Special Collections: Letter from the Draper Manuscripts, 20C21. Transcribed and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Diana Lehman, dlehman@ix.netcom.com ********************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb *********************************************************************** * J. Wesley Webb to Lyman C. Draper, August 22, 1883 Draper Manuscripts, 20C21 Transcribed from microfilm copy of the original document from the Draper Manuscripts Collection of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Spelling and punctuation are as they appear in the original text. Transcriber’s notes in {} * * * * * Triadelphia Wva Aug 22d, 1883 Lyman C. Draper LLD Madison Wisconsin My Dear Sir, Yours of the 20th received, also a volume of your “Wisconsin Historical Collections” for which please accept my thanks. The information in reference to Anna Boone being a sister of Col. D. Boone was received from one ___ Winter who visited the Valley of Va a few years ago, but since has died. I thought he was mistaken but he seemed positive. My impression is that Anna Boone was a daughter of Jesse Boone and first cousin of Daniel. There is no doubt about her marrying Wm. Winter. And there is no question about her daughter Hannah being the wife of Henry Miller. Now in regard to the Webb family – my great grandfather married a sister of Daniel Boone. He was one of the ___ who came from Wales and settled in Pa. One brother settled in Tennessee and one in Alabama. I do not remember my great grandfather’s given name – of course it was taken from the Bible, being Quakers. My impression is that the most of the family went with the Boones to North Carolina. My grandfather’s name was Moses and my grandmother was Hannah Matthews. My grandfather went with Daniel Boone to Kentucky and was drowned in the Sandy River. My father’s name was Jeremiah – born in Pa December 25th 1764 – died on Mossy Creek Va December 26, 1838. Not long after the death of Henry Miller (which occurred in the North ___ right hand fork, in 1790--) he married Catharine Aleshyre and took his bridal trip on horse back from the Valley of Va to Daniel Boone and my grandfather Webbs in Kentucky. My mother gave me a history of the trip again and again. My father not having an adventurous disposition returned to Va and remained among the Millers until he died. Uncle Moses settled in Harrison County Ky. My aunt married a Morgan. You know something of the Kentucky Morgans. Uncle Benjamin went to the same state, so did Uncles Asa, Mace, Elijah and Elisha. My oldest brother John C. Webb is now living at Mount Solon Augusta Co. Va. James Miller Webb died in Rockbridge County Va two years ago in July. Samuel Miller Webb, a soldier in the ___ War died a few years ago near Ch__ Henry Jacob Miller Webb, my youngest brother, is also dead. My oldest sister, Jacyntha, married Charles Staunton of Va. Hannah Moffett Webb married Jefferson Hall of Va. Mary Martha Miller Webb married John S. Hopewell of Front Royal Va. Elizabeth Jane Webb, my youngest sister, is singular. I am the youngest member of the family now living. I was born on Mossy Creek Va June 5th 1826, married Nov. 19th 1851. Mary E. Shumate of Albemarle Co., Va, a sister of Maj. Thomas Shumate, a member of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s staff during the late War. Lucy Webb, now the wife of ___ Pres. Hayes is another connection. Her mother was the daughter of Gen. Cooke. In regard to Henry Millers and Daniel Boones adventures, I know comparatively little. When young men they visited together Va hunting several times. Nothing remarkable occurring except the finding iron ore. Some misunderstanding existed about the finding of the ore. Henry Miller secured the land and built the furnace on Mossy Creek. Maj. J. Marshall McCue is of the opinion that Henry Miller built the first iron furnace in America. I think not – it was the second or third. The descendants of Henry Miller I mentioned in the letter to Judge McCue which you are in possession. None of the Miller ___ became very prominent among the boys. The descendants of the daughters did – the McCues, Camerons, Estells, McDowells. The Winters did. Of these you are well posted. James Watson Webb, a relation of mine, became distinguished. His history is also familiar to you. The Lewiss also are prominent – one was a United States Senator and is now Legislative Session of Va. The Moffetts are somewhat distinguished. Hon. B.J. Moffett of Pocahontas. Hon. Samuel Pierce of ___ United States Senator married in the Co__ I have given you all the facts that occurred to me now. I will gather all the points of interest possible and forward to you. I have ordered book, which I will send when it comes. Did you read the “Mountain Muse,” a life of Daniel Boone, written by L__ Bryan of Harrisonburg. It is written in blank verse. I am fearful that nothing of importance is communicated in this letter. Glad to receive a letter from you and wishing you long life and great happiness. Yours truly, J. Wesley Webb {Draper’s note} Memo – Daniel Boone’s uncle James Boone’s eldest daughter was Anne, born in Apl. 1737. But she was not old enough to have been the mother of Mrs. Henry Miller—who was married not later than 1764—that her first born in 1765. She must have been the daughter of one of the older brothers of James Boone. Possibly of Joseph, the eldest, born in 1704; & perhaps he married as early as 1729, when 25 years of age & his eldest if a daughter may have been born in 1730. Say married at 17 to W. Winter. 1730 + 17 = 1747 = Mrs. Miller is said to have been born in 1749. L.C.D. Jos. Boone’s marriage is incidentally mentioned 30th of 8th month, 1732, in Gwynned records, but does not state when he married, & only it was prior to that date. John Webb, who married Col. D. Boone’s oldest aunt, had no Ann among his children. Benja. Boone, who ___ marriage 27th of ___ had only a dau. Dinah.