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General Ebenezer Learned, NSDAROXFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
The General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), welcomes new members!
Contact our chapter regent or our chapter registrar to learn more about our chapter and how to become a member. Questions about the chapter's site? Email the webmaster. |
Our Chapter
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The General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, was formed in 1907. Sarah Brown was the organizing regent. The chapter met at the Congregational Church on Main Street in Oxford, Massachusetts, on June 5, 1907. At the organizing meeting there were 34 charter members and a three month old baby, Lucy Alice Bullard, who was a lineal descendant of General Ebenezer Learned. The ladies presented to the chapter a gavel made of wood from an old apple tree that grew on the home lot of General Learned.
The General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, worked towards marking historic landmarks and sites. A granite marker was placed on Camp Hill in 1911 to mark the spot where Colonel Rice's Regiment encamped in 1799. Much time was spent finding and marking the graves of American Revolutionary soldiers not just in Oxford, but Auburn, Dudley, and Webster. Many were part of General Learned's Regiment. The General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, has been supportive of Berry College and Hillside School, as well as the American International College at Springfield. Each regent has worked towards upholding the DAR's ideals of historic preservation, education, and patriotism in their own way. |
Chapter with Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) members marching in the Oxford Memorial Day Parade.
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General Ebenezer Learned
Ebenezer Learned was born on April 18,1728, to Colonel Ebenezer Learned and Deborah Hayes in Oxford, Massachusetts. He married Jerusha Baker in 1749 and they had three children. Ebenezer served in the French and Indian War. In the summer of 1756, he led his company to Fort Edward at Lake George. There is little record of his service, except that he served sporadically from then until 1763. He also served Oxford after the war as selectman, town moderator, assessor and justice of the peace.
The winter of 1774-1775, Ebenezer collected stores of ammunition in anticipation of the upcoming conflict. Two days after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, he was leading a regiment from Oxford and surrounding towns as an acting colonel. He received his commission as Colonel during the siege of Boston. By the end of the Siege of Boston, General Washington had given Learned command of the important Dorchester Heights position. When the British evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776, Colonel Learned was the first to enter the city. He led a battalion of 500 specially selected men, to clean out the traps, abates, caltrops, and garbage left by the British. In April 1777, Colonel Learned was commissioned brigadier general and was sent to Fort Ticonderoga to get the arms and ammunition; he also fought in the battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the war. General Learned retired in 1778 due to the injury from the Boston siege.
Ebenezer Learned returned home to Oxford, and represented the town at the Massachusetts Convention of 1779, that adopted a new constitution for the state. He served as a Judge of Common Pleas for Worcester County, Massachusetts. In 1783, he was elected to the Massachusetts General Court (the state's House of Representatives). Ebenezer died in 1801.
The winter of 1774-1775, Ebenezer collected stores of ammunition in anticipation of the upcoming conflict. Two days after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, he was leading a regiment from Oxford and surrounding towns as an acting colonel. He received his commission as Colonel during the siege of Boston. By the end of the Siege of Boston, General Washington had given Learned command of the important Dorchester Heights position. When the British evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776, Colonel Learned was the first to enter the city. He led a battalion of 500 specially selected men, to clean out the traps, abates, caltrops, and garbage left by the British. In April 1777, Colonel Learned was commissioned brigadier general and was sent to Fort Ticonderoga to get the arms and ammunition; he also fought in the battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the war. General Learned retired in 1778 due to the injury from the Boston siege.
Ebenezer Learned returned home to Oxford, and represented the town at the Massachusetts Convention of 1779, that adopted a new constitution for the state. He served as a Judge of Common Pleas for Worcester County, Massachusetts. In 1783, he was elected to the Massachusetts General Court (the state's House of Representatives). Ebenezer died in 1801.
Rededication of General Ebenezer Learned’s Grave
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On November 12, 2016, the General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, honored their chapter Patriot with a Veterans Day graveside rededication on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at the South Cemetery in Oxford, Massachusetts. The DAR chapter was joined by the Captain Job Knapp Chapter, NSDAR, of Douglas, Oxford High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard, and the Colonel Henry Knox Regimental Color Guard in celebrating the accomplishments of General Ebenezer Learned. Others in the audience included: members of the Oxford Historical Commission and the Huguenot Memorial Society as well as neighborhood residents.
A wreath was placed by Regent, Helen Poirier, at the Learned family grave. Biographical readings about General Learned were done by vice regent, Cathleen Nikosey, recording secretary, Beverley Beaudette, our newest chapter member, Susan Dineen, and Adeline Healy, of the Captain Job Knapp Chapter, NSDAR, as acting chaplain for the day. After the ceremony, refreshments were served in the community room located at the Oxford Police Station. |
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Clara Barton, Dazzling Daughter
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Clara Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross and charter member of the NSDAR. In 1896, she was elected as one of thirteen honorary Vice President Generals, which position she held to her death.
Clara Barton was born in Oxford, Massachusetts and died in Glen Echo, Maryland, at the age of 90. Burial followed at the family cemetery plot in Oxford, Massachusetts. |
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Our Activities
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General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, and Clara Barton School Children Perform Community Service for Veterans
Cathleen Nikosey, Veterans Committee member of the General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, has coordinated veterans and community service projects with the third-grade class at Clara Barton School, Oxford, Massachusetts. The children made packets of toiletry items for homeless veterans that were distributed to the veterans in the local community.
The General Ebenezer Learned, NSDAR, Chapter of Oxford sponsors DAR Good Citizen Program
Every year the General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, sponsors the DAR Good Citizen Program in nine area high schools. The DAR Good Citizens program contest is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The program is open to all senior class students in accredited public or private schools as well as homeschooled that are in good standing with their state boards of education.
Area schools supported by the chapter include Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton, David Prouty High School in Spencer, Millbury High School in Millbury, Oxford High School in Oxford, Bartlett High School in Webster, Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley, Tantasqua Regional High School in Fiskdale, Quaboag Regional Midde/High School, North Brookfield High School. General Ebenezer Learned, NSDAR, Chapter presents JROTC awards
Every year the General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR, sponsors the JROTC Bronze Medal to the JROTC Naval program at Oxford High School in Oxford and at Quabbin Regional High School located in Barre. The medals and certificates for this JROTC program are awarded to student cadets of outstanding ability and achievement in high school JROTC programs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The Daughters of the American Revolution has awarded medals since 1967. The medals are usually presented by the chapter regent at the schools’ special award presentations
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Chapter members at annual holiday luncheon with collected donations for the lady veterans' program.
Solemn graveside reading of chapter namesake by General Ebenezer Learned Chapter, NSDAR.
Chapter Chaplin Laura Curtis laid wreath at Camp Hill Monument for Memorial Day salute. Preservation of the Camp Hill Monument which was repositioned at Rawson Ave. and Maple Rd. in Oxford.
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Chapter site last updated December 10, 2024.
Questions about the chapter's site? Email the webmaster. |
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