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James Webb Jr.

Born: circa 1827 in New York state.

 

Parents: James Webb and Wealthy Hutchinson (tenative)

 

Siblings: Merritt (1829-1892), Edmund (1832-circa 1879), Inez [aka Eunice] (1839-1899), Marietta (1843-1901)

 

Married: 1849 or 1850 to Sarah Smart, Jefferson Co New York

 

Occupation: farmer

 

Death: circa 1876 Sheboygan Co, age 49 years, WI. Buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Town of Mitchell, Sheboygan Co, WI.

“Co I, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, age 49 years, 6 days”
No dates listed

 

Tombstone James Webb Jr.

 

Children:

Wealthy Ann

Mitte Jane (also written as Middy/Maddy/Matty)

Arthur J.

John (H?)

 

Biographical Sketch:

Most of the information on James was gained through census reports. As is often the case with data from this source, there are frequent inconsistencies or inaccuracies. The information gained from a census is only as reliable as the person who happened to answer the door that day, and dependant on the literacy, spelling and handwriting skills of the census taker. Amateur genealogists such as myself can also be at fault for making assumtions and trying to make square pegs fit into round holes.

Reconstructing a story line for James Jr was particularly difficult because of constant inconsistencies in census data. Some assumptions were made based on proximity of other family members and naming patterns. Some information was based on his brother’s biographical sketch. James was known to be born in New York around 1827, based on census data. It is likely, but not confirmed, that his parents are James and Wealthy Webb. It is likely he was born in Jefferson Co, NY., as his presumed brother, Merritt, was born there in 1829 (biographical sketch), and James was later married there. James was later found in the 1850 census in Jefferson Co NY, likely confirming that as his birthplace. His presumed father, James Sr., is listed in the 1830, 1835 and 1840 census of Jefferson Co NY. Only head of households are listed in the census prior to 1850, but lists number of males and females within the household in age groups, and James fits perfectly with this household for each census year.

Starting in 1850, we know that James was listed in Jefferson Co. New York census at age 23, living with wife Sarah and a group of her family members with the last name of Smart. Her maiden name, Smart, is on their future children’s birth certificates, so is known to be correct. They are listed as having been married within the last year, so we know he was married in Jefferson Co, NY sometime between summer of 1849 and 1850. The confusing issue is that James’ presumed parents, newly living in Wisconsin, also listed him in their household in the 1850 Sheboygan Co census. He is listed as age 23 and married within the last year. The person directly underneath him is Meritta, age 21, listed as a married in the last year and female. It is logical to assume that this Meritta is James’ new wife, but in all likelihood this is his brother Merritt, who happens to be age 21 and also maried within the last year. Merritt was not found in any other census in 1850, but may have been traveling from NY to WI with his new wife whom he married in Jefferson Co NY in April of 1849. I am assuming that the Webb parents did not understand that only family members living in the household should be listed, so listed both newly married sons who were likely living elsewhere, but soon to be in Wisconsin. It is possible the census taker inadvertantly added the “a” to the end of Merritt’s name, thus making him female. A James and Marietta Webb (husband/wife) were never found in another census.

James and Sarah’s first child, a daughter, was born in Wisconsin on November 22, 1851. She was presumably named for her paternal grandmother, Wealthy Webb. A second daughter, Middy, was born in 1854 and presumably named for her maternal grandmother, Middy Smart. Sons Arthur and John followed in 1858 and 1860. John’s name does not show up in the census in 1860, but has birth certificate on file in Sheboygan Co.

James enlisted in the Civil War 9/28/1861 at age 34. He was a private in the 1st Infantry, Company I. He served with his future son-in-law, Marcus Tupper, age 16. James was transfered out 4/30/1864 to invalid corps at hospital #12 in Nashville, TN.  Last clothing was issued 1/1864, after he served 3 years in the Civil War.  On his enlistment card he is described as 5′8, dark hair and complexion with blue eyes. (this information is from Civil War Veterans cemetery records filed at Sheboygan Co. courthouse).

 

Medical treatment in the civil war (Temporary hospitals were set up in large buildings such as churches, government building or large homes).

 

Civil War 1st Infantry, Company I

After the Civil War, James returned to Wisconsin and is next known to be living with his parents, James and Wealthy, in Sheboygan Co, Town of Lyndon in the 1870 census. He is listed as James Jr., age 37, married, invalid. He should have been around 43 years old at this time, another inconsistency. His parents stated ages are consistent with the previous census, as is his stated place of birth. Sarah, his wife, nor his children are living with them. Sarah Webb is listed as a domestic servant at the nearby farm of Simeon Smith, and daughter Mitty is a domestic servant at another nearby farm of Joseph Peck. Son Arthur, who would have been age 12, cannot be located in that census.  There is a 10 year old John Webb living with Enoch Bristol in Fond du Lac County, Bristol Township (this is fairly close the border with Sheboygan Co) . Son Arthur was found in subsequent censuses, son John apparently had mental illness and is found later in prison.  James died at age 49 years, according to his tombstone, making his year of death around 1876. He is buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Town of Mitchell, Sheboygan, WI. He is buried near James Webb Sr.   Mother Wealthy and wife Sarah do not have tombstones there; may be decayed.

 

Census:

1850 NY, Jefferson Co, Theresa twnshp: taken 9/6/1850
James Webb, age 23, farmer, born NY, married within last year, Sarah Webb, age 17, born NY, married within last year
They are living with a group of Smart’s, presumably Sarah’s parents/family.

 

1860 U.S. Census, Sheboygan Co, Lindon township: (6/13/1860)
James Jr. age 33, farm labourer; born NY,
Sarah age 27 born NY;
Wethy A, age 8 born WI, attended school in last year;
Middy (female) age 6 born WI;
Arthur age 3 born WI;
infant 4 months born WI (John)

 

1870 James listed as living with parents as invalid in Lyndon, age 37 (should be 43), married (no wife listed, Sarah E. Webb was listed as a domestic servant on a Simeon Smith farm in the Town of Lyndon, apparently did not live with her in-laws and husband in 1870). Note that Harvey Tupper was listed on the same page of the census in 1870, Town of Lyndon, next farm over from where Sarah was a servant. Sarah and James’ daughter married Harvey’s son, Marcus.

 

Misc:

There was another James Webb living in Sheboygan Co during this same time period; he was born circa 1821 in Ireland and lived in Greenbush township. He also had a son John who was born in 1857 (this James was born circa 1827 and his son John was born 1860)

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