596327

[phelps.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #1377, Date of Import: Oct 25, 1998]

In February of 1749 Ephraim Wright was recorded as having a house lot on Main Street, a family of one poll and a taxable estate of 108 pounds. "In 1744 a group of young people, members of Jonathan Edward's church, were censored severely for reading immoral books. Their names were read before the congregation and they were ordered before the minister for reprimand. Some of these young people were probably guilty while others were innocent. Among the names were both Ephraim Wright and Sarah Clark (who later became his wife). Whether they were among those guilty or innocent is not known." The following incident is recorded in the Judd Manuscript: "While those accused of reading this book were examined at the minister's house, the males were assembled in a room on the main floor and the females in the room above. A ladder stood against the house and our illustrious Ephraim was one of the young men who climbed the ladder and peeked in at the chamber window above during the admonition of the female offenders. This act caused some discussion and was readily condemned by all."

On 13 September 1774 Ephraim Wright was chosen as a member of the Committee of Correspondence and again on the 21st of November he was chosen to meet with the delegates from the other towns in Hampshire County to concentrate public opinion against the unjust treatment of the colonists by the King of England. From this time on, for practically the rest of his life, Ephraim Wright devoted most of his time to aiding the colonists gain their freedom and in establishing the new nation.

Ephraim Wright was engaged as a wagon master throughout the Revolution and transported large quantities of stores to the army of the north. One of the earliest accounts is dated June 1777. He received at that time from Robert Brick, Esq., Commissary of Hampshire County, "12 hogsheads and 9 tierces (A tierce=1/3 of a pipe and would contain 42 gal.) Rum, 2 hogsheads Molasses, 3 hogsheads Sugar, 2 hogsheads Coffee, 7 barrels Ginger, 1 tierce Pepper, 31 boxes of Chocolate of 50 lbs. each, one box of Chocolate of 250 lbs., 2 tierces of Oatmeal and 4 tierces of Indian Meal." These stores were consigned to the Army at Ticonderoga.

Ephraim Wright is recorded as being in service in the Revolutionary War in 1776-77. He was personally acquainted with General George Washington and on several occasions conferred with him concerning military operations on the northern frontier, with which Ephraim was very familiar.

According to Judd, vol. 1, p. 334: "Ephraim Wright was a tall, broad-shouldered, fat-bellied man, always called Serg. until he became Esq. He made money by calculation and prudence more than by hard work. He was a great news gatherer; used to come and sit with the tailor girls for news."

The will of Ephraim Wright Sr. was dated 2 Feb. 1792 and probated 1 April 1794, Hampshire County Probate Record Book, vol. 18, pp. 297-8. He mentions his sons Ephraim, Moses, and Seth and daughters Tabitha, Esther, Miriam and Eunice and wife Abigal. Moses and Seth were the executors.

-Note from Barbara Todd, Falls Church, VA