Zachariah Rice (Character Details)

By Cara Conley
August 7, 2026
Photo mock-up of what Zachariah most likely looked like in 1778 (image created by HYS)

Brief Character Description

Zachariah Rice was a local millwright and carpenter who played an important role in the construction of Washington Hall. He was the husband of Abigail Hartman Rice and a member of one of the German immigrant families living around Yellow Springs who helped support the military hospital during the Revolutionary War. Zachariah and his family provided food and other supplies to the hospital when military supply lines were strained, while Zachariah used his skills as a carpenter and millwright to help build and maintain the hospital complex. For our purposes, Zachariah should be portrayed as a man in his mid-to-late forties. An actor anywhere from his early forties to early fifties would be appropriate for the role.

Character Background in the Summer of 1778

By the summer of 1778, Zachariah Rice was a man in his mid-to-late forties, an experienced millwright, carpenter, husband, and father of a large family. Born on July 31, 1731, Zachariah came from a Bavarian German Lutheran family that had immigrated to Pennsylvania. He married Abigail Hartman in 1757, when he was 26 years old, and had already established himself as a skilled millwright in the local community.

During the harsh winter of 1777–1778, Zachariah became closely involved in the construction of Washington Hall. As a skilled carpenter and millwright, his practical knowledge would have been valuable in building the hospital structure and keeping it functioning. His family also helped sustain the hospital during one of its most difficult periods. When military supply lines began to fail, local families such as the Rices, Henches, and Hallmans (also known as Holmans), contributed food from their own stores to feed sick and wounded soldiers.

While Zachariah worked to support the hospital, his family was also dealing with the arrival of a new child. Abigail gave birth to their son Heinrich, known as Henry, during the winter of 1777–1778. Zachariah and Abigail ultimately saw 17 of their children reach adulthood. By the summer of 1778, Zachariah was balancing the demands of wartime service, skilled labor, and providing for a very large family.

Character Physical Description

Zachariah was a man of Bavarian German descent who was in his late forties during the summer of 1778. The image above is a photo mock-up of what we believe he may have looked like based on our research. We are looking for actors whose appearance can convey the physical character of a middle-aged German immigrant craftsman.

An exact match to Zachariah’s imagined hair or eye color is not essential. More important is an overall appearance that suggests an experienced, hardworking man in his forties or fifties who spends much of his life performing physically demanding work. His appearance has also been made somewhat weathered and rugged to suggest a man who had spent decades working as a millwright and carpenter.

Costume Details

  • Plain linen shirt with a simple collar or neck opening.
  • Plain waistcoat in a muted color, such as brown, gray, dark blue, or natural wool.
  • Knee breeches made from wool or linen, appropriate for a working man.
  • Plain linen or wool stockings.
  • Sturdy leather shoes with simple buckles or ties.
  • Wool coat or jacket suitable for the weather, particularly for portraying Zachariah during the cooler portions of the event.
  • Plain linen or wool work apron when appropriate, particularly if portraying him as a carpenter or craftsman.
  • Simple leather belt or work accessories suitable for a tradesman.
  • Hair worn in an appropriate 18th-century style, without modern cuts or styling products.
  • A simple wool or felt hat suitable for an outdoor working man.
  • No elaborate jewelry or fashionable accessories.
    • TLDR: Zachariah’s clothing should appear practical, durable, and well worn, reflecting a skilled German immigrant craftsman and family man rather than a wealthy gentleman. His clothing should be suitable for someone who spent much of his time working with his hands as a millwright and carpenter. Avoid bright colors, fine silks, elaborate embroidery, excessive lace, or other fashionable accessories associated with wealthier men. Overall, Zachariah should look like an experienced, hardworking tradesman who has spent decades supporting his family and community through physical labor.

We can assist with costuming depending on sizing. Regardless of sizing, we have accessories available for Zachariah.

Interested in acting as Zachariah in our Town Tours and Village Walks Event in 2026?

Please click through to this form, select Zachariah Rice from the dropdown menu, and fill out the rest of the form! We will be in contact with you shortly!

(You can also scan the QR code below with your mobile phone to be brought to the same form for more details)