient, and the front entrance was restored (2012) with one representative of the mid-18th century, when the property was in its prime. (See inset photo; the large photo below was taken prior to the installation of the new door.)