Person Page

     Elizabeth Burlingham was born in England.¹

     Robert Babcock was born on 17 September 1753 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.¹ He married Grace Hinckley, daughter of Samuel Hinckley and Mary Wyatt, on 27 February 1780 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.^1,4 He died on 27 December 1831 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, at age 78, while he and his wife Grace were visiting there from their home in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., New York. Grace also died in Albany, about a week later, on 4 January 1832.^5,6
     Robert and his brother Elihu served during the Revolution on the ship Alfred, with Robert entering service on 2 January 1776, and Elihu a day later. Both left the ship on 4 July 1776 when their six-month terms expired.^7,8
     The Alfred was originally a merchant ship named Black Prince, and was purchased by the Continental government on 4 November 1775 to be outfitted as a warship. She was commissioned on 3 December 1775 under Capt. Dudley Saltonstall, and served as the flagship of the five-ship Continental Navy commanded by Esok Hopkins. The ships sailed down the Delaware River on 4 January 1776, but cold and ice prevented them from entering open water until 18 February.
     The fleet's original mission was to attack British warships that had been harassing American merchant ships, first off Virginia and then Charleston, South Carolina, but Hopkins was given the option to change the mission if he felt the original couldn't be accomplished. During the time the ships had been trapped by ice, the British had increased their naval strength in Virginia, so Hopkins decided to sail to the Bahamas and attack the island of New Providence to capture gunpowder and other military supplies needed by the Continental forces.
     They arrived at Nassau on 3 March and quickly captured Fort Montague. The Bahamian governor surrendered the city the next day, but only after moving most of the gunpowder away. The Americans took whatever gunpowder and supplies were left, and sailed for home on 17 March.
     On the trip home they captured the 6-gun British schooner Hawk and the 8-gun brig Bolton on 4 April. About two days later, just past midnight on 6 April, they encountered the 20-gun British frigate Glasgow near Block Island off the Rhode Island coast. Despite being vastly outgunned, the Glasgow managed to escape. The fleet arrived at New London, Connecticut, on 8 April, and they were initially hailed as heroes. But Hopkins soon came under criticism for the failures of the mission, and he was eventually removed from his command.⁹
     Robert and his wife Grace and their family, plus his brothers Elihu and David and their families, moved from Stonington, Connecticut, to Worcester, Otsego Co., New York, in 1794, according to Wheeler. Others put the date as 1803.¹

More Information / Background

• USS Alfred (1774)
  
• Battle of Nassau
  
• Battle of Block Island
  
• Dudley Saltonstall.
  

     Grace Hinckley was born on 14 September 1760 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.^1,2 She married Robert Babcock, son of Ezekial Babcock and Eunice Billings, on 27 February 1780 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.^1,2 She died on 4 January 1832 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, at age 71 while visiting Albany from her home in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., New York. Her husband Robert Babcock also died in Albany, about a week earlier, on 27 December 1831. The 6 January 1832 issue of the Daily Albany Argus reported that "The relatives and friends of the widow Grace... and of her son-in-law Reuben Holden, are respectfully invited to attend her funeral this day at 3 o'clock."⁴
     She and her husband Robert and their family, plus her husband's brothers Elihu and David and their families, moved from Stonington, Connecticut, to Worcester, Otsego Co., New York, in 1794, according to Wheeler. Others put the date as 1803.¹

     Samuel Hinckley was born on 4 March 1706 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut, or possibly in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He married first Zerviah Breed, daughter of John Breed and Mercy Palmer, on 22 January 1730.^3,2 He married second Mary Wyatt, daughter of Jonathan Wyatt, on 30 December 1736.^4,3,2 He married third Mary Bacon on 13 December 1761.⁵ He died on 9 November 1763 at age 57.^3,5

     Mary Wyatt was born on 8 December 1717.³ She married Samuel Hinckley, son of Samuel Hinckley and Martha Lathrop, on 30 December 1736.^4,3,5 She died on 17 June 1806 at age 88.³

     Lucretia Babcock was born about 1780.¹ She married Vincent Freeman.¹ She died in Worcester, Otsego Co., New York.¹

     Sarah Babcock was born on 22 August 1782.¹ She married Philip Duel.¹

     Robert Babcock was born on 12 August 1786.¹ He married Esther Ostrander.¹ He died in Schenectady, Schenectady Co., New York.¹

     Patty Babcock was born on 6 September 1788.¹ She died "in the west."¹

     Betsey Babcock was born on 8 December 1790.¹ She married Reuben Holden.¹ She died near New York, New York.¹

     Russel Babcock was born on 1 February 1793 in Berne, Albany Co., New York.² He married Sarah Ann Fuller, daughter of Samuel Fuller and (?) Wellington.² He died on 2 March 1871 in Richmondville, Schoharie Co., New York, at age 78.²
     He and his wife Sarah were living in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., New York, on 9 March 1824.³
     His will was dated 16 August 1868, and proved in November 1871 in Schoharie Co., New York. To his wife Sally Ann he left $600, all the household furniture, and all the "wearing apparel and ornaments that she brought with her to my house," or acquired since their marriage, provided that she accept these bequests in lieu of her dower rights. He left $200 to his daughter Loiza Waldorf, and $600 to his son Robert Babcock. The remainder was to go to his son John J. Babcock, who was named executor.⁴

     Phebe Babcock was born on 18 May 1795.¹ She married John Brown.¹ She died in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois.¹

     Matilda Babcock was born on 16 March 1798.¹ She married Isaac Pierce.¹ She died in Union, Broome Co., New York.¹

     Lucy Babcock was born on 11 November 1801.¹ She married Samuel Fuller.¹ She died in Richmondville, Schoharie Co., New York.¹

     Vincent Freeman married Lucretia Babcock, daughter of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Philip Duel married Sarah Babcock, daughter of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Esther Ostrander married Robert Babcock, son of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Reuben Holden married Betsey Babcock, daughter of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Sarah Ann Fuller was born on 3 November 1794 in Richmondville, Schoharie Co., New York.¹ She married Russel Babcock, son of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹ She died on 13 March 1854 in Richmondville, Schoharie Co., New York, at age 59.¹
     She also went by the nickname "Sally."³ She and her husband Russel were living in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., New York, on 9 March 1824.³

     John Brown married Phebe Babcock, daughter of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Isaac Pierce married Matilda Babcock, daughter of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Samuel Fuller married Lucy Babcock, daughter of Robert Babcock and Grace Hinckley.¹

     Charles Duel died in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska.¹

     Sarah C. Duel married Isaac Born in Worcester, Otsego Co., New York.² She died in Worcester, Otsego Co., New York.²
     She and Isaac had the following known children: Charles P., Tacy Ann, Nathan W. (b 14 February 1834).²

     Isaac Born was born in Worcester, Otsego Co., New York.² He married Sarah C. Duel, daughter of Philip Duel and Sarah Babcock, in Worcester, Otsego Co., New York.² He died in Decatur, New York.²
     He and Sarah had the following known children: Charles P., Tacy Ann, Nathan W. (b 14 February 1834).²

     Joseph Duel lived in Farmington, Fulton Co., Illinois.¹