Redford Webster (June 18, 1761-August 31, 1833) was an apothecary, town official, and state legislator in Boston, Massachusetts. He helped establish the American Antiquarian Society, the Boston Library Society, and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
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Webster was born in Salisbury, Massachusetts in 1761 to Susanna Shattuck and Grant Webster, a shopkeeper.[1]
In Boston, Webster worked as "druggist, medicine," from offices "three doors below the Drawbridge, Ann Street," ca. 1787-1805.[2][3] He had trained "with Mr. Daniel Scott, a druggist or apothecary, at the sign of the 'Leopard,' at the south part of the town, the business being subsequently removed to Union Street. On the death of Mr. Scott, young Webster formed a c-opartnership with his widow, under the firm-name of Scott & Webster, and afterward pursued the business in his own name."[4]
In 1787 he married Hannah White. Their children included John White Webster (1793–1850).
From 1792, Webster remained active in the Massachusetts Historical Society. He and several others officially incorporated the society in 1794.[5] He held the position of Cabinet-Keeper for many years, from 1810 through 1833. [6]
The newly formed Boston Library Society appointed Webster as Treasurer in 1792, a position he held through 1796. He continued his involvement with the library for some time, acting as a trustee from 1798 through 1829.[7][8][9]
He served as a Boston town official, in the capacity of Overseer of the Poor, ca.1810-ca.1821.[10]
Along with 27 others, he incorporated the American Antiquarian Society in 1812.[11]
Webster represented Boston in the Massachusetts General Court, 1831-1832.[12]
Around 1830, Chester Harding painted a portrait of Webster, now in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.[13]
"The town of Redford, in Clinton County, in the north-east corner of the State of New York, was named for him." [14]