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Biography of Dr. James Ware II
Researched and written by:
Judith Cumbea Ware
March 17, 2006
© Judy C. Ware


James L. Ware II was the son of James Ware I and his wife Agnes Todd (ref. #618, 619 - 627). James I was born on November 15, 1714, and Agnes was born on December 20, 1714.

James II was born on March 13, 1742, in Gloucester County, Virginia.  He was the third child in the family; having two older brothers named John and Nicholas, three younger brothers named Richard, William, and Edmund, and one sister named Clara (everyone called her Clary). (ref. #386 & 415)

According to a letter from Cornelia Ware Anker, “James was born and lived the early part of his life in Gloucester County, Virginia.  He studied medicine and moved to Caroline County to practice.”(ref.2)  It was in Caroline County that James met his future wife, Virginia Catherine Todd.  In fact, they were neighbors to each other. (ref. 35G) Catherine (whose nickname was Caty) “was the daughter of Dr. Todd, an eminent physician and a Scotchman.” (ref. #2 & #3)

James II was said to be “one of the handsomest men in the state.” (ref. #3)  Another reference referred to him as “one of the finest looking men to be found anywhere.”(ref. 33 & 334)  He and Catherine married young – particularly Catherine.  She was not quite 14 at the time! (ref. #2, 3 & 35G) They remained in Caroline County until their first son Thompson was born.  James and Caty later moved to Frederick County and continued to live there until 1791.  During that time, they had another son born on January 13, 1771, this one named James Ware III.  James III was followed shortly by a daughter named Mary Todd (called Polly) Ware born on September 04, 1772, another daughter born on November 12, 1773 named Lucy, a son named Charles born on August 19, 1775, a daughter named Catherine (who was called Caty and also Kitty) born on May 01, 1777, and finally one last son named George born on February 09, 1779. (ref. #56 & 173)  All of this was going on against the back drop of the Revolutionary War which began in 1775.

James and Caty moved (with their children) to Frederick County some years after their marriage.  At that time, they lived near Winchester.  “There is a deed on file in the courthouse there for property bought by him in 1781.  The deed conveys to him half an acre of land in Winchester, Virginia for 2,000 pounds of tobacco -Virginia money.” (ref. #2, 334 & 33)

James II was obviously involved in some of the politics and local government in his community.  On January 08, 1782, there is a record that James, “along with Edward Smith and other inhabitants of Winchester, communicated with the Executive of Virginia.  They were setting forth reasons why the British prisoners [being held] in barracks near Winchester should not be moved.” (Calendar of Va state papers, 3:12)   ref. 372. 

Even earlier than that, “in October 1772, James Ware was appointed overseer of the road leading from Berry’s Ferry (where US Route 50 crosses the Shenandoah River) to Winchester. (Part of this old road is still in use and crosses the road leading from Boyce to Old Chapel near New Market.”  General Daniel Morgan had previously been the overseer, and James succeeded him.  (ref. #203)

“Upon the petition of General Daniel Morgan praying for a road to be opened from James Ware’s fence between the Chapel Road and the road to Berry’s Ferry (by a new mill to be erected on Burwell’s land,) it was ordered that Marquis Calmes, William Ball, Charles Webb, and Isaac Webb or any three of them to view the ground and report the conveniences and the inconveniences that would attend the altering of the road.  In May of 1785, the court approved of Morgan’s petition and ordered that ‘James Ware, overseer of the said road, do turn the same as ordered and laid out by the viewers.’ ”(ref. # 272 & #322)

There are files in Virginia that make note of “a large marsh on Chapel Run mentioned in the deed from Colonel Hugh Nelson to James Ware in 1788 for 478 acres of land ‘whereon the said James Ware now lives.’ ” (ref. # 320)   This gives some idea of the land holdings of James, but it may represent only a portion of his total acreage.  This tract of land was later sold to John Short.  (ref.#255) 

In the Fall of 1784, James II decided to visit Kentucky and remained there all that winter.  “This was at the time when people lived in stations [forts].” (ref.#334 & 35G)  As Cornelia Anker wrote, “this probably meant a stockade as protection against the Indians.” (ref. #2 & 35G)  James returned to Virginia after the winter, but in 1789 he traveled back to Kentucky – this time bringing his two oldest sons, Thompson and James III, with him.  It was decided that the sons would stay in the area and establish roots so that the entire family could later make the move. 

In addition to his two sons, James II “sent out some Negroes and an overseer to make a settlement and clear some ground” (ref. #2) prior to 1791.  The area they were looking at in Kentucky was still very much unsettled, and there was always the threat of Indians.  As his nephew Josiah once mentioned, “Thompson Ware went to Kentucky as an Indian fighter when Cincinnati was just two or three cabins and some stumps.”(ref. #299)  Since Thompson was also known as Colonel Thompson Ware, it is safe to assume that he had done service in the War of 1812.

Thompson settled in the area around Paris, Kentucky, and it was in Kentucky that he met his wife, Sally Conn.  He lived in a log cabin for many years.  Assuming that he did eventually build a brick home, it certainly wasn’t done until after 1812.   As late as November 04, 1812, his father wrote to his son James (back in Virginia) that “Thompson is very slow lived in his old cabin which I had as leave live in a barn if could have fire.” (Ref. 298)

While Thompson was settling around the area of Paris, Kentucky in 1789, his brother James III went to Louisville Kentucky to work.  Thompson later wrote to his niece Sally Ware (Stribling) about how he and James “were raised and educated together until our father took us to Kentucky and there left us.  We got separated; he located at Louisville and I in the neighborhood of Lexington when my age was 20 and his about 18 months younger.” (ref. #35E)

James became acquainted with Mr. Johnson who was the clerk of Jefferson County.   At the age of eighteen, he “wrote in Mr. Johnson’s office until he became fully familiar with the business.”(ref. #35G)  Then “through the friendship of Daniel Morgan, James obtained an introduction to General S. Smith (a member of the US Congress) of Baltimore.  He then commenced merchandizing in Louisville and continued in this business until 1795 – laying the groundwork for the beginning of his fortune.”(ref. #2, 35G, & 334)  James worked as a merchant in Louisville for about two years and became quite successful; his son Josiah later writing that he “owned a great part of the town.” (ref. #299)  His health, however, was not good. 

When the rest of the family decided to make the big migration to Kentucky in 1791, James decided to return to Virginia.  His son Josiah later wrote that “suffering from chills and fever undermined his health, so my father sold out his business and returned to Virginia where he farmed but never recovered his health.” (ref. #299)  His health may not have been fully restored, but he did manage to marry twice, have many children, and live another thirty years. 

Before relocating back to Virginia though, James III helped his father and all his siblings make the move to Kentucky.  “He accompanied them some days on the journey and then headed back to Virginia.” (ref. #2)  This move from Virginia to Kentucky was a “long and dangerous trip made in wagons and by horseback with all their Negroes and what possessions that could be carried.  They feared the Indians, but were most fortunate in not meeting any.” (ref. #2 & 3)  Since James III was familiar with the area and had lived there for close to two years, he was able to assist the family in making the big transition. 

This migration to Kentucky was made by both the Ware and the Webb families; linked not only by friendship but by marriage.  Two of James and Caty’s daughters had married Webb brothers.  Mary Ann Todd Ware had earlier married Charles Henry Webb in 1788, and Lucy Ware married Capt. Isaac Webb on Lucy WareDecember 23, 1790 - just shortly before this move.  “It was in large part due to his (Isaac’s) persuasion that the move was made.” (ref. #2)  Isaac had acquired a great deal of land in Fayette and Bourbon counties of Kentucky as a ‘grant’ (reward) given by the government for service in the Revolutionary War.”(ref. #174) 

In a section written by Thomas Green (quoted in Rev. Hayden’s Virginia Genealogies, p.43) it is recorded: “Isaac Webb enlisted in the Revolutionary Army at the age of 17, served to its close, attained the rank of Captain, and received land from Virginia.  ‘Lieut. Isaac Webb, of the Continental line, received on January 13,1784, 2,666 & 2/3 acres of land for three years service; also an annual pension from May 31, 1833, until his death.’ ” (ref. #174 & 334)   This land was extensively in Kentucky, covering a tremendous amount of space.  In an original family letter, it was stated that Isaac Webb “at that time, owned nearly all the land Cincinnati was built upon and a great part of the land Lexington was built upon.” (ref. #2) 

Even though there had been a lot of preparation made beforehand and “several of the men had been out before clearing the land and preparing a shelter for them on land near where the city of Lexington now stands,”(ref. 3) it was still a major undertaking to relocate so many people through a part of the country that was still very unsettled.  We know now that Lucy was pregnant with her first child by the time they left, and Mary (usually called Polly) had just recently delivered her first baby and was traveling with a three month old.  Polly would often tell her daughter Nancy how “her oldest child (Fannie, born Dec. 20, 1791) was but three months old when they came to Kentucky.  They descended the Ohio in flat boats in momentary apprehension of being attacked by the Indians.”  (ref. #174) 

It is not clear how long the journey took, but it is recorded in many places that they arrived on the sixteenth of June 1791.  (ref. #334)  Thompson had already settled near Paris, Kentucky.  James II and Caty homesteaded in Fayette County around Lexington on land “that James II subsequently lived and died on.”  It was written later that “Charles lived near Versailles, George in the homestead, Lucy Webb the adjoining farm, Polly Webb near Paris, and Catherine Scott in Frankfort.” (ref. #299) 

After accompanying his parents and siblings to Kentucky, James III then returned to Virginia.  Using the experience and money that he had amassed during his time in Kentucky, James turned his hand to farming.  In the fall of 1795, he married Elizabeth Alexander, the daughter of Col. Morgan Alexander, an officer in the Revolutionary War.  Her mother was Sarah Snickers Alexander and she was the daughter of Elizabeth Taliaferro and Edward Snickers; a very wealthy planter and landowner in Frederick County. (ref. # 292)  The town of Bluemont was formerly named Snickersville, and Snickers Gap (in the Blue Ridge Mountains) and Snickers Ferry were all named for him.  As many references state, “the village which grew up on the site of (Edward Snickers) farm was known as Snickers Gap until 1824 when the State Assembly established it as a town and changed its name to Snickersville.  The nameWares Mill Entrance Sign was discarded in favor of Bluemont in 1900.” (ref. #28)    This was an obviously wealthy and prestigious family in Virginia. Their son (Elizabeth’s brother) married Frances Washington, the daughter of Warner and Mary (Whiting) Washington; first cousin of General George Washington. 

James III was twenty-five and Elizabeth was twenty-two years old when they married on November 10, 1796. (ref. #292)  “On November 10, 1803, four hundred and one acres of Edward Snickers land was sold to them (James Ware and Elizabeth Alexander Ware) for $14,011.00.  This farm was Riverside in 1952 (ref. #507)the heart of old Edward Snickers enterprise, and it contained the ferry dock, the tavern, the blacksmith’s shop, and at least one mill.”  (ref. #200)  Edward Snickers’ legacy lived on when his great grandson, Josiah William Ware (son of James III and Elizabeth), amassed another great estate in land based in large part on his inheritance from his grandmother, Sarah Snickers Alexander, who died in 1824.”  (Ref. #28)(Newspaper article Ref. #507)

James III and Elizabeth built a lovely home called "Riverside" overlooking the Shenandoah River.  Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, “it was considered a showSketches of Riverside, circa 1929 place for miles around.”(ref. 2)  Riverside was built out of gray stone, was about a story and a half with dormer windows, and it was held in the family for six generations.  It still stands to this day. 

James & Elizabeth had three children that survived to adulthood; Sarah Elizabeth Taliaferro Alexander Ware (born on Oct. 01, 1797), Charles Alexander Ware (born on July 03, 1800), and Josiah William Ware (born on August 19, 1802.)  Unfortunately,Riverside - Photo by Judy Ware Elizabeth died on August 29, 1806, at the age of thirty-two.   James remarried several years later though.  

Meanwhile, back in Kentucky, the Wares and Webbs were establishing their new home there. Thompson Ware married  Sally Conn and had twelve children.  Mary (Polly) Ware Webb and her husband Charles went on to have a total of eight children, although some died in infancy.  Lucy Ware Lucy Ware Webb and Rutherford B HayesWebb and her husband Isaac had nine children, and one of Lucy’s granddaughters (Lucy Ware Webb) became the wife of Rutherford B. Hayes on Dec. 30, 1852. (ref. #411)  Catherine Ware married a doctor named John Scott, and they had five children.  In the fall of 1793, Charles Ware left Kentucky for a while & went to live with his brother James III.  He “continued to do so almost until the time he got married himself in 1803.”  (ref.#35G) He then married Frances Whiting, but they were never able to have any children.  George Ware married Nancy Ferguson and went on to have ten children.  In a letter written in 1812 by James Ware II to his son in Virginia, he wrote: “George Ware is married at last to Mrs. Ferguson’s daughter; a close neighbor. . . he was married the day I started from Frederick.”

It is not reported whether James continued to practice medicine in his new home state, but he and Caty prospered in Kentucky.  Cornelia wrote “I have been told that the Wares are very influential and wealthy in Kentucky.”(ref. #2)   James obviously traveled back to Virginia several times to visit because his letters (written on different dates) speak of the traveling conditions.  In one letter to his son James (in 1811) he wrote; “We got safe home to this place in 16 days.  All well - horses held out well, the colt performed well.  I’ve got them now in Charles Ware stables – up to their eyes in the best of feed – etc.  We had a very good time; the roads were good and fine weather.” (ref.#341)

He went on to describe some of the circumstances in Kentucky at that time:  “We have got the finest prospect just now for a crop that I most ever see – all fine but flax.   It was dry a month or two ago which damaged flax.  Your buzzard colt here is fine and very large – (upwards of 15 hands high).  She is not halter broke yet – intend to do it soon when the weather is not too hot.  Charles was sick, he says, last fall or he would have had it done.  I have got a large young wagon horse.  In a year or two more you may have him if you want.  Charles Ware has got one (3 years past) that is nearly 16 hands and will fit a wagon to a tea.  He intends to send him to you if he has an opportunity.  Charles Ware made almost 3 ton of hemp last year and has sold it.  Charles has got the greatest prospect this year . . . wheat is very good.”  (ref. 341)

In another letter written by James II during this time period, he mentioned that “Thompson talks of building a brick house.  He has paid 90 dollars and a horse toward it but has put it off until next year.  Hemp is worth about six dollars now – it was up for two weeks - only last winter were seven dollars.   I had a good deal of trouble with breaking my hemp, having taken it almost all up before it was well rotted.  Not withstanding, it passed in great credit – I’ll know better next time.  Our flak and oats will, I fear, not be worth saving.  Wheat is good.  Corn is very low but looks very well.  Your buzzard colt is very large and promising.  I neglected to halter break her last fall but will do it soon, and shall do it with great caution as I know the danger.” (ref. #35B)

In yet another letter from James II to his son James III (this one in 1812), he writes, “I got here about 2 weeks ago and had a good time in riding.   The roads were better than I have ever seen them before.  When I got to Chillicothe at Dr. Scott’s, I stayed four days by reason for waiting for Betty Scott.   My horse was well pleased at the stay.”  He also reported that “George has got another fine colt out of his old mare – a horse they call Peacemaker.  She is now with foul by Noxly; pedigree enough.” (ref.#298)

James and Caty had 48 grandchildren, although some obviously did not grow into adulthood.  In a letter dated December 25, 1825, their eldest son Thompson wrote to his niece in Virginia (Sally Taliaferro Alexander (Stribling) that “we have had twelve children – eleven living and eight of them daughters.  Our youngest is a son – one year old. Our families are all in Kentucky, except yours (referring to James), where we can at least see one another once or twice a year.  And your Aunt Polly Webb lives within a mile, where we can see each other every week.” (ref. #35E)

We know from the same letter that Mary Webb (Polly) and Catherine Scott (Kitty) were widows by December of 1815.  Thompson wrote ““Your Aunt Polly Webb and Aunt Kitty Scott are both widows and I suppose will never marry again.”  Charles Webb had died in 1806 and John Mitchell ScottJohn M. Scott died on December 20, 1812.  In research work done by William A. LaBach of Kentucky, he states that “John Mitchell Scott was born in 1765.  He married Catherine Ware. John Mitchell Scott was a medical doctor. He was also Sheriff of Franklin County, Kentucky and a Colonel in the Kentucky Militia in the War of 1812.” (ref. # 420)  In a letter written by Cornelia Ware Anker, she wrote: “Catharine Ware married Col. John M. Scott.   He must have been a splendid man; he is spoken of so many times with such admiration.” (ref. #2)

Years later, James and Caty’s granddaughter Lucy (child of Lucy and Isaac) and her husband (Dr. Scott) obviously moved further out to the country because her mother (Lucy Webb) wrote in a letter:   “She (Lucy) is so pleased with raising so many fowls, she and Winny (both).  I was up there two weeks ago, and I never saw the like of the fowls in my life.  I believe we had 150 turkeys and as many ducks and chickens.  I was all but distracted with the noise and fuss with feeding.   When I came home, I found a calm both in the house and yard; but for fowls and children.” (ref.#25)

Life was not easy in those years though, and (as with all families) James & Caty’s children saw their share of worry and sorrow as well.   Their granddaughter Polly Ware (child of Thompson) died very suddenly after the birth of one of her children.  In a letter written by his sister Lucy, she wrote, “I suppose you heard Thompson’s daughter Polly Allen died very suddenly.  Her child (baby Thompson ) was about 3 or 4 weeks old.  She had been quite sick for two weeks, but Mary (her aunt) thought had gotten well.  She (Polly)  got up in the morning, put on her clothes, walked to the fire, fell sick, was carried to the bed, and died in a few minutes.  She left a son; her sister Kitty takes care of it as if it was her own.” (ref. #25)

In the same letter, Lucy wrote about Sally – another granddaughter of James & Caty and daughter of Thompson.  “Your Uncle Thompson Ware’s daughter, Sally Russell, has been as ill as ever any person was, to recover.  She had a son and in three weeks was taken ill with child-bed-fever.  When her life was despaired of by her physician, Dr. Innis, and every person that beheld her, they sent for Dr. Scott. They kept him three days there.  Your Aunt (Polly) Webb went from here last week.  She was satisfied that (Sally) would not have lived until morning.  When Dr. Scott came, she said it really appeared like raising the dead.  Sally was taken with strong convulsion fits in an hour after he got there – which lasted nearly two days; one after another.  But before he came away, she began to mend slowly and has been mending ever since.   She can now walk about the yard but not entirely come to her reason.  I suppose your Aunt Ware (Thompson’s wife Sally) would have been frightened almost to death had not Dr. Scott told them she would be quite childlike – perhaps for two or three months.” (ref. 25)  Sally died in 1884.   Since the time frame of this letter from Lucy is around 1829, Sally obviously recovered well enough to live many more years.  

Another one of Thompson’s children had a lot of problems for as Lucy wrote, “ Charles William I suppose never will walk a smart child.  He was taken sick and continued so for a year.  His head enlarged (opened) when he was sick at about two years old.  He has never walked since; his head very large now.  Whether he took too much calomel or what, I don’t know.” (ref. #25)

Although the grandchildren by Kitty and John Scott seemed to do well in general, they too faced tragedy in their lives.  In one letter written back to Virginia, it stated that: “Your aunt’s (Kitty’s) son, John, started three weeksMajor John Mitchell ago to West Point – there to finish his education.”   He was a cadet at the academy from the dates of July 01, 1830 to July 01,1835.  According to research done by Bill LaBach, “he served in the Florida War against the Seminoles in 1841.  He served in the Mexican War and was involved in the Battle of Monterey. . . he was brevetted to Major for gallant and meritorious service in this battle.” (ref. #420)  Unfortunately, Major John Scott died at the young age of 27.

Another grandchild (child of Kitty and John Scott), Elizabeth, who was also called “Betsy” or “Eliza,” married well and had a quite renowned husband named Col. Solomon P. Sharp.  Solomon served in the House of Representatives as a Congressman and developed an esteemed reputation for his work.  In what was to become an infamous story, Solomon was assassinated in his own home right in front of Eliza.   There are many references to this historical tragedy.  In a letter (dated December 25, 1825) from Thompson Ware to his niece Sally Stribling, he wrote:  “Your cousin, Betsy Sharp, lost her husband the 1st Sunday in November last by a midnight assassin.  He was stabbed in the abdomen in his own house at 1 or 2 o’clock and expired without speaking a word in a few minutes in the midst of his family.  The night before the Legislature was to meet (he was a member), a man was taken up on suspicion and sent for further trial.  Poor Betsy was quite deranged for several days; she has since recovered and has come to her right mind.  She has three children – a daughter and two sons.  Mr. Sharp has left her a sufficient competency for her support; he had a very severe spell of sickness last summer which caused him to make a will and he left Betsy everything except two farms, as I am informed.” (ref. #35E)

Hayden also wrote about this event in his book stating, “Colonel Solomon Sharp was assassinated on November 06, 1825 . . . John C. CalhouSolomon Sharpn said ‘he was the ablest man of his age that had ever crossed the mountains.’ ” (ref.# 6)  The author, H. Levin, also described the incident in great detail when he wrote that Solomon “was cut down in the dead hour of midnight!  Mr. Beauchamp called him from his bed to the door, asking shelter for the night and using the name of an intimate friend to lure him and to shield his own identity.  While extending one hand to his victim in simulating friendly greeting, with the other he thrust the deadly knife into Colonel Sharp's body and fled away into the darkness of the night, leaving him expiring on the threshold of his hospitable home!  No event in the history of Kentucky had been more tragic, none had so stirred the state, nor indeed the nation, for Solomon P. Sharp was no ordinary man, and his service in Congress had given him a national reputation.”  (ref.# 421)

The year 1833 was an especially terrible year for both theOld Ware-Webb Cemetery (ref. #499) Webb and the Ware families.  There was a horrible cholera epidemic that struck the region, and both families suffered extraordinary losses.   In the household of Mary (Polly) and Charles Webb, they lost their son-in-law (Nancy’s husband), Dr. Innis, on June 18, 1833.(pictue is ref.# 499)

The hardest hit was the family of Lucy and Issac Webb.  Their grandson William Nicholson Scott (from daughter Winny) Old Ware-Webb Cemetery (ref. #500)contacted cholera and died on May 04, 1833. (pictue is ref.# 500) Lucy, herself, got cholera and died on June 22nd, and just four days later, her husband Isaac died on June 26, 1833.  Their son James Webb succumbed to the disease in July 1833, and daughter Winny Scott (the one who lost her son to cholera in May) died of the same on July 08, 1833.  Edward Webb (son of Isaac Webb) also died in 1833, and later on September 07, 1833 – grandson James (from Winny Scott) also died of cholera.

In a letter written to President Hayes from Isaac Scott (grandchild of Lucy and Isaac Webb and son of their daughter Winifred and M.T. Scott) he wrote in reference to James Webb, “He died at my father’s (M.T. Scott) house during the terrible scourge of the cholera in July 1833.   I sat by his bedside and nursed him during his illness of 8 days and nights – never taking off my clothes as there was so many sick we could not get help.  We had four sick at he same time.  My mother (Winnie) died a few days before Uncle James.” (ref.#296)

 The Hayes Memorial Library has a paper where the following incident was reported.  Mary Ann Todd Webb (Mrs. William T. Nicholson) relayed this story to her daughter, Isabelle Eugenia Nicholson in 1876. 

 “. . . [In 1833] Sister Winny’s infant was not two weeks old when news came of the death of her parents and her brother reached her.  She was kept in so much terror of cholera (because) all the bank officers had died of cholera – (except Mr. Scott [her husband] and one other,) and he [was] called upon to write wills of persons who had cholera.  When Betsey was told of the death of Papa, Mama, & Isaac, she (without thinking) ran into Sister Winnie’s room and said, ‘O, Sister, Ma, Pa, & Isaac are dead.’  Sister lost all reason though Dr. Scott went to her and said, ‘Winnie, you are not sick but frightened.   I assure you, you are not sick’ . . . and when brother was told, he exclaimed in anguish, he ‘had killed them all.’ ”   

Winnie died shortly thereafter.  “Maria [Cook Webb] took the baby who was William and weaned Lucy [Lucy Webb Hayes] who was two years old.  The cholera was at its height at that time.” (ref.174)   Between the months of May and September in that year, they buried eight of their family members from this dreaded disease.

In Kentucky, there was a marker placed on the gravesite in commemoration of this time that reads: 

          “Isaac Webb Sr. his wife Lucy Ware

           of Frederick County Virginia 1792

           and some of their sons and daughters

          who died in epidemic of 1833.  This burying

         ground restored by their descendants in 1931.” (ref. #417)

Gravemarker1931LucyWare.gif (69614 bytes)

Tragedy struck again in 1844 with the death of James and Caty’s grandson, Charles Henry Webb; along with his daughter Cassandra (Cannie) Webb.  Both died in a horrible accident aboard the steamboat called the “Lucy Walker” which was wrecked by explosion.  According to a letter from hisCharlesHenryWebb.gif (70810 bytes) granddaughter, Augusta Ford Andrews (daughter of Augusta Ware Webb Ford), the following occurred:  “Every year my mother's father, Charles Henry Webb, Jr., M.D., went to visit his mother Polly Todd Ware, (Mrs Charles Henry Webb, Sr.).  In 1844, as per schedule, he took the trip leaving his wife (who was expecting a child) and the two youngest children at home.   He left the two oldest girls in school in Lexington, Ky. On the way back there was an explosion on board the boat and a fire.  Dr. Webb was seriously injured and although gotten ashore, he died before his wife could get there; also one of the daughters was drowned.”   The two daughters with Charles were Cassandra (called Cannie) and Nancy Winifred (called Nannie).  One was eleven and the other one was twelve years old.  When the explosion happened, the girls got separated from their father and ended up on a mattress floating in the water.  When the sparks from the burning boat ignited the mattress, the girls were forced to let go.  Cannie drowned, but Nannie was rescued by a passing rescue boat.  When word got to Charles’ wife (Cassandra) that both her husband and daughter were dead but Nannie was still alive, she traveled by horseback to retrieve her even though she was pregnant at the time.  Once she delivered her baby, she named the little girl Cassandra after the daughter she had lost.  (ref. 472)   (Courtesy of Sandra Walker)

Despite the deaths and losses, both the Webb and Ware families did flourish and grow.  Most of their children lived to be fairly old.  Thompson died at the age of 83.  James III only lived to be 50, Lucy was 60 before she came down with cholera, but George lived to be 70.   As of now, there is no known date for the death of Virginia Catherine (Caty) Todd Ware, but we know that letters and records show that “James Ware died about 1820 in Fayette County.” (ref.# 296)  That means that he lived to be 78 years old!

As it stands today, from our particular branch of the Ware family tree,  . . . the first son of James I was James II.  James II had a son named James III.  His first son was Josiah William, and Josiah’s first son was James Alexander Ware.  James Alexander Ware had a son named Somerville and Somerville Ware had a son named James Nathan Ware.  James Nathan had an only son named James Halm Ware, and this James went on to have 2 sons of his own; Kevin and David Ware.  The oldest son Kevin has already had two sons (James Connorey Ware and Cian Thomas Ware) so . . . . the name goes on! (ref. #1, 274, & 380)


References:

#1 The Ware Family Bible – This is kept in my home and has dates and names recorded in it that go all the way back to the early 1700’s. 

#2  Original long letter of Cornelia Ware Anker (1945).   A goldmine of first-hand, intimate family facts & remembrances.  Cornelia was the daughter of Sigismund S.  Ware (son of Josiah William Ware).  She personally transcribed some family letters (written between 1799 and 1831) that had been passed on to her, and then added her own memories and recollections of family history.

#3  Second letter of Cornelia Ware Anker (1948)  entitled THE WARE FAMILY IN CLARKE COUNTY  Some repetitions of the first letter, but also some new information.

#5  Wares of Virginia by Frances C. Griffin (as collected from Virginia Genealogies  by H.E. Hayden)   This is a compilation of  information that Frances Griffin obtained from the book “Virginia Genealogies” and mailed to me.   Her address (many years ago) was 1313 Butts Station Rd.  Chesapeake, Virginia.  

#6.   Glassell/Ware Genealogies   Information from a book entitled:  VIRGINIA GENEALOGIES: A genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia by Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, M. A.   (It is also a history of the Ball, Brown, Bryan, Conway, Daniel, Ewell, Holladay, Lewis, Littlepage, Moncure, Peyton, Robinson, Scott, Taylor, and Wallace families.)  Printed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania  in 1891 – copyrighted 1885.  The entire book is dedicated to Mrs. Elizabeth Alexander McGuire (nee Ware-Britton).  * We own the original copy of this book. 

#25  Letter from Lucy Webb to her niece, Sarah (Sally Elizabeth Taliaferro Stribling and her nephew, Josiah William Ware - - written June 5 (possibly 1830’s).   Transcribed by Judy Ware.  This letter contains MUCH valuable information of the Ware family members that settled in Kentucky.

#26  GLASSELL -Copy of a letter written from Sigismund Stribling Ware to Sarah Ware on August 9, 1930.    Sarah then added lots of information to it that she had gleaned from research for the DAR.  Lineage facts for all the Wares; even how Lucy Balmain got her name.

#27 Handwritten lineage page – author unknown.  Old family notes found in box with old letters & photos.  The writing dates back to the late 1800’s or early 1900’s.  Lineage back to James I and Agnes Nall.

#28  Snickers Acquires His Fortune – taken from Clarke County Records   Tells how Snickersville got its’ name, links with George Washington, JAMES WARE & all his propery, & origins of Springfield.  Excellent source for James Ware III and his home, tavern, and mill, etc. 

#33   Excerpts of WARE genealogical information from the 1960 Edition of the Wilder & Connecting Families in the Southeastern United  States   by: William M. Wilder. 

#35E  Letter from Thompson Ware to his niece, Sarah (Sally) Elizabeth T. Ware.  Thompson was the brother of her father (James III) and the son of James II.   Transcribed by Judy Ware

#35G  Letter from Charles Ware to his niece Sarah (Sally) Elizabeth Taliaferro Ware Stribling written in 1831. It contains valuable family history.  Charles was the son of James II and Catherine Todd Ware.  Transcribed by Judy Ware

#60   Genealogy chart of the Ware Family – microfilm copy.  This was found in a box of old records held in the barn at the old family farm.

#70  Map showing the location of Riverside – home of James Ware III  & others- - Berryville, Virginia  1968

#80  Family register of births, deaths, marriages, etc. – Taken out of Lena Ware’s family bible.

#114  Small handwritten piece of paper found in the family letters with information about Morgan Alexander & Sarah Snickers (also mentions Agnes Nall).

#141  Letter from George W. Williams (a cousin) to Josiah William Ware on January 21, 1827 – right before his marriage to Frances.  Very flowery and funny letter extolling the merits of love and romance.  Transcribed by Judy Ware

#155   Ancestral chart given to me by the Hayes Library in Fremont, Ohio.

#173  WARE biographical information given to me from the President Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center – dating way back to James Ware I and Agnes Nall.

# 174  Large personal and biographical information (with charts) on the WARE lineage - given to me by the Hayes Presidential Center.

#200  Edward Snickers, Yeoman  by Ingrid Jewell Jones   Lots of good information on James Ware, Josiah Ware, and Springfield & how it came into the Ware family.

#202  Clarke County Historical Association pages – showing marriage dates ( 1790 - 1820’s) – particularly James Ware & Elizabeth Alexander.

#203   Information on James Ware III documented in Clarke County Historical Association Proceedings Volumn IX  1949 copyright 1950 printed by Blue Ridge Press, Berryville, Va.  

#255   Clarke County Historical Association Proceedings Volumn VII  Information on James Ware and the land he owned.

#272  Clarke County Historical Association Proceedings: Berry’s Ferry   Early information on James Ware

#274  Brief Overview of the Lineage of Josiah William Ware, written by Judith Cumbea Ware, posted on website for Ware Genealogy –     dated July 11, 2002

#292   Page from Clarke County Historical Association Proceedings  (no specific volume listed) – page 12.  Information on Morgan Alexander and his wife Elizabeth.

#296  Letter from Isaac Webb to Rutherford B. Hayes (his cousin) on Nov. 29, 1883.  Transcribed by Judy Ware

#298  Letter written by James Ware to his son James III on Nov. 04, 1812.  Transcribed by Judy Ware.

#299  Letter from Josiah Ware to R. B. Hayes dated July 16, 1876.  Lots of information on past family history (i.e. his father and grandfather) Transcribed by Judy Ware

#307  Letter written by James P. Riely of the County Court in regards to a request made by President Hayes for information on the Ware and Webb families.  Transcribed by Judy Ware

#320  Page from a Clarke County historical book that mentions land owned by James Ware (i.e. Chapel Run)

#322  Proceedings of the Clarke County Historical Association “The History of Millwood Mill 1782-1785”  Volume XVI 1969-1970

#334  Extra loose pages from VIRGINIA GENEALOGIES: A Genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia by Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, M. A.    Printed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania  in 1891 – copyrighted 1885.  Some information is repetitive, but some handwritten notes were added to the margins around 1930.

#341  Letter written from James Ware II to his son, James III on June 16, 1811  postmarked David’s Fork, Fayette County, Kentucky     Transcribed by Judy Ware

#380  Ware Family Bible  by Judith Cumbea Ware, posted on website for Ware Genealogy 

#386  Last Will and Testament of James Ware I – 1796

#411 Information on Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy Ware Webb Hayes obtained from the pamphlet to Spiegel Grove Library in Ohio

#417 Copy of a photo of a grave marker for Isaac Webb & Lucy Ware Webb; 1792  ( taken by John Woods in 2005)

#420  Research and writing done by William A. LaBach of Kentucky on John Mitchell Scott – husband of Catherine Ware.   Posted March 17, 2006 on family website.

#421  Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by: H. Levin, editor, 1897.  Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.

#440  Complete Lineage of the Ware Name to the Present Generation (through descending males)  written by: JC Ware posted on dated: April 2004

#472  Stories and information lovingly preserved by Sanda Walker – a descendant of Augusta Ware Webb Ford (i.e. Mary Todd “Polly” Ware via James Ware II).  These facts and treasured pieces of oral history were passed down to Sandra from her grandmother.

#499 Photo of newly renovated cemetery for the Ware/Webb families in Kentucky - taken by Susie Stahl 

#500 Photo of newly renovated cemetery for the Ware/Webb families in Kentucky. Taken in 2006, this photo was taken and is owned by Susie Stahl.

#507  Newspaper article written about Riverside; accompanied with photograph.  Printed in the Winchester Evening Star on May 7, 1954.  Article entitled "Williams' Home Open Saturday"