Ezra was born about 1828, probably in or near New London CT. He was the son of Charles (1879-2/18/1864) and Eunice (Miller) Cobb (1797 – 2/27/1885). He married Cordelia Thorp (1832 – 2/13/1905) about whom little is known. They had four children, George (born in 1861), N. Mortimer (born in 1864), William (born in October 1869), and Charles (1873 – 1949). New London census reports from 1850 through 1890 show himand his growing family as residents of New London. Two of the reports show “mariner” as his occupation; the other reports do not show an occupation or the writing is illegible. Ezra died on December 30, 1902 in New London and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and four children. Find A Grave has information about his death but no photograph of his gravestone. The Day (New London 12/30/1902) reported that he died in his sleep at age 76 and described him as a “well known resident and old time fisherman”.
AOWV shows Ezra as master of three voyages on WILLIAM RILEY (AS2620): (sloop, 64 tons, length 53’, built in Waterford CT in 1847, home port New London). Connecticut Ship Database, describes its trade as “codfishery”. It sailed in 1857, destination and return date not known. AV15702. It sailed again on March 2, 1858 to the Atlantic and returned two months later with cargo of 50 barrels of whale oil. AV15703. It sailed in 1860, destination and return date not known. It returned with 40 barrels of whale oil. AV15704. Colby shows only the 1860 voyage; Decker shows only the 1858 and 1860 voyages but the latter with no identification of a master. Starbuck does not show this vessel.
Connecticut Ship Database notes that in 1858 the ship was rebuilt and enlarged by increasing its tonnage from 64 to 70 and increasing its length from 53’ to 60’. If this information is accurate, the work on the ship took place between its 1858 and 1860 voyages.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
January 2025