Imagine the majestic lineage of the “Green Men” with its tree, standing tall and proud in a serene forest. One day, a powerful storm arrives, and high winds split the tree into three separate parts. The tree still lives, though clearly damaged by recent events.
Despite the separation, the tree’s roots remain deeply intertwined, sharing the same life force. Over time, the three parts slowly begin to intertwine once again, wrapping themselves around each other. Their branches reaching out for unification and eventually they act as counterweights to each other, helping all three maintain life.
As new growth occurs, the scars become less noticeable until the tree is stronger and more resilient than before.
This analogy explains what just happened as I tried to carry the idea forward that the genetic lineage of the Green Men of Maryland was not one, but three unique lineages crafted by different lines that all showed up to volunteer at the same battle station at the dawn of the American Revolution.
A combination of the Paper Trail and Y-DNA results have proven that all 3 top-level members of these Maryland Babb members lived and worked together, in multiple geographies across several generations. We may never know exactly how they are related, but we can now demonstrate that they are indeed kin. Here is how it works:
William Babb (3-1)
William Babb (3-1) b. 1737 in Anne Arundel, MD, d. Nov 1829 in Somerset, Perry Co, OH
William (3-1) is found in Frederick Co, VA &, Berkeley & Hampshire Counties, VA/WV before being buried in Perry Co, OH. His children are found in Perry Co, OH, Fairfield Co, OH, Marshall Co, IL, Putnam Co, IL, Adams Co, MS, Keokuk Co, IA.
DNA:
Currently the only match we have in the Y-DNA participant pairs 3-1 & 3-2 as closely related (109 of 111 markers). This makes quick work of pairing the lines. William (3-1) and John (3-2) are potentially father and son, but that is not able to be proven at this moment and there are other potential fathers in the area including James (3-3).
We have 3 participants from this branch. The one who matches as described above, a second who does not match any others and a third whose test is still in shipment to the lab. The third test is designed as a tie breaker of sorts to help determine where in the lineage a non-paternal event might have occurred.
John Babbs (3-2)
John Babbs (3-2) b. 11 Aug 1756, d. 13 Feb 1844 Ripley, Indiana
John (3-2) is recorded in Frederick Co, VA & Hampshire Co, VA/WV as well as Hamilton Co, OH, Ohio, Dearborn & Ripley Counties, IN. His children are also recorded in Jefferson and Ohio Counties, IN, and Clay, Effingham & Jasper Counties, IL
DNA:
Currently the only match we have in the Y-DNA participant pairs 3-1 & 3-2 as closely related (109 of 111 markers). This makes quick work of pairing the lines. William (3-1) and John (3-2) are potentially father and son, but that is not able to be proven at this moment and there are other potential fathers in the area including James (3-3).
We have only 1 participant from this branch. The one who matches as described above.
James Babbs (3-3)
James Babbs (3-3) b. 1735 Anne Arundel, MD, d. abt. 1802 Anne Arundel. m. Delila Porter.
James (3-3) is found in Frederick Co, VA on the 1800 Tax Roll and in Washington, Warren, OH in the 1820 Census. Because he died early into the recorded history, I’ve reached down one further generation in his analysis below. His apparent children are:
1. James, who is recorded in Frederick Co, VA, Warren Co, OH & Cedar Co, MO and whose children and grandchildren lived in Shelby Co, IN, Johnson Co, IN & Perry Co, IL (Not a Typo).
2. Thomas, who is recorded in Hampshire Co, VA/WV & Knox Co, OH and whose children remained in the Knox Co, OH area.
3. Henry, who is recorded in Hampshire Co, VA/WV, died without issue.
4. Ely, who is recorded in Perry Co, OH & Delaware Co, IN, and whose children are recorded in Brown Co, IL, Cumberland Co, IL & Linn Co, KS.
DNA:
We have only 1 participant from this branch. His DNA does not match any of the other participants. Unfortunately, he took his test a very long time ago when they were only conducting 12 marker tests. I’ve not been able to re-establish contact with him to have the test upgraded.
Epilogue
There is no doubt remaining in my mind that this is a family, in every sense of the word. They traveled extensively and stayed together for decades across numerous locations. They at times treated children as their own, no matter the circumstances of their birth.
In review, we find all 3 branches represented in:
- Anne Arundel Co, MD
- Frederick Co, VA
- Hampshire Co, VA/WV
Additionally, we find branches 3-1 and 3-3 living together in Perry Co, OH. 3-2 has been genetically linked to 3-2. From here on we only need to ascertain where any potential breaks in the DNA trail occurred to assist in future research. We will continue to work towards locating the English origins of
Case closed!