Ephraim Green

Ephraim Green buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery was a Captain in the War of 1812. His military headstone states he fought in the Revolutionary War, but records show that information to be incorrect.

The documentation that warranted him to gain a military headstone is incorrect. The person who submitted the application confused Epraim Green with another soldier by the same name.

Below is a essay written by Deanne Newcombe, a local Genealogist with over a decade of experience, and the records and her explanation of the mix up with Ephriam Green's records. (Written February, 2024)

Ephraim Green 1773-1857

Ephraim Green who is buried at Bryant cemetery, within the wrought iron fenced area died August 7, 1857, at the age of 83 years, 9 months, and 27 days, making his birth date October 10, 1773. He was born in Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut. Sarah Claghorn Green, his wife, is also buried in the wrought iron fenced area next to him. She died April 15, 1843 (age 66), born October 12, 1776, in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.


The 'other' Ephraim Green (that is listed on FindAGrave.com in Bryant cemetery) has the same death date as Sarah and has her husband, Ephraim's life span (83-9-27). Using her death date and his name and life span, the 'other' Ephraim was created on the website. Both men’s life span (83y- 9m- 27d) is exact, which is practically impossible.


Through the FindAGrave.com website, I contacted the person who added the 'other' Ephraim onto FindAGrave.com. I asked for any records. I have not yet received a reply.


As far as Ephraim Green, that is buried at the Bryant Cemetery being a veteran of the Revolutionary War, I do not believe he served in the war for several reasons. First, his age. He would have been 10 years old when the war ended. Second, Ephraim Green that is listed as serving under Captain Alvord, was born about 1760. 


The attached record clearly states Ephraim was 20 years old on June 22, 1780. 

In my opinion, I believe the military headstone at Ephraim Green’s plot is an error. The headstone application was submitted in 1970 by an American Legion member. The application has notations at the bottom of the form stating, ‘can’t identify-not enough information-NNCS 9/15/70 A. D.’ It was then crossed out. 

In the book, Pioneers of Macedon, by Macedon Center Historical Society (Macedon, N.Y.) Mary Louise Eldredge, it states, Ephraim Green ‘had been a soldier of the Revolution as were many of the pioneers’. He was also a captain of militia in the War of 1812. This is the only record I found that states Ephraim being ‘a soldier of the revolution’.


https://archive.org/details/pioneersofmacedo00mace/page/50/mode/2up?q=ephraim


In the book, Military minutes of the Council of appointment of the state of New York, 1783-1821, by Council of Appointment of the State of New York; New York (State). State Historian: Hastings, Hugh, 1856-1916, Ephraim Green was in the New York County (Ontario) artillery militia under Lieutenant Colonel Philetus Swift's regiment.


https://archive.org/details/militaryminuteso01coun2/page/824/mode/2up?q=ephraim+green


In the book, History of Wayne County, New York, 1789-1877 by Prof. W. H. McIntosh, Ephraim Green is listed as being a captain in the War of 1812, but no mention of him being in the Revolutionary War.


https://archive.org/details/1877-history-of-wayne-county/page/n143/mode/2up?q=ephraim+

To conclude, Ephraim Green has false military information engraved on his military headstone.

The Real Ephraim Green's Military Service 

Ephraim Green served under Captain Peter Mills in the 23rd Infantry Regiment. Formed on June 26, 1812, and saw action in 14 battles during the War of 1812

In 1815 it was consolidated with the 6th, 16th, 22nd, and 32nd Regiments of Infantry into what is at present the 2nd Infantry Regiment.

Ephraim Green in Palmyra

Ephraim Green settled in what was Palmyra, Ontario County at the time, but is now Macedon, Wayne County in 1789. In 1800, he married Sarah Claghorn of Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Sarah was twenty-four at the time of marriage and Ephraim was twenty-seven.

Ephraim and Sarah went on to have nine children together.  He was also an overseer of the highways in the 12th district which was bordered South of the town line.

Ephraim's death occurred in his son's, James Green's, home in Otto, Cattaraugus County, New York. Ephraim was visiting when he passed away at the age of  eighty-three on August 7th, 1857.

Children of Ephraim and Sarah Green