Rice Medaris was born about 1745-50 in Middlesex County, Virginia. Rice married Miss Rachael McPheeters (often spelled McPeters) on the 18 June 1775. Rachel was b. in 1751 according to the 1850 census. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary Ann McDowell McPheeters.
Rice is listed in Benjamin Cleveland's (Militia) District in Surry County, North Carolina in the 1774 poll tax. On Cleveland's list for 1775 he is listed with Gabriel Loving and Daniel Sisk, each paying a poll. He is listed in William Reynold's District in 1782 with 11 horses and 3 head of cattle and his name is spelled Mederest. He is listed as Madaris in 1 poll in 1784 and by 1785 he was also listing 100 acres of land. In 1786 he is listed in Alexander Gordon's District with only one poll, but in 1787 he fails to appear. They settled in Caldwell and Burke Counties, North Carolina. He lived in Burke County, Morgan District at the time of the 1790 Census.
On the 21 Mar 1778, Rice is listed as living on an improvement included in an entry made by William Loving (Entry #42; Land Entry Book 1778-1781). This property was located on the south side of the Yadkin River. His name is listed as Rice Moderist. He is listed in the 1790 Burke County Federal Census as Medecarst. (Credits "Some Pioneers From Wilkes County, North Carolina" compiled by Mrs. W.O. Absher)
Other neighbors of Rice were the Davis' possibly the relatives of Rice's mother Rachel Davis Medearis. Probably the most famous resident of the Yadkin River Valley was Daniel Boone and it is likely that Rice and Daniel Boone were friends. Members of both families would eventually inter-marry.
Rice worked as a BlackSmith and was a Private in the Revolutionary war . Rice was "a soldier in the company of North Carolina Militia commanded by Capt. Silas Martin, whose company belonged to the Regiment of militia, commanded by Colonel Benjamin Cleavland" according to his Pension Application. He was first enlisted on the 13 June 1777, and was enlisted for the Cherokee Indian War. Soon after his return, Rice, was again called to action against the Tories. He fought at the battle of "The Hanging Rock", "The Gum ??? Springs (which was fought against the Tories and the British Army), and "The Battle of Kings Mountain". Rice retired from the service in March 1782.
Rice and Rachel had the following children:
1. Rice Medaris (6) b. 1776. Little is known about this Rice except he was residing in Burke County, NC in 1800 next to his brother William. There is some strong suspicion and evidence that he might be the real father of Gabriel, making Gabriel a grandchild to Rice (5) instead of his son. It is also suspected that this Rice married a Loving daughter as the names passed down are found in both the Medaris and Loving families.
2. Millie Medaris (6) b. abt 1775, married John Hayes of Watauga County, NC.
3. William H. Madearis (6) born in 1781, married Susanna Nicholson.
4. Charles Medaris (6) b. abt 1781-2, married Barbara Grider.
5. Sarah "Sally" Medaris (6) b. abt 1789, d.1869 in Russell, Kent. Married James Grider .
6. John Washington Medaris (6) b. 1792, married twice.
7. Oliver Medaris (6) born in 1796, d. 1878, married twice.
8. James Andrew Mederis (6) b. 16 Aug. 1797, d. 1 Oct. 1883, married Patricia "Patty" Martha Buckner.
9. Gabriel Loving Medaris (6) b. 1805, married Rebecca Davis.
Rice died on 22 July 1824 in Burke County, North Carolina. Rachael applied for Rice's Pension in 1836.
Rice's descendants use the spellings (in alph. order) Madaris, Medaris, Medearis, McDaris and McDearis. The continued use of the spelling McDaris did not occur until the 1830's and was first used by Rice's son Oliver. This apparently occurred in relation to a land dispute and possibly the social pressures of the North Carolina mountains to be Scottish. It is likely that the children of Rice picked up the speech pattern of Rachel and developed the phonetic "Mick" or "Mack" in their speech. The first appearance of the McDaris spelling shows on Rice's Pension application. This document was dictated by the acting Justice of Buncombe County, North Carolina on the stories that Rachel told. Rachel was 93 years old at the time. Because she was elderly she could not travel to the courthouse, therefore, the acting Justice traveled to her to create the documents. It seems certain that Rachel's Scottish accent created the phonetics documented on these papers. All other documents regarding Rice's service records, census records and etc., that would have been based on Rice's speech, use the spelling Medaris.
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Pension Application Of Rachael E. McDaris
State of North Carolina)
Buncombe County ) Section Act 4th July, 1836
On This the 17th day of August, personally appeared before me the undersigned, an acting justice in said county; Rachael E. McDaris a resident on Big Ivey in said county and state of North Carolina, aged ninety-three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doeth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by an act of congress passed July 4th 1836: That she is the widow of Rice McDaris, who was a private soldier in the company of North Carolina Militia commanded by Capt. Silas Martin whose company belonged to the Regiment of militia commanded by Colonel Benjamin Cleavland. That her husband McDaris was drafted the first time on the 13th day of June in the year A.D. seventeen hundred and seventy-seven(the widow is not certain whether it was 77 or 78 but is of opinion it was seventy-seven when her husband entered the service.) and was at the time of his being drafted, a citizen of Wilkes County and state of No. Carolina.
This term of service(she thinks) was four months, and was expressly for the Cherokee Indian war, and was marched directly into the country inhabited by said Indians, and was gone from the time he entered said service until he returned home four months and sixteen days. She thinks that his return home was about the beginning of November, and year above mentioned. She further says that her husband, the afore mentioned Rice McDaris, was at home something like four weeks when an express again arrived for the men in Wilkes County again to enter the Service, That her husband was again drafted, and served a tour of six weeks under one Captain Allen, still belonging to Colonel Cleavland's Regiment of Militia which expedition was against a body of Tories, which were then collecting not far from said county, She further says that if he was in any battles this time that she does not now remember it. The said Rice McDaris was at home but a short time when he was again drafted (or, as she says, pressed into service, and under the same officers, being Capt, Allen and Colonel Cleavland) for the term of three months, and was during this period of service in a battle called The Hanging Rock but in what county said battle was fought she is not certain, or even the month when it was fought. This time their time expired and the said Rice McDaris again came home and remained there but a short interval until he was again called out.
The applicant further says, that her husband, the afore said Rice McDaris, served another tour of three months, and was drafted again, belonging to Captain Lewis Company and belonging to Col. Allen's Regiment; the same Allen she thinks who before a Captain and under whom her husband served his first tour of service: That During this period of service the said Rice McDaris was in another battle called The Gum (?) Springs, and is of the opinion that this battle was with the Tories, and perhaps a portion of British with them, She further says that her husband was again drafted for the term of three months under Captain Allen, and Colonel Ben Cleavland: That during this tour of service the said Rice McDaris was in the battle of Kings Mountain, after which he returned home as did all, the men In Capt. Allen's company who were not killed.
She further says that her husband, Rice McDaris was again drafted (and which was his last tour) for the term of five months, and was under Captain Martin and Colonel Allen.
She further states that her husband was away this term of service stationed in the town or Charleston, South Carolina three months and twenty-one days; after which the said McDaris finally left the service in the month of March, seventeen hundred and eighty-two. She further says that her husband the afore mentioned, Rice McDaris was engaged under the above mentioned Officers at different times and periods the whole time that he was basted in the Southern States, that the above mentioned towns or periods are all that she can now remember distinctly, and these officers (Captains and Colonels) she does remember well. The widow further says that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim; but that her husband the afore said Rice McDaris had discharges from the officers underwhom he served for each of his tours of service which were consumed by fire in his house in the state of Virginia and that was the reason why application has not been made heretofore for a pension. She further says, on her oath that had the house of Rice McDaris (in which were destroyed his discharges by fire) was in Russell County and state as mentioned heretofore.
She further declares that she was married to the said Rice McDaris on the 18th day of June in the year A.D. one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five and that her husband the afore said Rice McDaris, died on the 22nd day of July eighteen hundred and twenty-four and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as Will more fully appear from the proof annexed.
Rachael E.(her X mark) McDaris
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and the year above mentioned, before me the undersigned, an acting Justice in said county.
N. Blackstock
State of No Carolina)
Buncombe County )
I, N. Blackstock, an acting Justice in said county do hereby certify that 1 have qualified Rachael E. McDaris to the foregoing declaration, and that she has signed the same as the law directs; and I believe the same to be the truth to the best of my knowledge, as well as, that she is a woman of good standing in society, where she is known. I also certify that the said Rachael E. McDaris is, from bodily infirmity, incapable of attending at the place where our Courts of Record are held; being from Asheville the county site fifteen miles. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this the 17th day of August A.D. 1850
N. Blackstock
State of No. Carolina )
Buncombe County )
On this the 17th day of August, 1850 personally appeared before me the undersigned, Oliver McDaris, Polly McDaris, and Malinda Buckner, three credible witnesses who being first duly sworn according to law say on their oaths, that Rachael E. McDaris a has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband, Rice McDaris, who died the 23rd day of July eighteen hundred and twenty four and that she is now a widow.
Oliver McDaris
Polly McDaris
Melinda Buckner
Sworn to and subscribed before me day and yr. above written
Blackstock, Justice of the Court of Buncombe
I, N. Blackstock, an acting justice in the county above mentioned, do hereby certify that Oliver McDaris, Polly McDaris and Malinda Buckner, who have signed the foregoing affidavits on credible witnesses and that their testimony may be relied upon, in testimony of which I have set my hand and seal, on this the 17th day of August A.D. 1850
N. Blackstock, J.C.B
State or N. Carolina ) County Court Office the 8th October A.D. 1851
Buncombe County )
I, Robert Nance, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (a court of Records) for said county and state, certify that N. Blackstock, Esqr., whose proper signature appears to the foregoing declaration and affidavits, is one of our Said Court, duly commissioned and qualified according to law. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court, at office in Asheville, date above written.
R. B. Nance, Clerk
State of North Carolina)
Yancy County )
On this the 15th day of October AD 1850 personally appeared before me the undersigned, an acting Justice of a Court of Records for said county, Elizabeth Randolph of Yancy County, aged one hundred and one years who being duly sworn according to law, says on her oath, that sometime in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, (illegible) cannot recollect the day and month, she was personally present when Rice McDaris and Rachael E. McPeters were married by Benjamin Cleavland, Esqr, afterwards one of the Colonels of No. Carolina Militia, and that at this time, which she thinks was in 1775, Rice McDaris, Rachael McPeters, and Benjamin Cleavland were all citizens of Wilkes County and State of No. Carolina. Whether they were married by license, or by the usual manner of publication, she does not know.
Deponent further says that Rice and his wife, Rachael, were both decendants of families who were afterwards strong Whigs and that Rice was after this a soldier in the Revolutionary war, but that she knows nothing of the length of times which he served.
Elizabeth (her x mark) Randolph
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written.
Jno. Ledford Justice
State of No. Carolina)
Yancy County )
I, John Ledford, one of the acting Yancy County Justices of Court of Records in and for the county above mentioned do hereby certify that Elizabeth Randolph who has sworn to and subscribed to the foregoing affidavit as the law directs, is of good character, and, I have confidence in what she has said. I also believe her to be one hundred and one years of age. In testimoney of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of October AD 1850.
Jno. Ledford, JCR
State of No. Carolina)
Buncombe County )
On this the 13th day of August, 1850 perpersonally appeared before me, the undersigned, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state above mentioned. Ephrian Elder (doubtful spelling) who being first duly sworn, according to law, says that he was acquainted with one Rice McDaris who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, that he first knew him as a soldier he was drafted out of the neighborhood the Adkin(Yadkin?) and was under one Captain Martin, and under the command of Colonel Cleavland who had charge of the Militia from that section of the country. He further says that this tour lasted for four or five months, and was against the Cherokee and Catawba Indians.
Deponent further says that the said Rice McDaris was in another expedition or five months, but is of opinion that he was a volunteer, and thinks that he was marched into South Carolina, and perhaps to Charleston, that he left Wilkes County under Capt. Martin, and thinks that he was not under a Colonel until he got below Wilkesboro near 100 miles where the companies from other counties were joined and one Col. Allen took the command.
He further says that the said Rice McDaris served two other tours of three months each, but thinks that he was under said Capt. Martin and Col. Cleavland, both times. Be further says that he will not think of mentioning the dates when these different services were performed, as they all were rendered from the beginning of troublesome times in No. Carolina until they finally ceased a peace was made. Deponent further says that he himself was engaged during the war in hauling salt from Virginia and provisions for the people; that he frequently saw the said Rice McDaris in the service, and under the above named officers. He Further says that the above named Rice McDaris was engaged in some other small skirmishing parties, and he thinks under the same officers.
Ephrim (his x mark) Elder
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
John Keith, J. P.
State of North Carolina)
Buncombe County )
I, John Keith, an acting justice of the Peace do hereby certify that Ephrian
Elder who has signed the above declaration, is a man of truth and good character and what he says may be relied upon. I also certify that I believe the said E. Elder to be ninety-three gears of age.
In testimony of which I have hereunto set hand and seal on this the. 13th day of August A.D. 1850.
John Keith, J. P.
Stace of North Carolina) County Court Office the 8th October
Buncombe County ) A.D. 1350
I Robert B. Vance, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county and state certify that John Keith, Esqr., whose proper signature appears to the foregoing, is and was at the date thereof, an Acting Justice of the Peace for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, at office in Asheville, day and date above.
Robert B. Vance, Ck.
Rice Medaris 
- b.~ 1620 in Maderia, Portugal or Virginia d.1680
