Genealogical Record OF NATHANIEL BABCOCK SIMEON MAIN ISAAC MINER EZEKIEL MAIN COMPILED BY CYRUS H. BROWN WESTERLY, R. I. BOSTON THE EVERETT PRESS 1909 .John Russell Babcock (ii) Old llystk. Conn. To }!y CoUSIXS JOHN RUSSELL BABCOCK A.,"DmsSISn:R SUSA.'1" H. BABCOCK Tms REcom Is G:RAn::FOLLY DEDICATED BY 'IRE AumoR PREFACE. AFTER publishing the Brown Genealogy, in l90i, the author of this genealogy took up first the records of his great-great-grandfather Nathaniel Babcock, Sr., in lineal descent from James Babcock, who settled in Ports­ mouth, R. I., in 16.µ, but removed to Westerly, R. I., in 1662, where his second son, John, who married Mary Lawton, had settled; thus through regular lines of descent, and giving more particular records than were given when that part of the Babcock Genealogy was published, in 1903, bringing the records down to 1910. Stephen Babcock, of Yonkexs, N. Y., has granted me permission to use as much of the early history of the Babcock Family as may be of interest to the descendants of Natilaniel Babcock, Sr. This Babcock record is also supplemented by the descendants of Simeon Main and Martha York, carrying the records on from the last given in the Brown Genealogy; also by the descendants of Isaac Miner and Ka.turah Brown. The Ezekiel Main Family has received by far the most extended research. Ezekiel Main removed to Stonington, Conn., about 1670. The records begin on page 49. My plan of research has been to search town records, to visit burying-grounds, to send hundreds of pexsonal lettexs with blanks to be filled out, and to make pexsonal visits. This all means labor and expense, which the author has pexsonally assumed, soliciting no subscriptions ex­ cept from John D. Babcock's family (sz), page 26. To this family belongs the credit of financial support in co=encing this work; but it has been e.uended far beyond my expectations. Much of the matter has been sub­ mitted to the pexsons interested for their approval and correction, thus making the genealogy as reli:lble as possible, but taking much added time to complete the book. The compiler believes he has succeeded in collecting a vast amount of material that has never before been printed; also in establishing several lines of descent connecting with the progenitor, Ezekiel Main. In the preparation of this work the compiler of this volume bas been assisted by many familie-; who are deeply interested in knowing this work is being done. Therefore he desires to make further acknowledgment of valuable assistance rendered by: Stephen Main Family, Westerly, R. I. Mrs. Lydia E. Harris, Eagleville, Conn. PREFACE Robert Palmer :\Iain's descendants, Wisconsin. Lewis ..\,·ery )fa.in, Cedar R:ipids, Ia. l!rs. Lillian M. Porter, .Brockton, 2\I:tss. Dr. Frank D. Maine, Springfield, ~fuss. Dr. C. Wesley Ha.le, Springfield, M:iss. Hubert P. :\Iain, NeW3rk, N. J. Eli Gilbert Main, Waterbury, Conn. •.Uonzo ):Wn, Old ),!ystic, Conn. )!rs. Kathan T. l!:tin, Laurel Glen, Conn. The writing of this genealogy bas been a labor of lave; and, like most genealogical works, a.n e.'tpCilSive gratification, which I do not regret. If the living families mentioned in this volume but appreciate my untiring labors in pbcing in a tangible form the records of the fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters I shall feel my labors ha,:e not been in vain. Cnos Hli:NRY BROWN, .1/arch, 1910. Westerly, R. L INTRODUCTION. "Pe,,ple wiJJ not /Qol: jorJJartl to posteril:y who ne-.Jer look bad,-J,tQrtl lo their aneestr:y." -EDlClr.l."D Bt7RXE. \Vhen we were young we were looking toward the future; in middle life we are too busy to give any attention but to the present; but as years progress we begin to look backward to our ancestors. ~fore than twoscore years have passed since the Chil War, yet that terrible struggle abides in the memory of many now living; but more than three times as many years ha,·e passed since the movement began which resulted in American Independence. As we look oack still farther to the landing of the Pl1grim fathers we catch but glimpses of our ancestxy in all these decades which have passed in the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. So the distance ,\idens that separates us from our ancestors. Yet we can better understand our own times if in youthful days we came in personal contact with those who, in those stirring events, were shaping our history and marching towards civilization in social, political, and religious h"berty. The people of the West whose family history was left behind them in old New England need to be reminded of the priceless heritage of their fathers and mothers, and restore the same to their descendants, so that the West may be indissolubly connected \\ith the development of the East. The study of genealogy would convince most of us that our ancestors were every-da.y sort of people, who were more familiar \\ith blacksmithing, he\\ing timber, constructing houses and barns, and who knew more about raising cattle tban buying and selling stocks. Their farms and stone walls are monuments still standing, reminding us of the strong hands and brawny arms that built them; their Jong hours of toil are a legacy left to their chil­ dren and children's children. Some who read these pages will remember in the early part of the nineteenth century the home-spun articles made in our New England homes. The scene is realistic: it is a winter C1,·ening; in the fireplace is built the huge fire; the family has gathered in semicircle and, by the light of it, the knitting goes on, while at the back of the circle the buzz of the spinning-wheel is heard; the ponderous loom is there ready to wea,·e the cloth for every-day garments or for the wedding attire. Lest these primeval days be forgotten by the children and the grand- L'-'TRODUCTIOX. children, this genealogy is written, that the deeds of the fathers and mothers may be kept sacredly in remembrance. Before laying down my pen, I want to e.'l."tend sincere and hearty thanks to all who have contributed in furnishing data for this book. Many ,,ill •find under their own names my appreciation of their contributions. C.H. B. We:sterly, R. I., January, 1909. ABBREVIATIONS. b., born. bapt., baptized. Bapt., Baptist. B. G., Brown Genealogy. Cong., Congregational. d., died. dau., daughter. m., married; m.(x), married first; m. (2), married second. p., page. res., resides, or residence. unm., unmarried. Other abbreviations in common use need no further e."q>lanation. EXPLANATIONS. Aiter the name of a parent will follow their original number in paren­ theses; by turning backward, his or her number will be found "ith their parents. The children of parents who have numbers in parentheses at the right of their names can be found by corresponding numbers carried forward. After the name of the parents of the head of a family there will follow in brackets the names of the ancestors in genealogical order. The larger part of these records was obtained by correspondence, but town records, family Bibles, and tombstones have contributed much to these data. Nathaniel Babcock Genealogy. James' Babcock (x), b. x6x2, probably in Esse.'t Co., England; d. June x2, x679; m. (x) Sarah, who d. 1665 or later; m. (2), 166g (?), Eliz. abeth; she m. (2), Sept. 22, 1679, Wm. Johnson, and settled in Stoning­ ton, Conn. His residence for the first twenty years was in Portsmouth, R. L James Babcock moved to Westerly, R. L, in March, 1662. June 29, x66o, a tract of land, estimated to be twenty miles by-ten miles, known as l\fisquamicut, afterwards Westerly, '\VaS purchased from the Indian Chief Sosoa by a company headed by \Vtlliam Vaughn. The company, number­ ing sixty or more, '1'1"35 organized at Newport, R. L The following March, x66x-62, the company made their first permanent settlement at :Mis-' quamicut (Westerly). The records of Westerly show that James Babcock was a man of sterling integrity and of strong convictions. He was respected by his neighbors, honored and trusted as a citizen, and ready to serve the community in whatever capacity he was appointed. Children by first m.: ' 2. James•, b. x64x; m. Jane Brown (7-7e). 3. John, b. 1644; m. Mary Lawton (8-x5). 4- Job, b. x646; m. Jane Crandall. 5. Mary, b. x6,i8; m. \Villiam Champlin. Children by second m.: 6. Joseph, b. 1670; m. (1) Dorothy Key; m. (2) Mrs. Hannah Coats. Nathaniel, date of birth unknown. Elizabeth, date of birth unknown. James• Babcock, Jr. (2), son of James and Sarah Babcock, b., Ports­ mouth, R. I., 1641; d., Westerly, now Woodville, R. I., 16g8; m. Jane, dau. of Nicholas Brown. Shed. 1719. James was a blacksmith and a farmer in that part of Westerly which is now Woodville, Hopkinton, R. r.; wh~ he manufactured iron from bog ore and from black sand found on the seashore. Children: 7. James•, m.--. 7a. Sarah, m. James Lewis, son of John Lewis. They settled in Exeter, R. L Shed. 1740. II ~ATHA::-.'IEL BABCOC~ GfilJEAI.OGY 7b. Jane, m., Richmond, R. I., 1696, Israel Lewis. 7c. )!ary, m. George Brown. 7d. Hannah, m. Roger Larkin. 7e. Elizabeth, m. Daniel Lewis, brother of James. Shed. 1716. John' Babcock (3), second son of James, Sr., and Sarah Babcock, b., Portsmouth, R. I., 1644; d., Westerly, R. I., 1685; m.