The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume IIV
P
Prime, Edward Dorr Griffin
PRIME, Ebenezer, clergyman, was born in Milford, Conn., July 21, 1700;
grandson of James Prime of Huguenot descent, who emigrated from Doncaster,
Yorkshire, England, with his brother Mark, and settled in Milford, Conn., in
1644. He was graduated at Yale, A.B., 1718, A.M., 1721; studied for the
ministry under the Rev. Samuel Andrew, A.M., president pro tempore of Yale,
1707-19; was assistant to the Rev. Eliphalet Jones at Huntington, L.I., N.Y.,
1719-23; was ordained to the Congregational ministry, June 5, 1723, and was
pastor at Huntington, 1723-79, organizing the presbytery of Long Island in
1747. He was a staunch patriot during the Revolution, although he suffered
much. He was driven from his home and church in his old age, both buildings
being occupied by British troops who destroyed his library, and after his
death Count Rumford tore down the church and used the materials in building
barracks and block-houses in the grave yard. He was married first, Oct. 2,
1723, to Margaret, daughter of Nathaniel Sylvester of Shelter Island;
secondly, Nov. 12, 1730, to Experience, daughter of Benjamin Youngs of
Southold, L.I., N.Y., and thirdly, March 10, 1751, to Hannah Carll of
Huntington, L.I., N.Y. He published: Ordination to the Gospel Ministry,
sermon (1754); The Pastor at Large Vindicated (1758); The Divine Institution
of Preaching the Gospel Considered (1758), and The Importance of the Divine
Presence with the Armies of God's People in their Martial Enterprises (1759).
He died in Huntington, L.I., N.Y., Sept. 25, 1779.
View full context
Viewing records 1-2 of 2