Benjamin Rice

(February 1, 1722 – February 8, 1796) 

On December 7th, 1773, days before the “destruction of the tea” took place, militia captain Benjamin Rice of North Brookfield, Massachusetts, was one of a five-man Tax on Tea Committee that wrote a letter to the Boston Committee of Correspondence stating:    

“We think it our indispensable duty, in the most public manner to let the world know our utter abhorrence of the last and most detestable scheme, in the introduction of Tea from Great Britain, to be peddled out amongst us, but which means we were made to swallow a poison more fatal in its effects to the national and political Rights and Privileges of the People of this country, than ratsbane would be to the natural body. Therefore, Resolved, that we will not by any way or means, knowingly encourage or promote the sale or consumption of any Tea whatever, subject to a duty payable in America, but all persons whoever they may be, who shall be concerned in a transaction so dangerous, shall be held by us in the utmost contempt, and be deemed enemies to the well being of this country.” 

Due to Brookfield’s distance of 60 miles from Boston, Rice’s participation in the Boston Tea Party is questionable. As a member of the Tax on Tea Committee in his hometown, Rice would reasonably be aware of the Meeting of the Body of the People happening at the Old South Meeting House. Sarah Gammell, the daughter of Boston Tea Party participant John Gammell, names Benjamin Rice as a participant, strengthening the claim. 

Following the “destruction of the tea” at Griffin’s Wharf, Rice served as the Brookfield representative to the Massachusetts legislature in 1776, 1777, 1783, and 1784. 

Benjamin Rice died in Brookfield, Massachusetts, on February 8th, 1796.