Ephraim Sturdivant

Biography

Early life

Sturdivant was born on February 14, 1782, in North Yarmouth, Massachusetts (now in the state of Maine). He was the third son of David A. Sturdivant and Jane Greely. Both parents were descended from a Mayflower passenger; David being descended from Richard 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 which time he traded in the West Indies, Europe, and more. In 1810, he imported a cargo of merino sheep from Portugal to Sturdivant Island, which is now named after his family. He became the first person to bring merino sheep to the state of Maine.

Marriage and family

Ephraim's first marriage occurred on January 12, 1809, to Rachael 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 in 1868, aged 86, 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.

References

• Sweetser, Phyllis Sturdivant, Cumberland in Four Centuries, 1976, Town of Cumberland, Maine

External resources

• History of Cumberland
• Cemetery listing
• Cumberland information - from the Cumberland Historical Society

References

1. "Last of "Twelve Apostles" navigational aide, Cumberland, ca. 1930".