(Elkanah, Elkanah, Elkanah Bobet, Edward)
Daniel Babbit the founder of the
Canadian branch of the Babbit family was born April 28, 1749 in New Milford Conn., the son
of Elkanah and Obedience Babbitt. Little is known of his boyhood or what influences
led him to become a member of the Church of England and a Tory when all of his relatives
and almost all of the Babbitt name were Revolutionists. At the time of the
Revolution he was living at Fredericksburg, in Dutchess County, New York, and according to
a memorial which he presented to the British Government presenting claims for losses
sustained through the Revolution he had leased a farm from Colonel Beverly Robinson at
Fredericksburg for three lives; the lease dating from April 1, 1774. He was married
at this time, his wife being Mary Close, a sister of Lieut. Close of the American Army.
New York State, especially the vicinity of Fredericksburg was largely Anglican and Tory
and probably living in this environment, he had espoused the same cause. It is said
that he was thrice drafted by the Revolutionists. The first time he bought off, the
second time he provided a substitute, the third time he went within the British lines.
It is a matter of record that, in 1779 on July 16, he entered the British lines at
Kings Bridge and during the war served as a farrier on Long Island.
In taking this action he forfeited all rights to his property which consisted of his farm
of eighty-seven acres near Fredericksburg with dwelling, barn, blacksmith shop, stock,
tools, household goods, bonds, notes, etc.; also a dwelling house in the town of
Fredericksburg. This property was forfeited and sold by the committee of
sequestration for Dutchess County. According to the reports of the committee filed
in the comptroller's office Albany, his effects realized the following sum:
August 27, 1779 2579 pounds, 14 shilling, 0 pence
August 22, 1780 940 pounds, 0 shilling, 0 pence
It is rather strange, however, that in making up his schedule of claims for losses which
he presented to the British Government, he names the total of his lossess as amounting to
819 pounds 1 shilling o pence. For his losses the Government allowed him only 164
pounds.
At the close of the war he was forced with the other Loyalists to seek a new home.
He embarked for the St. John river in what is now the province of New Brunswick in Canada
with the summer fleet of 1783. In a few weeks a city had grown up here, mostly at
first a city of tents in which many of the Loyalists endured the inclemency of the
Canadian winter, which was very vigorous at that time. He went above the Falls but
remained there only four weeks and in September he went to Gagetown, forty-seven miles up
the river, now a very picturesque spot and a good farming center and the shire town of the
County of Queens. In the simple pastoral beauty of its scenery it resembles very
much, Berkley the home of his early ancestors. The intervale land here, lowlands
which are submerged by the spring freshet, very much resemble the Berkley flats. At
this time however, the country was wooded to the river banks. It was not an inviting
spot to bring one's family to with winter coming on rapidly, no home built and only
moderate provision against the stress of the long, hard winter. Many of the
Loyalists on the St. John river, spent their first winter in tents or log huts and with a
scarce food supply to further heighten the horrors of their circumstances.
With Daniel came his wife and five children, Daniel Jr., who was 13 years old, Rebecca, 12
years old, Hannah, 8 years old, Elizabeth, 6, and William, the youngest, who was 3.
It is said that he brought up river with him a horse, a large boat, a hand mill for
grinding grain and considerable money in gold which he had made shoeing horses during the
war, at a guinea a horse. He may therefore have been able to provide very
comfortably for his family during that first trying winter. He built the first frame
house, it is said, in Gagetown and the first meeting of the Court of General Sessions of
the county was held in his house on February 23, 1786, which would indicate that his home
must have been one of the more pretentious in the rising village.
The Loyalists received grants of land from the government. In 1784 Daniel was given
a grant of 200 acres in Washedemoak Lake in Queens County. He does not appear
however, to have occupied this. In 1792 the Town Plot of Gage was laid out and he was
granted 16 lots of one aere each. He had erected a blacksmith shop and he farmed as
well.
He was a strong churchman and served for forty years as warden of the parish church.
The first meeting of the wardens and vestry, April 21, 1790 and many subsequent
meetings were held at his house and during the nearly forty years of his wardenship, from
April 25, 1791 to 1830, the writer who examined the church records found only two or three
instances where he was absent from a meeting of the vestry. He conveyed to the
governing body the lot upon which the church was built.
DANIEL BABBIT.
New Claim,
TO THE COMMISSIONERS
Appointed by Act of Parliment for inquiring into the losses and services of the American
Loyalists.
The Memorial of Daniel Babbit, late of Dutchess County, New York, but now of Gage Town
River St. John and Province of New Brunswick, humbly sheweth:
That your Memorialist for his loyalty to his King and Attachment to the British
Government, was compelled to fly for refuge and protection to the Royal Army, then in the
Province of New York, as early as the 16th of July, 1779. That during the course of the
late War rendered government the services and in consequence of his said loyalty and
attachment to government, sustained the losses as stated in the Schedule and Estimate
hereunto annexed.
Your Memorialist therefore prays that his case may be taken into your consideration, in
order that your Memorialist may be enabled under your report to receive such compensation
and relief as his losses and services may be found to deserve.
(Signed) DANIEL BABBIT
Queen's County
New Brunswick
9th March, 1786.
The Schedule and Estimate of the Estate, real and personal, of Daniel Babbit, formerly of
the County of Dutchess, Province of New York, confiscated and sold by the Rebels, in
consequence of his loyalty to his Soverign and Attachment to the British Government.
For three Lives leased the Farm as here described, of Colonel Beverly Robinson, vizt.
1 farm with house, bam and out house or shop, with an orchard of near 100 fruit trees,
valued at 250 pounds. Ditto one dwelling house and out house, with 1-4 acre land lying in
Fredericksborough, County aforesaid, 100 pounds. 28 Sheep 14 pounds, one yoke of oxen 20
pounds and 3 cows18 pounds, total of 52 pounds. 2 horses, one of which was stolen and
brought within the British Lines, valued at 50 pounds - of the horse stolen he received 6
pounds, total of 44 pounds. 3 calves 3pounds, three 2-year old Heffers 9 pounds, total 12
pounds. Two-year old Heffer 4 pounds, 1 Ox cart 12 pounds, total 16 pounds. 3 Cows 6
pounds, two harrows & 2 chains 3:10 pounds, total 9:10. 2 Scyths & tackling 1:4,
one grinding stone - 24, total 2:8. 1 Sleigh & harness for horses 6 pounds, one
hunting sadle 6 pounds, total 12 pounds. 1 Man's saddle 4 pounds, one ox shed 16, total
4:16. 2 sets of Blacksmith's tools 2 Anvils, 2 Bellows 6 Sledges, 8 hammers, 12 pair
tongs, 2 dox. files & Sundry small tools, 60 pounds. 150 bushels Coal at 4s. bushel,
2:8. 25 lb. steel & 60 lbs. iron, 2:5. 3 1-2 acres standing on the ground of Oats, 7
pounds. 4 acres standing on the ground of Corn, 8 pounds. I Hog, 3:4. 2 Feather Beds, 6
pair sheets, 6 pair pillow cases, 6 flannel blankets, 3 coverlids, 1 pair curtains and 2
table cloths, total 34 pounds. 1 Brass kettle, 4:10. Bonds and notes taken by the enemy,
together with my lease, 150 pounds. 2 cows taken by the British Troops on Long Island,
cost 45 pounds. Grand Total in New York Currency, 819:1 pounds. St. John, 22nd jany.,
1787.
Evidence on the Claim of Daniel Babbit, late of New York, Claimant Sworn,
Saith, he came from New York in the last fleet, had heard of the Act. When he came here
went above the Falls, staid there four weeks.
On further examination says, he is sure he came here in the course of the summer, went up
the River about the first of September, went to Gage Town:
Had no opportunity of sending his claim by Captain Vanderburgh.
He lived at Dutchess County, went within the British Lines, went to Kings Bridge, when
Stony Point was taken, continued within the British lines.
Took the oaths of allegiance, went to Long Island, there worked at his trade as
blacksmith. Now settled at Gage Town.
Had a lease on Colonel Beverly Robinson's land, 87 acres.
Gave 200 pounds for the improvements just before the troubles.
Had a lot in Fredericksborough, this was on Col. Robinson's land, improvements belonged to
Claimant, gave 40 pounds for the improvements four years before the troubles. He added
greatly to the buildings.
Lost two horses, one was taken.
1 yoke of oxen.
28 Sheep.
4 two-year Olds.
2 Yearlings.
Farming Utensils.
Tools.
Left these things on his farm, has been told the Commissioners seized them and sold them.
Produces Certificate to his loyalty from Col. Beverly Robinson.
Anthony Tirrell, sworn
Knew Claimant, he had a lease on Col. Robinson's land, he had a house in
Fredericksborough.
Agrees in account of his Moveables.
In Committee of the Convention of the State of New York appointed for enquiring into,
detecting & defeating all Conspiracies which may be formed in the said State against
the Liberties of America. Fishkill Oct. 20, 1776.
WHEREAS this Committee did on the 17th Inst. resolve that the following Persons,
Inhabitants of South East and Frederick Precincts in the County of Dutchess, should
forthwith be disarm'd apprehended and secured, to witt, Uriah Townsend, Ebenezer Rider,
Charles Cullen*, Barne Hatfield, Uriah Wright, Joseph Hitchcock, Eli Crosby, Dr. Daniel
Bull*, Charles Theal, and Gilbert Dickeson, *Daniel Babbitt, Daniel Brundage, Jeremiah
Birch, junior, Moses Fowler, David Nash, Samuel Jowner, William Merritt, Thomas Carl*.
ORDERED that Col. Luddington do forthwith apprehend and bring before this Committee the
above mentioned Persons, and that he secure the Papers of such whose Names are marked with
an Asterisk in order that the same be examined by this Committee.
ORDERED that Capt. Clarke detach Lieut. Haight with a Party of 15 Men, to repair to Col.
Luddington and to follow such orders as they may receive from him.
Signed by Order of the Committee, Wm. DUER Chairman.
The foregoing is a copy of order of arrest issued by Wm. Duer, Chairman of Committees on
Conspiracies, of the "Provincial Congress of the State of New York" to Col.
Henry Ludington.
(Original paper in possession of Charles H. Ludington, New York City.)
Daniel Babbit was a leading contributor to the church and served in many committees
relating to the construction of the church and glebe house and to financial matters.
In 1795 his first wife died and she was buried on July 7, of that year. His second
wife was Rhoda Annis Cronk whom, it is said, his mother had brought up and whom he married
in the States going there for that purpose. It is said that he had twenty two
children and that at his death on July 12, 1830, seven sons and seven daughters attended
his funeral. The writer has record of eighteen children; nine by his first wife and
nine by his second. It is rather remarkable that he was sixty seven years old when
his last child was born.
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