THE BABCOCK GENEALOGY, by Stephen Babcock, page 1 thru 7.
James-1 Babcock, born 1612, probably in Essex County, England; died June 12, 1679; m. (1) Sarah, who died 1665 or later; m. (2) 1669 (?) Elizabeth; she m. (2) Sept. 22, 1679, William Johnson and settled in Stonington, Conn.
A myth often repeated and published by writers, who probably believed it true, states that James came to his country in the ship Anne, etc. From the Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth, edited by State Librarian, under direction of the Rhode Island Legislature, published 1901, and from Colonial Records of Rhode Island, the account of James Badcock's from twenty years in Rhode Island, was copied. His residence for that period was in Portsmouth, and the records of that town meeting, namely, Badcock, Badcooke, Badcocke, and Badcook.
For the first forty years the surname of James and his sons was usually written Badcock. In the Probate records of John Badcock's estate the name is spelled Babcock, and at the time that spelling seems to have been adopted by the family.
James Badcock was admitted an inhabitant of the "towne" of Portsmouth Feb. 25, 1642. At that time no one was allowed to "build or plant" without first having been voted at town meeting an inhabitant. At a town meeting held Oct. 5, 1642, James Badcock and Richard Moris were ordered "to look up all the armes in the Towne within the month above writ," and "to mend any which were defective for use." Owners were to forfeit five shillings if they failed to bring the arms in time. At the same meeting ten acres of land were ordered to be "laide our to James Badcock at the first brooke, next the footpath eastward." The land is described as 'lying Toward the head of said brooke." (C.R. of RI)
About this time there must have been a threatening of war in the air, as every man was ordered to have "four pounds of shot and two pounds of powder lying by him in readiness by the 24th of this month, and to be in readiness to assemble at the beat of the drum". James Badcock was made a freeman July 10, 1648, and was appointed a member of a large committee "for the tryall of the general officers". He was chosen a juryman on several occasions and as an assessor in 1650. In 1650 he was again directed to mend all firearms in the community.
In 1656 James Badcock and seven others were "appointed to go over to the mayne to treat with the Indian Sachems to inform them of the mynd of the tiwne, that they come not upon the Island but according to order given." He was appointed one of a committee to apportion land in 1657 and was a member of the General Court of Commissioners of Rhode Island for Portsmouth in 1657, 1658, and 1659. In 1661 he was appointed with others ot lay out highways and settle disputed land boundaries.
In 1660 a tract of land, estimated to be twenty miles by ten miles, known as Misquamicut, afterward Westerly, was purchased from the Indian chief Sosoa by a company organized at Newport, RI. In September, 1661, the purchasers visited Misquamicut and a certain part of the tract was apportioned by lot. The number of James Badcock's lot was 52. The following March, 1662, the company made their first permanent settlement at Misquamicut (Westerly). The company named James Badcock and four others to manage their affairs at Misquamicut. He took a prominent part in a number of disputes caused by Connecticut's claim to the terriory in and about Westerly, RI, and by Indians' claims.
In 1665 James sold his dwelling house, barn, orchard, etc., in Portsmouth to Thomas Fish for fifty pounds. Westerly was incorporated May, 1669, at which time there were twenty-four freemen in the town, four of whom were Badcocks. James and his three sons, James, John and Job. Westerly then comprised the present towns of Westerly, Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond.
James in his fifty-ninth year, 1678, was baptized by Elder William Hiscox and untied with the Seventh Day Baptist church of newport and Westerly. In his will he bequeathed all his housing and lands to his son Joseph and the remainder of his estate to his wife, Elizabeth.
These glimpses of an interesting life show that James Badcock (Babock), Sr. was a man of sterling integrity and of strong convinctions. He was respected by his neighbors, honored and trusted as a citizen, and ready to serve the community in whatever capacity he was appointed.
THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON, CONN., by Richard A. Wheeler, page 211.
1. James Babcock, born in 1612, who was the progenitor of the Babcock family of Westerly and the region round-about, first appears in Portsmouth, RI, in 1642. He held the office of Commissioner from 1656 to 1659 and was by occupation a blacksmith and gunsmith. He came to Westerly with his family soon after 1664, after having sold his house and land in Portsmouth to Thomas Fish. During the year 1670 he gave testimony, calling his age 58 years, his son James 29, and his son John 26. He m. 1st, Sarah ___, and he d. June 12, 1679.
Mrs. Sarah Babcock d. in 1665 and Mr. James Babcock m. his second wife, Elizabeth ____. After his death his widow m. 2nd, William Johnson, Sept. 22, 1679.
Researching this line is Jean Reid, 106 Beal's Court, Tama, Iowa 52339
Researching this line is Nancyann Norman at [email protected]
