Born August 23, 1752, in Cedarville, New Jersey, Ebenezer Elmer was in the early stage of his career as a physician when the Revolution broke out, and he was commissioned an ensign in the Third Regiment, New Jersey Line, on February 9th, 1776.

By April of that year he had been promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, then became Surgeon’s Mate November 28th, a position he held until June 5th, 1778, at which time he became Surgeon. On January 1st, 1781, he transferred to the Second Regiment and remained in service until the War’s conclusion, becoming an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey.

Following the War, he continued to practice medicine in Bridgeton, then became a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1789 through 1795, serving as speaker in 1791 and 1795.

He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1801, and served until 1807, at which time he became vice president of the New Jersey Legislative Council. He returned to military service as adjutant general of the New Jersey Militia in the War of 1812, and served as collector of customs in Bridgeton, as well as vice president of Burlington College in his latter years. He held office in the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey–from Assistant Treasurer to two non-consecutive terms as President–from the Society’s formation until his death on October 18th, 1843. His son, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus Elmer, would also go on to serve as the Society’s President.