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.
State of Service: MA
Qualifying Service: Private
Birth: bp 26 Jul 1761 Barnstable / Barnstable / MA Death: 05 May 1798 Barnstable / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
Private, Capt Simeon Fish's co., Col Freeman's regiment; engaged Sept. 11, 1779; discharged Sept. 15, 1779; service, 5 days, at Falmouth on an alarm; company ordered out by Brig. Gen. Joseph Otis.
Additional References:
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Vol 4, pg 118.
Spouse: Marcy Foster; Children: William; Hannah; Mary; James
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Image taken and provided with permission of compatriot David C. Schafer (MA) member 159259.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
The grave site of Ephraim Crocker is located in the Northwest corner of the Old West Barnstable cemetery. It is best accessed from the cemetery road accessed from Rt. 6A, and is 80 yards east of the bend in the cemetery road.
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: David Crandall Schafer
Ephraim Crocker was baptized on 26 July 1761 at Barnstable, Massachusetts, the son of William and Hannah (Baker) Crocker. He was the eleventh child of twelve born to his parents; his siblings were Mary, William, Martha, Temperance, Hannah, Josiah, William, Alice, Mercy, Josiah, and Calvin.1
Coastal raids by British forces necessitated the defense of the seacoast of the New England colonies from the earliest years of the Revolution. British forces were a constant threat to attack coastal communities for food, arms, and supplies as well as to destroy privateering vessels, wharves, and warehouses. September 1778 brought British attacks on the western communities of Buzzard’s Bay, including Bedford, Dartmouth, Falmouth, and Martha’s Vineyard, necessitating the militia companies of Barnstable County to be called on alarm. April 1779 again brought attempted attacks at Bedford and Falmouth with its accompanying militia alarm to the defense of Falmouth. The leadership of Col. Nathaniel Freeman and Major Joseph Dimmick prevented the attempted British landing at Falmouth but created apprehension for future attacks.
Five months later, South Shore Tories based out of Newport, Rhode Island, known as the Loyal Associated Refugees, were sighted attacking Patriot vessels at Naushon Island of the Elizabeth Islands south of Falmouth. Fearing another attack on Falmouth militia, Brigadier General Joseph Otis called an alarm in defense of the town. From the Pay Roll of Captain Simeon Fish’s company, Colonel Freeman’s regiment of militia on the alarm at Falmouth September 1779 called out by order of Brigadier General Otis, 98 men of Captain Fish’s company served from two to ten days, including Ephraim Crocker, with service of five days and pay of £1, 6 shillings, and 8 pence.2 While the British ships did carry out naval maneuvers in Vineyard Sound, the anticipated attack did not materialize, and the militia companies were discharged home.
Ephraim was married to Mercy Foster, daughter of Nathan and Mercy (Smith) Foster of Barnstable, on 22 October 1786, at Barnstable by Rev. Oakes Shaw. Together, they had five known children: William (died young), Hannah, Mary, James (died young), and William.3
He served the Town of Barnstable as Surveyor of Highways, as recorded at the town meeting on 14 March 1792.
The Patriot died on 5 May 1798 at Barnstable and was buried at the West Barnstable Cemetery beside his son James. Mrs. Mercy Crocker’s death is given in the Barnstable Town Records to have been on 31 December 1821.
Sources:
Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families by Amos Otis, pg. 245.
Muster/Payrolls, and various papers of the Revolutionary War (MA & RI) Vol 35, pg. 279 (image 627)
Barnstable Town Records, Vol 4, pg. 281
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