The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Author: David K. Johnston
Levi Ely was born 26 November 1732 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Samuell Ely and Abigail Warriner. Levi’s great grandfather came to Springfield in 1638. Levi married Abigail Sergeant on October 1758. They had a family of eleven children and lived in West Springfield.
Levi Ely served as a captain in the 2nd Company, 3rd Hampshire County Regiment of the Massachusetts militia. He was commissioned on September 18, 1777 and served a month. He again entered service on July 8, 1780 and served until he was killed on October 19, 1780 at Stone Arabia, Montgomery County, New York. He was killed in a battle with Indians.
Levi’s wife Abigail had known tragedy before In her life. Her grandfather, Digory Sergeant, and his wife Constance and one son were killed by Indians in 1704. At that same time, Abigail’s father John Sergeant-age 7 years, was captured by Indians and was held by them for 12 years. After John Sergeant’s release in 1716, He became a scout and interpreter in the service of the province of Massachusetts. On March 29, 1748 when Abigail was 11 years old, John Sergeant was ambushed, scalped, and killed by a group of Indians near Fort Drummer.
Levi and Abigail Ely have at least seven children buried at the Park Street Cemetery. Captain Levi Ely has a tombstone in Park Street Cemetery: It says: “In memory of CAPT. LEVI ELY, who was killed Oct, 19th, 1780 in the service of his country on the Mohawk River, in the 48th year of age. There is a canvas oil painting (29” x 24”) Portrait of Captain Levi Ely by artist William Jennys that is on display at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Ghent Virginia.
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Additional Information:
Find-a-Grave memorial (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/memorial/42804682/levi-ely) has three photos showing the grave markers. There aer some biographical/historical notes as well as links to Find-a-Grave memorials for the patriot's parents, five siblings, his wife, and 10 children