A farmer's son, he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801.
In 1805 Webster was accepted into the bar and returned to New Hampshire to set up a practice in Boscawen NH, in part to be near his ailing father. During this time, he took an active interest in politics. After his father's death in 1806, he handed over his practice to his older brother Ezekiel, who had by this time finished his schooling and been admitted to the bar. Webster then moved to the larger town of Portsmouth in 1807, and opened a practice there.
As a member of the Federalist party, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1812, serving two terms before he moved to Marshfield MA where he practiced law. In 1816 he defended and won a case for Dartmouth College, that was taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, allowing it to remain private, and not allowing the State of New Hampshire to seize control of it. In 1822 he was re-elected to the House of Representatives and in 1827 represented the state of Massachusetts in the Senate.
At the dissolution of the Federalist party, he became a member of the National Republican party. He was unsuccessful in a 1836 presidential campaign. In 1841 he was appointed by President William Henry Harrison as Secretary of State, and continued under President Tyler following Harrison's early death. After serving one more term in the Senate, in 1850 he was chosen Secretary of State by President Millard Fillmore.
Daniel Webster gave his name to the Treaty of Washington, of August 9, 1842 commonly called the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. This was a compromise by Daniel Webster and Alexander Baring aka Lord Ashburton, for their respective governments. This treaty set the boundary between the United States and Canada, especially negotiating the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick, and in the Great Lakes area. It was also significant in setting precedence in the practice of using diplomacy, rather than war in resolving issues.
Daniel Webster (who is no relation to Noah Webster the lexicographer, at least through the Webster surname back to 1636) is most familiar to us today through photographs of his usually scowling face, and through stories of his great debating abilities proven through his fictional dealings with the Devil [through the short story of Stephen Vincent Benet, and the 1941 movie].
Daniel Webster was a slave owner who freed one of his slaves during his lifetime, and the remainder upon his death (more information found in his will). His death occurred following a fall from his horse, and suffering a hemorrhage of his brain.
His son Daniel "Fletcher" had two sons. One died unmarried, the other had a son who died without issue. Therefore Daniel Webster's (the statesman) direct descendants do not share his surname WEBSTER.
Janice
*Additional Reading*
-Will of Daniel Webster (New York Times 6 Jan 1853)-
-Funeral of Daniel Webster (New York Times)-
-Wikipedia: Daniel Webster-
-Daniel Webster: Encyclopedia of American Literature-
-President Daniel Webster, and Other Great Humorists (Spoof)-
-Life of Daniel Webster, by George Tichnor Curtis-
-Daniel Webster, by Frederic Austin Ogg-
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**FAMILY TREE OF DANIEL WEBSTER**
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1 [Webster Genealogy]
Thomas Webster, married Margaret/Margery --. He died in Ormesby, Norfolk County, England and was buried April 30, 1634. His widow Margery, with her son Thomas, who was baptized 20 November 1631 removed to New England in the American colonies in 1634. She married 2nd) Deacon William Godfrey. After his death she married 3rd) John Marrian/Merrien, and died at Hampton NH, 2 May 1687, aged 78 years.
Child of Thomas & Margery (?) Webster:
1. +Thomas Webster, baptized 20 November 1631 in Ormesby, Norfolk County, England
2. John Webster, baptized 22 September 1633, buried 1 November 1633
---------First Generation (in American Colonies) --------
Thomas Webster, son of Thomas was brought from England to the American Colonies about 1636 by his widowed mother who has subsequently remarried, i.e. Margaret/Margery Webster Godfrey. They settled first in Ipswich MA, but later moved to Hampton NH. He was born before 20 November 1631 and died 5 January 1715 in Hampton NH, aged 83 years. He married in Ipswich MA 2 November 1657 to Sarah Brewer. He married and had 5 sons and 3 daughters. In 1693 Thomas was appointed collector of taxes for the town of Hampton NH, and was on the list of Hampton men known to have served in King William's War (1689-1697). He also served in the earlier Indian wars.
Children of Thomas & Sarah (Brewer) Webster: [all b. in Hampton NH]
1. Mary Webster, b. 19 December 1658 Hampton NH; m1) 20 Oct 1676 William Swain; m2) 12 June 1694 Joseph Emmons
2. Sarah Webster, b. 22 January 1661; m. 21 June 1680 William Lane
3. Hannah Webster, b. 20 Jan 1664, d. 1 Feb 1664
4. Thomas Webster, Jr., b. 20 January 1665 Hampton NH, d. 7 March 1733 in Kingston NH; m Sarah --; had issue.
5. +Ebenezer Webster, b. 1 August 1667 Hampton NH
6. Isaac Webster, b. 2 April 1670, died at Kingston NH 1 February 1718
7. John Webster, b. 16 February 1674; m1) Abiah Shaw; m2) Sarah --
8. Joshua Webster, b. 8 Nov 1676
9. Abigail Webster, b. 1 January 1679
-----------------Second Generation-----------------
Ebenezer Webster, son of Thomas & Sarah (Brewer) Webster, was born 1 August 1667 in Hampton NH and d. 1 February 1736 [or 21 Feb 1756] in Kingston NH; he was one of the grantees of the town of Kingston NH. He was a pilot in Captain John Gilman's company August 16, 1710 which went in pursuit of Indians. He was a soldier in the Indian Wars. He married July 1709 Hannah Judkins, dau of Joel & Mary (Bean) Judkins. She b. 13 Nov 1676 at Exeter NH and d. 21 Feb 1756.
Children of Ebenezer & Hannah (Judkins) Webster:
1. Rachel Webster, b. 19 March 1710; married 8 May 1735 David Scribner
2. Susanna Webster, b. 9 July 1712, married 27 Dec 1733 Daniel Darling
3. +Ebenezer Webster, b. 10 October 1714
4. William Webster, b. 26 Aug 1716, d. 6 Nov 1726
5. John Webster, b. 4 August 1719, d. 4 Nov 1730
6. Hannah Webster, b. 1721-22 Kingston NH; m. 4 Nov 1740 Samuel Scribner, son of Thomas & Hannah (Welch) Scribner. Her tombstone says "Great Aunt of Daniel Webster." Hannah died 17 Sep 1807 at Andover, Merrimack County NH; had issue
7. Mary Webster, b. 15 Sep 1724; m. 5 Nov 1741 Andrew Greeley
8. Joseph Webster, b. 15 Sep 1724; m. 26 Nov 1747 Maria Goss
9. Iddo, b. 16 Feb 1727
10. Edward Webster, b. 9 Feb 1728; m. 12 March 1747 Jane Goss
-----------------Third Generation-----------------
Ebenezer Webster, son of Ebenezer & Hannah (Judkins) Webster, was born 10 October 1714 in Hampton NH and d. 22 Apr 1806 in Salisbury NH; He married 20 July 1738 Susannah Bachelder/Bachilder, a descendant of Rev. Stephen Bachelder, the first settled clergyman in New Hampshire. She was born 28 May 1713. Daniel Webster in writing to his son Fletcher in 1840 noted, "I believe we are all indebted to my father's mother for a large portion of the little sense and character which belongs to us. Her name was Susannah Bachelder; she was the daughter of a clergyman, and a woman of uncommon strength of understanding.]
Children of Ebenezer & Susannah (Bachelder) Webster:
1. +(Judge) Ebenezer Webster, eldest son, b. 22 April 1739 in E. Kingston NH
2. Meribah Webster, b. 22 Aug 1740 E. Kingston NH
3. Susannah Webster, b. 31 Jan 1741 E. Kingston NH; d. 27 Apr 1783 in Salisbury NH; m. 25 Aug 1762 in Salisbury NH to Andrew Bohonon
4. Benjamin Webster b 22 Apr 1744 in Weare, Hillsborough Co NH; d. 19 Oct 1827 in Walden, Caledonia Co VT; married several times.
5. Hannah Webster b 30 Sep 1745 in E. Kingston NH; m. Samuel Scribner
6. Mary Webster b 24 Jan 1747 in E. Kingston NH
7. William Webster, b. 10 Aug 1749 at East Kingston, Rockingham Co. NH; m. Ruth Greeley; had issue
8. Esther Webster, b. abt 23 Aug 1752 in E. Kingston NH
9. Nathaniel Webster b 25 Nov 1753 in Chester, Rockingham Co NH; m. Mehitable Smith; had issue
-----------------Fourth Generation-----------------
Judge Ebenezer Webster, son of Ebenezer & Susannah (Bachelder) Webster b. 22 April 1739; d. April 1806; he m1) 8 Jan 1761 to Mehitable Smith, who b. at Kingston NH and d. 8 March 1774; He m2) 12 August 1774 to Abigail Eastman, daughter of Roger & Jerusha (Fitts) Eastman. [another source states she was dau of Thomas] She was b. 10 July 1737 at Salisbury MA and d. 14 Apr 1816 aged 78. As a child he was apprenticed or "bound out" to a man named Brown, from whom he ran away at the age of 14 and went to live with the family of Col. Ebenezer Stevens. He served with a company of rangers during the French & Indian War commanded by Major Robert Rogers. He participated in the invasion of Canada, led by Sir Jeffrey Amherst, and became captain. After the war Governor Benning Wentworth allowed him and others a grant of land they called Stevenstown but was changed to Salisbury in New Hampshire. Ebenezer's grant was 225 acres in the northern part of town along Punch Brook where in 1764 he built a log cabin. Seven years later he erected a one story house where his son Daniel Was born. "They endured together in this hut all sorts of privations and hardships." -- Daniel Webster) He had no formal education, but he could read and write [despite the political "hype" that he could not]. Following the news of Bunker Hill he raised a company of militia in his town. He fought at Bennington under Stark, and at White Plains. He was at West Point when Arnold attempted to surrender to the British. In the militia he held the rank of colonel, but was generally called "captain." In 1768 he was chosen first moderator of Salisbury and he was elected 43 times afterward at different town-meetings, serving in March 1803 for the last time. In 1769 he was first elected selectman of Salisbury and held that office for the years 1770, 1772, 1774, 1776, 1780, 1785, 1786 and 1788, resigning in September 1777 to perform six months service in the army. He was town clerk for several years. In 1778 and 1780 he was elected representative for the towns of Salisbury and Boscawen, and just for Salisbury in 1785, 1786, 1788 and 1790. He was in the senate in 1786 at Exeter. In March 1778 the town chose him and Capt. Matthew Pettengill as delegates to the convention at Concord to form a permanent plan of government.
Children of Ebenezer & Mehitable (Smith) Webster:
1. Olive "Olle" Webster, daughter b 28 Jan 1762 Salisbury NH; died young
2. Ebenezer Webster, b. 16 July 1764 in Salisbury NH; died young
3. Susannah Webster, b. Oct 1766; married John Colby; died 23 March 1804 in Franklin NH [or Andover NH]
4. David Simon Webster, married Rebecca Huntoon; died in Stanstead, PQ, Canada; his son David Webster Jr. married Betsey Blake [per DAR patriot index, although the mother is incorrect]
5. Joseph Webster, b. 25 March 1772; d. 20 Jan 1810 in Salisbury NH
Children of Ebenezer & Abigail (Eastman) Webster:
6. Mehitable Webster, b. 21 Sep 1775; d. 1 July 1814; died unmarried; school teacher
7. Abigail Webster, b 13 Dec 1805; d. 13 Dec 1805; married William Hadduck/Haddock
8. Ezekiel Webster, b. 11 April 1780, d. 10 Apr 1829. He m1) 15 Jan 1809 Alice Bridge of Billerica MA, she d. 1821; he m2) 2 Aug 1825 Achsah Ballard who was b Nashua NH. They resided in Concord NH. Two children: 1) Alice Webster who m. 1 June 1836 Prof. Jarvis Gregg, the first preceptor of Boscawen Academy who d. at Western Reserve College in Ohio; she m2 Rev. George Whipple of Oberlin Ohio and she d. 6 Nov 1876 and 2) Mary Webster who m. 11 Dec 1837 to Prof. Edwin D. Sanborn LLD of Dartmouth College, and she d. 30 Dec 1864.
9. +Daniel Webster, second son of Ebenezer & Abigail (Eastman) Webster was b. Salisbury, N.H. [now Franklin NH], Jan. 18, 1782, d. Oct. 24, 1852 in Marshfield MA after a brief illness. He m. in 1808 to --. Statesman featured in this article (see above)
10. Sarah Webster, b. 13 May 1784; died 19 March 1811; she m. 21 Aug 1808 her cousin Col. Ebenezer Webster, son of William. He d. 31 June 1861
The book, "Life of Daniel Webster," by George Ticknor Curtis, on page 6 in the footnote states "Dr. Noah Webster, the eminent lexicographer, was of a collateral branch of this family.--Biographical Memoir, Works, i.) -- Please note that this information is incorrect.
-----------------Fifth Generation-----------------
Daniel Webster, son of Ebenezer & Abigail (Eastman) Webster, was b. 18 Jan 1782 in Salisbury NH and d. 24 Oct 1852 in Marshfield MA. He m1) 29 May 1808 in Salisbury NH to Grace Fletcher, dau of Elijah & Rebecca (Chamberlain) Fletcher. She b. 16 Jan 1781 in Hopkinton MA and d. 21 Jan 1828 in NY, NY. She was buried with her children Grace and Charles in a tomb beneath St. Paul's Church. He married 2nd) 12 Dec 1829 in NY NY to Caroline LeRoy, dau of Herman & Hannah (Cornell) LeRoy. She b. 1797 in NYC and d. 26 Feb 1882 in New Rochelle NY. He was a famous lawyer, debater, politician, and diplomat [SEE article at top]
Children of Daniel & Grace (Fletcher) Webster:
1. Grace Fletcher Webster, b. 29 Apr 1810 in Portsmouth NH; d. 23 Jan 1817 in Boston MA
2. +Daniel Fletcher Webster, b. 23 July 1813 Portsmouth NH
3. +Julia Webster, b 16 Jan 1818 in Boston MA; m. Samuel Appleton
4. Edward Webster, b. 20 July 1820 in Boston MA; d. 23 Jan 1848 in Marshfield MA
5. Charles Webster, b. 31 Dec 1821 in Boston MA; d. 19 Dec 1824 in Boston MA
-----------------Sixth Generation-----------------
Daniel "Fletcher" Webster, son of Daniel & Grace (Fletcher) Webster was b. 23 July 1813 in Portsmouth NH. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1833. He married 27 Nov 1837 to Caroline Story White, dau of Stephen & Harriet (Story) White. She b. 14 July 1811 in Salem MA and d. 7 Aug 1886. Daniel was a colonel of the Twelfth Massachusetts Infantry, killed at the Second Battle of Bull Run on 30 Aug 1862, age 49. He was buried in Marshfield MA on 9 Sep 1862. One biography states he had six children of whom 3 girls died at young ages.
Children of Daniel F. & Caroline S. (White) Webster:
1. Ashante Webster, b. Boston MA, this name listed only in one source, an ancestry chart on Ancestry.com; if valid, possibly this is one of the daughters who is known to have died young
2. Ashburton Webster, mentioned in grandfather Daniel Webster's will; attended the Naval School at Annapolis; died of tuberculosis 23 July 1879; never married.
3. Daniel Fletcher Webster Jr. b. 10 Feb 1840 in Peru, LaSalle Co, IL; wounded in the Civil War, contracted tuberculosis and d. 2 Sep 1865; never married
4. Harriet Paige Webster, b. 6 Sep 1843 in Boston MA; d. 2 March 1845 in Marshfield MA
5. Caroline Webster b 24 Oct 1845 [or 29 Aug 1837] in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; d. 16 Aug 1884 in Boston, Suffolk Co. MA; m. James Gaddes Day
Julia Webster, dau of Daniel & Grace (Fletcher) Webster was b. 16 Jan 1818 in Boston, Suffolk Co MA and d. 28 Apr 1848 in Boston MA. She m. 24 Sep 1839 in Loudon, Merrimack Co NH to Samuel Appleton, son of Eben & Sarah (Patterson) Appleton. He b. 26 Dec 1811 in London England and d. 4 June 1861 in NH.
Children of Samuel & Julia (Webster) Appleton:
1. Caroline LeRoy Appleton, b. 4 Oct 1841 in Boston, Suffolk Co MA; d. 19 Nov 1911; m1) 28 Nov 1860 Newbold Edgar who d. 26 July 1869 in Ems Germany. She m2) 7 Sep 1871 in Newport RI to Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, son of Jerome N. & Susan M. (Williams) Bonaparte [yes he was related to THE Napoleon]
2. Samuel Appleton, b. 5 Nov 1842 in Boston MA; he m1) 28 June 1836 in Philadelphia PA to Mary Ernestine Abercrombie, dau of Brig. Gen. J.J. Abercrombie; he m2) 9 Oct 1872 to Anna Maybin Jones
3. Julia Frances Appleton, b. 8 Feb 1844 in Boston MA; she m. 12 Apr 1871 in Trinity Chapel, New York City NH to Walker Keith Armistead
4. Daniel Webster Appleton, b. 16 May 1845 in Boston MA; d. 23 May 1872 in Boston MA; m. Mary Freeman
5. Constance Mary Appleton, b. 7 Feb 1848 in Boston MA; d. 15 March 1849 in Boston MA
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