Col. Ephraim Blaine (Continental Army)

Col. Ephraim Blaine (1741–1804), served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, from 1778 to 1782 as COMMISARY GENERAL of the Northern Department. DAR Ancestor # A010818

Wikepedia Colonel Ephraim Blaine (1741–1804) was an early Pennsylvania settler who served as commissary-general for the middle district of the Continental Army under General George Washington. His great-grandson was Speaker of the House and 1884 presidential nominee James G. Blaine.

Blaine was born in County Londonderry, Ireland in 1741, the son of James Blaine and his wife, Isabella.[1] The family moved to Pennsylvania in 1745 when Ephraim was four years old.[2] The Blaine family settled near the western frontier in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, later relocating to the east, in Cumberland County.[3] He received some schooling at Dr. Francis Alison's New London Academy in Chester County, then returned to the family homestead. In his early twenties, Blaine fought in the French and Indian War, and was among the defenders of Fort Pitt from the forces of Chief Pontiac in the subsequent Pontiac's War. After the wars ended and commerce resumed with the Native American tribes, Blaine began a career trading with them and became one of the wealthiest men in western Pennsylvania.[4]

Blaine married Rebecca Galbraith in 1765 and three sons, Robert, James, and David, were born to them in quick succession.[1] Remaining in Cumberland County, Blaine was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1770. From 1771 to 1773, he served as county sheriff.[5] In 1774, he was chosen as a member of the county's Committee for Observation, which was formed to observe and address concerns with the royal government.

Revolutionary War service In 1776, with the outbreak of war, Blaine was named chief commissary officer of the newly formed 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. Soon thereafter, Washington appointed Blaine commissary of purchases for the northern (or middle) department of the Continental Army.[6] In that position, Blaine helped to feed the Army that wintered at Valley Forge in 1777–1778.[3][4] In 1777, Blaine was also made colonel of the Cumberland County militia.[3] As commissary-general, Blaine traveled throughout the colonies to arrange food deliveries for the army, often having to advance his own money for payment.[7]

After the war ended, Blaine returned to Carlisle and resumed his trading business, also engaging in land speculation.[7] He remained out of the political arena, but did host Washington at his home in 1794 when the President was traveling west to confront the Whiskey Rebels.[7] Washington and Blaine maintained a strong friendship until the former's death in 1799.[7]

Blaine's wife, Rebecca, died in 1795 and he married again, to Sarah Elizabeth Postlethwaite, in 1797.[1] They had one son, also named Ephraim. Blaine died at his home in 1804.[7] He is buried at Meetinghouse Springs Church near Carlisle.

Descendants Blaine's most notable descendant was his great-grandson, James G. Blaine, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and ran for president several times.[1][4] Blaine was also great-great-grandfather to Walker Blaine.

GEDCOM Note

Source: Cumberland County History, vol 3, no 2, pg 5&6— In early 1795 Ephraim Blaine lost Rebecca, his wife of thirty years. Two years later, at ftfty-six, he married Sarah Elizabeth Postlethwaite Duncan, a thirty-eight year old widow. Her letter of 8 March 1797,to Ephraim who was then in Philadelphia on business, is significant for several reasons; the letter reveals an unusual formality for a husband-wife relationship, it announces the birth of their son and it shows the presence in the Blaine household of at least two young daughters from Sarah's earlier marriage.———————My Dear Mr. Blaine —-You good son James must not meet you empty handed as you will perhaps call me a lazy slut...We are all well & wish much for your return tis six weeks this day since you left us and I fear it will be almost four more before you are here. Our dear boy is baptized...he is at present a sweet little fellow...! think my dear you had better make haste home, for as long as you are in the city I shall be asking for something. The girls all send their love to you.

In his will dated 11 February 1800, the proud father left to his infant son, Ephraim,Jr., the Middlesex farm, never realizing that within three years the son would drown in the swift waters of the mill race on the farm property.

References

• Blaine, John Ewing,. The Blaine family : James Blaine, emigrant and his children, Ephraim, Alexander, William, Eleanor. Cincinnati, Ohio: Ebbert & Richardson, 1920. https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/download/TheBlaineFamily_10259124... pages 4-6. (document attached)