Webb’s in the Military

Encompassing the following recognized conflicts, among others : Wayne’s War, 1790-1794; French War, 1799; War of 1812, 18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815; Seminole War, 1817-1818; Black Hawk War, 1832; Creek War, 1836-1837; Florida War, 1835-1842; Canada Frontier Disturbances, 1838-1839; Pennsylvania Whiskey Rebellion; Cherokee Removal, 1838; Mexican War, 1846-1848; Civil War, 1861-1865. Including Officers and Enlisted soldiers of the Militia, Volunteer and Regular Army, Officers & Sailors of the Navy, and Marines in the Marine Corps.

 

Compiled by Jonathan Webb Deiss, ©2003. www.webbdeiss.org

 

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Private Fenton Betan Webb : Fenton was born 22 August 1837 in Georgia. He served the United States in the Florida Mounted Volunteers during the Florida War of 1857-58. On the outset of the Civil War, he sided with his state and supported the Confederate States of America. At the age of 24 he enlisted on 19 November 1861 and mustered in to Company C, 4th Regiment Florida Infantry, CSA. He was captured by the Union forces and made a prisoner of war on 27 May 1864 at Dallas, Georgia. He was confined three days later at Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island County, Illinois. On 15 March 1865 he was exchanged and paroled on the 22nd at Madison, Florida.

 

He was married to Drucilla...

 

Fildew L. Webb : He applied his bounty land warrant for 80 acres in Section 11, Township 7 north Range 6 west, Macoupin County, Illinois for purchase on 10 April 1849.

 

Private Floyd Webb : He was enrolled in Captain Sam Martin’s Company, 1st Regiment Stokes County North Carolina Militia during the War of 1812.

 

Private F. B. Webb : Company B & D, 2nd Regiment Missouri Mounted Infantry. (Mexican War)

 

Private Forest Webb : Sholt’s Battalion Indiana Militia (War of 1812)

 

1820 Federal Census Fayette County, Indiana

Forest Webb, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

 

He, or his son, as Forest M. Webb, purchased 240 acres of land in Section 4 of Township 29 N Range 8 W, Newton County, Indiana.

 

Private Foster Webb : (revolutionary war)

 

Paymaster & Muster Master Foster Webb : He was on the ‘Board of War’ and appointed as Paymaster and Muster Master in the Virginia State Navy, for the eastern side of Chesapeake, 18 February 1778.

 

Private Foster Webb : 18th Regiment (Bloom’s) New York Militia (War of 1812)

 

Midshipman Francis Webb : He was born in Essex County, Virginia, circa 1759, the son of James Webb, Jr. and Mary Smith. His service is partially legendary and partially historical. The legend, based on the statements of his son John, relates : He ran away from home at the age of 16 (c. 1775) and went on board a privately owned armed vessel (a privateer), the Ship Draggon (or Dragon). In the very first battle in which they were engaged, everyone on board was killed or wounded except the commander, Captain John Evans and his African-American servant. Francis Webb had been wounded in the ankle (a wound which later caused one leg to be shorter than the other). Despite the number of wounded, they succeeded in saving the ship from destruction or capture. For his gallantry in the fight, he was promoted to the rank of Midshipman, and he supposedly served three years.

 

Petition of Francis Webb

To the honble the Speaker & members of the House of Delegates. The petition of Francis Webb humbly sheweth : That your petitioner was a midshipman on board the Ship ‘Dragon’, and continued in her until she was destroyed by the British in the Month of April 1781, having been left in her for the purpose of taking care of her, and having been appointed to be turned over to the frigate ‘Thetis’ as an officer, as soon as she could be completed; -that your petitioner was discharged, at the time the said ship was destroyed as aforementioned, by his Commander Capt. Travis, until such time as he could be required to return to his duty, which never happened; that your petitioner has never received any of the wages he was entitled to, since the first of April 1779, to which time he was paid off – nor has he received a warrant for the land he was entitled to as a midshipman; that the Causes why your petitioner never obtained those Rights, were the death of Capt. Travis, his last Commander, and the only officer on board at the time, older in Command that himself, and also his inability to produce a certificate how long he continued in the Navy, until about twelve months ago, he found Mr. Thomas Grant who had also been an officer in the Navy. Therefore, your petitioner prays that upon his producing such Vouchers of his Service as were required by the Act of Assembly providing for the settlement of Officers’ Claims that the accts pf your petitioner as midshipman of the Ship dragon may be settled by the Auditor of Public Accounts, and that he may be allowed his wages as midshipman aforesaid from the first of April 1779 & the depreciation of his back wages from the 3rd of May 1788 (sic) to April 1779 when he was entitled as well as the other officers who served on board the Navy. And your petitioner will ever pray &c. Francis Webb Octo: 20th 1791.

 

His petition was rejected, but his sons later received a bounty land warrant on 24 July 1835 for 2666.66 acres (cert #8173).

 

The historical records states : Information contained in a bounty land warrant application submitted by his heirs in 1834 states that he entered service 19 July 1778 (mentioned in navy Journal on that date) in the Virginia State Navy. In September & October 1779 he appears as Midshipman on the ‘Dragon’.   On a return dated 7 October 1779 he is listed with the rank of Midshipman, and received 2 units of coffee and 10 units of sugar.   He was credited with three years of service. Midshipman were officers often appointed by the Captain of the vessel and not likely to be mentioned in more official paperwork save the ships’ journals and returns. During Arnold’s invasion, the Virginia fleet was caught on the James River and destroyed. The Dragon was one of the vessels destroyed.

 

He was married to Frances Walker in 1786 in Essex County, Virginia. They had a family of eight children, only three of which lived to adulthood, and only two of those married. He moved to Hancock County, Georgia in 1810 and died there in 1811.

 

Private Francis Webb : Francis Webb, aged 34 years, born in Dublin, Ireland, was described as having hazel eyes, black hair and a light complexion, stood 5’ 8” tall, and was by occupation a clothier when he enlisted on 1 February 1846 at Burlington (?) to Lieutenant Foster for a term of five years. He was assigned to Battery (or, Company) F, 2nd Regiment United States Artillery (regulars). His Company was stationed in New York until March 1847, when it joined a the greater portion of the Regiment, already in Mexico. While attached to Garland’s Brigade, Company F took part in the action against the Mexicans at the Battle of Churubusco, Mexico on 19 & 20 August 1847, suffering great casualties and again under Garland, his unit participated in the action against the Mexicans on 8 September 1847 at the battle of El Molino Del Rey, Mexico where Francis was severely wounded. He was honorably discharged on 12 January 1849 by reason of a ‘Pension Certificate’ at Mexico City, Mexico. (pension? – Old War ic3699/26896, New York, 1848) (Mexican War)

 

Chief Musician Francis Darias Webb : He joined the same regiment as his cousin, Delorma Webb. Both served in the 73rd Regiment Indiana Infantry Volunteers. Francis D. Webb joined Captain William Kendall’s company in Plymouth, Indiana on 5 August 1862 and mustered at New South Bend, Indiana on 16 August 1862 for which he was paid an advance bounty of $25.00. Although healthy when he enlisted, he fell ill with severe diarrhea in October 1862 while in the Wildcat Mountains, Kentucky. He was sent to the hospital in Nashville, Tennessee by First Sergeant James M. Berber on 21 November 1862 while at Spring Place, Kentucky. He spent the time until April and May of 1863 being sent back and forth from Company E, Detachment of Convalescents, Barracks No. 1 to Company D, 73rd Regiment Indiana Volunteers while stationed in hospitals at Nashville, Tennessee. He contracted Typhoid Fever in February 1863 and by 1 April 1863 he had been sent to USA Hospital No. 6 in New Albany, Indiana. According t Francis’ statements, the typhoid resulted in the infection of the spermatic cord and surgical removal of his left testicle, ottorhea of the right ear, and general rheumatism. The treatment of the disease with mercury compounds caused the subsequent loss of all his teeth.

 

Hospital No. 16, Nashville, Tennessee : admitted November 1862, treated for diarrhea, released 31 January 1863;

Hospital No. 22, Nashville, Tennessee : admitted 1 February 1863, treated for diarrhea, released 12 February 1863;

Hospital No. 12, Nashville, Tennessee : admitted 12 February 1863, treated for typhoid fever by Brigade Surgeon Dr. Seymour, released April 1863;

Hospital No. 6, New Albany, Indiana : admitted April 1863, treated for ottorhea of right ear by Dr. Johnson, released June 1863.

 

The 73rd was assigned to Colonel A. D. Streight’s Independent Provisional Brigade and Francis is marked as absent on the Special Muster Roll for that period. It is unclear whether Francis was in the hospital when his regiment was captured at Blount’s Farm, Alabama 7 May 1863 and was held in parole camp for several months or whether he was on detached duty at Headquarters. After the regiment’s parole and release, it reorganized at Triana, Alabama where Francis was later promoted to the Non-Commissioned Field & Staff and appointed Regimental Chief Musician. When he wasn’t suffering from some gruesome ailment, he had charge of the Regimental Band until disbanded (no pun intended).

 

Notes concerning Francis’ rank : 1865 Customs of Service; Special Enlistments -

223. Principal Musicians.-  The law allows to each regiment of regular infantry, the Fifth Artillery, and to each volunteer infantry regiment, two principal of chief musicians. Other laws with regard to bands make the position of chief musician anomalous and inconsistent. (Act July 29, 1861.)

224. The Act of July 5, 1838, section 16, allows the chief musician seventeen dollars per month, whilst section 4, Act July 29, 1861, provides that bands shall be paid as follows : one-fourth of the twenty-four shall receive the pay of sergeants of engineers, thirty-four dollars, one-fourth the pay of corporals of engineers, twenty dollars, and one-half the pay of privates of engineers of the first class, seventeen dollars.

225. As the principal musicians are in addition to the foregoing, it follows that they get no more than the lowest class of musicians. The leader of the band, by the 4th section of the above Act, is entitled to the pay and emoluments of a second lieutenant of infantry; yet there are no leaders authorized, except in the nine new regiments of infantry. It will be seen, therefore, that the foregoing laws are quite incongruous.

226. Leader of the Band.- Where there is no leader of the band authorized, as in the case of old regiments of artillery and infantry, and in all the cavalry regiments, one of the principal musicians acts as the leader of the band. To secure a competent musician for this purpose, the leader usually receives additional pay out of the regimental fund, or by voluntary contribution from the regiment. Leaders of brigade and regimental bands now receive seventy-five dollars per month. (Act June 20, 1864.)

227. The leader of the band is charged with the instruction of the band and the selection and arrangement of the music. He is also charged, in the absence of a drum-major, with the duties usually assigned to him. Like the drum-major, he receives his orders and instructions from the adjutant of the regiment, or, as leader of the brigade band, from the adjutant-general of the brigade.

228. A band is allowed to some regiments by law, and provision is made for the payment of such; but the authority granted in the Regulations, to detail soldiers for a band for such regiments as are not thus provided for, authorizes only the application of the regimental fund for support of bands in addition to their salary as soldiers.

229. The law allows a band to each of the new regiments of artillery and infantry. The bands are authorized to have not more than twenty-four musicians; and in the old regiments of infantry they are by the War Department limited to sixteen. The drum-majors and principal musicians are not included in this allowance for the band, nor are the company musicians. Cavalry regiments are not authorized to have bands.

230. The Act of June 20, 1864, fixes the pay of the principal musicians at twenty-two dollars per month, and of the other musicians at sixteen, but fails to state what proportion shall be principal musicians. The leaders in the bands of regular regiments, where no leader is authorized, usually are remunerated out of the regimental fund, or by contributions.

 

1860 Federal Census.   Walnut Township, Argos P.O., Marshal County, Indiana

Page, Dwelling/Family, Names, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value, Born, Remark

752/762, Joseph Lewis, 53, Male, White, Farmer, 3000/300, Virginia, na

752/762, Susanna Lewis, 61, Female, White, Housekeeper, na, Virginia, na

752/762, Francis Webb, 22 Male, White, Farmer, na, Ohio, na

752/762, Rachel Webb, 21, Female, White, Housekeeper, na, Indiana, na

752/762, Clara May Webb, 3, Female, White, na, na, Indiana, na

752/762, Baby Webb, 3/12, Female, White, na, na, Indiana, na

752/762, Goodman Simons, 18, Male, White, Laborer, na, Indiana, na

753/763, M. J. Lewis, 25, Male, White, Farm Laborer, /250, Indiana, na

753/763, Julia Lewis, 25, Female, White, Housekeeper, na, Ohio, na

753/763, Baby Lewis, 2/12, Female, White, na, na, Ohio, na

 

Acting Master Francis R. Webb : He served as an Officer of the Line, United States Navy with the rank of Acting Ensign, 14 October 1862. He was appointed to the rank of Acting Master, 4 October 1865.

 

Private Freeman Webb : He served during the war of 1812 in the 55th Regiment (Srague’s) New York Militia. He filed a claim for expenses incurred for clothing and ordnance against the state of New York (Claim #7347), while resident of Putnam, Michigan. He was allowed $75.00.

 

Name: Freeman Webb, Jun.

Farmer, late of Pinckney, was born in Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York, October 23, 1811. His parents, Freeman and Rachel (Smedley) Webb, were of Scotch descent. His father was a farmer, and a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1860. Mr. Webb had limited school advantages. He worked on his father's farm until 1833, when he married Miss Sophia Carr. Soon after, he went to Washtenaw County, Michigan, where, by chopping wood, he raised sufficient means to return to New York and bring his family to Michigan, in 1836. He remained in Washtenaw County two years, engaged in clearing land and working it on shares. In 1835 he located a farm of eighty acres, in Putnam, Livingston County, upon which he moved in the spring of 1838. Here he worked with zeal and energy, clearing and buying land, until, at the time of his death, he owned a farm of eight hundred acres. In 1844 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and held the office sixteen years. During this time he had very few litigated cases. It was his custom to advise and consult with the different parties until he had persuaded them to come to an amicable settlement. He held the office of Supervisor ten years, discharging its duties in the most satisfactory manner. In 1852 he was initiated into the Masonic Fraternity, and became a member of Livingston Lodge, No. 76; for a number of years held the office of Treasurer. He was a charter member of the Chapter, and held some important offices. In politics, he was a war Democrat, and took a lively interest in the welfare of his party. He was considered a strong partisan, but was careful to avoid expressions which might give offense. He contributed liberally to public charities, churches, and railroads; and always manifested a warm interest in the material development of his county. He was exceedingly hospitable, social, and affable. To overcome the many difficulties with which he had to contend in his carly life in Michigan required a stout heart and manly effort. These Mr. Webb made effectual by his persevering determination. His family consisted of three daughters, one of whom died at the age of sixteen. Nancie M., the eldest, married Hon. Marcus B. Wilcox, who was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1856, and afterwards held the office of Prosecuting Attorney in Livingston County for several years; he died September 8, 1868. Two years later, Mrs. Wilcox was married to her present husband, Mr. A. F. Beebe, a leading merchant in Pinckney. Eliza Webb, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Hon. George W. Crofoot, a thorough, enterprising, and prominent business man, highly esteemed in the community in which he lives. Mr. Webb was liberal in his religious views, and entirely free from narrowness and selfishness. He was a worthy example of the representative men of the West. His wife, a lady of rare accomplishments, survives him.

 

1820 Federal Census. Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York

Freeman Webb, 0, 3, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0

 

1830 Federal Census. Covington, Genesee County, New York

Freeman Webb, 1, 0, 0, 1, 2, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

 

1850 Federal Census New York...

163/163, Freeman Webb, 72, Male, White, Farmer, 3000, Connecticut

163/163, Martha Webb, 50, Female, White, na, na, Connecticut

164/164, Richard Winters, 41, Male, Black, Farmer, na, Pennsylvania

164/164, Jane Winters, 23, Female, Black, na, na, Massachusetts

164/164, Mary V. Winters, 1, Female, Black, na, na, New York

 

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