The Descendants of
James Austin Webb & Lucinda Meece
Compiled by Bonnie Gaunt Snow

James Austin Webb was born October 29, 1819 in Tazewell County, Virginia, I have not yet discovered whom his parents were. At some point James Austin migrated to Pulaski County, Kentucky where he married Lucinda Meece, daughter of John Meece and Christina Vaught, on October 18, 1848. Shortly after their marriage, James and Lucinda moved to Grant County, Kentucky where they appear on the 1850 Federal Census.

James and Lucinda bought 100 + acres in the Grassy Creek area of Grant County. This property is located off Lemon & Nortcutt Rd. on Larkin Lane. Part of the property is in Pendleton County. They also owned property and homes in Knoxville.

James Austin Webb & Lucinda had the following children:
1. Josephus Webb was born 1851 in Grant County, Kentucky. According to the Barton Papers he married Miss Lizzie, I have not discovered her maiden name, or the names of their children.

2. James Madison Webb was born April 29, 1853 in Grant County, Kentucky; he died October 14, 1922 in Scott County, Kentucky. I have no other data.

3. Franklin Pierce Webb was born April 25, 1856 in Grant County, Kentucky; he died November 16, 1947 in Grant County. According to the Barton Papers married Miss Nettie, maiden name unknown.

4. Tennessee Belle Webb was born January 8, 1859 in Grant County, Kentucky; she died shortly after giving birth January 5, 1881 in Grant County. She married Martin Mann in the home of her parents on July 19, 1877. Martin Mann was born October 1, 1855 in Grant County, Kentucky he was the son of Eli Mann & Lydia Ann Purdy. Martin died September 9, 1904 in Grant County. Tennessee Belle and Martin had two sons, Charles Austin Mann, born August 16, 1878 and Fred F. Mann, born January 1881. As was generally the custom of this era, Tennessee Belle's parents raised her two young sons. Tennessee Belle was buried in the Carter Chapel Cemetery located on Carter Chapel Road approximately 1/4 mile south of the Kenton/Pendleton County line. The tombstone states that she was born 1-8-1850 and died 1-5-1881, wife of Martin Mann. I have found no other Mann or Webb buried in this cemetery.

5. Augusta Virginia Webb was born circa 1862 in Grant County, Kentucky; according to the Barton Papers, she married Mr. Kinney.

6. Samuel J. Webb was born circa 1864 in Grant County, Kentucky; he died June 30, 1936 in Grant County. Samuel married Catherine Marks May 18, 1899 in Grant County in the home of Catherine's parents. Catherine was born circa 1883 in Kentucky; she died October 21, 1944 in Grant County. Samuel and Catherine are buried adjacent to his parents in the Williamstown Cemetery, Grant County, Kentucky. They had at least two children, Katherine Webb & Iris Webb.

7. Harriet Webb was born April 19, 1868 in Grant County, Kentucky; she died January 29, 1904 in Grant County from injuries she received in a tragic fire. She married Thomas Jefferson Hutchinson circa 1898 in either Grant or Pendleton County. "Hattie" & T. J. Hutchinson had two children, Webb Leland born October 21, 1899 & Nola. Webb married Hattie Maude Elliott and Nola married Clyde Sydnor.

THE NEWPAPER ACCOUNT OF HATTIE'S DEATH
Williamstown Courier, Dry Ridge News
Thursday, February 3, 1904 Page 8.

A horrible accident occurred at the home of T. J. Hutchinson, four miles east of Dry Ridge, at half past eight O'clock last Friday evening. The family had all retired save Mrs. Hutchinson. A lamp had been sitting on the mantel under the stovepipe, which had become very hot from a big fire in a stove. As Mrs. Hutchinson picked up the lamp to blow it out she said to her husband, "This lamp is awful hot," and as she proceeded to put it out it exploded. The oil flew all over her, and she was enveloped in flames in a moment. She seized some comforts and tried, with the aid of Mr. Hutchinson, to smother the flames, and thought they had done so. The husband put her outside the door and returned to rescue his four children. When he had gotten his children out he was horrified to find his wife horribly burned. She lingered in great agony until Saturday morning, when death put an end to her suffering. Mr. Hutchinson's hands and his face and his body were also badly burned, but it is thought he will recover. The children were saved. The house and contents were consumed. Mrs. Hutchinson's funeral was preached at the Knoxville Baptist Church by Rev. William McMillan, after which she was buried in the Knoxville Cemetery.

8. Sarah J. Webb was born March 1870 in Grant County, Kentucky; she was a twin sister to Mary Elizabeth Webb. "Sallie" married Walker L. Atkins May 4, 1898 in Grant County. Sarah & Walker had at least one child, Herbert Atkins, born June 20, 1899 in Grant County.

9. Mary Elizabeth Webb was born March 1870 in Grant County, Kentucky; she was a twin sister to Sarah J. Webb. "Mollie" married Clarence Nimrod Ashcraft, son of Nimrod Kennison Ashcraft & Amanda Daugherty on July 25, 1894 in Grant County at the home of her mother, Lucida Webb. Mollie & Clarence had three children, Cecil Ashcraft, born November 25, 1897 in Grant County; Iris Ione Ashcraft born March 24, 1901 in Grant County & Coloda Ashcraft, born March 7, 1899 in Grant County, Coloda married Thomas Dean Webb November 29, 1919 in Grant County, she died January 1992 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Coloda and Thomas are buried in the Williamstown Cemetery, Grant County, Kentucky.

10. Cora Eliza Webb was born April 5, 1871 in Grant County, Kentucky. She died March 23, 1905 in Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky. The cause of her death was pneumonia. She married Otho Stanley Ashcraft, son of Benjamin Aschraft & Martha Ann Conner on July 31, 1895 in the Knoxville Baptist Church, Pendleton County, Kentucky. Cora & O. S. Ashcraft had two children, Verner Ashcraft, born January25, 1897 in Grant County & Audrey Fern Ashcraft, born October 24, 1899 in Grant County.

Notes for this Family: O. S. Ashcraft & Cora Eliza Webb Ashcraft were my great grandparents. After their marriage, they lived on a farm located off Lemon & Northcutt Rd. on Larkin Lane. In the fall of 1904 they decided to move to Dry Ridge so that my grandfather and his little sister would be close to school and church. In the winter of 1905 my grandfather, Verner, age eight, became ill with a virus, and Cora, while nursing him, caught the virus and died. My grandfather and his little sister, Audrey, lived with relatives for a few years until my great grandfather married Ollie Dean Stephens. From all accounts, Ollie was a wonderful woman. My mother loved her dearly. Ollie and Otho had a daughter, but tragically their baby daughter died when she was about two years old. My grandfather had known Ollie for quite sometime, I have an autograph book that belonged to Ollie. On August 10, 1888, Ollie's birthday, my great grand father wrote "Remember well and don't forget, You have a friend in Knoxville yet." I don't know much about Ollie's family; I believe her father owned a store in Independence, Kentucky. I think she had a sister, Carrie, and a brother, Forrest. Cora was a member of the DAR, she made a remembrance quilt concerning it; the quilt is now owned by my aunt, Barbara.

James Austin Webb died October 14, 1891 in Grant County, Kentucky, the cause was cancer of the face. The following death notice and Memorial appeared in the Williamstown Courier:

Williamstown Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1891.
James A. Webb, of near Knoxville, died yesterday morning at 4 o'clock, of a cancer of the face. The remains will be buried at this place today at three o'clock by the Odd Fellows.

Williamstown Courier, Thursday, October 22, 1891.
In Memorial:

At his residence in Grant Co. KY, on the 14th inst. James A. Webb fell into the peaceful sleep which marks the end of each and All. Born in the Old Dominion, reared among her sons of rugged independence and toil, he early learned to respect truth and right. His brain was strong and free. He was true to himself. No more honest child of nature lived. He was aggressive, and for fraud and shame he prepared many a bomb. He helped the right with strength, or stabbed the wrong with all his might. He argued for a higher range of thought, for a happier action of heart and brain. Like every successful man he was self reliant, and toiled and searched and thought for himself. From the humble crusts of poverty he rose to a competence unaided by any except a noble wife. He too was attacked by that moral leper, the slanderer. Oh what bolts of wrath and scorn should justly fall upon the guilty heads of those heartless hypocrites who would not willingly let this aged care worn traveler on his life's rugged road lie down to his last rest in peace. They would have lied his life away had it been possible. They live in an atmosphere where vipers hiss and serpents crawl. Their moral lives are filled with rottenness, they are infinitely odious and damnable, but veneered with honeyed words and good appearances. The dead leaves to his family, as they never can do to theirs, the Nobel heritage of an honest name. He was a brave and manly soul. He approached the final hour with a courage born of conscious right. To the writer he said "Death is Blessing," and he welcomed it as a sweet release from a siege of pain. He died by the same grand philosophy he had ever lived by, and now that he is gone from us sadly we miss him. Back to her great heart Mother Nature has received her own again. To the inevitable decree of death we all submit alike, for all nature woos man toward the tomb as the place of his last great sleep. B. C. H. Simpson

The above memorial is strange indeed! Why was James Austin persecuted? My great aunt, Coloda Ashcraft Webb, remembered her grandfather, who she called Grandpa Austin. She was very proud of him. She recalled that James Austin was a friend of Robert E. Lee and that during the Civil War, Lee offered James Austin a commission in the Confederate Army. According to Aunt Coloda, James turned down the commission; his convictions were such that he refused to fight on either side. Could this be the reason for the "moral leper, the slanderer" and the "heartless hypocrites" hatred of him? It is my hope that someone will read this and will know the answers to these questions.

Lucinda Meece Webb died June 11, 1897 in Grant County. James Austin and Lucinda are buried in the Williamstown Cemetery, located in Williamstown, Grant County, Kentucky.

Web Family Outline

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES AUSTIN1 WEBB1 was born October 29, 1819 in Tazewell County, Virginia2, and died October 14, 1891 in Grant County, Kentucky3. He married LUCINDA MEECE October 18, 1848 in Pulaski County, Kentucky, daughter of JOHN MEECE and CHRISTINA VAUGHT.

Notes for JAMES AUSTIN WEBB:

Source: The 1860 Federal Census for Grant County, Kentucky states: James A. Webb, male, age 40, married, born - Virginia, Occupation: farmer. Lucinda, age 28, female, wife; Josephus, age 9, male; James M., age 6, male;

Frank P., age 4, male; Tennessee B., age 1, female.

James Austin attested to the marriage of William Collins & Malinda Readenour on March 5, 1874.

1860 Federal Census for Grant County, Kentucky
Page No. 111 New Page No. 917
Schedule 1.--Free Inhabitants in_______ in the County of Grant State
of Kentucky enumerated by me, on 7/23/1860 . R.H. O'Hara Ass't Marshal
Post Office Crittenden.
Dwelling 755 Webb, James A. 40 M VA farmer $3075
Lucinda 28 F KY
Josephus 9 M KY
James M. 6 M KY
Frank P. 4 M KY
Tennessee B. 1 F KY

Williamstown Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1891.
James A. Webb, of near Knoxville, died yesterday morning at 4 o'clock, of a cancer of the face. The remains will be buried at this place today at three o'clock by the Odd Fellows.

Listing in the Williamstown Cemetery: Section 7-B: James A. Webb age 71 years., 11 months, 15 days, died Oct 1891. Lucinda Webb age 64 yrs., 8 months, 19 days, died 11 June 1897. Buried adjacent: Alberta Webb, wife of W. J. Webb 10 Dec 1881 18 Mar 1900. J. S. Webb 1864-1936. Kate Webb 1880-1964.

Possible parents: George Webb and Betsey Perdew - Married Mar.10, 1817 in Tazewell, County, VA.

Notes for LUCINDA MEECE:
The June 17, 1897 issue of the Williamstown Courier states that John S. Webb was appointed administrator of Lucinda Webb.

Children of JAMES WEBB and LUCINDA MEECE are:

2. i. JOSEPH2 WEBB, b. 1851, Grant County, Kentucky; d. October 30, 1925, Kenton County, Kentucky.

ii. JAMES MADISON WEBB, b. April 29, 1853, Grant County, Kentucky4; d. October 14, 1922, Scott County, Kentucky5.

iii. FRANKLIN PIERCE WEBB, b. April 25, 1856, Grant County, Kentucky6; d. November 16, 1947, Grant County, Kentucky7; m. NETTIE.

Notes for FRANKLIN PIERCE WEBB:

The Abstract Court Records lists Franklin Pierce Webb as being born April 25, 1856 another has a male child born to James A. and Lucinda being born March 17, 1856. I don't know which is correct.

3. iv. TENNESSEE BELLE WEBB, b. January 08, 1859, Grant County, Kentucky; d. January 05, 1881, Grant County, Kentucky.

v. AUGUSTA VIRGINIA WEBB, b. 1862; m. ? KINNEY.

4. vi. SAMUEL J. WEBB, b. 1864, Grant County, Kentucky; d. June 30, 1936, Grant County, Kentucky.

5. vii. HARRIET "HATTIE" WEBB, b. April 19, 1868, Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky; d. January 29, 1904, Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky.

6. viii. SARAH "SALLIE" WEBB, b. March 1870, Pendleton County, Kentucky.

7. ix. MARY ELIZABETH "MOLLIE" WEBB, b. 1871.

8. x. CORA ELIZA WEBB, b. April 05, 1874, Grant County, Kentucky; d. March 23, 1905, Grant County, Kentucky.

Generation No. 2

2. JOSEPH2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born 1851 in Grant County, Kentucky8, and died October 30, 1925 in Kenton County, Kentucky9. He married LIZZIE.

Children of JOSEPH WEBB and LIZZIE are:

i. RUSSELL3 WEBB.
ii. CORRINE WEBB.
iii. NETTIE WEBB.

3. TENNESSEE BELLE2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born January 08, 1859 in Grant County, Kentucky10, and died January 05, 1881 in Grant County, Kentucky. She married MARTIN MANN11 July 19, 1877 in the home of the bride's father, James Austin Webb, in Grant County, Kentucky, son of ELI MANN and LYDIA PURDY.

Notes for TENNESSEE BELLE WEBB:
Tennessee Belle Webb Mann is buried in the Carter Chapel Cemetery located on Carter Chapel Road approximately 1/4 mile south of the Kenton/Pendleton County line. The tombstone states that she was born 1-8-1850 and died 1-5-1881, wife of Martin Mann. No other Mann or Webb is buried in this cemetery.

From the date of her death and the birth of her son, Fred, it is likely that she died during or shortly after childbirth. Her two sons were raised by their Webb grandparents.

Notes for MARTIN MANN:
Martin Mann's birth record states that he was born on Falmouth Rd. The son of Eli Mann & Lydia Ann Purdy of Grassy Creek. (1855 Certificate of Birth # 2)

Martin Mann remarried after the death of his first wife, Tennessee Belle Webb. He is listed as living with his brother, Tilford Mann, on the 1900 Federal Census for Grant County, Kentucky. They are living in the Crittenden Precinct, dwelling 292. The census states that Tilford is the head of the house hold but he is listed as a farm laborer and Martin is listed as a farmer. Also living in this dwelling were Martin's second wife, Lenie, their son, Russell and their daughter's Mattie and Carrie. Martin's son Fred, from his first marriage, is also listed. Source of Martin Mann's death is from Grant County Deaths, 1904. Cause of death was cancer of the bowels.

Children of TENNESSEE WEBB and MARTIN MANN are:

9. i. CHARLES AUSTIN3 MANN, b. August 16, 1878, Flingsville, Pendleton County, Kentucky; d. October 13, 1966, Gardnersville, Pendleton County, Kentucky.

ii. FRED MANN, b. January 188112; m. ARTIE.

4. SAMUEL J.2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born 1864 in Grant County, Kentucky, and died June 30, 1936 in Grant County, Kentucky13. He married KATHERINE MARKS May 18, 1899 in At the home of the bride's father in Grant County, Kentucky.

Notes for SAMUEL J. WEBB:
John Samuel is buried adjacent to his parents in the Williamstown Cemetery, Williamstown, Kentucky.

Notes for KATHERINE MARKS:
Kate Marks Webb l is buried adjacent to her husband in the Williamstown Cemetery, Williamstown, Kentucky.

Children of SAMUEL WEBB and KATHERINE MARKS are:

10. i. KATHERINE3 WEBB.

ii. IRIS WEBB14, b. January 1900.

5. HARRIET "HATTIE"2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born April 19, 1868 in Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky, and died January 29, 1904 in Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky15. She married JEFFERSON HUTCHINSON.

Children of HARRIET WEBB and JEFFERSON HUTCHINSON are:

11. i. WEBB LELAND3 HUTCHINSON, b. October 21, 1899, Dry Ridge, Kentucky; d. May 02, 1978, Dry Ridge, Kentucky.

ii. NOLA HUTCHINSON, b. September 1893; m. CLYDE SYDNOR.

iii. LEROY HUTCHINSON, b. October 1889.

Notes for LEROY HUTCHINSON:
Leroy may be a child from a previous marriage of Jefferson Hutchinson.

6. SARAH "SALLIE"2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born March 1870 in Pendleton County, Kentucky. She married WALKER L. ATKINS May 04, 1898 in Grant County, Kentucky.

Notes for WALKER L. ATKINS:
Walker and Sarah were married at the residence of Rev. G. W. Hill in Williamstown, Grant County, Kentucky. Witnesses to the marriage were Clarence Ashcraft, brother-in-law of the bride and Charles Atkins, brother of the groom.

Child of SARAH WEBB and WALKER ATKINS is:

i. HERBERT3 ATKINS, b. June 20, 1899.

7. MARY ELIZABETH "MOLLIE"2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born 1871. She married CLARENCE NIMROD ASHCRAFT July 25, 1894 in At the residence of the brides mother, Lucinda Webb Grant County, Kentucky, son of NIMROD ASHCRAFT and AMANDA DAUGHERTY.

Children of MARY WEBB and CLARENCE ASHCRAFT are:

i. CECIL WEBB3 ASHCRAFT, b. November 25, 1897, Grant County, Kentucky16; d. December 05, 1972, Jefferson County, Kentucky17.

12. ii. COLODA ASHCRAFT, b. March 07, 1899, Grant County, Kentucky; d. January 1992, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

iii. IRIS IONE ASHCRAFT, b. March 24, 1901, Grant County, Kentucky.

8. CORA ELIZA2 WEBB (JAMES AUSTIN1) was born April 05, 1874 in Grant County, Kentucky, and died March 23, 1905 in Grant County, Kentucky. She married OTHO STANLEY ASHCRAFT July 31, 1895 in Knoxville Baptist Church, Knoxville, Kentucky, son of BENJAMIN ASHCRAFT and MARTHA CONNER.

Children of CORA WEBB and OTHO ASHCRAFT are:

13. i. VERNER F.3 ASHCRAFT, b. January 05, 1897, Grant County, Kentucky; d. May 05, 1971, Wilcox, Arizona.

14. ii. AUDREY FERN ASHCRAFT, b. October 24, 1899, Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky; d. May 1972.

Submitted to this site by Bonnie Snow and Sandra Burbridge - Thanks!
April 2008

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