Wedderburn book > History

THE WEBSTER-WEDDERBURNS. 329
Part III.
Sub-sect. II. — The Webster- Wedderburns. Chap. ix.
David Wedderburn [1757-1801], afterwards Webster (third and youngest son of
Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie and Isobel Edward), was born at Pearsie, 15 Aug. 1757
(J.W. 46). l He is named in his father's testamentary settlement, dated 15 Jan. 1779
(D.D. 137), and also, after his death, in the decreet arbitral, 31 Dec. 1789, between his
father's children as to their shares in the estate (D.D. 140). In pursuance of this, he,
9 May 1791, acquired jointly with his sister, Isobel, the flat in South Nethergait, which
had belonged to his parents, but soon after, 22 Jan. 1792, made over his interest in it to
her (D.P.B. 601-2; D.D. 141).
This disposition was no doubt chiefly owing to the fact that he had, in about 1780,
gone from Scotland 2 to London, where he had settled as a West Indian merchant in the
firm of his relative, 3 James Webster of Clapham, on whose death he, in compliance with
his will, dated 14 Nov. 1789 (D.C. 105), assumed for himself and his issue the surname
and arms of Webster, in lieu of those of Wedderburn, obtaining to that end a Royal
License, dated 15 Jan. 1790 (H.C.R. v b). By James Webster's death he became the senior
partner in the mercantile house, subsequently known as that of " Wedderburn and Co.,"
of the success and vicissitudes of which an account will be given elsewhere (post, Part v.).
He resided at Clapham, co. Surrey, and later at Shenley Hill, co. Herts (J.W. 62).
There is at Pearsie a portrait of him, as a young man, a reproduction of which faces this
page. J.W. in his MS. speaks of him as " distinguished by his personal accomplishments
and the suavity and gentleness of his manners," and from a note of his character by Lord
Campbell (post, p. 332, n. 3), who was tutor to his son, James, it is clear that he was more
remarkable for good nature than for strength of will.
He died of a decline at Bath, 21 March 1801, and was there buried (J.W. 47, orig.
letter).
He had married at Dundee 26 Dec. 1785 (D.M. 28)* Elizabeth Read (only daughter
of Alexander Read of Logie, co. Angus, by his wife, Ann Fletcher), 5 the marriage con-
tract being dated at Dundee 28 Dec. 1785 and there registered, 26 Aug. 1796 (D.D. 148).
By her, who was born at Logie 13 Oct. 1770 (J.W. 47), and died 9 Sept. 1857 (having
married secondly, in June 1802, Robert Douglas), 6 David Wedderburn or Webster had
issue three sons,
1. James Wedderburn Webster, afterwards Webster-Wedderburn. See post,
p. 332.
2. Charles Wedderburn Webster, afterwards Webster-Wedderburn. See post,
p. 330.
1 See however the statement (J.W. 47) by his wife which gives the year as 1756 and the place as Dundee.
The year is wrongly given by J.W. as 1759.
3 The references to him in the Dundee records are thus infrequent. See however D.D. 144 when, 6 Oct.
1792, he is one of the curators nominated to the children of his brother-in-law, Graham of Meathie.
There is also a bond by him and his partner, John Wedderburn of Spring Garden (post, p. 343), to
their cousin, Sir John of Balindean, and his brother, James, dated 1 Feb. 1791 (Bl. 62). He was
also administrator to the estate of his eldest brother, John, in 1789 (L.W. 4). He is not mentioned
by name in the great seal charter and entail of Idvies in 1766, which follow the wording of a disposi-
tion of 1749, made before his birth (G.S.R. 142 ; F.S. 125).
3 See as to this relationship ante, p. 322, n. 5.
4 According to the Dundee Register the banns were dated Dec. 24 and the marriage Dec. 26. His widow
(J.W. 47) gives the date as Dec. 28, but probably took it from the marriage contract (D.D. 148), while
the year is wrongly given in J.W. 62 as 1787.
5 See ante, p. 262, n. 2. Ann Fletcher was a daughter of Robert Fletcher of Ballinschoe, a descendant of
Fletcher of Innerpeffer. Her mother was Elizabeth Lyon, daughter of William Lyon of Carse and
Elizabeth Carnegie of Kinfauns (J.W. 62).
The year is wrongly given in J.W. 62 as 1803. The marriage took place at Langham, co. Suffolk.
Robert Douglas was son to William Douglas of Brigton, co. Angus, and Elizabeth Graham,
and brother to Archibald Murray Douglas, who married David Wedderburn Webster's eldest
daughter Anne (post, p. 330). He died 2 Aug. 1835 (J.W. 59), having had issue, including
a son, William Douglas, afterwards of Brigton, b. 4 Aug. 1803 and d. 16 Feb. 1S69. Various details
in regard to his career and family may be found in the report of the suits in regard to his estate
(Douglas v. Douglas, and Douglas v. Webster) given in the Law Reports (12 Equity Cases, pp. 617
seqq). From this report it appears that David Wedderburn's widow resided, after the first husband's
death, at Langham House, Suffolk ; after her second marriage, at Aldborough, Suffolk, Newley
Wiske, Yorkshire, and elsewhere, as well as (after 1814, when her second husbaud's father died)
at Brigton. On being a second time a widow she lived at Broughty Ferry, not far from the estate
of her son, William Douglas. Some letters from her in 1819 are among J.W.'s papers (J.W. 47-49).
2 T