Esther H. Webber (abt. 1822 - 1888)

Born about 21 Apr 1822 in Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Levi M. Webber — married about 9 Nov 1858 in Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine

Died 16 Aug 1888 at about age 66 in Vassalboro, Kennebec, Massachusetts, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sandi Strong [send private message]

Biography

Esther H. Webber was born on 21 Apr 1822 in Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine to parents Oliver A. Webber and his wife Abigail (Hawes) Webber. In reviewing this profile, I have noticed that most records refer to "Esther H. Webber", and only one so far refers to "Esther M. Webber", and that one was the cemetery card in the Faylene Hutton Collection.^[1] That all Esther's census reports say Esther H is fine, and that certainly means that she is Esther H., but my question revolves around whether Esther H. is daughter of Oliver, or is she someone else's daughter? In that regard, I submit, without any knowledge thus far, that the "H" stands for "Hawes" and is very appropriate. "M could stand for anything and also be appropriate, but I'm just collecting reasons to believe one way or the other until I know for sure. The cemetery card was probably developed from the stone, and a chiseled, weathered "H" can easily look like a chiseled, weathered "M", but it is significantly closer than census reports, for example. Therefore, I ask that all of us proceed with caution and anything that is firm and documented is welcome to be added here.

Esther did not appear in the 1850 census with her family.^[2] She would have been about 28 at the time. There is, however, a 28-year-old Esther Webber, born in Maine, in a residence in Lowell, Massachusetts.^[3] There are about 72 other people in this residence including three males who are also the only people in the list who have occupations listed (mason, laborer). The women's ages range from 11 to about 35 and were born in various states in New England as well as Canada and Ireland. I have come to realize that, yes, it was probably she, and that her living arrangements were part of the Industrial Revolution, and so famous as to 1) attract the attention of Charles Dickens on a visit to the United States, and 2) be written up in Wikipedia under the title of the "Lowell Mill Girls". Apparently, girls were typically recruited from, for example, New England farming families, and seen as a path to a) help with the family income, b) finance a brother's college education, c) advance her own education or at least intellectual growth or other reasonable pursuits. Although the conditions and hours were objectionable by today's standards, Charles Dickens had a very positive response. It was also the site of the formation of the first Women's Labor Union, so there was social revolution taking place here, too, much of the establishment and growth occurring before 1850 when Esther appears. I can't tell how long she was there, but a typical stay may have been about four years. Please read more about this fascinating topic in "The Lives of New England Mill Workers".^[4]

Levi M. Webber and Esther H. Webber, both of Vassalboro, were united in marriage on 9 Nov 1858 in Vassalboro.^[5]

In the 1860 census,^[6] Esther H. and Levi M. Webber are living in Vassalboro with his five-year-old son Henry W. Webber from a previous marriage. Levi's occupation is as "pedlar". He is possessed of $1,000 worth of real estate and about $300 in personal estate.

In 1870^[7], Levi, 53, and Esther, 48, lived in Vassalboro with their 15 year old son Henry W. B. Webber. It appears as if there were no more children for this couple. Levi is a farmer and now has $1,500 in real estate and $800 in personal estate.

In 1880^[8], The family continues to work the farm, and Henry is employed at that, now, too.

Esther died suddenly and unexpectedly on 16 Aug 1888 in Vassalboro after a brief illness of about a week and was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vassalboro.^[1][9] She died intestate, but her estate was administered by her son, Henry W. B. Webber. ^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Maine, Faylene Hutton Cemetery Collection, ca. 1780-1990," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 3 March 2021), Esther M Webber, 1888; citing Burial, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States, Maine State Library, Augusta; FHL microfilm 1,787,565.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 22 December 2020), Oliver A Webber, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 22 December 2020), Esther Webber, Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
4. ↑ The Lives of New England Mill Workers, published by NEHGS, Winter 2013.
5. ↑ "Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 22 July 2021), Levi M Webber and Esther H Webber, 09 Nov 1858; citing Kennebec, Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch ( : 18 February 2021), Esther H Webber in entry for Levi M Webber, 1860.
7. ↑ United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch ( : 29 May 2021), Esther H Webber in entry for Levi M Webber, 1870.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch ( : 14 January 2022), Esther H Webber in household of Levi M. Webber, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
9. ↑ Sun-Journal, Lewiston, Maine, 22 Aug 1888
10. ↑ Probate: "Maine, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1584-1999"
    Probate Records, 1799-Ca. 1930; Author: Maine. Probate Court (Kennebec County); Probate Place: Kennebec, Maine
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8994 #2007227 (accessed 25 October 2022)
    Esther H Webber probate on 27 Aug 1888.

• Find a Grave, database and images (: accessed 24 October 2022), memorial page for Esther H. Webber (21 Apr 1822–16 Aug 1888), Find A Grave: Memorial #113251292, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Vassalboro, Kennebec County, Maine, USA; Maintained by Mel Fletcher (contributor 47413246) .