Ephraim Emmerton

Born: July 6, 1791

Died: March 22,1877

Burial Location: Anemone Path, Lot 131 A Grave 8, TOMB

Ephrahim Emmerton was the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Newhall) Emmerton. As a young man, he worked as a clerk for his relative, Clifford Crowninshield and then for Robert Stone, Jr. Like many Salem young men, he wanted the adventure and challenges of life at sea. Sailing on vessels engaged in the East India trade, he worked his way up to the position of supercargo onboard the ships Francis, Glide and George and then ship’s captain. He sailed to Russia, as clerk to Captain Timothy Wellman.  He served in a company on land, called the Washington Rangers. This group was made up of men too young to serve in the local militia.  

Emmerton married Mary Ann Sage on June 8, 1826. After his marriage, he remained in Salem.  The couple had ten children. His son George was the father of Caroline O. Emmerton. Another son, Ephrahim Augustus was a professor at Harvard University.

Ephrahim Emmerton was active in many Salem organizations, the East India Marine Society, the Essex Guards during the War of 1812, and the Essex Institute in which he was a founding member. He was a founding trustee of Harmony Grove Cemetery. He was very interested in pomology, and joined the Natural History Society in 1834.  He served as alderman in 1839-1841. He was asked to run for other offices but was prevented from doing so by increasing deafness.

He worked as an agent for John Bertram from 1869 until 1877. He was known for his physical strength and for his daily walks through Salem, which he enjoyed up until a week before his death.

Sources Consulted:

James A. Emmerton, MD. Genealogy of the Emmerton Family. Privately Printed, Salem Press, Salem, Massachusetts,1881, reprinted by Higginson Press.

Phillips Library Finding Aids: Emmerton Family Papers,1784-1891, undated Mss 24, biographical sketch

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