Major John Webster. WRITTEN BY THE LATE SEBASTIAN S. GRIFFIN, AUBURN, N. H., AND REPRINTED FROM THE MANCHESTER DAILY UNION, DECEMBER II, 1 "Then marched the brave from rocky steep, From mountain river, swift and cold; The borders of the stormy deep, The vale where gathered waters sleep, Among many obscure individuals whose names are not inscribed on marble tablets, or placed conspicuously in the archives of state, the name of Major John Webster should occupy a prominent position. Israel Webster, the father of John, came to this country from England and settled in the town of Atkinson, where John was born, in the year 1736. Inured to the privations and hardships of a pioneer life, in his early manhood having seen service in the French and Indian wars, he was well fitted for those arduous duties which devolved upon him afterwards, during the American revolution. As it would be impossible in the brief space allotted me to give an extended account of our hero, however, if I should succeed in calling the attention of any person to a more complete explanation of a character so full of the love of liberty, or should refresh the memory of a generation who have almost passed away, and who was personally conversant with Mr. Webster, then, indeed, this slight epitome may not prove wholly in vain. When the news reached Atkinson of the advance of the British to Concord, Mr. Webster was at work in his field plowing. Unlike the noble Roman Cincinnatus, who left his plow at rest in the furrow, he said to his eldest son, a youth of thirteen years, "Israel, you take the handles of the plow," and to the next youngest son, "David, you take the goad and drive the oxen. I must go, for my country calls for me." Mr. Webster went to the house and informed his wife of the resolution, who immediately furnished him with a knapsack, and filled it with provision, and other articles he would want, and then he started for Boston with some of his townsmen, and reported for duty. Many outrages were committed by the British soldiers upon the defenseless inhabitants, which he witnessed, and years afterwards he would relate to his friends and those about him, how his blood boiled in his veins for vengeance against such atrocious acts of the enemy. Mr. Webster continued for a short period near Boston, when he returned home to enlist men for the American army. He was a lieutenant in a company of militia in his native town, commanded by Captain Poor, who was a tory and would not call his company together. But Lieutenant Webster took the responsibility upon himself and enlisted many soldiers for the war He was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, under General Stark, and occupied a prominent position. He was on terms of intimacy with the general, who put much confidence in him and entrusted him with many important commissions. He was also at the battle of Bennington with his company in 1777, and rendered efficient service; was offered a commission by congress, but on account of his family affairs, he could not accept it. In all the campaigns against General Burgoyne he took an active part, witnessed his surrender at Saratoga, and was present when Burgoyne delivered his sword to the American general. In after years he often related the incident that the tears ran down the cheeks of the haughty Briton on that occasion. Major Webster was with our army in its encampment in New Jersey when the soldiers suffered so much from the inclemency of the weather and endured many privations, and witnessed many trying scenes which never faded from his memory. He participated in many of the battles in that region. Near the close of the war, or in 1782, Major Webster bought in Derry field, or what is now Manchester, some land and mill privileges, since known as the Webster mills, on the outlet of Lake Massabesic, but a short distance from the present pumping station of the Manchester water works. Here he lived many years, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Some of his his descendants of the fourth generation served their country in the late rebellion, and gave their lives as a sacrifice on our country's altar for liberty. As Major Webster lived but a short distance from General Stark and in the same town they often exchanged visits with each other, and related the scenes through which they passed; of the hair-breadth escapes and privations, interspersed with anecdotes full of mirth. Major Webster was a kind, genial Christian gentleman Like one of old, he erected an altar where he went three times a day and offered his prayers to Almighty God. This altar was under some large trees near his residence, and for many years when the weather would permit, he was seen to go and offer his petitions. Major Webster lived to be a nonogenarian and died in the year 1827, aged 91 years. In one of the suburban cemeteries of the city of Manchester may be seen the grave of the departed hero, beneath the humble mound covered with grass he rests. If the name of Major Webster is not inscribed on monumental shaft or obelisk, still the principles he espoused will be handed down in history in all coming time, and we should do honor to all those worthy heroes by remembering their noble deeds. |