Printer and publisher. At age seven he was apprenticed to the printers of the Connecticut Courant. In 1781 he served in the Connecticut militia, and moved to Albany a year later. He formed a partnership with Solomon Ballantine, "Webster & Ballantine," which offered publish and printing and produced a a newspaper, the Albany Gazette. After Ballantine left the business, Charles Webster's twin brother George joined the firm. By 1790 Charles was Albany's leading printer, publisher, and bookseller, well-known for his Federalist politics, and was the leading printing contractor for Albany's city government. In 1793 he was a founder of the Albany Mechanics Society and he served as its first Vice President before later serving as President. He served on the boards of directors of several companies, and was a civic activist, working with the Albany library, Lancaster School and numerous other organizations. During the early 1800s, he was Captain of the Independent Artillery Company that was organized in anticipation of a potential war with France. After the Fire of 1793 destroyed his printing office at State Street and Middle Alley he moved to Elm Tree Corner, where his printing and publishing establishment became an Albany landmark called "Webster's Corner" or "The White House." After his death his nephews continued the business, and several family members became well known publishers and printers.
Printer and publisher. At age seven he was apprenticed to the printers of the Connecticut Courant. In 1781 he served in the Connecticut militia, and moved to Albany a year later. He formed a partnership with Solomon Ballantine, "Webster & Ballantine," which offered publish and printing and produced a a newspaper, the Albany Gazette. After Ballantine left the business, Charles Webster's twin brother George joined the firm. By 1790 Charles was Albany's leading printer, publisher, and bookseller, well-known for his Federalist politics, and was the leading printing contractor for Albany's city government. In 1793 he was a founder of the Albany Mechanics Society and he served as its first Vice President before later serving as President. He served on the boards of directors of several companies, and was a civic activist, working with the Albany library, Lancaster School and numerous other organizations. During the early 1800s, he was Captain of the Independent Artillery Company that was organized in anticipation of a potential war with France. After the Fire of 1793 destroyed his printing office at State Street and Middle Alley he moved to Elm Tree Corner, where his printing and publishing establishment became an Albany landmark called "Webster's Corner" or "The White House." After his death his nephews continued the business, and several family members became well known publishers and printers.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
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