Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-12-07
Correspondence of the n Y Cour & Enquirer.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF DANIEL
WEBSTER-HIS BROTHERS
AND SISTERS
ELss FARM, ". H.. Aurust |,

L IL non. Ilanlel WeDSter was born On
the 18th day of January, 1882. 10 the town
OF Salisbury 10 this Suite. The house in
which that important event happened, stood
on the highway called the North Road, far
up the western hill which borders on the val
ley of the merrimack. Not vestige Of tha;
habitation remains TO designate the place,
except the cellar, now partially filled up, and
the trunk OF an ancient apple tree, the top OF
which IS now nearly dead, bet from which
near the earth IS sprouting forth few thrifty
branches. From these | cot ualking
stick, which | hare sent to my excellent
friend, Luther r. Marsh, Esq, an eminent
counsellor at the bGr in your city.
At short distance FROM the place Of his
birth is the old we'll in which hangs an si-0n
bound bucket This well was excavated by
his father long before Daniel was bort, ard
from it his family were accustomed to draw
the pure and cool waite. to Stake their thirst,
as drew it yesterday TO quench mine Ply
the side of this well stands an elm tree, plant
ed by his father about the year 176S. 1t has
grown luxu-ianIly, s3d il: branches extend
over a circle one hundred feet in diameter
afording perpetual Shade 10 the well and to
those wso choose TO sit under them. For
more than sixty years, almost annually, Mr.
Webster has sat under that tree, and drank
OF shat water. Scattered about the prem ises
near the well, are few ancient apple, plprl,
and pear trees, which we're planted by Cept.
Eastman, his mothers father, and who, uu-
ring the latter part os lis life, lived With Col
Webster.
Near the spot where Daniel was born runs
punch Brook which Was then a roaring
rafting, bubbing stream of considerable i'm
portahce, bu, clearing the lands about its
sources has diminished it TO a lit:Is rivalet
which meanders its way along the bill! side,
through glens and meadows TO the river
On the opposite side of the road, hard by, is
the site of the old mill, built by Col. Web
steT, Immediately after he took possession Of
this land.
Yesterday called to pay my respects to
Lieutenant Benjamin PettiugiN, q venerable
old man, who told me he well remembered
going TO tnat mill with his grist, and waiting
for it to be ground by Ebenezer Webster, the
oldest brother of Daniel. Two huge rocks
projecting from the bank on each side, form
ed the abutments of the old mill dam. and
the remains of the constructed portion are
still visible. Nothing remains Of the old
mill itself excep, the mill stones. After their
use was discontinued, these valuable relies
were carried up the bank and put into 4 cell
lar wall, where | saw them. The building
that stood over the cellar has long since gone
TO decay, but there stand the mill stones fac
ing each other, which for many wears assist
ed IN making bread for the pioneers of all
this section of country. If | owned them |
would not be vandal enough to break them 10
pieces. There are in the farm few fertile
spots which reward its present owner salts
factorily for his tolls and pains but granite
rocks are visible in all directions. which rem
der great portion of it fit only for pastur-
age. Such is she birthplace OF the greatest
e. L
INTEREST,"
The mill privilege and its valuable timber,
induced his father, Col. Webster, to select
and occupy it as his first place of residence
He bought this fern among the low lands on
the river, for his own cultiva!i0n-to which
ne removed his family at an early day.
Daniel Webster was one of ten children,
himself the ninth. | will mention each one
In the order of their ages.
Ebenezer Webster was his eldest brother.
He always resided at home in Salisbury, and
cultivated the farm, as well as aided his faith
er in carrying on his mills. He died at al
early age, and was buried in the ancient
burrying ground on the North Road. Dan
iel scarcely knew him.
Olivia Webster was his eldest sister.
know nothing OF her, except that she too died
at an early day.
ter, married Mr.. John Colby. He is still
living, venerable and highly respected old
gentleman in Boscawen, but she has long
since been numbered with the dead. She !
left several children, who reside in the vicin-
ity.
David Webster, next to his eldest broth |
er, married Mrs. HuEtoon. He was farm |
er, and at an early day removed with his |
family to Canada, where he lived and died /
He had n large family of children, and some /
of the descendants are eminent men and wo-
men, who are making their mark OF the /
time. Some of them hold important Offices |
upon the government OF that country.
Joseph Webster, the next brother, married /
a Miss Colby. He was somewhat remarka- /
BILE for his ready wit. He, too. was a farm |
err. He died January 28ih. 1910. aged Al
he had two children, who. think. are still |
living.
Mehitable Webster was the third sister.
She was a woman much beloved, but never
She died July 4th, 1914, aged 81. !
Abigail Webster, the fourth sister, married |
Mr.. Haddock, who long resided, and finally /
died in Franklin. Tho old house in winch /
be died stands near this farm. She was the /
mother of DR.. Charles b. Haddock. now the |
most eminent Professor at Dartmouth Col /
ege, and unquestionaby the best scholar aud !
greatest man 10 this state. He has been in |
he Legislature, and was the candidate ofthe I
Wings for Senator Of the United States.
Mrs Haddock, his mother, long since de-
parted this life, and her grave is among 9th
srs 10 the burying- ground near Elms Farm.
The Hon. Ezekiel Webster was next older
han Daniel, and was his own brother. The
'thers were only half brothers. He was
BORN IN Salisbury, and although older than
Daniel yet be followed behind him two
Tears or more through college and through
he study of law. When admitted to the
oar, he opened his office in Bosca~en, and
went Immediately into an extensive and lu-
;rative practice. He was an eminent man.
His extraordinary talents and great private
worth, placed him in the front rank of his
and, indeed, in the front rank of l.
men! His wisdom and solid judgment 10 all
he affairs of men, commanded the respect Il
nd admiration of all. He was often in the
Senate and Assembly of New Hampshire
There was no living man for whose
4 ~ d. 1