John Adams Webster (1787 - 1877)

Born 9 Sep 1787 in Harford, Maryland, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Rachel (Biays) Webster — married 8 Feb 1816 in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Descendants

Died 4 Jul 1877 at age 89 in Harford, Maryland, United States

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Biography

John Webster is Notable.

John Adams Webster, the son of Samuel Webster and Margaret Adams, was born at Broom's Bloom, Harford County MD 9 September 1787. He died at Mount Adams, Harford County MD 4 July 1877. ^[1]

John Adams Webster (1789–1877) was a captain in the United States Navy, who, as a young third lieutenant, heard the sound of the British oars as its small flotilla approached Fort McHenry in Baltimore, September 13, 1814. He remained in the battle in spite of being wounded twice and received commendations for this from the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. It was during this battle that Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner”. Webster remained active in his military service serving as a captain in the Revenue Service until his death. ^[2]

John Adams Webster: Hero of the Battle of Baltimore

• Memorial Plaque. See image attached.

Funeral of John Adams Webster. Baltimore Sun. Baltimore MD. 9 July 1877.

Honor to a Maryland Soldier.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE CAPT. WEBSTER, OF HARFORD COUNTY

A DEFENDER OF BALTIMORE LAID AT BEST.

Reported for the Baltimore Sun.

The funeral of the late John A. Webster, of the U. S. revenue marine, took place at noon Saturday from his late residence, Mount Adams, near Creswell post office, Harford county. The attendance was very large, and included a delegation of the Old Defenders of Baltimore City, officers of the U. S. revenue marine service, and prominent citizens of Harford and Baltimore counties.

The delegation of Old Defenders consisted of Major Joshua Dryden, president of the association; Capt. John J. Daneker, vice-president; Asbury Jarrett, treasurer; Col. Nicholas Brewer, secretary; and Wm. Stites. The revenue marine service, to which CaDt. Webster belonged, was represented by Lieuts. L. G. Shepherd and A. E. Bateman,. and Engineer James Ogden. There were also present his sons-in-law Adjutant General Frank A. Bond, John C. Patterson, of Wilmington, Del. and Dr. Wm. H. Dallam; Mrs. General Bowerman and members of her family, of Baltimore, Wm. Webster and Peter Cockey, of Baltimore county; Revs. E. A. Colburn and W. T. L.. Keefer, of Churchville; Rev. E. D. Finney, of Belair; Stevenson Archer, Henry W. Archer, Col. Herman Stump, E. H. Webster, Major A. M. Hancock, and others, of Harford county. His grandsons. Wm. T. and Benjamin Bissell, of Baltimore, and John A. Webster, Jr., were also at the funeral.

The body was laid out in the parlor, in a handsome silver-mounted casket, covered with black cloth. He was dressed in full uniform, and, in compliance with his own request, the swords presented to him by Baltimore city and the State of Maryland were crossed upon his breast, while by his side lay a well-worn sabre, which he had carried during the war with England and also with Mexico. They were allowed to remain until just as the coffin was about to be closed, when they were removed.

The sword presented to him by the State of Maryland, which is contained in a handsome gold scabbard, has been bequeathed by his will to his grandson, Lieut. Leroy Webster, of the U. S. marine corps, who is attached to the U. S. steamer Ossipee, now on her way to the navy-yard at Portsmouth, N. H. Lieut. Webster is a son of Capt. John A. Webster, Jr., who, like his father, belonged to U. S. revenue marine. He was stationed for a long time at Portland, Me., and subsequently in Alaska. He lost his health while on duty at the latter station and died at Ogdensburg, N. Y., in 1865, while in command of the cutter S. P. Chase.

The sword from the State is Inscribed, "Presented by the State of Maryland to Capt. John A. Webster for his gallant defense of the battery committed to his charge during the memorable attack against the city of Baltimore September 14, 1814-Filio forti et fldeli, John Adams Webster, Maryland dedit."

The sword from citizens of Baltimore is inscribed as follows: "Presented by a number of citizens of Baltimore to Lieut. John A. Webster, of the United States Chesapeake flotilla, for his gallant defense of the six-gun battery during the attack on that city by a large British force on the 13th and 14th of September, 1814." It was accompanied by the following: letter, which, with the sword itself, was prized by Capt. Webster as one of his choicest treasures:

"Baltimore, May 11, 1816. To John A. Webster, late of the Chesapeake Flotilla Sir: The citizens of Baltimore, with the most lively sentiments of gratitude to you and the brave men under your command during the attack of the British on this city, on the 13th and 14th of September, 1814, appointed as a committee to present you some testimony of it for your gallant and successful defense of the six-gun battery.

"The committee in discharging this duty have sincere pleasure in now presenting you with a sword bearing an inscription commemorative of the event for which it is presented, and beg your acceptance of it in the name of the citizens of Baltimore. "In common with our fellow-citizens, we have great pleasure in the remembrance of your gallant conduct, and hope it will have a happy influence on others similarly situated to follow so excellent an example.

"The committee tender you assurance of their highest personal regard, and of their best wishes for your health and happiness." Signed by John E. Howard, Wm. Lorman, Thomas Tenant, R. Gilmor, Jr., Isaac McKim and Fielding Lucas, Jr.

This elegant weapon, around which clustered to the aged veteran so many memories of a hard-fought engagement, he bequeathed to his grandson, John A. Webster, Jr., the brother of Lieut. Leroy Webster.

His sabre he left to his son, Wm. S. Webster. This sabre was to Capt. Webster an especial reminder of the battle of Bladensburg, in which with the rest of the officers and men of the Chesapeake flotilla he was ordered to duty in the field. In this engagement he rode his own horse, a valuable animal, which was shot under him. The State of Maryland subsequently paid him $300 for the loss of his horse. After that he had a set of silver made, every piece of which was ornamented with a miniature horse. He requested that a piece of this silver service should be given to each of his younger grandchildren after his death as a memento of their grandfather.

The event of Capt. Webster's death was anticipated by himself, and the same calmness and courage with which in life he bad been accustomed to prepare for a coming event seemed to animate him. Every detail concerning his death foreseen and provided for. By his request the funeral services were performed by his personal friend and neighbor, the Rev. William F. Brand, rector of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, to which his family belonged. Alter the solemn and impressive ritual of the Church had been read Mr. Brand paid an eloquent and touching tribute to the deceased, and preached an impressive sermon to the large congregation before him. The coffin containing the remains was then conveyed to the grave in the family burying ground, on the farm adjoining, where his son-in-law. Dr. Wm. Dallam, now resides, this farm being a portion of the original large tract belonging to the Webster family.

The pall-bearers were Lieut. S. G. Shepherd, Lieut. A. E. Bateman and Engineer James Ogden, or the revenue marine; Judge James D. Watters, A. Lingan Jarrett and Major A.M. Hancock, of Harford county the delegation of Old Defenders acting as an escort. Capt. Webster was buried by the side of his wife, who died in 1809, aged 72 years. His daughter, who was the wife of Adjutant General Bond, lies in the same inclosure.

Ten days before his death he was on a visit to his granddaughter, Mrs. Wm. S. Richardson, at Belair. He was then still erect and of the manly and commanding figure which distinguished him. He died as he had wished to die, on the 4th of July. In his last illness he was attended by his son, Dr. J. Byas Webster, who resided with him, assisted by Drs. E. Hall and W. S Richardson, of Belair, and Dr. John H. Patterson, of Baltimore, in consultation.

Capt. Webster leaves two sons and three daughters. His sons are Dr. J. Byas Webster and Wm. S. Webster. His daughters. Mrs. Margaret Bissell, of Baltimore, widow of the late Capt. Wm. R. Bissell, of Belair; Mrs. Patterson, wife of John C. Patterson, of Wilmington, Del., and. Miss Susie H. Webster, who, with her brothers, reside at Mount Adams.

In Baltimore city the flags of the city hall, custom-house, United States revenue cutters Ewing, Guthrie and Search were half-masted.

Col. George P. Kane wrote to Gen. Wm. F. Barry, commanding Fort McHenry, notifying him of the death of Capt. Webster, which elicited the following reply: "Headquarters, Fort McHenry, July 6, 1877. Col. Geo. P. Kane, Baltimore Dear Sir: 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of to-day. The military service of the late Capt. Webster in aid of Fort McHenry and in the defense of Baltimore in 1814 was certainly of the highest importance, and should be appreciated by every patriotic American. I will cause the flag of this fort to be half-masted and minute guns to be fired at noon tomorrow, the hour which you state has been appointed for Capt. Webster's interment. I am, dear sir, "Your obedient servant, "William F. Barry, "Brev. Maj. Gen. U.S.A., Col. 2d Arty., commanding Fort McHenry." The flag of the fort was consequently placed at half-mast and the minute guns were fired as ordered.

Sources

1. ↑ Funeral of John Adams Webster. Baltimore Sun. Baltimore MD. 9 July 1877.
2. ↑ Wikipedia: John Adams Webster

• "Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4JD-NLN : 16 January 2020), John A. Webster, 1816.

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD4J-LT8 : 22 December 2020), John A Webster, Bush, Harford, Maryland, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• United States Census, 1850

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCTZ-751 : 23 December 2020), John A Webster, New York City, New York County, New York, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• United States Census, 1850

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M694-N8S : 18 February 2021), John A Webster, 1860.

• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN3N-ZYZ : 29 May 2021), John A Webster, 1870.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52013118/john-adams-webster : accessed 20 October 2021), memorial page for Capt John Adams Webster (19 Sep 1787–4 Jul 1877), Find a Grave Memorial ID Find A Grave: Memorial #52013118, citing Dallam-Webster Family Cemetery, Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland, USA ; Maintained by Nancy Sheads (contributor 47044896) .

See Also:

• Wikipedia: John_Adams_Webster
• Wikidata: Item Q14593691, en:Wikipedia