- Ephraim Sturdivant
Captain Ephraim Sturdivant (
February 14 ,1782 -August 30/31, 1868) was an American veteran of theWar of 1812 , namer ofCumberland, Maine , first person to bringmerino sheep to Maine, a ship captain, and the first treasurer of Cumberland.Biography
Early life
Sturdivant was born on
February 14 ,1782 inNorth Yarmouth ,Massachusetts (now in the state ofMaine ). He was the third son ofDavid A. Sturdivant andJane Greely . Both parents were descended from aMayflower passenger; David being descended fromRichard Warren , and Jane descended from Stephen Hopkins.By the age of 12, Ephraim spent most of his life at sea. This life continued for another 28 years, during that time he traded in the
West Indies ,Europe , and more. In 1810, he imported a cargo ofmerino sheep fromPortugal toSturdivant Island which is now named after his family. He became the first person to bring merino sheep to the state ofMaine ." during the same war.
Marriage and family
Ephraim's first marriage occurred on
January 12 ,1809 , toRachael Drinkwater . This union produced nine children:
*Alvin Sturdivant
*Henry Sturdivant His second marriage was to Dolly S. Taylor.
His third and final marriage was to Mary Thaxter Greely.
Later life
Capt. Sturdivant served as the first treasurer of Cumberland from 1820 to 1832. He was also a selectman from 1833 to 1834. He died on either August 30 or the 31 from natural causes.
Legacy
Cumberland still exists to this day under the same name. Ephraim Sturdivant's home on "Ephraim's Mount" had twelve tall pine trees called "The Twelve Apostles". These trees served as the second landmark for ships sailing into the Portland Harbor, although the last one fell in 1935.
External resources
* [http://kellyparkerre.com/l_welcome-scarborough-portland-cumberland-maine-real-estate.asp History of Cumberland]
* [http://www.falmouth.lib.me.us/ForesideCem.htm Cemetery listing]
* [http://mabelwilson.msad51.org/Pages/CNY/CNY_thinkyouknow.html Cumberland information] - from the Cumberland Historical SocietyReferences
Sweetser, Phyllis Sturdivant, "Cumberland in Four Centuries", 1976, Town of Cumberland, Maine
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