Ebenezer Webster


Ebenezer Webster was a United States farmer, innkeeper, militia member, politician and judge. He was the father of Daniel Webster, a noted lawyer and orator who served in the United States Congress, as United States Secretary of State, and in other offices.

Biography

Ebenezer was a farmer and innkeeper. He served under General Amherst in the French and Indian War, and in 1761 was one of the original settlers of that part of the town of Salisbury now known as Franklin, then the northernmost New England settlement.

Revolutionary War

At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, he led the Salisbury militia to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Subsequently he fought at White Plains and Bennington, was at West Point during the treason of Arnold, and served in other campaigns until the close of the war, when he had attained the rank of colonel of militia.

Public career

He was at various times a member of one or the other branch of the legislature, and from 1791 till his death was judge of the court of common pleas of Hillsborough County.

Family

His eldest son by his second wife, Abigail Eastman, was named Ezekiel. Ezekiel was born in Salisbury, March 11, 1780, and died in Concord, April 10, 1829. Ezekiel graduated from Dartmouth College in 1804, studied law, and rose to eminence in his profession. He also served in the state legislature. He died instantaneously of disease of the heart while trying a case in Concord. Ebenezer's second son by Abigail was Daniel, a noted statesman of the United States.