William Webb: Cambridge Pedigrees

William Webb (1775-1856) was born in Feburary 1775 at Sutton Coldfield, the son of William Webb, master of Sutton Coldfield Grammar School. He entered Clare College, Cambridge, in 1793 (B.A., 1797; M.A., 1800; B.D., 1808; D.D. 1816), and was thereafter fellow (1799), tutor and master (1815-1856). He was ordained deacon in 1800, and priest in 1801, and was the rector of Fornham All Saints, Suffolk, 1815-1816, and the vicar of Litlington, Cambridgeshire, 1816-1856. Webb served as vice-chancellor of the University, 1817-1818 and 1832-1833, and was president of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, 1843-1844. He married Ann, daughter of the Revd T.V. Gould, rector of Fornham, Suffolk. Webb died on 4 January 1856 at Litlington.

A series of pedigrees transcribed by William Webb, collected c. 1816-1853, 188 folios. The pedigrees were mainly supplied by the College of Arms. Nearly all are of members of Cambridge University, tracing their descent from Edward I or Edward III. There are also a few descending from Henry VII, and two examples descending from the kings of Scotland. The pedigree on fo. 37v is of Henry VIII's descent through Elizabeth de Clare, foundress of Clare Hall. Written from the other end of the book on fos 163-170 are copies of documents concerning the Worts Benefaction, 1715 and 1729. On fo. 188 is a copy of Thomas Martyn's patent of appointment as regius professor of botany, 1793. Fos 67-162 and 171-187 are blank.

Bequest of E. Atkinson, 1915.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, William Webb: Cambridge Pedigrees, MS Add.5987

Cambridge University Library holds other papers of Webb and of his wife Ann, MSS.Add.5868-5871, 5873, 5876, 5878, 5879, 5882 and 5883.