Redford Webster
Encyclopedia
Redford Webster was an apothecary, town official, and state legislator in Boston
, Massachusetts
. He helped establish the American Antiquarian Society
, the Boston Library Society
, and the Massachusetts Historical Society
.
in 1761 to Susanna Shattuck and Grant Webster, a shopkeeper.
In Boston, Webster worked as "druggist, medicine," from offices "three doors below the Drawbridge, Ann Street," ca. 1787-1805. He had trained "with Mr. Daniel Scott, a druggist or apothecary, at the sign of the 'Leopard,' at the south part of the town, the business being subsequently removed to Union Street
. On the death of Mr. Scott, young Webster formed a c-opartnership with his widow, under the firm-name of Scott & Webster, and afterward pursued the business in his own name."
In 1787 he married Hannah White. Their children included John White Webster
(1793–1850).
From 1792, Webster remained active in the Massachusetts Historical Society
. He and several others officially incorporated the society in 1794. He held the position of Cabinet-Keeper for many years, from 1810 through 1833.
The newly formed Boston Library Society appointed Webster as Treasurer in 1792, a position he held through 1796. He continued his involvement with the library for some time, acting as a trustee from 1798 through 1829.
He served as a Boston town official, in the capacity of Overseer of the Poor, ca.1810-ca.1821.
Along with 27 others, he incorporated the American Antiquarian Society
in 1812.
Webster represented Boston in the Massachusetts General Court
, 1831-1832.
Around 1830, Chester Harding
painted a portrait of Webster, now in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
, in Clinton County, in the north-east corner of the State of New York, was named for him."
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He helped establish the American Antiquarian Society
American Antiquarian Society
The American Antiquarian Society , located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is both a learned society and national research library of pre-twentieth century American History and culture. Its main building, known also as Antiquarian Hall, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark...
, the Boston Library Society
Boston Library Society
The Boston Library Society was a subscription library established in 1792 in Boston, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 1794, it was open to anyone able to pay the fee...
, and the Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society is a major historical archive specializing in early American, Massachusetts, and New England history...
.
Biography
Webster was born in Salisbury, MassachusettsSalisbury, Massachusetts
Salisbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,827 at the 2000 census. The community is a popular summer resort beach town situated on the Atlantic Ocean north of Boston on the New Hampshire border....
in 1761 to Susanna Shattuck and Grant Webster, a shopkeeper.
In Boston, Webster worked as "druggist, medicine," from offices "three doors below the Drawbridge, Ann Street," ca. 1787-1805. He had trained "with Mr. Daniel Scott, a druggist or apothecary, at the sign of the 'Leopard,' at the south part of the town, the business being subsequently removed to Union Street
Union Street (Boston, Massachusetts)
Union Street is a street in Boston, Massachusetts, near Faneuil Hall and the North End. Prior to 1828, it was also called Green Dragon Lane.-See also:* First Baptist Church * James Franklin * Green Dragon Tavern...
. On the death of Mr. Scott, young Webster formed a c-opartnership with his widow, under the firm-name of Scott & Webster, and afterward pursued the business in his own name."
In 1787 he married Hannah White. Their children included John White Webster
John White Webster
John White Webster , born in Boston, Massachusetts, was a professor of chemistry and geology at Harvard Medical College...
(1793–1850).
From 1792, Webster remained active in the Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society is a major historical archive specializing in early American, Massachusetts, and New England history...
. He and several others officially incorporated the society in 1794. He held the position of Cabinet-Keeper for many years, from 1810 through 1833.
He served as a Boston town official, in the capacity of Overseer of the Poor, ca.1810-ca.1821.
Along with 27 others, he incorporated the American Antiquarian Society
American Antiquarian Society
The American Antiquarian Society , located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is both a learned society and national research library of pre-twentieth century American History and culture. Its main building, known also as Antiquarian Hall, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark...
in 1812.
Webster represented Boston in the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
, 1831-1832.
Around 1830, Chester Harding
Chester Harding (painter)
Chester Harding was an American portrait painter.-Biography:Harding was born at Conway, Massachusetts. Brought up in the wilderness of New York state, he was a lad of robust physique, standing over 6 feet 3 inches...
painted a portrait of Webster, now in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Legacy
"The town of RedfordRedford, New York
Redford is a hamlet in the Town of Saranac in Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 477 at the 2010 census.Redford is in the southwest part of the town and is west of City of Plattsburgh...
, in Clinton County, in the north-east corner of the State of New York, was named for him."
Works
- Committee on the Subject of Pauperism and a House of Industry. Report of the Committee on the Subject of Pauperism and a House of Industry in the town of Boston. 1821.
- Selections from the Chronicle of Boston and from the Book of Retrospections & Anticipations. 1822.