John Webb & Mary Boone

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN¹ WEBB was born 1694/95 in England or Wales, and died 18 Oct 1774¹ in Exeter Twp, Berks, Pensylvania at the age of 80.  He married MARY BOONE 13 Sep 1720^1,2 (O.S.) in Oley Twp, Philadelphia Co. (now Exeter Twp formed 1741, Berks Co. formed 1752), Pennsylvania, daughter of GEORGE BOONE III and MARY MAUGRIDGE³.  She was born 23 Sep 1699¹ (O.S.) in Bradninch, near Exeter, Devon, England, and died 16 Jan 1774¹ in Exeter Twp, Berks, Pensylvania at the age of 75.

The ancestry of John Webb has not yet been determined.  Although a great many researchers identify him as the son of John Webb born 23 Aug 1661^4,5 Gloucester, England based on the research of Dr. Donald E. Webb⁶ and Author P. Dows, Sr⁷.  However this seems extremely improbable and this author finds no credible evidence to support the conclusion.  The John Webb identified by Dr. Donald E. Webb and many others, married Ann Horrod 18 Aug 1691^4,5,8 and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania leaving a will dated 21 August 1711 and proved 15 March 1715 (Philadelphia Co., PA, Will Book D, p. 44^9,10) in which he names his wife Ann, daughter Susannah the wife of William Monington, brother Richard, sister Mary, sister Sarah the wife of Nathaniel Perrin, sister Rachell Webb, and brother Daniel Webb in Great Britain.  John Webb and Ann Horrod's daughter Susannah was born 9d, 8m, 1692 (Gloucester MM records^4,11).  “William Monigton of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Mrcht and Susanah Webb daughter of John Webb of the said City Taylor” married the 13^th day, 8^th month, 1709 at the Philadelphia MM¹².  The research of Kathryn Payne and others shows that John and Ann were active in the Quaker community of Gloucester as were Richard Webb and others.On the 18d, 4m, 1701 (18 Jun 1701 O.S.), John and Ann Webb are witnesses to the marriage of John Warder and Lydia Goodsonn at Philadelphia, PA as recorded in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records¹³ and they remained active in this Quaker community¹⁴.  It seems reasonable to conclude that if John Webb and Ann Horrod had children, other than Susannah, that they would have been recorded in the Gloucester or Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records.  Furthermore, John Webb's will makes extensive provisions for his wife Ann, and their daughter Susannah, but gives no indication of any other children.  Quite the opposite in fact, he makes the following provision, in the event his wife died after his daughter and her husband, that leaves little doubt that he had no other children:

“And in case my wife survives my daughter Susannah Monington and her heirs aforesaid and William Monington aforesaid then after my wifes decease I give and bequeath all my real estate to be equally divided between my brothers and sisters now living or those that shall lawfully represent them.”

John Webb, husband of Mary Boone, would have been at the most 17 years old in 1711, and if there were other children of John Webb and Ann Horrad, as identified by other researchers, then at least some of them would have to have been minors also.  The John Webb, brother of Richard of Chester Co., Pennsylvania, identified by Dr. Donald E. Webb, as the father of our John Webb, was a Quaker as were his siblings, and is also administrator of at least two estates¹⁵.  Note that Dr. Donald E. Webb identifies Richard Webb of Chester County and John Webb of Philadelphia County as the sons of Robert Webb¹⁶; however, the Gloucester Friends records and the will of John Webb in 1711 would lead us to believe they were more likely the children of Richard and Mary Webb.  We would expect that if John and Ann Webb of Philadelphia had other children they would almost certainly have been educated.  However, we find no record of our John Webb, of Exeter Township, that bears his signature and would lead us to believe John was not educated.  John Webb and Mary Boone's marriage record is signed with John's mark as are deeds in 1736 and another in 1771 to his son Samuel (see deeds below).  We also find no Webb relatives as witnesses to the marriage of John Webb and Mary Boone.  Another article, Daniel and Squire Boone by John Joseph Stoudt¹⁷, appears to cast doubt on any relationship to John Webb and Ann Horrad, and indeed, to any Quaker related Webb family.  In addressing the issues related to a complaint against George Boone (see below) for allowing John Webb to keep company with his daughter Mary Boone prior to marriage, John Stroudt notes “John Webb solved the difficulty by joining the Meeting”.  If John Webb's parents were Quaker, then John would have had a birth right also and would only have needed a certificate of removal from the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.  Perhaps this is what actually transpired; but, Stroudt is not clear as to the nature of the circumstances by which John Webb joined the Gwynedd Friends.  However, an inquiry to the Swarthmore College Archives was made and researched by genealogist James E. Hazard who found nothing to corroborate Stroudt's article or information as to how and when John Webb joined the Qwynedd Meeting.

Another interesting piece of information comes from Reminiscenses of Former Days by Clayton Webb⁶, a great grandson of John Webb and Mary Boone, who writes:

"My great grandfather, John Webb, and my great grandmother, Mary Boone, came from Yorkshire, England while in their teens in about the year 1690 to the early settlement of Pennsylvania. There they settled near where the town of Reading now stands and raised a strong, healthy, robust family fitted to face a wilderness country with its many privations. I may here say that they were as it was termed on reaching America, sold to pay their passage across the ocean being too poor to pay the expense thereof, the price of which must be paid before they could sail. "

Clayton Webb for the most part gives a very accurate account of the Webb family.  However, we do know that John & Mary did not arrive in 1690 as neither were even born yet.  But, what Clayton writes is very interesting in that he states "while in their teens" which we know for certain is true of Mary Boone who, with her parents, “arrived at Philadelphia on the 29th of September (Old Style) or 10th of October (New Style), 1717”³.  George Boone's arrival is recorded in the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting records on 25th 10th mo 1717 “George Boone Senior Produced a Certificate of his Good Life and Conversation from the Monthly at Callumpton in Great Britain which was read and well received”.  Interestingly, Clayton Webb also makes note that John and Mary were indentured servants.  Why would he say this? Clearly this isn't true of Mary Boone but is it true of John Webb?  Certainly John Webb was not an indentured servant if he arrived at age 4 in 1699 [actually 1701] as Dr. Donald E. Webb contends.  So one wonders if John Webb actually did come over as an indentured servant and if so to whom?  If our John Webb was the son of John Webb, brother of Richard Webb of Chester County, then why would John have come over as an indentured servant since clearly this family was well established.  To me this seems relevant as it seems this aspect of Clayton's writing has merit - otherwise why would he have stated this if it hadn't been passed down to him?  I can understand that Clayton may have been mistaken about their ages and said both were in their teens.  But I'm struck by the fact that if indeed John Webb came over as an indentured servant then he almost certainly would have been in his teens or early 20's.  A typical indenture of seven years could well have been completed by the time John married at the age of 26 if he arrived as an indentured servant in his late teens.  As yet, however, no record has been found to indicate John Webb was or was not an indentured servant.  But he clearly was not the son of John Webb and Ann Horrod and his parents were probably not Quakers.

John Webb must have established some relationship with the Boone family either before coming to America or shortly thereafter considering that George Boone arrived in October 1717 and by 1720 was already in Oley Township which later became Exeter Township. John Webb almost certainly accompanied the Boone move to Oley and is living with them prior to marriage as noted in the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting¹⁸ records:

5th month, 26 day, 1720. “George Boone has openly acknowledged in this meeting his forwardness in giving his consent to John Webb to keep Company with his Daughter in order to Marry Contrary to ye Establish'd order amongst us”

We know from Gwynedd Monthly Meeting Quaker records that the same day John and Mary announced their intention to wed.  And again the second time, as required by Quakers tradition, on 30^th day, 6^th month, 1720.  John Webb & Mary Boone married in Oley Township “This Thirteenth Day of y^e Seventh Month in y^e year One Thousand Seven Hundred & Twenty” (13 Sep 1720 O.S.).  Witnesses included, among others, George Boone, Squire Boone, Benjamin Boone, Thomas Evan, Edward Foulke, Edward Morgan, David Meredith, Edward Foulke.  Noticeably missing are any other Webb relations.  A month later John and Mary Webb are listed as witnesses to the marriage of her brother Squire Boone and Sarah Morgan.

In 1735 we find the following deed from George Boone to John Webb:

“This Indenture made the Twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred thirty five Between George Boone of Oley in the County of Philadelphia in the provice of pennsylvania and Mary his wife of the one part and John Webb of Oley aforesaid and Mary his Wife of the other part...”.  George Boone conveys for 56 pounds 212 acres in Oley Township bordering James Boone, Ellis Hughes, Peter Bingom, and Peter Hurnanvald.  Part of a 400 acre warrant dated 20 Dec 1718 and conveyed to George Boone 3 Jan 1734 and recorded Philadelphia Plat Book A Vol 7, p. 42.  Signed George Boone, Mary x Boone (her mark).  Witnesses: Geo Boone Junr, James Boone.  Received 21 Aug 1735 by George Boone Esq. Recorded 3 Sep 1771. (Abstract of Berks Co., PA, DB A6, p. 530)

On 24 Dec 1736 George Boone conveyed one acre of land in Oley Township to Anthony Lee, John Webb and Squire Boone (Berks Co., PA, DB A2, p. 349).  The same day Anthony Lee, John Webb, and Squire Boone convey this land in the following deed:

Indenture made 24 Dec 1736 between “Anthony Lee of y^e Township of Oley in the County of Philad^a. in the Province of Pennsylvania yeoman John Webb of y^e same place yeoman & Squire Boone of the said Township yeoman of the one part and Ellis Hugh of y^e same Township yeoman Thomas Ellis of y^e said Township yeoman and James Boone of Oley aforesaid yeoman of y^e other part”. Land in Oley Township conveyed by George & Deborah Boone to Anthony Lee, John Webb, & Squire Boone to Ellis Hugh, Thomas Ellis & James Boone.  The purpose of the conveyance stated: “...Conveyance and asureance be made they the said Anthony Lee John Webb and Squire Boone and their heirs shall permit and suffer y^e said Messuage or Tennament to be and remaine for a house and place of Religious Worship or meeting for the people called Quakers within y^e said Township of Oley...”.  Signed Anthony Lee, John Webb (his mark), Squire Boone.  Witnesses: Geo. Boone Jr, George Boone.  Proved by oath of Anthony Lee & John Webb 6 Aug 1760 to James Read, Esq. Justice of the peace and “Solemnly declared that Squire Boone, the other party thereto signed, sealed and as his act and Deed delivered the same together with themselves in the presence of George Boone junr and George Boone the Father the subscribing witnesses to the same writing and James Boone son of the said George the elder being present did also solmnly...”.  Recorded 22 Dec 1761. (Berks Co., PA, DB A2, p. 350)

On 30 Jul 1838 we find another deed from George Boone to John Webb:

“This Indenture made the Thirtieth day of July in y^e year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred Thirty Eight Between George Boone of Oley in the County of Philadelphia in the province of Pennsylvania Yeoman of the one part and John Webb of y^e same place Yeoman of the other part...”.  Conveys for 15 pounds, and a term of 1 year, 85 acres, already in John Webb's possession and bounded by James Boone, Rudolph Hegler, Peter Hurnanvalo, John Webb.  Signed George Boone. Witnesses: Geo. Boone Junr, John Boone.  Received on 24 July 1741 by George Boone Esq. one of the justices of the peace for Berks Co., PA. Recorded 3 Sep 1774. (Berks Co., PA, DB A6, p. 531)

Thirty acres of the original 212 acres was conveyed on 7 Mar 1750 from John Webb of Exeter to John Hughes also of Exeter (Berks Co., PA, DB A1, p. 53-55).  On 2 Aug 1771 John Webb conveys to his son Samuel 267 acres of which 182 acres was the land conveyed to John Webb, Sr. by George Boone in 1735 (Berks Co., PA, DB A6, p. 533).  No mention is made of how the additional acreage was acquired but it may be all or part of the 85 acres acquired from George Boone in the 1738 deed.

On 4 Mar 1750 John Webb apparently received a patent on 4 tracts of land in what was to later become Brunswick township.  On 13 Apr 1774 John conveyed one of these tracks to his son Benjamin who sold it to Peter Orwig on 6 Sep 1778 (Berks Co., PA, DB B3, p. 402, p. 515-516).  A second track was probably conveyed to his son Joseph as in the 1778 Berks County tax list for Brunswick Township Joesph Webb's estate is shown with 392 acres.

Endnotes