Ebenezer Garnsey (or Guernsey) was born on 26 February 1737/8 in Durham, Connecticut, the son of Capt. Ebenezer Garnsey (1704-1785) and Rhoda Garnsey (1704-1767). He graduated from Yale College in 1757 and spent the following two years studying theology under Rev. Robert Breck, receiving a license to preach from the Hampshire South Association of Ministers in August 1759. Garnsey preached at various locations in the Connecticut River Valley before being invited as a candidate for settlement by the proprietors of Pontoosuk (now Pittsfield), in western Massachusetts. After four months the proprietors offered Garnsey a call to settle, with the unusual condition that he submit to examination and approval by the Hampshire North Association (apparently because of Breck's supposed Arminian sympathies). Garnsey refused to undergo this second examination but consented to continue preaching at Pontoosuk. In December 1760 the call was renewed without conditions. Garnsey declined again, in part due to poor health, and returned to Durham. A letter from Rev. Chauncey Whittlesey of New Haven to Rev. Ezra Stiles, dated 20 January 1762, addresses Garnsey's situation at this time: "I have a few Words to say in Behalf of an ingenious young Gentleman, and in behalf of the publick, which ought not to be deprived of the good Service he is capable of Doing. I mean, Mr. Garnsey of Durham; he preached for me some time since, and appears to me quite an honest, ingenious, serious, religious young Gentleman; he lived with Mr. Brick [Breck], and for that Reason, and because in the late Controversy he has appeared upon the side of Liberty, he is not set up, but rather frowned upon by Mr. Clap, Mr Eells, and some such great Folks; and I fear they will at present hinder his settling in these parts. Should you know of any Place, where such a Candidate is wanted, I would recommend him." (Extracts from the itineraries and other miscellanies of Ezra Stiles . . . , New Haven, 1916, p. 584). Garnsey sought but did not find a settlement around Durham. He died on 26 October 1763.