Eliphalet Beebe

Eliphalet Beebe was a skilled carpenter from Connecticut, active in the late 18th century. In 1797, he was commissioned by Judah Colt to construct a sloop for the Pennsylvania Population Company. This vessel, later known as the Washington (also referred to as Lady Washington), was built at Four Mile Creek, near Erie, Pennsylvania. The Washington holds historical significance as one of the early ships constructed in the region, contributing to the development of maritime activities on the Great Lakes.  

While specific details about Beebe’s early life and career in Connecticut are limited, his involvement in shipbuilding projects like the Washington highlights his expertise and the mobility of craftsmen during that era, who often traveled to meet the demands of expanding frontier settlements.