Editing Ezra Ripley (section)

==Early Life==

Born in Woodstock, Connecticut, Ezra Ripley was the fifth of nineteen children of Noah and Lydia (Kent) Ripley. His family lineage traced back to early settlers in Hingham, Massachusetts. Though he initially worked on the family farm, his father eventually sought an education for Ezra, hoping he would teach grammar school. Under the mentorship of Rev. Dr. Forbes, Ripley prepared for higher education while supporting himself through labor. His passion for learning and desire to preach led him to Harvard University in 1772, although the Revolutionary War disrupted his studies. Ripley graduated in 1776 alongside notable classmates, including Christopher Gore and Samuel Sewall.