This is a short history of the extraordinary Rice family from stories told in the  family circles throughout our childhood by family members during summer visits to  Bamberg, South Carolina.

Bamberg living according to the 1880 United States Federal Census was in the  township of Midway.  Bamberg County was formed in 1897 from part of Barnwell  County, South Carolina.  The United States was the first country to call for a  regularly held census.  As recorded in the Constitution, a census of all  persons was performed to determine the collection of taxes and the appropriate  seats in the House of Representatives. The census records were beautifully  written in spencerian (characteristic of the style of penmanship, rounded) handwriting.  The census report had several columns which were completed by  the census-taker per household.  The report listed a colored person with land with a  small letter "c" placed by their name, location, relationship, personal description,  nativity, citizenship, occupation (employer, salary or wage worker, or working on own  account), trade or profession, education and ownership of home.  Also, it was note the  head of each household could, respectfully, read and write.  Accordingly, the Census  Report listed the Rice household as a working class family with their own bank  accounts.

We are the fourth generation of this Rice union.  The Rice family ancestry  began with our great grandparents, Tom and Louise (nicknamed Weise) Rice, in  Bamberg, South Carolina sometime during the 1800s.   To this union were born  two sons, Lee Alafair (according to the Census spelled Alifair) and Linwood (nicknamed  Bloss).  Great Grandmother remarried a Grimes and to this union another son was born  Norman (nicknamed Dump).

First son Lee Alafair Rice born March 13, 1887 in Bamberg, South Carolina and  departed this life in October 17, 1969 in Bamberg, South Carolina.  He is  buried in Orange Grove Road Cemetery, Bamberg, South Carolina.  His occupation  was listed as a farmer.  He married Lizzie Folk Rice, a housekeeper, and from this  union two daughters Olive and Carrie were born.  Widowed later in life, he  then met and married Corrie Daniels and from this union three children were  born Alice, Corrie and Joseph.  There are 18 grandchildren, 54 great  grandchildren and 46 great, great grandchildren.  Many of Alafair's family  migrated to New York City some still reside in Bamberg.

The second son Lenwood Rice was born November 15, 1888 in Bamberg, South  Carolina and departed this life February 15, 1968 in Washington, D.C.  He is  buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.  His occupation  was listed as a farmer.  He was married to Sabrie Lee Jordan Rice and from  this union five children were born, Hattie Mae, Hubert, William James, Helen  Mae and Lethia Bell.  There are three grandchildren.  Six great grand  children, 12 great-great grandchildren and two great-great-great  grandchildren.

The third son Norman Grimes was born sometime during the 1900s.  He was  married to Emma Grimes and they resided in York, Pennsylvania.  He died in  York, Pennsylvania where he is buried.  To this union a daughter and a son  were born.

SOURCE:  Jerome Rice and Patrica Rice Johnson