Mary Rice

     Mary Rice was born in April 1834 at Ireland.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of John Rice and Rose Mary McCann.

Mary Rice married John Fern Sr, son of Francis Fern and Mary Duffy, on 17 November 1856 at St. Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow, Springburn Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Donald Coonrod relates:On the other side of the family tree, I have learned that the marriage of John Fern and Mary Rice was 'solomized according to the forms of the Roman Catholic Church' in the chapel of St. Mungo's Cathedral on Stanhope Road on November 17, 1856 in Glasgow, Scotland, county Lanark. John McGuire and Mary O'Neal of Glasgow were witness and Rev. Chilsholm performed the ceremony. John was 28 and Mary 25 at the time. He was working as a coal miner and she as a cotten mill worker. The record shows that John Ferns father was Francis Fern (after whom my great Uncle Francey was named no doubt) who was a letter carrier (this indicates he was literate). John Fern's mother was Mary Duffey and she was deceased by the date of the marriage. These are my GG grandparents. The record also shows that on the other side Mary Rice (Ryiss's) parents were John Rice (gardner by trade) and Mary McCann. I believe this is the first time these ancestors have been identified.⁴

Mary was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 7 April 1861 at Woodburn Land 1 Springburn Rd, Springburn, Pariish of Springburn, Lananarkshire, Scotland, as Mary Ferren. She is a 26 year old female born circa 1835 in Ireland. She is enumerated as a wife.⁵

Mary was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 1 June 1870 at Hickory Twp, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, as Mary Fearns. Mary is listed as 35 years old and was born in Ireland.⁶

Mary was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 1 June 1880 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Mary Ferns. Mary is a white female and listed as 45 years old. She is a wife and keeps house. She was born in Ireland as were both her parents.⁷ Mary Rice was the godparent at the baptism of Teresa Brady on 24 December 1882 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas.⁸

Mary was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 15 March 1885 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Mary Ferin. Mary is listed as a 51 year old white female born in Ireland. She came from Ohio to Kansas.⁹

Mary was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 15 March 1895 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Mary Ferns. Mary is listed as a 61 year old white female born in Ireland. She came from Ohio to Kansas.¹⁰

Mary was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 1 June 1900 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Mary Ferns. Mary is listed as a 66 year old born May, 1872 in Ireland. She has given birth to 10 children and 7 survive. She has been married for 44 years.¹¹

Mary Rice died on 6 December 1906 at Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas, at age 72.^2,12,13 She was buried in December 1906 at St. Bridget's Cemetery, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas.¹⁴