The WEBB family was originally from Dorset, a shire on the southern coast of England. For nearly two hundred years the WEBBs had resided in this place before Alexander Jr with his four sons came to America. The brothers had become quite wealthy. They sold their estate in England for a large sum of money prior to their departure. This English property was inherited through their ancestor, Sir Henry Webb. A copy of the letter which Catherine Parr sent her Council (Cabinet Ministers) asking them to grant her beloved friend, Henry Webb, the lands and estates that had been mentioned for him is still extant and in possession of Dr George F Webb of Astabula, Ohio to whom much of the historical data of the Webb family is credited. These lands had been confiscated by the King at the suppression of the monasteries and were located in Dorsetshire, England. In later years they became of value to the children who came to America. It was said that Sir Henry Alexander Webb (1510-1544) established the family for all future time, since to him “for valiant deeds of his father”, Sir John Alexander Webb, of Oldstock, “who was an officer under Kings Henry VII and VIII”, the present generally accepted emblem, or coat of arms, was granted. This heraldic ensigna of rank in the New Nobility, that of the thegus, owe their origin in personal service to the prince then reigning. The New Nobility was accordingly one of office due to meritorious service. The device of hereditary coat of armour, a growth of the twelfth century, did much to define and mark out the noble class throughout Europe. When once acquired by grant of the Sovereign, it went on from generation to generation. They who possessed the right of coat of armour formed the class of nobility or gentry. Alexander Webb Jr married Mary Wilson and came to America with four sons:
Christopher, Richard, John and William. This was the beginning of the WEBB
family in America.539