(Samuel-Stephen-Amariah-Elkanah-Elkanah-Edward)
Mr. Babbitt was the original "Deacon Babbitt," under which title a
book has been written by Edgar Blankman, bringing in many stories of his Yankee shrewdness
and humor. His character is thus outlined in this book.
"He was known far and near for his generous hospitality, charitable deeds and
business sagacity. He was a man of decided opinions concerning the matter of right and
wrong and always noted for strict integrity. He hated sham and would ridicule it in
anybody, not excepting the clergy. Though not deeply religious, he was an ardent friend of
education, a liberal supporter of the district school and an advocate of Christianity
embodied in the Golden Rule, yet like all of us he had his weak points."
One of the favorite stories concerning Deacon Babbitt's canny ways, was that of his trade
in clocks. When Mr. Babbitt first came to town he was selling clocks and with each clock
sold, he gave a guarantee that if it did not suit he would exchange it for another. He
sold all but one of the time pieces, and when the first complaint came in made the
promised exchange. When the next complaint came he traded in the dock received from the
first complainant and so on with all the successive disgruntled buyers, thus complying
with the terms of the sale in every respect. In his horse and cow trades he seems to
surpass David Harum himself.
Mr. Babbitt is depicted as a lover of nature and thoroughly filled with love of the
Northern New York country where the scene of the story is laid and where his name and fame
will be held in remembrance for many years to come.
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