Webster’s Giant Trout

"Probably the most famous story from this era concerns Daniel Webster’s visit. A huge trout had become legendary and Webster was determined to catch it. One Sunday during services at the South Haven church, one of Carman’s slaves slipped in and whispered to Webster that the fish had been seen. Webster and Carman sneaked out but the minister knew the sign, ended his sermon and the whole congregation watched Webster catch the fourteen-and-a-half pound trout."  The much celebrated trout lives on as a wooden replica on the weather vein of the church even today.

"Webster liked the area and residents so much that he asked Carman to lease him some land. He and some of his New York political friends, including Martin Van Buren the future President, formed the Suffolk Club which later, in 1868, bought and maintained a 1500-acre hunting and fishing estate. Club members built a large house on the property and in 1910 built another hunting lodge, St. George’s Club, on the other part at Indian Landing. Another famous member and frequent visitor was Theodore Roosevelt. The club no longer exists but the large house and some acreage is maintained by Suffolk County as South Haven Park." - A History of the Carman River

Daniel Webster,  1782-1852. John Lothrop Motley said, "Thinking of America without Webster... seems like thinking of her without Niagara, or the Mississippi." Webster represented Massachusetts in Congress, argued before the Supreme Court, and eventually served as Secretary of State. But despite great effort over three decades of public life, Webster failed to become President. (portrait from the gallery of Matthew Brady)

Webster's son, Fletcher Webster was Colonel of the 12th Massachusetts during the Civil War.