T
here was one other Babbitt family in this country besides the one whose records are the subject of these pages. This is the family of Erasmus Bobet of Boston, styled in old records "Governor of Burbuda" and merchant mariner of Boston. This family seems wholly extinct in the male line, as none have been discovered who descend from this family.Erasmus Bobet married Nov. 18, 1700, Thamazine Harris, widow of David Harris, and daughter of William Elsen. She was born in 1644 and died Nov. 27, 1721, being buried in the Granary Burying ground in Boston. He is supposed to have previously married at Westerley, RI, Mary Lawton Babcock, widow of John Babcock, since in a deed dated March 11, 1699, James and John Babcock sold land of "father John Babcock" and mention "stepfather Erasmus Bobet". Also in a book titled "Early Settlers of Westerly, Rhode Island" volume XII,page 237, there is mention of Erasmus Babbet as the second husband of Mrs. Mary Babcock. Who the first wife of Erasmus Bobet was we are unable to say, but his son John, born 1681, must have been a son of still an earlier marriage than the two mentioned, since he is recorded on Charlestown records as having been born in Plymouth, England. He is styled, "Mariner" in the records. He was twice married. He married Abigail Beresford in Boston, May 25, 1702. She died Jan. 12, 1709, aged 36. He married second Mary Hett, Nov. 28, 1710, who outlived her husband and married Robert White in 1731.
John Bobet died in 1728, age 47. his children were:
Mary, August 21 or 28, 1704.
John, April 15, 1706. Baptized 1710.
Joseph (Probably) his name being. found on a tombstone near Dr. Rand's tomb.
This family doubtless all died early as they disappear from all accessible records, although it is possible that John Jr., born, 1706, may have gone to North Carolina, and is the founder of the numerous Bobbett family now there.
There seems no reason to doubt that Erasmus Bobet was a relative of Edward of Berkley, Mass.
Further search in, English records may reveal the connection. Erasmus early appeared as a family name among Edward's descendants, and he may have encouraged Erasmus to follow him to the new world, although this, of course, is pure speculation.
This page was last updated on 10/05/00 14:58