The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-01-01
Daniel W webster's Paronta.


] we all belltfet ~ some way our tfAlip arc
connected with those of our ancestors, We
know IL isphysinally, and we believe 4 20 be
40 mentally, We reason partly from analo-
| ~, because we zee IL IN the brute creation
Z We have gained great deal of knowledge
about a horse when wo know from what
"blood' he sprang. This feeling 10 be sure,
10 not 90 strong with as a. 10 Europe, where
/ titles and position ia society are hereditary,
aud 10 much oflen dspeQds on an accurate
knowledge Of ones ancestry, Yet even hsre
Il il strong, particularly when the individual
concerned has become eminent For this reA-
son, all that relates 70 Mr.. Webster's parent
age ia peculiarly interesting, for we believe
with pustcrity he will be regarded a. the
great intellectual giant Of the age. lie him
self docs not seem 10 have troubled himself
very much about the matter, though ho did
some tor he once employed Joshua Coffin,
Esq. Of Newbury TO trace Il back for him.
At that time, according to Mr., Coffin, he was
mistaken in the name even Of his graudl-
ther.
IL may not be generally known that both
Nj. Webster's parents were born Ia the im-
mediate vicinity Of Newburypou all their
nobility, too was that proudesI Of all nobili,
~, that Of nature. His father. Ebcuszer
Webster, was born at linst Kingston, y. IT,,
about ten miles from Newbuypor From
the poverty Of his parents rs We suppose, he
was adopted by an influential aud wealthy
man, Major Ehenczer Stevens. Mr. Stevens
owned large tract Of unsettled land in New
Hampshire in place then called Stevens
town, from himself since incorporated u,
Salisbury. A portion OF this lac gave TO
young Webster, who went there aud settled
down at the age Of t~enty-two. lie built
him log ,abin, in which he lived for seven
years. Mr. Webster thus speaks Of his fu-
TIERS early eondition-"A man who IL not
ashamed Of himself need not be ashamed Of
his early condition. IL did not happen to
me to be born in n log eahini but my elder
brothers and sisters we're born II log cabin
raised among tho snow.drins Of New lIamp-
shire, II, period so curly that when the
smoke first arose from its rude chimney aud
curlcd over the frozen hills there was 40
similar evidence Of whito mans habitation
between il and the settlements on the rivers
Of Canada Al his life he remained poor
and as is well known, was obliged TO mort.
saBr his little farm to ruise money to edu-
cate his children. We, though poor, he WAS
honored, useful and respected lie was al
ways one Of the most promineat citizens Of
his town, diseharging it, most responsible
Offices year after year. lie served often ia
the legislature Of his state ns representative
and senator lie was member Of the con
vention called to form state constitution.
and also Of the one called to consider the
proposed United States constitution. lie
wns appointed in 1901, Judge OF the court Of
common pleas Tor TTdhborough county,
which office he held till his death. lie was
u Christian, too, active in all the affairs Of hi,
church.
His revolutionary services were very i'm.
portant, extending through the whole war.
Al frst captain, lac was promoted in 1884
10 the rank Of colonel. lie was n brave,
trusty and reliable officer. and engaged IN
many situations of great responsibility. lie
was in the army when the news came Of the
birth Of his son Daniel. Calling TO his
brother-in-aw, Stephen Bohonnon, hco-~eid,
"lIere, Stephen, have another boy at hoH1ei
get a gallon OF rum and well be merry
This, Of course, was before temperance days,
when even good Christians thought it no
harm TO use little stimulant TO help keep
the heart cheerful.
1t is said on one occasion. -CnpL- Webster
was encamped with, Gen. Stark, near the
British, little stream alone dividing them,
the British, however, in much greater force.
A storm of great length and severity arising
the Americans found shelter in n large barn.
/ When fair weather came, il appeared the
British had disappeared. This seeming like
an interposition OF Providence, some one
rrororc,l srater-7-
"D---n the prayers" said soldier,
"lct those pray that want to-" Gen. Stark
was so much incensed at the language, that
he struck him-ovcr the shoulder severely
with his sword, saying the name of God
should not be profancd in his army. They
all went into the barn. where he called on
Capt. Webster to lead in prayer, who, mount
ca on hayhtacki prayed WIN such nuenoy
and feryency, that, as Stephen Bohonnon
said, "thero never was so much blubbering at
a camp meeting"
Judge Webster's personal appearance was
very fine, to which his son often alluded in
terms of pride. He was TALL stout, very dark
with keen, black eyes, and powerful voice
all, as is well known, characteristics OF
Daniel He died in 1906, when his son, but
for whom his own memory would even now
have become dimm cd, was still'n young man
unknown to fame.
Judge Wobster's second wife, tho mother
Of Daniel, was Abagail Eastman, born in
Salisbury, just opposite Newburyport She.