HODGMAN [WEBBER] FAMILY LINE

The Hodgman/Webber branch of the tree is somewhat mysterious and murky. "Hodgman" is the adoptive family name and Webber the "true" family name. One Josiah Webber married (or just sired an illegitimate child by) an unknown woman in Reading, Middlesex co., MA by 1668. They had a son, also named Josiah, who was born that same year. Soon thereafter, Josiah Jr. was adopted by Thomas Hodgman and his wife Mary and Josiah Sr. completely vanished from the records.

I have completely searched the vital records of Massachusetts and found absolutely no trace of Josiah, Sr. The only mention Torrey has of him is the nebulous entry: "WEBBER, Josiah & _____ _____; by 1668; Reading". His parentage is equally murky. There is a Thomas Webber who married first in Boston in 1643 and later in Falmouth, Cumberland co., ME who is of the right age to have been Josiah Sr.'s father. There is also a Richard Webber of Dover, Strafford co., NH who would have been the right age to have been a brother of Josiah, Sr. But this is sheer speculation without solid proof. Thus, the Webber family currently dead-ends with him.

My gut speculation is that Josiah either left for the Maine/New Hampshire frontier or went off to sea. While the Webbers who remained in the Boston/Charlestown, Suffolk co., MA area were sea-farers, instinct feels stronger that Josiah Webber headed north. Perhaps his origins & outcome lie buried in records there.

I would dearly love to crack the Webber mystery, if anyone has any info on Josiah's parentage, please let me know.

Bruce Hodgman has spearheaded a ten-year research effort to trace the lineage of all North American Hodgman/Hodgeman families to see if they all trace back to Josiah and his adoptive parents. His research currently comprises over 3000 names and his hypothesis has so far been proved correct.

Meanwhile, Josiah Webber, Jr. happily adopted the surname of his adoptive family and prospered. Thomas Hodgman was originally from Salem, Essex co., MA and had a cousin in Charlestown, Suffolk co., MA named Joseph Underwood. This cousin later moved to Reading, Middlesex co., MA with his wife, Susanna [Parker]. Beyond that, we know nothing of his origin or family. Thomas and Mary had no other children, save their adopted son. Thus, if you are descended from this Hodgman line, you are actually a Webber.

Finally, John Dakin sent me this nifty Hodgman Artifact from 1873. I will rescan it and report it as soon as I can.

Name variations on Hodgman are Hodgeman, Hodgman & Hogman. Bruce Hodgman also adds Hodgemoure & Hodgemun to the mix. Variations on Webber are simply Weber & Webber. Happy hunting!