Ira H. Webber (abt. 1827 - abt. 1872)

Born about 1827 in Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States

Ancestors

Died about 27 Aug 1872 at about age 45 in Maine

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Biography

Ira H. Webber was born to Oliver A. Webber and his wife Abigail (Hawes) Webber in Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine. Based on the 1850 census^[1], his date of birth is probably 1826-27.

He was a sailor. He was 22 years of age when applying for a certificate of Protection and was described as being 5' 3 3/4" tall, with fair skin, dark hair and dark eyes. His application and the facts contained therein were sworn to in Port of Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine on 18 Nov 1847.^[2] This does not compute to the year of birth we have so far, 1827, but it's close. The man reflected on this card was born in Vassalboro.

In the 1850 census^[1], Ira was living in Vassalboro with his family including both parents, 53 and 40, and six younger siblings. He is 23 years of age and described as a sailor.

Ira was in a crew in 1852 in Massachusetts, United States.^[3] Note that the description is exactly the same as on his card in 1847. I'm supposing that the card was presented in port much as a driver's license or passport would be today. In other words, the description of the cardholder is that on the date of issuance. Therefore, we would also suppose that Ira was 27, and his birthdate was 1823, although it is seen differently when looking at, for example, the 1850 census wherein one must conclude that he was born in 1826 or 1827, being the age of 23 at the time. The note at the bottom of this entry, which included five crewmembers (including the master, Theophilus Eaton) was "all returned".

Ira appears to have taken a lead role in the disbursement of his father Oliver Webber's estate in 1862.^[4] His father's probate papers indicate that Ira Webber ordered various payments, for example, one to Emma W. Prescott (sister Emma) on 14 May 1864. However, it would appear that he was living and active in his family's affairs in 1864 in Maine, not on the battlefield in Virginia. Possibly, since the first mention of the Civil War may have indicated an early discharge based on disability^[5]. I'm not sure how to interpret that.

All of which leaves open the possibility that he died in 1872 as posted, and the the reader of the headstone for the benefit of making cards for the Faylene Hutton Cemetery Collection misread the stone, mistaking the '2' in 1826 for a '5', creating the illusion that he was 16 years of age in 1872..

Research Notes

• Please note This cemetery card from Faylene Hutton Cemetery Collection^[6] is the main card in this collection for Oliver A. Webber. It contains the names of four family members, including Ira H. Webber who died in 1872 and was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vassalborough. This individual apparently died on 27 Aug 1872 and was buried. According to the information on this card, he was 16 years of age. See previous note about discrepancy.
• There is an Ira Webber who served in the 7th Maine Regiment during the Civil War and collected a pension as an invalid. There are no markers for this individual, so I have no idea. However, the regiment did see action in Virginia in the early innings, e.g. covering retreat from Bull Run to Fairfax Court House, and much more.^[5][7][8]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 22 December 2020), Ira H Webber in household of Oliver A Webber, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ "Maine, Bath, Seamen's Proofs of Citizenship, 1833-1868," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 17 March 2018), Ira H Webber, 18 Nov 1847; citing Immigration, Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1825 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1.
3. ↑ Crew List: "Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S., Crew Lists and Shipping Articles, 1797-1934"
   Massachusetts, Salem and Beverly Crew Lists and Shipping Articles, 1797-1934. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: FamilySearch, 2016. Selected Passenger and Crew Lists and Manifests. National Archives at Boston; FHL Film Number: 100772835
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61858 #147903 (accessed 22 October 2022)
   Name: Ira H Webber; Age: 22; Birth Date: 1830; Birth Place: Vassalboro; Arrival Date: 1852; Arrival Place: Massachusetts, USA; Ship: Alfred F Howe.
4. ↑ Probate: "Maine, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1584-1999"
   Maine, Kennebec County Probate Estate Files; Author: Maine. Probate Court (Kennebec County); Probate Place: Kennebec, Maine
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8994 #1750278 (accessed 23 October 2022)
   Unknown probate.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917", database, FamilySearch ( : 24 March 2016), Ira Webber, 1863.
6. ↑ "Maine, Faylene Hutton Cemetery Collection, ca. 1780-1990," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 3 March 2021), Oliver A Webber, 1862; citing Burial, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States, Maine State Library, Augusta; FHL microfilm 1,787,565.
7. ↑ Civil war, Maine, 7th Regiment Infantry Volunteers,
8. ↑ Soldier Details; Ira Webber

• Find a Grave, database and images (: accessed . 22 October 2022), memorial page for Ira H. Webber (1826–27 Aug 1872), Find A Grave: Memorial #163519147, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Vassalboro, Kennebec County, Maine, USA; Maintained by Chuck Russell (contributor 47367790) .