Samuel B. Webb
Brigadier General, Continental Army

Samuel B. Webb was born on 15 December 1753 in Wethersfield, CT. The stepson of Continental Congressman and diplomat, Silas Deane, Webb served as his private secretary, which exposed him to the political events immediately preceding the start of the Revolution.

Webb commanded a company of light infantry and took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill, receiving a wound and earning commendations for his bravery. He then became General Israel Putnam's Aide-de-Camp, serving until June 1776, when he joined the staff of General George Washington as his aide and private secretary with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. With Colonel Joseph Reed, Webb established an important precedent for future communications with the British by refusing to accept a letter from British Admiral Lord Richard Howe because it was addressed not to General Washington, but to "George Washington, Esquire."

Webb took part in the Battle of Long Island, and was wounded again at the Battles of White Plains and Trenton. After taking part in the Battle of Princeton, Webb returned to Connecticut and used his inheritance to raise and equip a regiment at his own expense, of which he was commander with the rank of Colonel. In late 1777, Webb was taken prisoner during a raid on Long Island and remained on parole until his exchange in 1781. In 1779, he married Eliza Bancker of New York City, who died in 1782.

After his exchange in 1781, Webb assumed command of one of the Continental Army's two newly organized light infantry regiments with the brevet rank of Brigadier General and served until the end of the war.

After the war, Webb was a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati and resided in New York City until becoming a farmer in Claverack. In 1789, Webb officiated as Grand Marshal of the Day for Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States and held the Bible when Washington took the oath of office.

In 1882, General Webb's son, James Watson Webb (1802-1884), a newspaper publisher and diplomat, published "The Reminiscences of Gen'l Samuel B. Webb" a compilation of Revolutionary War correspondence, military records and journal entries that is a valuable primary reference about the Revolution. Webb's second wife was Catharine (Caty) Hogeboom (1768-1805). 

Death and Burial

Brigadier General Samuel B. Webb died on 3 December 1807 in Claverack, NY. He is buried at Claverack Dutch Reformed Churchyard in Claverack.