Ephraim Anderson served in the French and Indian War. In the early days of the Revolution, he held the office of First Major, First Regiment, Hunterdon County Militia, resigning 28 Oct, 1775 to accept a commission as Adjutant, 2d New Jersey Regiment through 10 Nov, 1776. Badly burnt attempting to destroy the British fleet at Quebec, 31 Dec, 1775. Commissioned Captain, 2d New Jersey Regiment, 29 Nov, 1776, he was killed at the Battle of Short Hills 26 Jun, 1777.

Col. Israel Shreve’s journal states that on 29 Jun, 1777, “Col. Rhea Returned with the Body of Capt. Anderson is now Gone to Westfield to Bury him with the honours of war which he Deserves as he fought Brave, and fell in a Glorious Cause.”