Glynn Patrick & Associates: Capturing Forever
ISAAC SHUART WEBSTER, b. Nov 15, 1825, Butler Co., OH; d. Dec 11, 1897,
Pittsfield, Pike Co., IL, son of Amos Webster and Susannah Wright Webster. He
married CYNTHIA ANN WILLIAMS Dec 07, 1845 in Mason County, Illinois, daughter
of REV. JEREMIAH S. WILLIAMS and NANCY MONTGOMERY. She was born Jun
23, 1827 in Ohio, and died Feb 10, 1895 in Augusta, Hancock Co. IL.
Pittsfield, Pike Co., IL, son of Amos Webster and Susannah Wright Webster. He
married CYNTHIA ANN WILLIAMS Dec 07, 1845 in Mason County, Illinois, daughter
of REV. JEREMIAH S. WILLIAMS and NANCY MONTGOMERY. She was born Jun
23, 1827 in Ohio, and died Feb 10, 1895 in Augusta, Hancock Co. IL.
From Isaac Shuart Webster's siblings birthplaces, we can somewhat reconstruct the family’s travels – at least those of the mother, Susannah Wright Webster.
Older brother Joseph was born in New York; Older brothers Chauncey and John Nelson were born in Ohio, as was Isaac and Sarah Jane. Mary Elizabeth was
born in Cass Co., Michigan – possibly mother Susannah was spending time with her parents during that pregnancy, as there is no proof the family settled there
in any significant way. Brother Brinton was the first child born in Indiana. Nancy Maria was born in Fountain County Indiana, as was Alvah. Sisters Susan
“Lucinda” and Marietta were born in Illinois.
Nancy Maria wrote of crossing the plains in a covered wagon as a young girl, and of seeing "the fort" of Des Moines, IA. The family was pioneer in nature,
moving consistently from settlement to frontier. Isaac's sister Sarah owned the family treasure -- an original dictionary signed by Amos' "second cousin" Noah
Webster. The dictionary reportedly perished in a fire during their journeys.
December 7, 1845, when Isaac was 20, he married 18-year old Cynthia Ann Williams. Cynthia [spellings include "Scynthia", "Scinthia" and "Cyntha."] was an
OH girl, daughter of [Virginian] Jerimiah S. Williams and his wife Nancy Montgomery. The Williams family lived in Mason Co., IL.
Isaac quickly settled into life as a farmer, and the couple's first child, Edwin Hermandis Webster, was born September 26, 1846. The following year, Isaac
bought 40 acres in Mason Co. for $1.25/acre. However, the family may have not taken root there. The following year, on June 4th, daughter Julia Etta was
born in Schuyler Co.
The family patriarch, Amos, died in 1847 in nearby Fulton Co., IL. Isaac appears to have taken in his sister, Nancy Maria, who had lived in nearby
McDonough County, and she stayed with him until her marriage to William Henry Surber.
Being of restless nature and an enterprising man, Isaac was lured to California during the 1849 Gold Rush to seek a quick treasure by mining gold. He may
have begun the overland trip with other family members, but he became ill in Salt Lake City, where he nearly died.
Notes World Book Encyclopedia, “The gold rush attracted ‘Forty-Niners’ from all parts of the world. The population of California exploded from about 15,000
in early 1848 to more than 100,000 by the end of 1849. Most people heading for California followed the Oregon Trail across the Rockies and then branched
off to the south along the California Trail. Others chose more southerly routes, such as the Santa Fe, Gila River, and Old Spanish trails. Some sailed the
Atlantic Ocean south to the Isthmus of Panama, where they crossed over land to the Pacific Ocean and continued the sea voyage to San Francisco. From
1848 to 1855, more than 100,000 people traveled to the mining frontiers by the Panama route.”
Isaac seems to have followed both options, going overland to California, sailing through the Panama Canal on return, then docking in New York and taking a
“hand cart” back to the Midwest. According to another family historian, Isaac was cared for by members of the Mormon Church for an extended stay before
continuing to California. He appears in Pilot Hill and vicinity in El Dorado Co., California for the 1850 census, living with a group of men similarly focused on
finding their fortunes. [In the spring of 1851, a number of people from Pittsfield, Illinois, arrived in the area and started a village of their own, consisting of 25
log cabins, which they called Pittsfield.]
We lack a first-hand account of Isaac’s adventures, but a mining town then was comprised, as the census for his area shows, of men who lived, played and
worked together – tempers were short, opportunities (and instantaneous “justice”) resulted in daily murders and retribution hangings, and it was a most
unstable frontier.
Here is a sampling of what life was like where Isaac was, recorded by History, Pilot Hill, Eldorado County: “In 1850, a young man from Pilot Hill, by the name
of Avery, took his rifle and went out to kill a deer; but about a quarter of a mile from Bayley's he was murdered by Indians for his gun, which they carried off.
The camp became alarmed at his not returning and some went out to look after him, but not finding any trace of the missing man, returned and gave the report
that in their belief, Avery had been killed by Indians. A meeting was held ... and A. L. Parker was appointed captain of a company, which at daylight sallied
forth for the Indian camp, surrounded it and captured the chief and five others; but no threatening whatever could move them to confess what they had done
with Avery, notwithstanding his rifle was found in searching the camp.
“The prisoners, one of them being a boy 12 years old and the son of the chief, were taken to Pilot Hill. One of the party took the boy aside and after promising
him that he should be sent to the Eastern States for his safety, and to be educated, he took them to the spot where Avery's body had been secreted under a pile
of leaves and sticks. He had been shot three times and his brains were beaten out; most all his clothing was taken away also. The body was brought to Pilot
Hill [and] the Indians put on trial. J.D. Galbraith was elected Judge, and he empanelled a jury, and five Indians started for court; one of them broke and ran,
but at his third jump he fell down dead, five balls had pierced his heart. After a speedy trial the jury found a verdict of murder against the remaining four, and
the Judge sentenced them to an immediate execution. They were placed on a wagon and by this means carried under a tree and by removing the wagon, Pico,
chief of Piutes, and three of his braves, were launched into eternity.”
We don’t know what role, if any, Isaac Webster played in this scenerio, but a Webster descendent says her very elderly aunts spoke of Isaac as legendary.
They recounted that after going to California, he returned via a steamship through the Panama Canal. Apparently he wrote letters saying he ate monkey meat
and had high adventures.
Meanwhile, at home, it was anything but exciting. The 1850 federal census reveals that during Isaac’s absence, Cynthia and her children moved in with her
parents in 8th Township, Jersey Co., IL. Also living in the home was her brother, 17-year old Jermimiah Williams and 7-year-old Cecilia A. Morris. It is
unknown whether Isaac returned to Cynthia before the November 1, 1850 birth of their son, Cassius Morrow Webster.
Isaac reappeared on paper trail in 1851 as a defendant in a Fulton Co., IL Circuit Court case (#2112.2) with plaintiff William Taylor. The court case is a
fascinating study of the times. Isaac was accused of robbing a man and throwing him off of a hand-cart. The man claimed to have been too ill to protect
himself, and he asserted that during the misadventure Isaac stole his coat and also $700 worth of gold dust. The two had gone by steamship through the
Panama Canal and up along the eastern seaboard and docked in NY City. It was during the continuing journey westward by handcart that the two separated.
Isaac said the man was habitually drunk and during one stop, Taylor did not return to the handcart in time to resume the journey. Isaac said that he had earned
the gold in dispute, which had a value of about $900 minus $200 in expenses. He gave deposition that with the money, he purchased an orchard, a bolt of
muslin fabric for his wife's sewing, a new stove, and a few other household goods.
Taylor claimed to have been extremely ill with high fevers, and reliant upon Isaac to help him make the journey. Supposedly he had given Isaac his money for
safekeeping, and the next thing he knew, he woke up alone in a depot without coat or dust.
While Mr. Taylor did not prevail in court, Isaac soon left Fulton Co. and his orchard.
Cynthia gave birth in Fulton Co. on March 6, 1853, to Susan Marian Webster. Son Alva Lyndon was born on May 23, 1854 in McDonough Co., IL. Little Alva
died the next year. Issac then moved his family to Warren Co., IA, where daughter Nancy Emmaline was born February 7, 1857. Other Webster relatives then
settled in that Co.. The next births to Isaac and Cynthia were twins Clara Ella and Mary Marella on August 25, 1858, in Ringgold Co., IA. The family soon
moved again, to Union Co. IA, where twins Louisa Allice and Loucinda Frances were born on June 20, 1861.
Sometime in the next few years, the family moved back to IL. Twins Louis Douglas and William Lincoln were born February 5, 1864, in Green Co., IL. Baby
Louis died two months later, on April 10, 1864.
By 1866, the family had settled in Pike Co., IL. Daughter Georgiana Ann was born June 14th of that year. Henry Perry was born December 3, 1867. January
9, 1870, namesake Isaac Warren was born. Then, 44-year old Isaac was farming in Newburgh Township, Pike Co. Edwin had left home, and Juliette had
moved out to marry James E. Lowe. Cassius, 19, was a farm hand. The couple's other children still lived on the farm.
In 1880, living on the family farm were children Lincoln, 16; Georgiana, 14, Henry, 13, and Isaac, 10. Daughter Susan (Gear), 27, had returned home with
son Clarence, 3. Clara (Frye) had also returned with her daughter, Gertrude, 3. One son-in-law was reportedly the head of the Klu Klux Klan of that region.
There is no evidence it reflected or was supported by Isaac's beliefs.
Cynthia died February 10, 1895. Isaac died on December 11, 1897 in Augusta, IL. He had 59 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren when he died. Both
were buried in the Old Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Hancock Co., IL; Row 7, Section 2.
Older brother Joseph was born in New York; Older brothers Chauncey and John Nelson were born in Ohio, as was Isaac and Sarah Jane. Mary Elizabeth was
born in Cass Co., Michigan – possibly mother Susannah was spending time with her parents during that pregnancy, as there is no proof the family settled there
in any significant way. Brother Brinton was the first child born in Indiana. Nancy Maria was born in Fountain County Indiana, as was Alvah. Sisters Susan
“Lucinda” and Marietta were born in Illinois.
Nancy Maria wrote of crossing the plains in a covered wagon as a young girl, and of seeing "the fort" of Des Moines, IA. The family was pioneer in nature,
moving consistently from settlement to frontier. Isaac's sister Sarah owned the family treasure -- an original dictionary signed by Amos' "second cousin" Noah
Webster. The dictionary reportedly perished in a fire during their journeys.
December 7, 1845, when Isaac was 20, he married 18-year old Cynthia Ann Williams. Cynthia [spellings include "Scynthia", "Scinthia" and "Cyntha."] was an
OH girl, daughter of [Virginian] Jerimiah S. Williams and his wife Nancy Montgomery. The Williams family lived in Mason Co., IL.
Isaac quickly settled into life as a farmer, and the couple's first child, Edwin Hermandis Webster, was born September 26, 1846. The following year, Isaac
bought 40 acres in Mason Co. for $1.25/acre. However, the family may have not taken root there. The following year, on June 4th, daughter Julia Etta was
born in Schuyler Co.
The family patriarch, Amos, died in 1847 in nearby Fulton Co., IL. Isaac appears to have taken in his sister, Nancy Maria, who had lived in nearby
McDonough County, and she stayed with him until her marriage to William Henry Surber.
Being of restless nature and an enterprising man, Isaac was lured to California during the 1849 Gold Rush to seek a quick treasure by mining gold. He may
have begun the overland trip with other family members, but he became ill in Salt Lake City, where he nearly died.
Notes World Book Encyclopedia, “The gold rush attracted ‘Forty-Niners’ from all parts of the world. The population of California exploded from about 15,000
in early 1848 to more than 100,000 by the end of 1849. Most people heading for California followed the Oregon Trail across the Rockies and then branched
off to the south along the California Trail. Others chose more southerly routes, such as the Santa Fe, Gila River, and Old Spanish trails. Some sailed the
Atlantic Ocean south to the Isthmus of Panama, where they crossed over land to the Pacific Ocean and continued the sea voyage to San Francisco. From
1848 to 1855, more than 100,000 people traveled to the mining frontiers by the Panama route.”
Isaac seems to have followed both options, going overland to California, sailing through the Panama Canal on return, then docking in New York and taking a
“hand cart” back to the Midwest. According to another family historian, Isaac was cared for by members of the Mormon Church for an extended stay before
continuing to California. He appears in Pilot Hill and vicinity in El Dorado Co., California for the 1850 census, living with a group of men similarly focused on
finding their fortunes. [In the spring of 1851, a number of people from Pittsfield, Illinois, arrived in the area and started a village of their own, consisting of 25
log cabins, which they called Pittsfield.]
We lack a first-hand account of Isaac’s adventures, but a mining town then was comprised, as the census for his area shows, of men who lived, played and
worked together – tempers were short, opportunities (and instantaneous “justice”) resulted in daily murders and retribution hangings, and it was a most
unstable frontier.
Here is a sampling of what life was like where Isaac was, recorded by History, Pilot Hill, Eldorado County: “In 1850, a young man from Pilot Hill, by the name
of Avery, took his rifle and went out to kill a deer; but about a quarter of a mile from Bayley's he was murdered by Indians for his gun, which they carried off.
The camp became alarmed at his not returning and some went out to look after him, but not finding any trace of the missing man, returned and gave the report
that in their belief, Avery had been killed by Indians. A meeting was held ... and A. L. Parker was appointed captain of a company, which at daylight sallied
forth for the Indian camp, surrounded it and captured the chief and five others; but no threatening whatever could move them to confess what they had done
with Avery, notwithstanding his rifle was found in searching the camp.
“The prisoners, one of them being a boy 12 years old and the son of the chief, were taken to Pilot Hill. One of the party took the boy aside and after promising
him that he should be sent to the Eastern States for his safety, and to be educated, he took them to the spot where Avery's body had been secreted under a pile
of leaves and sticks. He had been shot three times and his brains were beaten out; most all his clothing was taken away also. The body was brought to Pilot
Hill [and] the Indians put on trial. J.D. Galbraith was elected Judge, and he empanelled a jury, and five Indians started for court; one of them broke and ran,
but at his third jump he fell down dead, five balls had pierced his heart. After a speedy trial the jury found a verdict of murder against the remaining four, and
the Judge sentenced them to an immediate execution. They were placed on a wagon and by this means carried under a tree and by removing the wagon, Pico,
chief of Piutes, and three of his braves, were launched into eternity.”
We don’t know what role, if any, Isaac Webster played in this scenerio, but a Webster descendent says her very elderly aunts spoke of Isaac as legendary.
They recounted that after going to California, he returned via a steamship through the Panama Canal. Apparently he wrote letters saying he ate monkey meat
and had high adventures.
Meanwhile, at home, it was anything but exciting. The 1850 federal census reveals that during Isaac’s absence, Cynthia and her children moved in with her
parents in 8th Township, Jersey Co., IL. Also living in the home was her brother, 17-year old Jermimiah Williams and 7-year-old Cecilia A. Morris. It is
unknown whether Isaac returned to Cynthia before the November 1, 1850 birth of their son, Cassius Morrow Webster.
Isaac reappeared on paper trail in 1851 as a defendant in a Fulton Co., IL Circuit Court case (#2112.2) with plaintiff William Taylor. The court case is a
fascinating study of the times. Isaac was accused of robbing a man and throwing him off of a hand-cart. The man claimed to have been too ill to protect
himself, and he asserted that during the misadventure Isaac stole his coat and also $700 worth of gold dust. The two had gone by steamship through the
Panama Canal and up along the eastern seaboard and docked in NY City. It was during the continuing journey westward by handcart that the two separated.
Isaac said the man was habitually drunk and during one stop, Taylor did not return to the handcart in time to resume the journey. Isaac said that he had earned
the gold in dispute, which had a value of about $900 minus $200 in expenses. He gave deposition that with the money, he purchased an orchard, a bolt of
muslin fabric for his wife's sewing, a new stove, and a few other household goods.
Taylor claimed to have been extremely ill with high fevers, and reliant upon Isaac to help him make the journey. Supposedly he had given Isaac his money for
safekeeping, and the next thing he knew, he woke up alone in a depot without coat or dust.
While Mr. Taylor did not prevail in court, Isaac soon left Fulton Co. and his orchard.
Cynthia gave birth in Fulton Co. on March 6, 1853, to Susan Marian Webster. Son Alva Lyndon was born on May 23, 1854 in McDonough Co., IL. Little Alva
died the next year. Issac then moved his family to Warren Co., IA, where daughter Nancy Emmaline was born February 7, 1857. Other Webster relatives then
settled in that Co.. The next births to Isaac and Cynthia were twins Clara Ella and Mary Marella on August 25, 1858, in Ringgold Co., IA. The family soon
moved again, to Union Co. IA, where twins Louisa Allice and Loucinda Frances were born on June 20, 1861.
Sometime in the next few years, the family moved back to IL. Twins Louis Douglas and William Lincoln were born February 5, 1864, in Green Co., IL. Baby
Louis died two months later, on April 10, 1864.
By 1866, the family had settled in Pike Co., IL. Daughter Georgiana Ann was born June 14th of that year. Henry Perry was born December 3, 1867. January
9, 1870, namesake Isaac Warren was born. Then, 44-year old Isaac was farming in Newburgh Township, Pike Co. Edwin had left home, and Juliette had
moved out to marry James E. Lowe. Cassius, 19, was a farm hand. The couple's other children still lived on the farm.
In 1880, living on the family farm were children Lincoln, 16; Georgiana, 14, Henry, 13, and Isaac, 10. Daughter Susan (Gear), 27, had returned home with
son Clarence, 3. Clara (Frye) had also returned with her daughter, Gertrude, 3. One son-in-law was reportedly the head of the Klu Klux Klan of that region.
There is no evidence it reflected or was supported by Isaac's beliefs.
Cynthia died February 10, 1895. Isaac died on December 11, 1897 in Augusta, IL. He had 59 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren when he died. Both
were buried in the Old Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Hancock Co., IL; Row 7, Section 2.
Isaac Shurte was honored by a namesake -- Isaac Shuart Webster. Shurte was mother Susannah's brother-in-lawand had a
profound influence on the Webster family.
profound influence on the Webster family.
| Cynthia Williams Webster (center) |
Known Children of ISAAC WEBSTER and CYNTHIA WILLIAMS:
- EDWIN HERMANDIS WEBSTER, b. Sep 26, 1846, Macon Co, IL; d. Jul 01, 1895, Augusta, Hancock Co., IL.
- JULIA ETTA WEBSTER, b. Jun 04, 1848, Schuyler County, IL.
- CASSIUS MORROW WEBSTER, b. Nov 01, 1851, Jersey Co., IL; d. Feb 13, 1941, Visalia, Tulare, CA.
- SUSAN MARIAN WEBSTER, b. Mar 06, 1853, Fulton County, IL; d. 1916.
- ALVA LYNDON WEBSTER, b. May 23, 1854, McDonough Co, IL; d. Jan 28, 1855, a baby.
- NANCY EMMALINE WEBSTER, b. Feb 07, 1857, Warren CO, IA; m. GEORGE FRYE, Nov 19, 1874, Pike Co., IL.
- CLARA ELLA WEBSTER, b. Aug 25, 1858, Ringgold Co., IA; d. Nov 15, 1933, Grand Rapids, MI.
- MARY MARELLA WEBSTER, b. Aug 25, 1858, Ringgold Co, IA; d. Dec 14, 1886; m. JERRY MCWILLIAMS.
- LOUISA ALLICE (TWIN) WEBSTER, b. Jun 20, 1861, Union Co., IA; m. WM. FRYE, May 18, 1878, Pike Co., IL.
- LOUCINDA FRANCIS (TWIN) WEBSTER, b. Jun 20, 1861, Union Co, IA.
- LOUIS DOUGLAS (TWIN) WEBSTER, b. Feb 05, 1864, Green Co., IL; d. Apr 10, 1864 in infancy in Green Co., IL.
- WILLIAM "LINCOLN" (TWIN) WEBSTER, b. Feb 05, 1864, Green Co., IL; m. NETTIE J. THOMPSON (MRS) MCCANNAN, Jan 18, 1893,
Mercer Co, IL. - GEORGIANA ANN WEBSTER, b. Jun 14, 1866, Pike Co, IL; m. BILL SKILES.
- HENRY PERRY WEBSTER, b. Dec 03, 1867, Pittsfield, Pike Co, IL; d. Dec 31, 1955, Visalia, Tulae, California.
- ISAAC WARREN ("WARREN") WEBSTER, b. Jan 09, 1870, Pittsfield, Pike Co, IL; d. Feb 27, 1948, Carthage, Hancock Co., IL. Burial: Feb 19,
1948, Augusta, Hancock Co., IL
Historical Biography:
Isaac Shuart Webster
Isaac Shuart Webster
Isaac Webster in the heart of his family.
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