52 Ancestors: #50 ~ Rev. Wesley Webster – Following In His Brother's Footsteps

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



A few weeks ago, I introduced you to Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of Ebenezer's brothers, Reverend Wesley Webster. Like his brother Ebenezer, Wesley also became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. As far as I can tell, Ebenezer and Wesley were the only ministers among the thirteen children born to my 4th great-grandparents, Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler.

Wesley was nineteen years younger than his brother, Ebenezer. By the time Wesley began his ministry, Ebenezer had finished his. Ebenezer was licensed to preach in 1820 and preached principally in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio until 1841.¹

Wesley began preaching in 1842. I found the following about him in the History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1 ²

"…a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church was educated at the Athens University, Athens, O., but did not graduate. Entered the ministry in 1842, as a member of the Ohio Conference, and on the division of that conference, became a member of the Cincinnati Conference. He preached for 28 years and among the places where he preached were, Marysville, Union Co.; West Jefferson Madison Co.; South Charleston, Clarke Co.; Jamestown, Green Co.; Hebron, Licking Co.; Rushville, Fairfield Co.; New Vienna, Clinton Co.; and Miami City, O. He is (1883) on the Superannuated list."

Wesley Webster married Sarah Jane Davisson on 17 June 1845 in Clark, Ohio. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Davisson.

Wesley and Sarah had two children. Tragically, both of them did not survive to adulthood.

1. Daughter Webster (20 June 1846 - 20 June 1846)
2. Francis Asbury Webster (18 August 1847 – 12 October 1848)

Wesley passed away on 25 September 1895 in South Charleston, Clark, Ohio. His wife Sarah passed away on 5 January 1900.

Wesley and his wife Sarah were both buried at Greenlawn Cemetery located in South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio and share a tombstone. Inscribed on the tombstone are the words, "An Abolitionist and a Prohibitionist. Praise the Lord!"

To see Wesley's Find a Grave memorial page, click HERE.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 616. Print.^↩
2 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 618. Print.^↩