The Search for Rice

Who is the "Rice" of Rice Canyon? I have not yet been to the Los Angeles County Hall of Records to see if I can find the original claim. In the meantime, I have searched the United States Census records and have come up with a Joseph Rice, who is a strong candidate.

The 1850 census shows a 16-year old Joseph Rice living with his parents George (49-years old) and Catherine (35-years old) Rice in Somerset, Massachusetts. Both Catherine and Joseph were born in California. George was born in Massachusetts. Young Joseph's occupation is a farmer.

On the 1860 census, 26-year old Joseph Rice was living in Fort Tejon, California and was married to 30-year old Trinadad. She was marked as an Indian born in California. They had three children. He was a merchant.

On the 1870 census, 35-year old Joseph was living in the Los Angeles Township and was married to 37-year old Maria T (probably Maria Trinadad). On this census, she was marked as white. They had 5 children. He was a farmer.

This puts him in the right place at the right time with the right name. Unfortunately, without more information, I cannot confirm him as the correct Rice.