The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-03-03
DANIEL WEBSTER'S R'SPARENTS.


ically, and we believe it to be so men.
tally. We reason, partly from analo-
gy, because we see it in the brute crea-
ton. We have gained a great deal
OF knowledge about horse, when we
know from what blood he sprang.--
This feeling, to be sure, is not so strong
with us as in Europe, where titles and
position are hereditary, and so much
often depends on an accurate knowl'
edge of ones ancestry. Yeteven here
it is strong, particularly where the
individual concerned has become en-
inent. For this reason. all that relates
to Mr.. Webster's parentage is peculi-
arly interesting; for we believe that,
with postcrity, he will be regarded as
the intellectual giant Of the ogc. lie
himself does not seem to have troubled
himself much about the matter, though !
he did some. for he once employed
Joshua Coffin, Esq, of Newbury, TO
trace it back for him. At this time,
according to Mr.. Coffin, he was mis-
taken, in the name even, Of his grand
father,
1t may not be generally known that
both of Mr.. Wehster's parents were
born in the immediate vicinity of
Ncwburyport; all of their nobility, too,
was that proudest Of all nobility, that
of nature. His father, Ebenezer Web
ster, was born at East Kingston, n.
H., about ten miles from Newburyport.
From the poverty Of his parents, as
we suppose, he was adopted by an
influential and wealthy man, Major
Ebenezer Stevens. Mr.. Stevens
owned large tract Of unsettled land
in n. II. and in place then called
Stcvcnstown, from himSelt--since in.
corporated as Salisbury. A portion OF
this, he gave to young Webster who
went there, and settled down, at TIE
age OF twenty-five. He built him a
log cabin, in which he lived for sever
al wears. Mr.. Webster thus speaks
of his fathers early condltion:--"A
man who is not ashamed OF himself
need not be ashamed Of his early con-
dition. 1t did not happen to NE to be
born in IL log,cabin; but my elder
brothers and sisters We're born in ii
log g-cabin-raised among the snow
drifts of New Hampshire, at period
so early that when the smoke lrs'
arose from its rude chimney. and
curled over the frozen hills there was
no similar evidence OF a white mans
habtaton between it and the settle
mcnts on the rivers OF CanIda.'
All his life he remained poor, and,
as is well known, was obliged to mort
cage his farm to raise the money to
educate his children. Yet though
poor. he was honorcd, useful, and res
ptcted. lie was always one OF the
most responsible officers year alter
wear. He served often in the lcgisIa-
turc of his State. as representative
and Senator lie was IA member OF
the Convention called to form State
Constitution. and also Of the one called
to consider the proposed United States
Constitution. lie was appointed in
1871, Judge of the Court oI Common
Pleas for lIilIsborough county which
Office he held till his death. lie was
ChristiOn, too, active in all the al
fairs of his ChuI ch.
Ills revolutionary services Were
very important, extending throughout
the whole war. At first IL Captain, he
was promoted in 1884 to the rank oil
, Colonel. He was IA brave, trus'y, and
, reliable officer, and engaged in many
situations ofgrcat r. spectablity. lie
was in the army, when the news came
of the birth Of his son Daniel. Call
ing to his brother in-law Stephen
Robinson, he said-"llere, Stephen,
= bave another hoy at home; get gallon
, oil rum, and we will be merry" This
of course, was before Temperance
DAYS; when even good christians
: thought it no harm to use a little slim
h ulant to keep the heart cheerful.
$ 1t is said on one occasion. Captain
, Webster was cncamped with Gen
Stark, neal the British, little stream
alone dividing them; the British, how
ever, in much greater force. A StorH
: of great length and severity arising
It the Americans (ounl shelter in IL Iars
- barn. When fair weather came, |
appeared the British had disappeared
This seeming like an interposltlon o
y Providence some one propose
e prayers.
d "D-n the prayers said soldic
# "let those pray who want to" GrI
Stark was so much incensed at I'll
~ language, that he struck him over I'll
ID should severely with his sword, sayIn
p the name of God should not be pr
famed in his army. They all wei
= into the barn, where he called {
Capt. Webster to lead in prayer, VIII
mounted on haystack, prayed wi
n, such nuency, that Stephen Bohannt
US said, "therc never was so much blu
bering at a camp meeting"
i! Judge Wcbster's personal aPpea
II? ance was very fine, to which his 81
q. often alluded in terms Of praise. j
was tall, stout. very dark with ke'
III black eyes, and powerful voice.
:. well known characteristics of Danit
IL He died in 1906, when his son, but
~ whom, his memory would even no
" have become dimmed, was still a YOU
90 man, unknown to fame.
Judge Webster's second wife, I
ne mother of Daniel,was Abigail Ea
man, born in Sallisbury-just opposi
d Newburyport. She was a tallore
ih bv trade, going round from house