Nathaniel Webber
The following is a compilation of work done by Gina Sammis, great-great-great grand daughter of Captain Nathaniel Webber. She also recently sent in a copy of her research entitled The Story of Nathaniel Webber. (Click on the name to read her impressive work).
Nathaniel Webber enlisted as a boy in the war of 1812 and served in the Massachusetts militia, achieving the rank of Sargeant. He also served on the privateer Favorite.
He sailed the world's oceans as captain of the ships Mary Melville, the Baltimore Brig Triton, Brilliant, the brig Wishicon, and Tartar. He had hankered all his life for a big, fast ship, had taken charge of the huge three-decker Trade Wind. With 3400 tons of measured cargo—the largest that had ever been loaded in New York—and 46 first-class passengers in a hurry, he drove her around the Horn in 1852 to San Francisco in 103 days, arriving on February 25, 1853. When he lost the Trade Wind in a collision and fire in 1854, he want back into the coasting trade as master of the 657 ton Diadem, one of William Frost's New Orleans packets. Captain Webber sailed from New York for New Orleans in her on the 22nd of August 1856; a few days later the Diadem foundered in a hurricane.
Captain Webber's daughter, Jeannie, and her husband Oliver Ketcham Sammis, were apparently married aboard ship, but the family has not been able to substantiate this. His wife, Sarah Frances Mayer, was born in England and apparently Christened in Westminster Abbey. Their marriage certificate indicates they were marred March 16, 1824 in St. Andrew by the Wardrobe, a part of London.
His death certificate says he was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, occupation sea captain, lived in Brooklyn, NY 30 years, living at #48 Hunter St., 7th ward, cause of death chronic diarrhea, existing for 12 months before death. 1860 Census, 2nd Dist., 7th Ward, Brooklyn, NY, Kings County. Nathaniel Webber, 65 yo, male, sea captain, 1000 value personal estate, born NY (possibly incorrect).
She accompanied him on many voyages to different parts of the world.
His death certificate notes that he was born in Beverly, Massacusheets, occupation sea captain, lived in Brooklyn, New York for 30 years at 48 Hunter Street, 7th Ward, Brooklyn, NY, Kings County:
- Nathaniel Webber, 65 yo, male, sea captain, 1000 value personal estate, born NY (possibly incorrect)
- Frances Webber, 60 yo, female, born Mass.
- Frances S. Webber, 33 yo, female, born New York
- Edward W. Webber, 18 yo, male, born Pennsylvania
- Nathaniel W. Webber, 18 yo, male born Pennsylvania
- Fanny & Jenny Webber, born 9 yo, female, born New York Obituary from the Logansport Pharos from Indiana says: "Born in England and christened in Westminster Abbey. Late husband Nathaniel Webber followed the sea (sea captain) for 50 years and she accompanied him on many voyages to different parts of the world. She was 94 years old."
