Ephraim Sprague (1685 - 1754)

This profile is part of the Sprague Name Study.

In 1703, John Sprague (Ephraim's father) sold all his property in Duxbury and relocated his family to Lebanon, Connecticut, where he bought several hundred acres of land; two sons, Ephraim and Benjamin, both young men at the time, came to Lebanon with him.

Soon after the family settled in Lebanon, Ephraim Sprague married Deborah Woodworth; like the Spragues, the Woodworths had come to Lebanon from southeastern Massachusetts. Ephraim and Deborah Sprague settled on an extensive tract of land along the Hop River on what was known as “The Mile and a Quarter.”

Between 1705 and 1725, Ephraim and Deborah Sprague had at least eight children: Perez, Peleg, Ephraim 2nd, Deborah, Betty, Irene, Mary, and Marcy. Deborah Sprague died sometime after 1727.

Other than her first name, Mary, nothing is known about Ephraim Sprague’s second wife.

Ephraim Sprague was a leader in the community. In 1722, he and his first wife, Deborah, were founding members of the North Society parish, known as “Lebanon Crank,” that would later form the basis for the town of Columbia. ^[1]

Children of Epraim and Deborah

1. Perez Sprague, b. 22 Jul 1705, Lebanon
2. Peleg Sprague, b. 15 May 1707, Lebanon m. Hannah Marsh
3. Lieut. Ephraim Sprague, b. 13 Mar 1709, Lebanon
4. Deborah Sprague, b. 2 Apr 1712, Lebanon
5. Elizabeth Sprague, b. 28 Oct 1714, Lebanon
6. Irene Sprague, b. 9 Feb 1717, Lebanon
7. Mary Sprague, b. 20 Dec 1721, Lebanon
8. Mary (Marcy) Sprague, b. 18 Mar 1725, Lebanon

Disputed Child of Ephraim and Abigail Calkin

The Barbour Collection lists John Sprague as the son of Abigail Calkin, but does not list a father. Both Ephraim and his brother Benjamin were married to other people at the time.

1. John b. 1708 m.(1) Hepsibeth Hartwell, m.(2) Hannah Holly

Children of Ephraim and Mary

None known

Birth

15 MAR 1684/5

Duxbury, Plymouth Co., MA^[2]

Imported only 15 MAR 1684 from Birth Date and marked as uncertain.

Death

NOV 1754

Lebanon, New London Co., CT^[3]

Marriage

C. 1704

Lebanon, New London Co., CT^[4]

1727

Duxbury, Plymouth Co., MA^[5]

Note

"Sprague Families in America", by W. V. Sprague, page 15. Captain Ephraim Sprague's second wife, Mary, survived him. 1726, December 13. He deeded to son Perez Sprague, land partly in Lebanon and partly in coventry, 100 acres. 1727 and 1733. Selectman, and Representative in May and October, 1729. 1735, December 23. Ephraim Sprague of Lebanon, Conn., yeoman, declares he is a great-grandson to Francis Sprague of Duxbury, deceased; a grandson to John Sprague of said Duxbury, also deceased (the son of said Francis) and the eldest son of John Sprague (of Lebanon) deceased. 1737-8, February 14. He is mentioned as "Deacon" in Church of Christ, Lebanon, North Parish. 1738-9, March 1. He deeded land to son Peleg Sprague. 1754, November 1. Will probated December 9, 1754, mentions wife Mary, sons Peleg and Peres; daughter Betty who married Abel Bingham, daughter Irene, wife of Nathaniel Wright, grandsons Ephraim and Theodorus, granddaughters Abigail and Deborah.^[6]

Sources

• Source: S417 Author: Richard E. Weber, Dev./A.A. Sprague IV, Webmaster Title: The Sprague Project Abbreviation: Sprague Project Publication: A.A. Sprague IV/16 Dec 2006 Note: Website dedicated to Sprague genealogy; very detailed and authentic. CONT Developer @ sprague-database.org CONT http://www.sprague-database.org Italicized: Y Paranthetical: Y
• A Time Capsule from the 18th Century, Ephraim Sprague and his Family <http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=4041&Q=473420 />

Footnotes

1. ↑ A Time Capsule from the 18th Century, Ephraim Sprague and his Family <http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=4041&Q=473420 />
2. ↑ Source: #S417
3. ↑ Source: #S417
4. ↑ Source: #S417
5. ↑ Source: #S417
6. ↑ Entered by Erica Nicksin.