James Lewis Webb (1811 - 1860)

Born 20 Jun 1811 in Granville, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Arianna (Shapard) Webb — married 1834 in Person Co., North Carolina

Descendants

Died 3 Feb 1860 at age 48 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

James Lewis Webb was born on 20 June 1811, the third son of James Webb and Ann Hunt (Smith) Webb.^[1]

He married Arianna Shapard on 8 April 1834 in Person County, North Carolina.^[2]

In 1836 James and Arianna moved from North Carolina to Haywood County, Tennessee, and established a plantation there.^[3] In 1840 they lived in Haywood County and enslaved seven people, ranging in age from under 10 to under 36 years old.^[4] Around 1845 the family relocated to Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. ^[3]

In 1850 they lived in the 6th Ward in Memphis with seven children. James was a cotton merchant who owned real estate valued at $8,500, and lived between his brother Samuel Maurice Webb and his business partner J. J. Rawlings.^[5] In 1850 the family enslaved nine people, ranging in age from two months to 50 years old.^[6]

James and Arianna had a total of 11 children, five of whom were still living in 1894.^[3]

James Lewis Webb died on 3 February 1860^[7] when he was shot in the head by Deputy Sheriff Thomas B. Mynatt, near the corner of Main Street and Union Avenue in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.^[8] He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.^[9]

His estate included seven enslaved people, ranging in age from six to 60 years old.^[10]

Slaves

A document dated 20 June 1832 in the estate records of James Webb notes the receipt of $400 for "the sale of a negro man David which I receive as a negro man left to me by my Father in his last will and Testament" signed by James Lewis Webb.^[11]

In the 1840 census James Lewis Webb enslaved seven people in Haywood County:^[4]

• Males - Under 10 - 1
• Males - 10 thru 23 - 1
• Males - 24 thru 35 - 1
• Females - Under 10 - 1
• Females - 10 thru 23 - 2
• Females - 24 thru 35 - 1

In the 13 October 1840 division of his mother Ann Hunt (Smith) Webb's estate, three enslaved people were given to James.^[12]

In the December 1840 estate inventory of James's father-in-law, Thomas Shapard, five enslaved people were listed as being in his possession:^[13]

In the 1850 census James Lewis Webb enslaved nine people in Memphis, Shelby County:^[5]

• 1 Male - age 50 - Black
• 1 Female - age 39 - Mulatto
• 1 Female - age 22 - Black
• 1 Female - age 11 - Black
• 1 Male - age 9 - Black
• 1 Female - age 6 - Black
• 1 Female - age 5 - Black
• 1 Female - age 2 months - Black
• 1 Female - age 2 months - Black

In the 1860 census James Lewis Webb had recently died and the following enslaved people were listed as part of his estate, which was inherited by his wife Arianna (Shapard) Webb:^[10]

• 1 Male - age 60 - Black
• 1 Female - age 52 - Black
• 1 Female - age 16 - Black
• 1 Female - age 8 - Black
• 1 Female - age 6 - Black
• 1 Male - age 20 - Black
• 1 Female - age 18 - Black

Newspaper Transcriptions

"Memphis Daily Appeal" - 4 February 1860

DISTRESSING HOMICIDE — It becomes our painful duty this morning to record the occurrence of another distressing homicide in this city; and we make the announcement with a pang of regret, the poignancy of which we have rarely felt to the same degree, even though the record had marked the death of a cherished friend. James L. Webb, an old citizen of Memphis, well known as the senior member of the firm of Webb & Rawlings, lost his life suddenly about six o’clock last evening at the hands of Thos. B. Mynatt, also an old citizen and for some time a deputy under Sheriff R.L. Smith. Without wishing here to express any other feeling than that of regret in view of the calamity, it will be expected of us that we will state the material circumstances connected with the unfortunate affair. At a late hour last evening, Mr. Webb and Mr. Mynatt engaged in a conversation in reference to some business matter, in front of Mr. Webb’s office, near the corner of Main and Union streets. It is said that during the conversation, which commenced in a friendly tone, Mr. Webb questioned Mr. Mynatt’s word, whereupon Mr. M struck him with his fist. Mr. Webb then retreated a few paces when Mr. Mynatt drew back and presented a heavy, single barrel pistol. A moment or two elapsed when Mr. Mynatt fired, the ball from the pistol entering the right side of the face, above the jaw bone, and ranging up and back and becoming imbedded in the brain. Mr. Webb fell and expired in an instant after the report of the pistol. Mr. Mynatt at once placed himself in the hands of officer Mallory, and was put in prison. An inquest was held upon the body by Esq. Horne, and the testimony of the eye-witnesses to the occurrence accorded with the above statement. Mr. Mynatt was in the employ of the deceased for a long period in the capacity of book-keeper but we presume the association had no connection with the painful result of last evening. The deceased was well known in this community, and highly respected by all who knew him. A large and interesting family are called to mourn his loss. The deceased was about forty-five years of age. Mr. Mynatt is about thirty-five years of age, and also has a family in this city.^[8]

"The Maury Press" - 15 February 1860

HOMICIDE IN MEMPHIS -- JAMES L. WEBB, of the well-known house of WEBB & RAWLINGS, Memphis, was killed in that city on Friday last by THOS. B. MYNATT, Deputy Sheriff of the County. At the Coroner's inquest, among other testimonies were the following; MR. M. GOLDBERGER, who keeps the millinery store in front of which the shooting took place, being sworn; "MR. WEBB passed by the corner; he told me he was going to sell a piece of property and wanted me to purchase it; I told him I was not able to buy it; soon after I saw MR. MYNATT talking with WEBB, they did not seem excited. Some ten or fifteen minutes later I heard MR. MYNATT say it is not so, MR. WEBB said it was so, and after back and forth, MR. MYNATT then struck MR. WEBB; MR. WEBB tried to defend himself, stepping behind my showcase; MR. MYNATT followed him, I heard MR. WEBB say, 'you coward,' I then heard the report of the pistol and saw the man fall. MR. WEBB had no weapon in his hand." MR. MYNATT gave himself up to a police officer, who took him to jail.^[14]

"The Maury Press" - 7 March 1860

A TRUE BILL -- has been found by the Grand Jury at Memphis, against THOMAS B. MINATT [MYNATT], deputy Sheriff of Shelby County, for killing JAMES L. WEBB,in that city last month.^[15]

"Memphis Daily Appeal" - 24 February 1861

VENDETTA—MYNATT SHOT

On Friday the 3d of last year, J. L. Webb, an old and very much respected citizen, of the firm Webb & Rawlings, cotton factors, was shot as he was standing in front of his office, above the north-east corner of Union and Main streets, by Thos. B. Mynatt, for some time deputy sheriff, and formerly in the employ of Mr. Webb, with whom he had always been on amicable terms. Mr. Mynatt was arrested, and, the venue being changed, he was taken for trial to Somerville. As we announced yesterday, Judge Rumphries admitted him to bail on Thursday in five thousand dollars, and yesterday he reached this city by the 1 o’clock train. About 3 o’clock he was passing up Main street with a friend or two, when on reaching the corner of Monroe and Main, within the space of the block on which he killed Mr. Webb, but on the opposite side of the street, he was met by Mr. Samuel Morris Webb, brother of the deceased J. L. Webb, and by John Louis Webb, son of the deceased. A collision ensued, in the course of which several shots were fired, one of which took effect under the right eye of Mr. Mynatt, from which it ranged down the face, crossing the mouth, and resting in the left side of the throat, in the neighborhood of the carotid artery. The watch chain of the elder Mr. Webb was broken by a ball that had passed through his coat. A pistol which he fired burst to pieces, and it was stated, although we have heard the statement contradicted, that his hand was wounded by the explosion. He went away at the termination of the affair and was not arrested; the younger Mr. Webb walked up Main street until he met officer Jacobs, when he placed himself in his custody. He accompanied the officer to jail; arriving there, he delivered up to Turnkey Myers three Derringer pistols, two of which bore evidence of having been recently discharged, the third was loaded. He was greatly agitated, and shed tears. Mr. Mynatt was taken to the office of Dr. Edmonds. He bled fearfully; it was suspected that the carotid artery was cut, and a fatal termination was looked for. At 11 o’clock last night, however, the symptoms were more favorable, and he was more comfortable. The ball had been extracted, and the hemorrhage was stopped. We have given only a general statement of the occurrence—the more particular facts are for a court of justice to ascertain. There was great excitement in consequence of the affray, and the crowd occupied the spot of the difficulty to a later hour last night.^[16]

Research Notes

It is possible that James had the name Smith as a second middle name.

Sources

1. ↑ The Webb Family book: "The Webb Family" by Robert Dickins Webb MD, published January 22, 1894, Yazoo City, Miss. Page 52. Free Internet Archive Link
2. ↑ North Carolina Marriages: "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q21R-RKR6 : 21 July 2021), James L Webb and Ariania Sheppard, 08 Apr 1834; citing Person, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} The Webb Family book: "The Webb Family" by Robert Dickins Webb MD, published January 22, 1894, Yazoo City, Miss. Page 55. Free Internet Archive Link
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 1840 Census: "United States Census, 1840", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHYD-BH6 : Fri Jul 21 00:59:02 UTC 2023), Entry for J L Webb, 1840.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} 1850 Census: "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCD1-YRZ : Mon Jul 17 21:52:41 UTC 2023), Entry for S M Webb and E L Webb, 1850.
6. ↑ 1850 Census - Slave Schedule: "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 ", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVHX-337 : Mon Jun 05 04:30:59 UTC 2023), Entry for <Unknown> and J L Webb, 1850.
7. ↑ Shelby County Death Records: "Tennessee, Shelby County, Memphis, Board of Health Death Records, 1848-1913," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4VRF-B9W2 : 8 December 2019), Jas L Webb, 3 Feb 1860; citing Death, Shelby, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Newspaper Article: "Memphis Daily Appeal," 4 February 1860, page 4. Transcribed by Naomi Van Tol. Newspapers.com Sharing Link
9. ↑ Find a Grave: database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8576458/james-lewis-webb: accessed 26 July 2023), memorial page for James Lewis Webb (20 Jun 1811–3 Feb 1860), Find a Grave Memorial ID 8576458, citing Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Naomi Van Tol (contributor 49175020).
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} 1860 Census - Slave Schedule: "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WKT5-FFW2 : Tue Jul 11 17:19:01 UTC 2023), Entry for J L Webb and <Unknown>, 1860.
11. ↑ Estate Records of James Webb: "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8992-5CB6?cc=1911121&wc=Q6WT-8PZ%3A183525501%2C183410401%2C190333901 : 21 May 2014), Person County > W > Webb, James > image 15 of 139; State Archives, Raleigh.
12. ↑ Estate Inventory of Ann H Webb: "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8992-5CTN?cc=1911121&wc=Q6WT-8GF%3A183525501%2C183410401%2C190330001 : 21 May 2014), Person County > W > Webb, Ann H > image 16 of 19; State Archives, Raleigh. Recorded 13 October 1840.
13. ↑ Haywood County Wills: "Tennessee Probate Court Books, 1795-1927," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-2BQW-89?cc=1909088&wc=M6QQ-FMS%3A179633201%2C179833301 : 22 May 2014), Haywood > Wills, 1839-1841, Vol. 02 > image 118 of 315; county courthouses, Tennessee.]
14. ↑ Newspaper Article: "The Maury Press," Volume 1, Number 8, 15 February 1860. Transcriber unknown.
15. ↑ Newspaper Article: "The Maury Press," Volume 1, Number 11, 7 March 1860. Transcriber unknown.
16. ↑ Newspaper Article: “Memphis Daily Appeal,” 24 February 1861, page 3. Transcribed by Naomi Van Tol. Newspapers.com Sharing Link