Ebenezer Ephraim

Quick Facts

Significance:

Patriot of Color at the Battle of Bunker Hill

Place of Birth:

Natick, Massachusetts(?)

Date of Death:

January 4, 1777

The following is from the 2004 National Park Service study Patriots of Color researched and prepared by George Quintal:

Ebenezer Ephraim was baptized in Natick (MA) on 26 July 1747, the son of Peter and (probably) Hannah (Weebucks) Ephraim.^I

Enlisting from Worcester (MA), he joined the eight month’s service on 1 May 1775 in the company of Capt. Jonas Hubbard, in Col. Jonathan Ward’s regiment. He was also recorded on the October 1775 roll of the company.^II

There is no record of 1776 service.

He enlisted in the Continental Army on 1 January 1777, again from Worcester, in the company of Capt. Simon Learned, in Col. William Shepard’s 4^th regiment. The record states ‘reported deceased, never joined’ and ‘died Jan. 4 [year not given].’ This would indicate that he died in service on 4 January 1777.^III

Footnotes:

1. Vital Records to 1850. Births, Marriages and Deaths. Vols for most Massachusetts towns, Natick, Births, 37; referencing a Congregational Church record. Ebenezer’s father Peter is described as an ‘Indian’ in several of the birth records.
2. Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1896-1908) 5:384. Also 2-CD Family Tree Maker^TM set “Military Records: Revolutionary War.”
3. Ibid 5:385.

Learn more about Quintal's study.