Jacob Babbitt

   Among the earlier possessions of the Babbitts was the farm situated on the shores of Mount Hope Bay, known as the Mount Pleasant Farm; more recently known as Hopeworth. It has been very much curtailed in size by sales, and now consists of only about sixty-five acres. The big elm, in front of the stone house (none more beautiful in New England), was planted in honor of Jacob Babbitt's birth.
   In what may be called the thickly settled part of the town of Bristol, Jacob Babbitt was heavily interested in real estate. Along the water front his holdings scattered from the' south line of the Namquit mill, to the south line of the "down town" mill. He also owned what is known as the "Green lane" property, which is just to the north of what is now Bay View Avenue, and was then the extension of Wood street.
   At the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Babbitt felt an earnest desire to engage personally in the contest. On the organization of the 10th (three months) Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, in response to an urgent call from the Secretary of War, Mr. Babbitt accepted the position of Major and served until the time of that regiment had nearly expired, when he accepted the same position in the 7th (three years) Reg. R. 1. V. I. then being organized. He shared with his men the tedious duties of garrison life until ordered to join the 7th Rhode Island Regiment then in camp near Providence. Major Babbitt's commission for the 7th bears date Sept. 1, 1862, the day on which the Regiment was mustered into service. The regiment had scarcely left its camp near Washington for the front before it received its first "baptism of blood" before Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862.  So severe was the onset that Col. Zenas Bliss soon found himself deprived of his Staff except Major Babbitt, ammunition all gone, his men lying upon the ground protected only by a ridge three feet high. The whole plain in front was one sheet of flame belching forth from an entrenched stone wall, whilst a regiment less advanced was firing over his prostrate men. Orders came for one more attempt on this entrenchment in their front. In order to render obedience practicable and thus save the honor of the regiment, it was necessary that a request be sent to stop the fire from the rear. Upon Major Babbitt, now the sole surviving member of the Staff, devolved the duty of attempting the perilous mission, exposed to the deadly cross-fire of the enemy and friends. From the undertaking of this mission not even the earnest dissuation of his commanding officer availed to turn him. Starting amidst the rain of bullets, he had taken only a few steps when a ball passed in at his shoulder and out at the other arm. His stalwart frame had made too conspicuous a mark in such a fire from the front and rear. Age and subsequent exposure proved too much for him, and from what at first was deemed not a serious wound, he died at the Mansion House Hospital, in Alexandria, Dec. 23, 1862.
   Jacob was educated at Partridge's military academy (the predecessor of West Point). Among his classmates were Major-General John B. Kershaw (of Confederate Army fam ) of Camden, S. C.
   An interesting incident connected with his death was that they were both engaged on opposite sides of the celebrated at the Battle of Fredericksburg.
   He was a vestryman of St. Michael's church in Bristol, and was largely instrumental in the construction of the present edifice.
   He was also conspicuous, both in town and state affairs, a member of the legislature and of the fire department; vestryman in the church; deeply interested in the State military organization, and was also interested in yachting; he built and operated several fast yachts, for those days.