I received a record today from the Maryland State Archives that I placed an order for last week. It contains a record of a previously unidentified John Babbs who is potentially the father of one of our top-level Green Men of MD tree members. At least that is what I thought it was, until I looked back into Jean A. Sargent’s notes at the front of section 3 in her book Babb Families of America, 3rd Edition, which gives context to the records that didn’t make it into her numbered tree.
Many times, over this last 2 decades, I have thought I discovered something she didn’t, only to find out that I’m following in the footsteps of her size 6 sensible heels.
I have thought I’d already eradicated these entries and moved them into individual records for the people she lists. But somehow, I missed this one. However, this time I believe that I can provide a fresh perspective on her findings and lean us in the direction of a proposed hierarchy for this lineage. I even corrected an error of hers, but it amounted to a single key stroke that slipped a record by a decade. She was so thorough! Anyway, on to the story at hand.
Before I get to the new information, let me refresh you on what Jean A. Sargent said in her 3rd Edition of Babb Families of America:
On 22 Jun 1748 in Anne Arundel Co., MD, a John Babbs and JOHANNAH his wife sold two tracts of land for 15 pounds to Joseph Hill. They were “Edwards Neck” 100 acres and “Ruley’s Search” 74 acres lying in “Hunger Neck” and there was an alienation fine for four shillings, 11 pence, half penny for his Lordship’s Treasury. (AA Co. deeds, Liber RD#2, fol. 551/2)
On 15 Mar 1755 John Babbs and Hannah his wife, and Benjamin Barry and Elizabeth his wife of the first part and John Gassaway of the other part in consideration of 7 pounds 10 shillings, sold 10 acres of “Bessington” where John Hardon lately lived. (AA Co. deeds Liber BB#1, Fol. 23)
According to the Rent Roll Book #1, “Edward’s Neck” was surveyed 5 Mar 1662 for John Edwards on the north side of the South River. It was 100 acres later possessed by Anthony Ruly. “Ruly’ s Search” was surveyed 26 Jul 1696 for Anthony Ruly, also on the north side of the South River. As there was no record of John Babbs purchasing these tracts, we tried to find out how he and his wife may have inherited them.
Anthony Ruly’s will was proved 14 May 1728 (AA Co. Wills Vol. 19, p. 523), and he devised the plantation consisting of the two tracts to his wife Rebecca. After her death it was to go to son Thomas. Sons Michael, Seth, and Anthony received other bequests. William Ruly’s will proved 31 Jan 1732 gave his estate to daughters Hannah and Elizabeth. (AA Co. Probate, Liber 20, fol. 791). Perhaps this Hannah was the wife of John Babbs.
We would like to believe that this John and JOHANNAH were the parents of the James, William, and John Babbs who are described below, but cannot find any proof to attach them, other than they had a connection to Anne Arundel County in Maryland.
Review
I take no issue with most of what Jean offers above. Let’s examine the timeline she establishes along with some additions from my research:
1662 – Edward’s Neck land patent is granted to John Edwards, who disposes of it some time prior to his death in 1693.
bet. 1662-1691- Anthony Rul[e]y purchases Edward’s Neck from Colonel Nicholas Gassaway, who came into possession of it through inheritance. As he wouldn’t have inherited it from John Edwards, the trail is a bit murky in this post.
1696 – Ruley’s Search land patent is granted to Anthony Ruley.
1728 – Anthony Ruley’s will is probated and Edward’s Neck & Ruley’s Search transfer to his wife Rebecca. After her death was to go to son Thomas Ruley (1709-1746).
1728-1732 – The events of these years are unclear, but during it the land appears to become the property of Anthony’s youngest son William Ruley.
1732 – William Ruley (Anthony’s son) leaves his entire estate to daughters Hannah & Elizabeth.
1747/8 – John Babbs (b. bef. 1722) and his wife Johannah sell Edward’s Neck & Ruley’s Search to Joseph Hill.
1761 – Joseph Hill leaves the two tracts to John Ruley (b. 6 Feb 1740) (son of Thomas Ruley and grandson of Anthony Ruley.
My Analysis
Records are sparse, but seeing how this property continually revolves around the Ruley family tree, I am willing to call this one. It is my considered opinion that John Babb’s wife is Johannah Ruley, daughter of William and granddaughter of Anthony Ruley, who secured the land from Colonel Nicholas Gassaway, who inherited it in some manner from John Edwards, who was granted the land by decree in 1662.
I further believe that John (b. bef. 1722) is the father of John Babbs (3-2) and the brother of William Babb (3-1) & James Babbs (3-3). I’ve got additional analysis to do, but that is how I see the tree coming together.
John (b. bef 1722) is the only one of the bunch that we can demonstrate was still alive and present in Anne Arundel Co, MD and at the time John (3-2) was born. He does not seem to have lived long afterwards, which could account for the distributed nature of this tree.
I’m not going to assign this John a number as it would just serve to Promote confusion. But it gets us one step closer to solving this riddle.
Further information
Will of Anthony Ruley
Ruley, Anthony, gentleman, (A. A. Co.,3rd Feb., 1727); 14th May, 1728.
To wife Rebecca, extx., “Ruley’s Search” and “Edward’s Neck” during life; at her decease to son Thomas and hrs.; and personalty [personal property]; also 1/3 personal estate.
To son Michael, “Maiden’s Head,” Cecil Co., nr. Capt. Johns Creek; and personalty. Sd. land to be entailed.
To sons Seth and Anthony and dau. Ann. 600 A. “Senequa Point,” Cecil Co. (for div. see will).
To sons Thomas and Seth and dau. Ann, residue of personalty.
To son William, £10.
To daus. Pickett, Redle and Woodward, each a gold ring.
Witnesses: John Reeves, William Burridge, Robt. Johnson.
19, 523. MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 6
John & Johannah (Ruley) Babbs sell of Edward’s Neck
The indenture for their disposition of Edward’s Neck, discusses the sale of two tracts of land in Anne Arundel Co, MD by John and his wife Johannah. The indenture was recorded on 22 Jan 1747/48.
As I’ve mentioned, the two tracts are referred to by name as Edward’s Neck and Ruley’s Search in Hunger’s Neck. I was able to locate Edward’s Neck on a period map. The land was first granted to John Edwards in 1662 and sits on what is known today as Oakwood, MD. This was John Edwards’ 2nd Land Grant, the first being in 1650, so don’t confuse them if you go to look it up. It’s a narrow peninsula along the north shore of the South River. Today it is filled with beachfront homes and inlets. It is a mere 5 miles from Annapolis which borders the Severn River (keep that in mind).
(Circa 1650-1720)
After the sale of this land, John Babbs appears to move northward towards Annapolis and is found along the mouth of the Severn River in 1755 (This is where you should remember the thing I said earlier).
This newspaper entry carries a description of where his plantation is located. Thus far, I’ve been unable to locate Elk Ridge Road.
The digital copy of the Indenture (Deed Transfer) is attached next:
While I’m still looking, I find no record of the properties coming into John & Johannah’s possession or, for that matter, any other record of a Babb in this early database.
However, I find some curiosities about the paper trail for these two tracts of land. As I mentioned, Joseph Hill purchased the land from John Babbs in 1748. While unproven, I find entries that say Johannah’s maiden name was Ruley, which made me wonder if John had come into the land because of an inheritance of Johannah’s.
In Joseph Hill’s Last Will & Testament, he grants the land to John Ruley. This makes me wonder if the whole thing was a family affair. After all, the purchase of 2 tracts of land, totaling 174 acres for 15 Pounds seems like a sweetheart deal. The going rate at the time in colonial Maryland varied widely based on factors such as location, soil quality, and proximity to waterways or towns. Generally, land in the 18th century could be purchased for a few shillings to a few pounds per acre. This property had great access to water, but it is salt water, so that doesn’t really count.
Takeaways
- We add John to the list of potential fathers for our rowdy bunch of Maryland Babbs.
- We know his wife’s name, Johannah.
- We know that John and Johannah were born before 1727, to be at least 21 years old to sell the property. They are likely significantly older.
- We are, for the first time, able to place them in a part of Anne Arundel County. We have not one, but 3 places that we can tie him too, Edward’s Neck, Reeley’s Search and at the head of the Severn River, on Elk Ridge Rd (which no longer exists under that name).
- We know that John was a farmer as he is listed as having a plantation.
- We do NOT know if John owned slaves, but Maryland was a slave state until the end of the civil war.
- We need to add the surnames Ruley and Hill into our future search criteria to see if they can present corroborating evidence of a family connection in America or England. While I don’t put much stock in unsourced internet entries, it bears looking into.
Sources:
South River Hundred (Wikipedia)
Map Courtesy: Maryland Center for History and Culture