Ebenezer, son of John Sheldon, was born November 15, 1691. He was captured by Indians in 1704. but returned, and lived in the old Indian House, Deerfield, where he kept a tavern. In 1735 the general court granted to him and his sister Mary three hundred acres of land in consideration of the cost of entertaining Cahuawaga Indians (with whom they had become acquainted during their captivity) on their frequent visits afterwards. In 1744 he sold the Indian House to Jonathan Hoyt, and removed to Fall Town. The first proprietors’ meeting held in the latter town was at his home, October 16, 1740, but no action was taken except that of adjournment. His home was the Lieutenant Sheldon Fort, in the east part of the town, which he had built at his own expense. The province afterwards remitted to him a part of this. He was a man prominent in town affairs, also in the military services of his day, and was known far and near as a most successful Indian fighter. In 1744 he was captain, and later lieutenant. He married, December 3, 1714, Thankful, daughter of Joseph Barnard, who died in 1746: Children : Ebenezer, born October 13, 1715; Remembrance, October 16, 1717, mentioned elsewhere : Thankful, November 5, 17T9; Abner, November 22. 1721; Caleb, a soldier in 1747; Mercy, born July 26, 1724: Amasa, August 27, 1726; Eliakim, July 15, 1728, killed by Indians; Hannah, August 21, 1730; Elijah, November 1, 1733; Elisha, baptized November 10, 1736.
