The First Sheriff in Ohio - Ebenezer Sproat
Ebenezer Sproat was an officer in the Revolutionary War who went on to become an important Founder of Ohio.
Ebenezer Sproat
Ebenezer Sproat grew up in a common household with parents who ran a tavern.
Despite this upbringing, in the aftermath of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Sproat was commissioned as a Captain in the Massachusetts Militia.
Ebenezer served in the Revolutionary War for the full eight and a half years of hostilities. During this time, he climbed through the ranks and was promoted to Colonel just before the Continental Army disbanded.
The Good with the Bad
Sproat was a firm disciplinarian, assisting in the suppression of a mutiny in the New Jersey Line.
This was followed by his sitting on the court martial of the mutiny’s leaders, two of whom were executed.
However, Ebenezer was known for his generosity. As the story goes, while he was home on furlough, several soldiers were dining at his parents' tavern and asked how much the food cost.
His response was, “a shilling,” and proceeded to give money to the men.
Rhode Island
After the war, Sproat moved to Rhode Island where he unsuccessfully attempted to open a tavern of his own.
When that business failed, he became a surveyor. It was in this position that he joined a group that surveyed parts of the Northwest Territory.
Afterward, he joined the Ohio Company of Associates as one of the pioneers who settled Marietta, OH.
Ohio Company
As a leader of Marietta (the first town settled west of the Ohio River), Sproat is one of the people credited with founding the Northwest.
In fact, Ebenezer was appointed as the first Sheriff in Ohio, a position he held for over a decade.
Additionally, he participated in the Northwest Indian War before retiring to the life of a farmer.
Here are some other FOUNDERS OF OHIO:
Planning Fortifications with Rufus Putnam
The Frozen Drowning of Samuel Holden Parsons
Return Johnathan Meigs’ Raid- The Battle of Sag Harbor
The settling of the Northwest Territory is an extremely interesting part of the American Founding.
Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough’s book ‘Pioneers’ covers just this topic. I highly recommend it.
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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