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My original letter dated July 9, 1985:
Dear Cousin Leo, (twice removed)
I have been doing genealogical research on my family since I was in the 10th grade in high school and can't put it down. In January of 1984, my [1] mother and I paid a visit to your cousin Lewis [2] Webert who lives in Watertown, New York. He was delighted to meet us and we sat and talked about family realtives and realtions for the whole afternoon. During our chat, Lewis pulled out a photograph [6] and a letter that he had received from you in the mail. The photo was one of the house in which Philip Webert and family had lived in in Germany. I understand that you have made a trip to Germany to see the house and village of Trimburg. That must have been exciting! Could you send a copy of the photograph(s)? I will gladly re-imburse you for the cost of copying. I also remember Lewis showing us an old photograph of Elizabeth Webert (Steinmeller). Do you have a copy?
My great-grandfather Anthony Webert became a citizen of the US in July of 1900. His citizenship papers say that he had previously owed allegiance [7] to the Queen of England. Had "Anton" (as he was called and as he signed it) lived in England for a time before he came to the U.S.? Where did he live in England? With relatives? Friends?
I also have a copy of a deed between Anthony Webert and John A. Augsbury. It reads as follows: "This indenture, made the 29th day of February in the year 1908 between John A. Augsbury and Ansil Mills as Administrators of Cyrus Augsbury, deceased, [died 1896], parties of the first part, [9] and Anthony Webert of Town of Pamelia, Jeff. Co. N.Y. party of the 2nd part..."
A total of about 150 acres were sold to my great-grandfather for $1.00. I'm not sure what to make of this information. Do you have any ideas? Who is Cyrus Augsbury? Why was Anthony given so much land? What did he do with it? Did he sell some?
Sis Philip Webert ever come to the U.S.?
Or did he stay [10] in Trimberg? If you could, please send the address of the house the Weberts lived in in Germany. I would like to visit there myself someday. Maybe we could go there together!
To tell you a little about myself: [12] I was born in Park Ridge, Illinois in 1963. My parents were divorced around 1968 or 1969. I had lived with my mother, brother and sister in Le Roy, New York until 1979. I then moved to my father's home here in Millington, New Jersey and have lived here since. I have just graduated from Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio with a B.A. in Biology and Management. I am also proud to say that I have just accepted a job offer in Fairfield, N.J.. I start making $22,000/year tomorrow!
Enclosed is a family group sheet of the Philip Webert family. Please fill in any missing informationthat you may know and return it to me. You can keep the ancestor chart for your own reference.
I would like to hear from you. Write when you can.
Sincerely,
Paul F. Kelly
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Letter from Lewis W. Webert, dated Nov. 3 [no year written]
Dear Leo:
Writing you to get a little information on Webert family. I am enclosing a copy [3] of Rudolf Webert tree and have made seperate copy of each brother and sister. We are unable to get birth and death of Phillip Webert father of your father and their brother Andrew [4] who was drowned. Harlow and I have put quite a lot of effort to get information. You were [5] in Germany and visited homeland and beleive Trimberg is a small place and who would I write to to get information on Phillip and Andrew. Understand you will be here to a wedding soon.
Best regards to you and Merrill.
See Harry quite often, also Louise playing cards at Club.
Yours truly
Lewis W. Webert
401 Brainard St.
Watertown, N.Y. 13601
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Letter to Paul F. Kelly from Leo Webert:
Sat nite 7-13-85
In answer to your nice long letter.
1. Is your mother - Elaine, Helen, Beatrice or Gail?
2. enclosing copy of Lewis W. Letter.
3. copy enclosed
4. My Dad - Frank - said Andrew slipped and fell into the Saul River in Trimberg.
5. Yes - was there in May 1972 - just bewfore I retired and everything my Dad said - I found was true & very beautiful country
6. My wife having copies made for you, she was very impressed with your news - as she is working on her own family.
7. I do not know anything about England or where he went - but maybe my sister Louise or brother may know something.
8. Anthony was on and owned some farms around Watertown - I think one was a swamp lot of many trees - which I think he owned in haves [halves] with my father - may be the one they paid one dollar for - they sold it.
The other farm was in Pamelia Twp. - I was there once on a picnic when very young. Another farm was near watertown in Depter. Do not know - or heard of a Cyrus Augsbury. Will ask Harry or Louise if they know. Harry was about same age as Walter. Clay died rather young and another brother Paul - shot himself accidentally.
[9 did not appear anywhere in the letter]
10. I do not believe Philip (Dad's father) ever came to the USA - but wife Eliz (Lizzy) did come to our house and is buried here.
11. Picture of Dad's birthplace is enclosed [the word 'enclosed' is struck through] will come and I saw it when there - when Allyn - our son was stationed in Frankfurt - It was just as Dad told me - just beautiful - I never had any address - but it was on the main street and corner in downtown Trimberg.
12. About yourself - congratulations and thanks for writing to me.
13. Group sheet about the same - I have enclosed a copy of mine.
Anthony Webert
Son Walter - I thot his wife was Gladys and they had 4 girls and lived in Watn.
You shall hear more later -
Dear Paul -
About myself.
I lost Brother Ross - a few year back - [the number 87 is encircled, meaning that Ross Webert died in 1987]
" sister Grace in Feb '73
Brother Harry & Lucy live in Watn' - near where Lewis lived - he has now moved.
Brother Carl & Thelma - live in Watertown.
I am now 77 - 78 in October.
I was with the Agricultural Ins. Co. in Watertown - underwriter + for 45 years. Came here in '59 when we bought a company in St. Paul. retired in fall of '72 right after I went to Frankfurt for a month - Allyn was in the Air Force there.
I married a Watertown girl - Merrill Brown - Have 2 sons - Guy Leo - now in Niagra Falls - wife Mary Jo + Todd and Christin - is with Am. Standard Oil. Allyn - Lt. Navy and a RN - married Barbara (Ensg and RN - last December.
We expect to leave July 22 - to N. Chicago with Allyn - few days - then to Niag Falls and to Watertown to see my family. Back to Niag. F. a while - then Chicago and home.
I am - as I said retired - but am in security - sat and sun nites - 4 to midnight for an Ins. Co. We have a small home and live rather comfortable and enjoy living here - but miss my and our families in Watertown - Have always been a lucky fellow -
So you will hear from me in the future - Will probably see Lewis while in Watertown -
So Take Care - the Best
Leo :-)
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Attached to the above letter from Leo Webert were a reverse pedigree chart for Rudolf Webert, a pedigree chart for Guy Leo Webert, and a family group sheet for Frank Anthony Webert. Those documents have been scanned in as attachments to this source. See Pictures tab.
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