John Babcock (abt. 1644 - 1685)

Born about 1644 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Husband of Mary (Lawton) Babbitt — married 1662 in Westerly, Rhode Island

Descendants

Died 26 Jun 1685 at about age 41 in Westerly, Rhode Island

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Biography

This profile is part of the Babcock Name Study.

"Tradition says that John and his wife, Mary, eloped from Newport, settled upon the east bank of the Pawcatuck River, on Massatuxet Cove (what is now Avondale, town of Westerly, Rhode Isand) with no neighbors but the friendly Indians and that they were not discovered by their parents for several years. Much poetry and romance have been written upon this tradition, but as no history has been found to establish it as a fact, and as authentic records seem clearly to disprove the statement, we must class the elopement story as fiction.^[1]

"John was proposed a freeman of the Colony of Connecticut 14 May 1676, later admitted as a freeman (p 10).^[1]

"John Badcock and his father were members of the Misquamicut Company and went there with the first permanent settlers. At that time John was about eighteen years of age ... [He] received ... an apportionment of land the same as other settlers. ... He settled in Westerly on the banks of the Pawcatuck River, near what is now Avondale, RI, and ... his oldest son, James, inherited and occupied the homestead." Some of the homestead land ... [was still occupied by descendants of John in 1903] (p 9).^[1]

When King Philip's War broke out in 1675, and most of the pioneers of Westerly were obliged to flee from their homes and take refuge on the island of Rhode Island.

"By Sep and Oct 1676 they had begun to return to their abandoned lands and to rebuild their ruined houses and barns (p 10).^[1]

"The indications are that John Babcock and his family remained in their home in Westerly, which was across the river from Connecticut, and as he could have no protection from Rhode Island sought the protection of Connecticut. From the time of its settlement, Westerly was claimed by both Rhode Island and Connecticut, and Connecticut did not relinquish her claim to the town until 1728. "Traditions says that John volunteered with the Connecticut Militia, which was organized for protection against the Indians; that in King Philip's War he was with the Connecticut Militia in the "Great Swamp Fight", 19 Dec 1675, and that his son Elihu was born at that time. After King Philip's War was over, and the white settlers of Westerly had returned to their homes, John Badcock was elected Conservator of the Peace for Westerly, 12 Jun 1678. He was Deputy from Westerly to the Colonial Legislature in 1682 and 1684 (p 10)."^[1]

He died intestate (either the last day of 1684 or the first day of 1685) and a will disposing of his estate was made by the Town Council. The inventory of the personal property amounted to 790 pounds and was the largest recorded in the town for many years. By law the oldest son, James, received all the real estate, one half of which he conveyed by deed to his mother. The widow received one third of the personal property, the remaining two thirds being divided equally among the nine younger children.^[2] James Babcock was buried at the Burial Ground, Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island^[3]

Research Notes

• Babcock, Stephen, compiler. Babcock, A. Emerson; Isaiah Babcock, Sr. and his descendants, with Babcock genealogy. New York: Eaton & Mains, 1903.

Note: page xxix, paragraph 6: "The spelling of surnames has undergone many changes, and in numerous cases members of the same family spell their names differently. It seems certain that the BABCOCKS of this country sprang from the BADCOCKS of England, and in that country the name has undergone further changes, as at present some of the family have changed the name to Badco, and others to Budco."Babel.Hathitrust.org

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Babcock, Stephen, (1903) Babcock Genealogy. New York: Eaton & Mains, Archive.org (Pages 8-12 Note: pages 9-12 are out of order in this particular digital copy).
2. ↑ Babcock, A. Emerson, (1903) Isaiah Babcock, Sr. and his Descendants. New York : Eaton & Mains, HathiTrust.org (Page 11).
3. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 82913716 biography by Ken Smith. Originally Created by: Paula & Maintained by: J.L. - Record added: Jan 03, 2012.

• Name: John Babcock : Sons of the American Revolution Membership, Volume: 29; SAR Membership Number: 5619. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970

Birth Place: Katy, Rhode Island

Spouse: Mary Babcock

Children: James Babcock

• The Narragansett Historical Register vol:ll 1833-34 P:36 ed: James N. Arnold [1]
• Watch Hill Road, Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island USA cemetery information from Cemetery notes and description: WY007 JAMES BABCOCK GROUND WESTERLY RI at https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2284471
• Jordan, John W. LL. D. Colonial families of Philadelphia, Volume 1 page: 1652 Рипол Классик, 1911
• Robinson, Caroline E. HAZARD FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND, 1635-1894: Being a Genealogy and History of the Descendants of... Thomas Hazard, with Sketches of the Worthies of ... [S.l.]: FORGOTTEN BOOKS, 2015. pages 6, 14.