Reverend Ephraim Hyde (sometimes spelled Hide) was born on May 3, 1739 in Pomfret, Connecticut to Ephraim and Margaret (Griffin) Hyde. He entered Yale with the Class of 1759 and was ordained at Newman Church in Rehoboth on May 14, 1766 and served as Pastor for 18 years. On October 15, 1767, he married Mary Angier, daughter of the Reverend John and Mary (Browne) Angier in Bridgewater, Connecticut. Together they had six children: Ephraim, John Angier, Mary, Samuel, Ezra, and Augustus who died at age nine months. 

 

According to A History of Rehoboth , Massachusetts; its history for 275 years, 1643-1918, in which is incorporated the vital parts of the original history of the town, by George H Tilton, in 1775, Reverend Hyde’s parish contributed £6 for “the relief and support of the poor of Boston, sufferers by means of the Boston Port Bill.”

 

Reverend Hyde  served in the American Revolutionary War. He enlisted on December 28, 1778 in Captain Nathaniel Heath’s Company and served with guards under Major General Gates in and around Boston. In December of 1778, Boston was a crucial, tense hub for the American Revolution, serving as a base for the Continental Army's Eastern Department and French naval forces, following their 1778 alliance. The month was defined by the deadly "Hessian Storm" (Dec. 25–27), which brought severe cold, heavy snow, and death to the area. Reverend Hyde was discharged on March 30, 1779 after serving for three months and three days. 

 

After his service, Reverend Hyde returned to his ministry in Rehoboth and served until his death  at the age of 45 on October 11, 1783-exactly one month after the death of his nine- month- old son, Augustus. They are both buried in Newman Cemetery. The location of Augustus’s stone is unknown. Ephraim’s gravesite is marked with a box tomb, engraved with "Here lies the Remains of the Rev. Ephraim Hide, ye faithful Pastor of the first Church of Christ in Rehoboth, who Died October 11th 1783 in the 45th year of his age & in the 18 year of his Ministry." In the spring of 2025, TNT Gravestone Solutions was hired by the city of East Providence to repair and reset 112 gravestones, with priority given to Revolutionary War soldiers and Reverend Hyde’s box tomb was one of them. 

 

Reverend Ephraim Hyde is remembered for his service in the fight for American independence. His contribution helped secure freedom for future generations.