The Somerset reporter., 1892-04-07
SELECTED.
For The Reporter.
Early Settlers in Canaan. -hoio.

Christopher Webb moved from Wool
wich about 1882 or 3, He lived at first
some of the family think, on the Coburn
road, but moved TO farm Ii tie north
Of Haskelrs corner. His wife's name was
Betsey Smith, sister OF Deacon Daniel
Smith. They had two daughters, Nancy
wife of Joseph Hook; and two sons,
Christopher and Jsmes. Christopher
moved to st. Adams, hut think his son
of the same name remained on his grand
fathers farm Christopher senior lived
to the age OF 30, and died at the house of
his sonin law Steward. James Webb
the other son always lived in Canaan or
Bloomfield so that more is known of him.
lie was born in 1167 and died in 1921 aged
"a. He married Rebecca daughter of
Macmillan Jewett ;she died in 1850, aged
50 lacking | | days. He lived when he
was married on that highest ground be-
tween the Levi Bigelow place and the Co
ourn farm, and it was at the school house
in that district that his daughter Rebeccs
was present when Abner Coburn fell of
OF FENCE and received that injury on his
nose. In 1910 he sold that place to Whit
comb Pratt, and took the farm of his
uncle Daniel Smith In consideration of
his supporting the old folks. This farm
is the westerly part of what is now j ohm
Weston's farm.
Their children, Samuel lived in Win
throp, James in Houlton or near there,
Joseph b. moved to Buds Illinois, Make
j. and Daniel 5. remained in Bloomfield.
Hannah married Joseph Weston and NOV
ed to Buda; Rehecca, Stephen Weston Jr;
Prudence, David Russell Of Madison, and
john Wymau by second marriage; Eunice,
Levi Folsom.
Some incidents in the life of Joseph
Webb afford useful lessons. One is a
warning to strong hardy young men not
to trust too much to their power of en-
durance, and believe they can abuse them
selves by exposure and everlasting their
strength with impunity. Before lumber
ing had developed 10 great extent on
the kennebec, MIR. Webb engaged, ike
many others in driving cattle, chiefly OK
en- to the Province Of New Brunswick
Returning from there on horseback he
stopped over night at b lfast resolved to
reaca home the next day. There was a
pouring rain all day, he was wet to the
kin, water ran down his l,gs and nearly
nlled his boots but he kept on resched
home, and was taken down with Rhtu-
matte fever which settled In one hip ana
made him lame, almost cripple for life,
y as with him several Of the last week.
of his life, in the fall of 1870; he was
confined to his bed and could scarcely
turn himself for that lameness.
He had an active mind and took deep
interest in the business of his sons, which
was fattening cattle for the Chicago mar.
sd. But he was a man OF deep sincere
piety He felt that the great question
was settled, he had no alarm for the fu-
ture, tut the paDgs of dissolution were
great terror to him. More than once he
iLquir d of me about those whose deaths
| had witnessed, if they suffered much in
their Struggle with tie great Adversary
He WAS aware that his strength was fail
ne and the end approaching One day lit
tie after noon, change came over him, 1t
was evident the time was near He lay in
dc ze and scarcely spoke the whole after
noon. His last words were, "Why cam
die" as if speaking to himself. In
about an hour he ceased to breathe as If
dropping off into quiet sleep. II w
much he had suffered in mind from the
anticipation of pains that were never rea'
lied.
A few words about Hannah, she fell in.
TO ms lAnGIOlN hlute oi uuliu, sItdhluB
only when spoken to- and answering with
the fewest woTds, scarcely noticing what
was going on around her. Several years
after their removal to Buda | asked her
how she liked living in Illinois, can
hardly imagine anything more expressive
Of utter hopelessness and dependence
than her tone and manner as she replied,
don't Ike living anywhere la later
years she partially recovered and became
more cheerful and social.
Rebecca lived her last years with her
son, Rev. j. b. Weston at Sianfordyille
n. Y, and died May ., ls9l, aged 93
years month days.
Daniel Smith-It is supposed he came
from Woolwich with his brother.ir law
Webb. His name heads the roll of mem
bers of the Baptist church organized in
1903, and he WAS one OF the fest Deacons.
or his family | only knew that he had one
son, Daniel X as he chose to write IT,
though his middle name was Wright. He
left town when quite young man for the
British Provinces | think, and never re
urned. Ii there were Others, they have
al! passed away, none Of the family re
naming.