Person Page

     Joseph Elderton was born on 10 January 1744/45.¹

     Abigail Hudson married Simeon Babcock, son of Robert Babcock and Lydia Crandall, on 5 October 1736.¹

     John Badcock was born in 1644 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.^4,3 He married Mary Lawton, daughter of George Lawton and Elizabeth Hazard, about 1662 (based on the presumed birth date of their son James, who was said to be the first white male born at Misquamicut).^1,5 He died before 4 June 1685, when his estate was inventoried, in Westerly, Rhode Island.¹
     He was also known as John Babcock. The family name was spelled Badcock as late as 12 June 1679, when his father James Badcock's will was made. In his own will, drafted by the Westerly town council on 25 June 1685, his last name was spelled Babcock, and that spelling has been used since then.¹
     According to tradition, he and his wife Mary eloped from Newport, Rhode Island, and settled on Massatuxet Cove on the east side of the Pawcatuck River. Supposedly they were not discovered by their parents for several years. Historical records seem to disprove this story, however.¹
     On 29 June 1660 a group of 60 or more men bought a tract of land about 20 by 10 miles, known as Misquamicut (which includes the present town of Westerly), from the Indian chief Sosoa. This land had been previously claimed, in 1658, by Massachusetts. On 12 November 1661 John Badcock and his father James were added to the list of trustees of this company. On 22 February 1661/62 eighteen people were selected to settle at Misquamicut the following March, and £5 were given to each man. He and his father were among the eighteen.⁶ He received Lot 27, and settled on the Pawcatuck River near the present town of Avondale, Rhode Island.¹ On 18 May 1669 he was made a freeman in Westerly.⁷
     The land at Misquamicut where the Badcocks settled was claimed by both Rhode Island and Connecticut, leading to several disputes between the two colonies. The court in Rhode Island ordered that the residents declare their allegiance to Rhode Island. On the morning of 18 May 1671 he and his father James appeared in court in Westerly and promised their allegiance "both to his Majesty and this Colony."⁸
     In 1675 King Philip's War broke out, and most of the settlers in Westerly fled to safety. John Badcock and his family apparently stayed. He joined the Stonington, Connecticut, militia in 1675, and fought in the Great Swamp Fight on 19 December 1675.⁹ On 14 May 1676 he was proposed as a freeman in Connecticut, and was later admitted.¹⁰
     He was elected conservator of the peace for Westerly by the General Court of Rhode Island on 12 June 1678.¹¹ He served as deputy from Westerly to the colonial legislature in 1682 and 1684.¹²
     He and his brother Job heard the verbal will of their father on 12 June 1679, and presented it before the Governor of Rhode Island at a court in Westerly on 17 September 1679.² That same day he and his brothers James and Job again appeared in court, along with 29 others, "to give the oath of allegiance to his Majesty, and of fidelity to his Majesty's authority, for this Colony."¹³
     On 4 June 1685 his estate was valued at £790 3s, the largest in the town for many years. He had died intestate, and a will was written by the town council on 25 June 1685. By law, his oldest son James received all his real estate, half of which he gave to his mother Mary the next day. One third of his personal property went to his wife Mary, and the rest was divided equally among the nine younger children. His wife Mary was named as guardian for the children, and was the executrix of the will.¹⁴

More Information / Background

• King Philip's War
  
• Great Swamp Fight.
  

     Mary Lawton married first John Badcock, son of James Badcock and Sarah (?), about 1662 (based on the presumed birth date of their son James, who was said to be the first white male born at Misquamicut).^2,1 She married second Erasmus Babbitt on 21 April 1698.³ She died on 8 November 1711 in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island.^1,2
     According to tradition, she and her husband John eloped from Newport, Rhode Island, and settled on Massatuxet Cove on the east side of the Pawcatuck River. Supposedly they were not discovered by their parents for several years. Historical records seem to disprove this story, however.² Also according to family tradition, she was frightened by a hostile Indian while pregnant with her son Elihu, which resulted in his being mentally slow.⁴
     On 1 April 1698, twenty days before she was remarried to Erasmus Babbitt, her sons Elihu, Robert, Joseph, and Oliver Babcock chose their brother James as their guardian.⁵
     On 26 December 1696 she deeded 106 acres of land in Westerly to her son George, for love, etc.⁶ Her sons James and John deeded land to her on 4 November 1704.⁷

     George Lawton married Elizabeth Hazard, daughter of Thomas Hazard and Martha (?), say 1642.^1,2,3 He died on 5 October 1693.¹ He was buried in his orchard in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.¹
     In 1638 George Lawton was admitted as a resident of Aquidneck Island, in the area that soon became the city of Portsmouth, Rhode Island.¹ He was granted 40 acres near his brother Thomas on 25 January 1648.¹ He was listed as a freeman in 1655¹, and was active in the civic affairs of the colony throughout his life. He was a member of the Court of Trials in 1648, served as Deputy to the General Assembly six times between 1665 and 1680, and as Assistant from 1680-86 and 1689-90.¹
     On 2 March 1672 he sold 24 acres of land on Conanicut Island, just west of Aquidneck Island and now the town of Providence, Rhode Island, to Richard Smith.¹
     On 4 April 1676, during King Philip's War, the General Assembly was seeking the "advice and concurrence of the most judicious inhabitants," and asked him and fifteen others to meet with them at their next session to provide advice "in these troublesome times and straits."¹ Less than a month later, on 2 May 1676, he and John Easton were asked to travel to Providence to determine whether or not garrison houses should be established and maintained there at the colony's expense for protection from Indian attacks.¹ On 30 October 1678, after King Philip's War had ended, the Assembly ordered that a meeting be held at his house the following 13 January to settle the accounts between Newport and Portsmouth relative to expenses of the war.¹
     On 2 June 1688 he deeded to his son Robert "for love &c.," all of his "goods, chattels, debts, bills, bonds, movables, and immovables."¹
     On 30 January 1690 he was one of six Assistants who wrote a letter to William and Mary, the new English monarchs, congratulating them on their accession. The letter also described the capture in Rhode Island of Edmund Andros, the former Governor of New England, after his escape from Castle Island in Massachusetts.¹

More Information / Background

• Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640)
  
• New England's Great Migration
  
• King Philip's War
  
• William and Mary
  
• Edmund Andros
  
• George Lawton (settler), Wikipedia.
  

     Elizabeth Hazard was born say 1622.^1,2,3,4 She married George Lawton say 1642.^3,1,2

     Erasmus Babbitt married Mary Lawton, daughter of George Lawton and Elizabeth Hazard, on 21 April 1698.¹

     James Babcock was born about 1663, based on the tradition that he was the first white male born at Misquamicut.^1,3 He married first Elizabeth (?) about 1687.^1,3 On 7 July 1731, at about age 68, he married second Content Maxson, age 22, daughter of Jonathon Maxson and Content Rogers, in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island.^4,5 He died on 17 January 1736/37 in Westerly, Kings Co. (now Washington Co.), Rhode Island.^1,5 He was buried after 17 January 1736/37 at the Babcock Burying Ground in Massatuxet, Kings Co. (now Washington Co.), Rhode Island. His epitaph reads "In memory of Capt. James Babcock, who died January ye 17th, 1736, in ye ___ year of his age. Having been in his life of extensive charity and beneficence and not wholly silent at his death."^1,6,7
     His father died intestate, and a will was written by the Town Council of Westerly, Rhode Island, on 25 June 1685. James Babcock, as the oldest son, received all of the real estate, half of which he gave to his mother Mary the next day, with the condition that she bequeath it to her other sons.⁸
     He was made a freeman in Westerly, Rhode Island, on 22 April 1686¹, and served as captain of the Westerly militia, being commissioned sometime before 1690.^1,5 He also served as town councilman in Westerly in 1690, 1693, and 1695, often moderating town meetings, and was town treasurer for many years.¹ He represented Westerly in the Rhode Island legislature at Newport in 1701, 1706-1709, and 1716.¹ In 1717 he served as justice of the peace.¹ He was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Westerly from 1692 until his death in 1737.¹
     On 1 April 1698, twenty days before their mother Mary was remarried to Erasmus Babbitt, his brothers Elihu, Robert, Joseph, and Oliver chose him as their guardian, replacing their mother.⁹
     On 28 March 1692 he and his brother Job were among 25 citizens of Westerly who were granted land at a town meeting. He and Job each received 100 acres.¹ On 5 April 1698 he deeded land in Westerly to his brother John.⁹ On 11 March 1699 he and John deeded to their brother Oliver "for brotherly love" some land in Westerly formerly belonging to their father James Sr., and additional land formerly belonging to their stepfather Erasmus Babbitt. These lands were to become Oliver's at the death of their mother Mary.¹ He and John also deeded land to their mother on 4 November 1704.¹ He bought land in Westerly from his brother George on 31 December 1706.¹⁰ And on 7 February 1717/18 he deeded three tracts of land in Westerly to his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Elder Thomas Clark.¹¹
     On 10 October 1715, he borrowed £300 from the colony of Rhode Island, payable in five years, using 200 acres of land in Westerly as security. The land was bounded on the south by the salt pond and the ocean, and on the east by John Babcock's land. The loan was authorized by the Rhode Island colonial legislature on 5 July 1715, as part of £30,000 to be loaned without interest to improve the circulation of Rhode Island's colonial currency. The loan was settled on 16 March 1739, after his death, when his son Joshua paid the colony £60, 20% of the original amount.¹²
     On 2 February 1725/26 he and his brothers John, Job, George, Joseph, and Oliver signed an agreement providing for the care and support of their brother Elihu.¹³
     On 22 June 1731, about two weeks before his marriage to Content Maxson, he signed a marriage contract stating that "I ye sd. Babcock do hereby covenant with sd. Content that on condition shee doth take me as her husband and doth outlive me I do oblige my heirs to pay her within 3 years after my decease £100 currant Money in Lieu of her right to her thirds. - On these terms Content is willing and satisfied to be married."⁴
     His will was dated 9 January 1736/37 in Westerly, and proved on 31 January 1736/37. The executor was his son Joshua. He left eight or ten farms, totaling about 2000 acres, to his children and grandchildren. His son Samuel received 200 acres. His son Daniel received 200 acres, a 100-foot-wide lot on the Pawcatuck River, and some personal property. He provided for a college education for his son James. His infant son Jonathan received a 2/3 interest in a large farm about a mile west of Westerly. He left £100 to the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Westerly. If his wife Content were to remarry (and she did, in 1742), their three children Ann, James, and Jonathan were to be taken from her and raised by their half-brother Joshua. If she refused to abide by these terms, their three children were to receive only 20s each from his estate. He also left a silver cane to his nephew William Babcock, son of his brother John.¹⁴

     Ann Babcock was born about 1665 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 She may have married Moses Barber about 1679.⁴
     If she was the first wife of Moses Barber, she had the following known children: William (b 1680, d 1748), Sarah (b 1682, d 1779), Moses (b abt 1684).⁴

     Mary Babcock was born about 1667 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^1,2 She may be the Mary Babcock who married John Macomber on 7 January 1685/86 in Taunton, Bristol Co., New Plymouth Colony.^3,2

     John Babcock was born about 1669 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^1,3 He married his first cousin Mary Champlin, daughter of William Champlin and Mary Badcock, about 1700.^1,3 He died on 28 March 1746 in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island.¹
     In Westerly, Rhode Island, John Babcock assisted in surveying the town's land in 1691, and was chosen as a fence viewer in 1695.¹ He was tax assessor from 1697-1699, and a town councilman in 1699. He was chosen as town clerk on 26 April 1700, and as probate clerk in August 1700, serving for a year. He was chosen as a rate maker on 2 March 1703. He also served as town clerk from 1706 to 1732, when his son William succeeded him. He was deputy to the General Assembly in 1695, 1702, 1713, 1715, 1717, 1718, and 1720, and from 1723-1726. He served as justice of the peace from 1730-1737.¹ He also served as captain of the militia in 1709, 1711, 1715, 1718-1721, and 1723.¹
     He was deeded land in Westerly by his brother James on 5 April 1698.⁴ On 11 March 1699 he and James deeded to their brother Oliver "for brotherly love" some land in Westerly formerly belonging to their father James Sr., and additional land formerly belonging to their stepfather Erasmus Babbitt. These lands were to become Oliver's at the death of their mother Mary.⁵ He and James also deeded land to their mother, on 4 November 1704.⁵ On 19 May 1710 he and his brother Robert, along with ten others, bought 2684 acres of land known as the "Maxson Purchase" from the colony of Rhode Island.⁶
     After their marriage, he and his wife Mary lived about two miles east of the Pawcatuck Bridge (on what was the Post Road in 1903) in Westerly, Providence Co. (now Washington Co.), Rhode Island. Their house was later a hotel run by Sylvester Gavitt.¹
     On 2 February 1725/26 he and his brothers James, Job, George, Joseph, and Oliver signed an agreement providing for the care and support of their brother Elihu.⁷
     His will was dated 10 February 1745/46 in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island.⁸

     Job Babcock was born about 1671 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 He married Deborah (?) about 1695.^3,2 He died sometime between 23 August 1754 and 10 February 1755 in South Kingston, Kings Co., Rhode Island.³
     On 28 March 1692 he and his brother James were among 25 citizens of Westerly who were granted land at a town meeting. He and James each received 100 acres.⁴
     In February 1712 a lawsuit in which he was involved against John Knight over some Narragansett land was appealed to Great Britain.⁵
     He was a member of the first town council in South Kingston, Providence Co., Rhode Island, in 1723. In May 1727 he was chosen deputy to the General Court of Rhode Island, and was appointed prothonotary (chief clerk) in June 1727.⁶
     On 2 February 1725/26 he and his brothers James, John, George, Joseph, and Oliver signed an agreement providing for the care and support of their brother Elihu.⁷
     He deeded land to his son John in 1731, and on 28 March 1733 he and his wife Deborah sold him an additional 160 acres.⁸
     His will was dated 22 August 1754 in South Kingston, and proved on 10 February 1755. The executor was his son John, to whom he left some land.⁹

     George Babcock was born about 1673 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 He married Elizabeth Hall, daughter of Henry Hall and Content (?), on 28 November 1694.^3,2 He was baptized in June 1707 at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island, by Elder William Hiscox.³ He died on 1 May 1756 in South Kingston, Kings Co. (now Washington Co.), Rhode Island.³ He was buried at the Babcock Burying Ground on the family farm in South Kingston about five miles south of what was later the Kingston railroad. His epitaph reads "In Memory of MR. GEORGE BABCOCK who lived a professor with the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and also his wife and eight of their Children Were Members with him of the Same Church Boath in faith and practice. He departed this life May the 1st, A.D. 1756, in ye 83 year of his Age."^3,4,5
     Tradition says that soon after their marriage George Babcock threw a long rope over his house and asked his wife Elizabeth to go around to the other side and try to pull the rope over, while he pulled on the opposite end. She couldn't do it. He then asked her to come to him, and with both of them on the same end of the rope, they easily pulled it over the house. The lesson was that when husband and wife pull together everything is easy.³
     He was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Westerly, Rhode Island, from 1707 until his death in 1756.³ His cattle mark was recorded in Westerly in May 1696.³ On 26 December 1696, he received, for love, etc., 106 acres in Westerly from his mother Mary.⁶ On 31 December 1706, while living in Kingston, Rhode Island, he sold land in Westerly to his brother James.³
     On 28 June 1709 he and 26 others bought a large tract of land in Kingston and Westerly, known as the Shannock Purchase, from the Colony of Rhode Island. His share was in Westerly, on the south side of Shannock Hill and extending westward to the Pawcatuck River, in the aea that later became Hopkinton and Richmond. His son Hezekiah later settled on the part that became Hopkinton, and had at least 800 acres. His son Elisha settled on the part that became Richmond, and had 350 acres.⁷
     In 1715 he borrowed money from the colony of Rhode Island using land he owned as security. The loan was authorized by the Rhode Island colonial legislature on 5 July 1715, as part of £30,000 to be loaned without interest to improve the circulation of Rhode Island's colonial currency.³
     On 2 February 1725/26 he and his brothers James, John, Job, Joseph, and Oliver signed an agreement providing for the care and support of their brother Elihu.⁸
     He was a deputy to the Rhode Island legislature in 1716 and 1721. He also served as justice of the peace for many years.³ As justice of the peace, he officiated at the marriage of his son David Babcock to Dorcas Brown on 24 December 1730.⁹
     His will was dated 13 November 1750 in South Kingston, Kings Co., Rhode Island, and proved on 10 May 1756. His son David was executor. He left his wife various items of personal property, and "my negro gall Peg." He left his son David the family farm, a negro man named Bristo, and a negro woman named Geney.³

     Elihu Babcock was born, according to tradition, at the time of the Great Swamp Fight (about 19 December 1675) in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 He died after 1745.³
     He was described as mentally slow, which family tradition says was caused by his mother Mary being frightened by a hostile Indian while pregnant.³ He once tied a harrow to a bull's tail, and turned him loose in a field of wheat.³
     On 1 April 1698, twenty days before their mother Mary was remarried to Erasmus Babbitt, he and his brothers Robert, Joseph, and Oliver chose their brother James Babcock as their guardian, replacing their mother.⁴ On 2 February 1725/26, in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island, his six surviving brothers James, John, Job, George, Joseph, and Oliver signed an agreement providing for his care and support.³

     Joseph Babcock was born about 1681 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 He married Rebecca Stanton, daughter of Joseph Stanton and Hannah Lord.^3,2 He died in February 1741/42.³
     On 1 April 1698, twenty days before their mother Mary was remarried to Erasmus Babbitt, he and his brothers Elihu, Robert, and Oliver chose their brother James Babcock as their guardian, replacing their mother.⁴
     He deeded 100 acres of land in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island, to Robert Stanton on 9 January 1706/7.³ On 31 August 1710 he deeded land to his brother Robert.³
     On 2 February 1725/26 he and his brothers James, John, Job, George, and Oliver signed an agreement providing for the care and support of their brother Elihu.⁵
     His will was dated 6 September 1741 in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island, and proved on 22 February 1741/42. He left his wife Rebecca, who was named executrix, "ye use of my negro man, named Primus, during her natural life, and after her decease to my son Joseph, his heirs and assigns forever." Primus was valued at £150.³

     Oliver Babcock was born about 1683 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^1,3 He married first Susanna Clark, daughter of Joseph Clark and Bethiah Hubbard, in January 1704/5.^1,3 He married second Deborah Reynolds, daughter of Robert Reynolds and Deliverance Smith, on 2 December 1761 in Hopkinton, Kings Co., Rhode Island.^4,1 He died before 11 November 1773, when his will was proved.⁴
     On 1 April 1698, twenty days before their mother Mary was remarried to Erasmus Babbitt, he and his brothers Elihu, Robert, and Joseph chose their brother James Babcock as their guardian, replacing their mother.⁵ On 11 March 1699 he received land in Westerly formerly belonging to his father James Sr., "for brotherly love," and additional land formerly belonging to his stepfather Erasmus Babbitt, from his brothers James and John. These lands were to become Oliver's at the death of their mother Mary.⁶
     On 25 November 1715 he borrowed £100 from the colony of Rhode Island using 130 acres of land he owned as security. The loan was authorized by the Rhode Island colonial legislature on 5 July 1715, as part of £30,000 to be loaned without interest to improve the circulation of Rhode Island's colonial currency.¹
     On 2 February 1725/26 he and his brothers James, John, Job, George, and Joseph signed an agreement providing for the care and support of their brother Elihu.⁷
     He served as deputy to the General Assembly from Westerly in 1730, 1734, 1737, 1738, and 1752.⁸ In 1735 he was commissioned to lay out 20 acres of land for an Indian meeting house. He was also one of those commissioned to build a bridge at Westerly across the Pawcatuck River.¹ At a meeting of the General Assembly on 8 August 1735 he was appointed to a committee that was to create a harbor at Westerly by turning the Pawcatuck River into a salt pond, which would also be favorable for codfish. The work was never done.¹
     On 14 April 1749 he conveyed some land in Voluntown, Windham Co., Connecticut, that had been granted by Connecticut to his father for service in the Narragansett War, to John Dixon of Stonington, Connecticut.¹
     His will was dated 3 December 1761 (the day after his marriage to Deborah Reynolds) in Hopkinton, Kings Co., Rhode Island, and proved on 11 November 1773. The executors were his sons Simeon, Oliver, John, and Joseph.^9,4

     Elizabeth (?) was born about 1662.¹ She married James Babcock, son of John Badcock and Mary Lawton, about 1687.^1,3 She died on 3 March 1730/31.^1,2 She was buried at the Babcock Burying Ground in Massatuxet, Kings Co. (now Washington Co.), Rhode Island. Her epitaph reads "Here lieth interred ye body of Elizabeth, ye wife of Cap. James Babcock, died March ye 3rd, 1730-1, in the 69th year of her age."^1,4
     One tradition says she was the daughter of Tobias Saunders, another says Erasmus Babbit.¹

     Content Maxson was born on 28 January 1708/9 in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island.¹ She married first James Babcock, son of John Badcock and Mary Lawton, on 7 July 1731 in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island.^3,2 She married second the widower William Hiscox, son of Thomas Hiscox and Bethia Clark, on 22 December 1742.¹
     On 22 June 1731, about two weeks before their marriage, her first husband James Babcock signed a marriage contract stating that "I ye sd. Babcock do hereby covenant with sd. Content that on condition shee doth take me as her husband and doth outlive me I do oblige my heirs to pay her within 3 years after my decease £100 currant Money in Lieu of her right to her thirds. - On these terms Content is willing and satisfied to be married."³
     She and her second husband William had four children.¹

     James Babcock was born on 23 December 1688 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^1,2 He was married by Peter Thatcher, pastor, to Sarah Vose, daughter of Edward Vose and Abigail (?), on 12 June 1706 in Milton, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He died on 9 April 1731 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut, at age 42.^3,2 He was buried on the family farm in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. In the fall of 1900, his body was moved about 1/2 mile to a cemetery near the Pendleton Hill meeting house.³
     After their marriage, James Babcock and his wife Sarah settled on a farm at what is now Pendleton Hill in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. The farm was owned by his father, Capt. James Babcock, and much of it remained in the family for more than 150 years. A picture of the house is in the Babcock Genealogy.^3,2 They joined the Stonington Congregational Church on 8 August 1708, where the pastor was Rev. James Noyes. In 1727 they and others left to form the North Stonington Church.³

     Elizabeth Babcock was born on 8 February 1691 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 She married Thomas Clark, son of Joseph Clark and Bethiah Hubbard, about 1710.^3,2
     On 7 February 1717/18 she and her husband Thomas were deeded three tracts of land in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island, by her father James Babcock.⁴ They had the following known children: Sarah (b 11 May 1712), Thomas (b 4 March 1715), Joshua (b 26 April 1717), James (b 3 March 1720), Joseph (b 10 October 1728).³

     Samuel Babcock was born on 15 February 1697 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 He married Ann Pendleton, daughter of Caleb Pendleton, on 15 May 1723.^4,2
     He and Ann had the following known children: Nathan (b 25 November 1726), Elizabeth (b 6 May 1729), Samuel (b 16 May 1731), Andrew (b 12 April 1733), Silas (b 31 December 1735), Thankful (b 1736).³

     Daniel Babcock was born on 23 April 1699 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 He married Abigail Thompson, daughter of Isaac Thompson and Mary Holmes, about 1723.^3,2 He died in 1740 in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island.³
     His estate was settled on 1 September 1740.³ He and Abigail had the following known children: Isaac (b 24 April 1724), William (b 11 March 1725/26), Joshua (b 7 December 1728), Elizabeth (b 13 January 1730/31), James (b 2 June 1733), Daniel (b 14 March 1735), Elkanah (b 21 August 1738).⁴

     Anna Babcock was born on 29 November 1701 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^3,2 She married first Joseph Clark Jr., son of Joseph Clark and Bethiah Hubbard, about 1717.^3,2 She married second Silas Greenman on 23 March 1731.³ She died on 13 May 1731 at age 29.³
     She and her first husband Joseph had one known son, Elisha (b 17 November 1718).³

     Sarah Babcock was born on 13 December 1704.^1,2 She died on 13 November 1705.¹

     Joshua Babcock was born on 17 May 1707 in Westerly, Providence Co., Rhode Island.^1,3 He married first Hannah Stanton, daughter of Joseph Stanton, on 11 August 1735.^1,3 He married second Ann Maxson, daughter of John Maxson and Tacy Rogers, on 28 May 1780.^1,3 He died on 1 April 1783 in Westerly, Washington Co., Rhode Island, at age 75.¹ He was buried at the Babcock Burying Ground in Washington Co., Rhode Island. His epitaph reads: "This stone covers the mortal part of the Hon. Joshua Babcock Esq., of Westerly, who died April 1st 1783, aged 75 years. His abilities and integrity as a statesman in the discharge of several important offices of trust & the public records of his country, testify, as do all who knew him. That as a physician he was eminent in his profession. As a Christian, exemplary. As a gentleman, polite and engaging & as a husband & father, and master & friend, a worthy imitation."^1,4,5
     He graduated in 1724 from Yale College in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He was the first Yale graduate from Rhode Island.¹ He studied medicine and surgery from 1724 to 1730 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.¹ He went to London, England, about 1730 to study at the hospitals there.¹
     After returning from London he settled in Westerly, Kings Co., Rhode Island, where he owned a large and elegant house on Quarry Hill that still stands. A picture of the house is in the Babcock Genealogy.⁶ He was admitted as a freeman there on 30 April 1734.⁶ From 1734 to 1759 he practiced medicine, and also owned a successful country store.¹ He was executor of his father's will, dated 9 January 1736/37 and proved 31 January 1736/37.⁷ On 16 March 1739 he paid the colony of Rhode Island £60 to settle a loan of £300 that his father had made on 5 July 1715.⁸
     After his father's death, he became the guardian of his half-brothers James and Jonathan when his stepmother Content remarried on 22 December 1742. His father's will stipulated that if his widow Content were to remarry, their three children Ann, James, and Jonathan were to be taken from her and raised by their half-brother Joshua. If she refused to abide by these terms, their three children were to receive only 20s each from his estate. She did remarry, on 22 December 1742 to William Hiscox, and Joshua became the guardian of James and Jonathan.⁹
     He represented Westerly, Rhode Island, in the colonial legislature in 1740, 1747, 1749, 1752, 1758, 1759, 1773, 1776, and 1778, often serving as speaker. He also was chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from May 1747 to May 1749, and from May 1750 to May 1764.¹ He was one of the founders of Brown University in 1764, and was on its board of fellows until his death.¹
     Joshua Babcock signed the Declaration of Independence passed by the Rhode Island Legislature about April 1776.¹ He served as major general of the forces of Rhode Island from November 1775 to December 1776, when he was appointed to the Council of War. He was reappointed to the council in 1778 and 1779. George Washington is supposed to have stayed at his home more than once, while traveling between New York and Boston.¹
     He was appointed postmaster by Benjamin Franklin when the first post office in Westerly was established in 1776. Franklin often stayed at his home while touring the country as postmaster-general. According to tradition, the two men liked fishing for blackfish together at Noyes Rocks, now called Weekapaug.¹
     He was a Seventh Day Baptist early in his life, but later became a Unitarian.¹
     He and his first wife Hannah had the following known children: Henry (b 25 May 1736), Luke (b 6 July 1738), Adam (b 27 September 1740), Hannah (b 22 January 1742/43), Frances Nancy (b 11 May 1745), Paul (b 5 December 1748), Amelia (b 19 April 1751), Sarah (Sally) (b 18 October 1753), Harriet (b 18 May 1756).¹

More Information / Background

• Joshua Babcock
  
• Babcock-Smith House.