Noah Webster Jr. L.L.D. (1758 - 1843)

Ancestors Descendants

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Death 1.2 Children[16][17] 2 Sources

Biography

Another defect in our schools, which, since the revolution, is become inexcuseable, is the want of proper books. The collections which are now used consist of essays that respect foreign and ancient nations. ... But every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country; ... Two regulations are essential to the continuance of republican governments: [1] Such a distribution of lands and such principles of descent and alienation, as shall give every citizen a power of acquiring what his industry merits. [2] Such a system of education as gives every citizen an opportunity of acquiring knowledge and fitting himself for places of trust. "On the Education of Youth in America" Noah Webster, 1790.

Noah Webster's birthplace, West Hartford

American lexicographer and textbook author. His name became synonymous with "dictionary", especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828.

Noah Webster's birth was recorded at Hartford, Connecticut, 16 Oct 1758, son of Noah and Mercy (Steel) Webster.^[1] He was baptized in the parish of West Hartford, on the 22nd of the same month.^[2] West Hartford did not become an incorporated town until 1854.

Noah Webster Jr. L.L.D. served with 1st Regiment, Connecticut Militia during the American Revolution.

Noah Webster Jr. L.L.D. is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A121335.

Noah entered Yale College, in New Haven, in 1774. His studies were interrupted by the Revolution. British General Burgoyne and his force marched south from Canada in an effort to gain control of the Hudson River Valley. Under the command of his father, head of the local militia, Noah joined the expedition against Burgoyne.^[3] However, the young Noah never saw action as the surrender occurred before their arrival.^[4]

Webster graduated in 1778. He taught school in the vicinity of Hartford and studied for the bar.^[4] During the summer of 1779, Noah lived with Mr. Ellsworth, later Chief Justice, of Hartford. Noah was admitted to the bar in 1781.^[3][4]

Instead of practicing law immediately he continued to teach school in Sharon, Connecticut and later in Goshen, New York.^[4] In 1783, he published his first part of a Grammatical Institute of the English Language. Also in 1783, he began writings of a political nature published in the Connecticut Courant under the pen name of Honorius. He would continue with "Sketches of American Policy (1784), writing in favor the the adoption of the Federal Constitution, defending Washington's proclamation of neutrality, and in favor of the treaty negotiated with Great Britain.^[3] He began lecturing in 1786 and during these years successfully worked to secure copyright laws in the various states.^[4]

He met his future bride Rebecca Greenleaf in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787, where he was the superintendent of an Episcopal Academy. He spent a brief time in New York establishing the American Magazine, which was discontinued after a year. Returning to Hartford in 1789, he worked as a lawyer and married.^[4]

Noah Webster Esqr of Hartford wed Miss Rebeckah Greenleaf 26 Oct 1789 in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Church in Brattle Square.^[5][6][7][8] She was the daughter of William & Mary (Brown) Greenleaf.^[4]

In 1793, he began a daily paper in New York, "The American Minerva", which became the "Commercial Advertiser and a weekly paper "The Herald" later the New York Spectator."^[3][4]

In 1798, Mr Webster and his family removed to New Haven. He served in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1800-1807, as Councilman of New Haven 1799-1804, Alderman 1806-1809, and Judge of the County Court 1806-1810. He published a Compendious English Dictionary in 1806 and an English Grammar in 1807. In 1807 he began compiling the Dictionary he would become famous for. It was first published in 1828.^[4]

Noah spent about ten years (1812-1822) in Amherst, Massachusetts, working in the quiet rural atmosphere on his dictionary. There he served as a member of the General Court in 1814, 1815 and 1817, and became a founder of Amherst College.^[4]

Webster's New Haven home

Returning to New Haven in 1822, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Yale in 1823. The following years included a long research trip to Europe, the completion of his dictionary, it's publication in 1828, and a second edition in 1840-41.^[4]

Death

Noah Webster, L.L.D died at New Haven, Connecticut, at 8 o'clock on Sunday evening the 28th of May 1843 in his 85th year.^[9][10] "Dr. Webster had enjoyed remarkably vigorous health till within a few days of his death. On Monday of last week he was slightly unwell, but no alarm was felt by his family. His disorder, however, soon took the form of pleurisy, and he gradually sank under the attack ... in the full possession of his reason, he died with entire composure and resignation.^[3]

His funeral, 31 May 1843, was conducted by Rev. Dr. Taylor and Rev. Mr. Dutton, and his eulogy was well delivered. It was reported that Websters' last words were, " I know in whom I have believed -- and I have believed -- and I depart without one Fear or one wavering doubt."^[11][12][13] The funeral was followed by burial in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven.^[14]

Noah Webster of New Haven, Connecticut, wrote his will 19 Oct 1839. After funeral charges and debts were paid, he left his wife, Rebecca, well provided for and left a maintenance for his daughter Louisa, should she survive Rebecca. Daughters Emily, Harriet and Eliza received one thousand dollars. Daughter Julia and her husband Chauncey A Goodrich had already been given a revenue from his octavo dictionary, and Webster made provision, that the amount would equal that which his other children received. He also made bequests to son William, granddaughter Mary W. Trowbridge, Yale College Library, each of his grandchildren (unnamed) and Lucy Griffin (for faithful services). He named his wife, Rebecca, William W Ellsworth, Roger I Baldwin, Henry White and son William G Webster, executors. A codicil dated 3 May 1843, removed his son William as executor since he had moved to New York. The will was proved 7 Jun 1843. His inventory was valued over $25,000.^[15]

"No citizen's name, ... except the Father of his Country, has been more conspicuously and honorably before the country for a great number of years than that of Noah Webster."^[11]

Children^[16][17]

1. Emily Schulten Webster was born at Hartford, 4 Aug 1790
2. Frances Juliann Webster "Julia" was born at Hartford, 5 Feb 1793
3. Harriet Webster was born in New York City, 6 April 1797
4. Mary Webster was born at New Haven, 7 Jan 1799
5. William Greenleaf Webster was born 15 Sep 1801
6. Eliza Steele Webster was born at New Haven, 21 Dec 1803
7. Henry Bradford Webster was born 20 Nov 1806 and died 28 Jan 1807.
8. Louisa Webster was born at New Haven 12 April 1808.

Noah Webster's Works

• A Grammatical Institute of the English Language. Written in 1783. This version printed 1790.
• A listing of Dr. Webster's books available online

Sources

1. ↑ White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Hartford. (Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.) p 438. Accessed at Ancestry ($) and From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928. p. 339 Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
2. ↑ West Hartford First Congregational Church 1713-1924. Connecticut. Church Records Index. Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut. Volume 122 Part 3 West Hartford. (1932) p. 1062 Accessed at Ancestry ($).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} "Died" Alexandria Gazette. Alexandria, D.C. June 01, 1843, p. 2 Col 4. Published originally in the New Haven Daily Herald. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
4. ↑ ^{4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10} Dexter, Franklin Bowditch, 1842-1920. Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College: With Annals of the College History. Vol III May, 1763-July 1778. (New York: Holt, 1903). p. 66
5. ↑ "Boston, MA: Church Records, 1630-1895" The Records of the Churches of Boston. CD_ROM. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008 .) https://www.americanancestors.org/DB31/i/7623/174/8532951
6. ↑ Boston, MA: Marriages, 1700-1809. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2006), Originally published as: Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, Containing the Boston Marriages from 1700 to 1751 (Vol. 28), Boston, Municipal Printing office, 1898. Records Relating to the Early History of Boston, Containing Boston Marriages from 1752 to 1809 (vol. 30), Boston, Municipal Printing Office, 1903. https://www.americanancestors.org/DB174/i/7455/112/248658059
7. ↑ Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut) 02 Nov 1789, Mon. p 3 Col 2.
8. ↑ Connecticut Marriages, 1630-1997 [1] Noah Webster Jr. wed Oct 1789 Rebecca Greenleaf
9. ↑ "Death of Noah Webster" The North-Carolina standard. (Raleigh, N.C) June 07, 1843, page 2 col 5. The North-Carolina Standard newspaper June 7, 1843
10. ↑ Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934 [2] Noah Webster Date: 28 May 1843
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "Funeral of Dr. Webster." New-York daily tribune (New-York [N.Y.]), June 3, 1843 p 2 col 4. Chronicling America
12. ↑ Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut) 03 Jun 1843, Saturday, Page 2, Col 5. "Funeral Obsequies of Mr. Webster" from the New Haven Herald of June 1, 1843, stating funeral was yesterday. [3] accessed Newspapers.com.
13. ↑ New-York Daily Tribune (New-York [N.Y.]), June 3, 1843. p. 2 Col 4 from the New Haven Palladium. Chronicling America
14. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 02 December 2020), memorial page for Noah Webster Jr. (16 Oct 1758–28 May 1843), Find A Grave: Memorial #1084, citing Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave.
    • Wikipedia::"Webster's Dictionary" Wikipedia
15. ↑ Connecticut State Library (Hartford, Connecticut); Probate Place: Hartford, Connecticut.: Probate Packets, Washburn, John-Welch, Thomas, 1683-1880. Noah Webster. New Haven, 1843, # 11270, New Haven Prob. Dist. Accessed at Ancestry ($)
16. ↑ Webster, William H. and Webster, Melville Reuben. History and genealogy of the Gov. John Webster family of Connecticut. pp 178-184 (Rochester, N.Y. : E.R. Andrews Printing Co., 1915)
17. ↑ Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Connecticut Society. Vital records of New Haven, 1649-1850. (Hartford: The Connecticut society of the Order of the founders and patriots of America, 1917. ) p. 451

Other reading:

• "Noah Webster", Wikipedia
• History & Genealogy of the Gov. John Webster Family of Connecticut.. (E.R. Andrews Printing Cp, Rochester, N.Y. 1915),Chapt 8 p.178
• Mayflower Families Fifth Generation Descendants, 1700-1880. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2017). From Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Descendants of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, Mass., December 1620. Plymouth, MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1975-2015. [4] Gen. 6: NOAH WEBSTER6 (Mercy Steele5, Eliphalet Steele4, Mercy Bradford3, William Bradford2, William Bradford1) Volume Name Bradford, William (Vol. 22) Page 281.
• Wikidata: Item Q241676
• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 12 Aug 2023), "Record of Noah Webster", Ancestor # A121335.
• "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3Q-C36Q-Z?cc=2546162&wc=WD6Q-RM3%3A1588792203 : 24 January 2018), Connecticut > image 684 of 977; citing various published state rosters, United States.