Rice family.

In May of 1773, John Rice (ca. 1751-1801) of Tooting, London, eloped with Frances Plumbe (1758-1790), aged fifteen. Frances was the daughter of alderman Samuel Plumbe (1717-1784) and Frances Thrale Plumbe (1726-1811?), who were outraged. However, the marriage was supported by John's father Morgan Rice (High Sheriff of Surrey), by Frances's aunt Hester Lynch Thrale (1741-1821), and even by Mrs. Thrale's friend, the great moralist Samuel Johnson (1709-1784). The young couple traveled in Europe until a financial settlement was arrived at between the parents. Meanwhile, Mrs. Thrale served as a liaison in England.

John and Frances Rice soon settled in Chislehurst, England, and had thirteen children before Frances's early death. The eldest was the Rev. John Morgan Rice (1774-1833), who married Elizabeth Holmes, daughter of William Holmes.

From the guide to the Rice family papers, 1758-1958 (inclusive), 1773-1776 (bulk)., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)