Category: Unproven Lineages: Hertfordshire
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Vouche v Babbe: Circa 1433-1472
Analysis This accusation of fraud is against John Babbe & his brother William Babbe, feoffe’s to the manor of Nettleden, which today sits in Buckinghamshire County, but was historically part of Hertfordshire, England. It is addressed to the Bishop of Bath and Chancellor of England, concerning land tenure and feoffment in Hertfordshire. It involves pledges…
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Maimed but Not Forgotten – A Hertfordshire Soldier’s Plea
Analysis This document is a pension petition dated 8 February 1636/37 from the Star Chamber, submitted on behalf of Thomas Babbe, a maimed soldier from Hertfordshire, England. It outlines his military service under Queen Elizabeth, his injuries, and his request for a pension. The document includes endorsements from high-ranking officials and references to legal provisions…
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A Widow’s betrayal – Treachery at St Stephens
In the quiet parish of St Stephens near St Albans, Hertfordshire, a drama unfolded in 1729 that would echo through generations of the Babb family. It was not a tale of war or politics, but of inheritance, deception, and the quiet power struggles that shaped the lives of ordinary people—and in this case, the legacy…
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Legacy in Leather: The Estate of Thomas Hill, Tanner of Berkhamsted, 1659
Note: This article supersedes “From Gossom’s End to the Grave: The 1659 Will of Thomas Hill – Babb Unabridged” as new information has come to light. Analysis This document is the last will and testament of Thomas Hill, a tanner from Gossoms End in the parish of Berkhamsted St Mary (also known as Northchurch) in…
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The Mills, the Money, and the Babb Legacy: A 1672 Will from St Stephen
Analysis This document is the last will and testament of John Babb, a yeoman from the Parish of St Stephen in Hertfordshire, dated September 12, 1672. It outlines the distribution of his estate among his family members and includes a probate statement in Latin confirming the execution of the will. John’s will provided a connection…
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When the Records Whisper: The Babbs of Hertfordshire
Analysis This document is a noncupative (verbal) will of Oliver Babb of Frithden, in the parish of Berkhamsted, St Peter, Hertfordshire, dated 18 September 1649. It outlines bequests to many family members and helps to solidify his extended family unit. It describes his land holdings in Frithden, Hertfordshire and Pitstone, Buckinghamshire. Formal Transcription (Latin &…
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Fields, Faith, and Family – The Testament of Edward Babb
Analysis As with any estate of this timeframe that was worth more than 5 pounds, it was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in London. Initially, it didn’t seem of much interest, but as the transcription continued, it proved to be a key to the cipher of an entire family unit in Sarratt, which…
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Feathers, Felt, and Final Wishes: The Will of John Topping, 1745
John Babb was renting one of the Tenements or cottages listed in John Topping’s estate. The place was located in the Parish of St. Mary in Berkhamsted. John is a member of Hertfordshire Pedigree (Berkhamsted 1665). Formal Transcription (Early Modern English) In the name of God Amen the Thirty first day of December In the…
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A Widow’s Legacy in the Age of Annuities – The 1784 Will of Sarah Babbs of Much Hadham
In the quiet Hertfordshire village of Much Hadham, Sarah Babbs—widow of William Babbs (Hertfordshire Pedigree (Hertford 1712), matriarch, and prudent investor—committed her final wishes to paper in the autumn of 1784. Her will, preserved in the National Archives, offers a rare glimpse into the financial agency of women in late 18th-century England. With clarity and…
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A Voice from the Threshold of Death”: The 1699 Nuncupative Will of Ephraim Babb
In the waning days of 1699, as winter settled over Abbots Langley, Ephraim Babb lay dying. Too weak to write, he summoned witnesses and spoke his final wishes aloud—a “nuncupative” will, preserved not in ink but in memory and testimony. Proved in October 1699, this rare oral testament offers a glimpse into the legal, spiritual,…
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A Widow’s Choice, a Minor’s Right: The 1690 Will of Thomas Babb
In the shadow of the 1693 ecclesiastical drama we explored yesterday—“A Rector, a Widow, and a Minor”—lies the quieter but no less consequential story of Thomas Babb’s last will and testament. Drafted in St Albans in 1690, this document reveals the legal scaffolding that supported (and sometimes failed) the Babb family during a time of transition. Thomas Babb, a…
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A Rector, a Widow, and a Minor – Untangling the Babb Family’s 1693 Ecclesiastical Trail
What begins as a routine clerical appointment in the parish of Bushey quickly unravels into a layered tale of death, guardianship, and inheritance—spanning from the Parish hamlet of Bushey to the town of Pockenhamdrift. At the heart of it all? Francesca Babb, her deceased daughter Anna, and a minor heir named Robert, who was recognized…
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Josiah Vane of Berkhamsted, St Peters – Estate Bond, 12 Oct 1719
Analysis This document is a legal bond and obligation from the early 18th century, involving Elizabeth Vane, widow of Josiah Vane of Berkhamsted St Peters, Hertfordshire. It is a probate-related document, binding her to faithfully administer her late husband’s estate. The Latin portion formalizes the bond, while the English portion outlines the conditions under which…
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Bound by Bond: John Babb’s 1738 Pledge in Berkhamsted
This appears to be the same John Babb who served as the Guarantee for the Bond on Mary Grover’s estate. He clearly was a man of means to be able to confer such a guarantee. In this instance though, he is joined by two others due to the large value of the estate of over…
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1712 Probate Bond and Obligation, for Mary Grover
John Babb of Berkhamsted, St Peter served as a Surety (guarantor) for Mary Grover in this legal bond from 1712. Formal Transcription (Early Modern Latin/English) [Latin] Noverint universi per praesentes: Nos Mariam Grover, Johannem Babb, et Thomam Rooke de Barkhamsted Sancti Petri in comitatu Hertfordiae teneri et firmiter obligari Georgio Nowel, armigero de Bado et…
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The Baker’s Bequest: The 1771 Will of Edward Babb of Rickmansworth
In the spring of 1771, Edward Babb—a baker of Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire—set his affairs in order with a will that offers a modest yet meaningful glimpse into the life and legacy of a tradesman in Georgian England. Though infirm in body, Babb’s mind remained sharp as he distributed his worldly goods with care: a single…
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Gasper Coy of Berkhamsted, Innholder – Last Will & Testament, 1657
In Gasper Coy’s Last Will & Testament, he left an inheritance to his niece Mary (maiden name is apparently Coy) Babb. She was married to William Babb the younger and his father William Babb Senior served as one of the witnesses. Mary’s father has apparently passed away prior to this writing as she is singled…
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Cadwallader Smith, Miller of St Andrews Parish, Hertfordshire – Estate Records (6 Mar 1707)
Cover Image: St Andrews Parish Church, Hertford, Hertfordshire. This is the single largest estate I’ve seen on record in Hertfordshire. Cadwallider (Cadwallader) was a very wealthy man, and the cash portion of his bequests amount to £584. Our John Babb was put in charge as an co-executor of this massive estate. Who was John, you…
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John Babb of Berkhamsted, Wheelright – Estate Papers 1775
This will serves as a clap back to my last post regarding the curious estate of William Babb who demanded that his brother marry and start a family before being able to pass on any of his estate to his own offspring. As soon as William’s estate was settled about 9 years after his will…
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William Babb of Berkhamsted, Wheelright – Estate Records (1766-1775)
Sworn Affidavit Regarding Handwriting Verification of William Babb’s Will At first this set of estate records appears very confusing. For whatever reason, the Will needed to be verified by people who knew William’s handwriting. The ostensible reason is that William failed to sign his own Will as you will see below. The authenticity was attested…
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From Gossom’s End to the Grave: The 1659 Will of Thomas Hill
Analysis This estate record reveals new details about the Babb family unit that otherwise would be lost to history. We already have William Bab[be] the elder in our tree (1619 – Bet. 21 Mar 1696/97–04 Jun 1698). His estate was covered previously. New things we discover through this Will is the daughters of William the…
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William Knight of Chipperfield, Yeoman – Last Will & Testament 1693
Analysis While this Will & Testament is short on details for Elisabeth Babb, it is still significant because it demonstrates an presence in Chipperfield, which is very close to Hemel Hempstead, Abbots Langley, Watford, Rickmansworth and Sarratt. All of these locations contain early Babb(s) records and may eventually prove a connection to our Elisabeth. Formal…
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Robert Salter of North Mimms – Last Will & Testament (1679)
This will is notable for including an entire family unit within a timeframe that many records do not cover. Robert Salter’s sister Elizabeth married a Babbs and they bore at least 4 boys. While the father isn’t present in the record it still establishes 5 family members in presumably the same location as the Testator.…
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John Bab[b] of Berkhamsted St Peter, Wheelright – Estate Records (1756-1757)
![John Bab[b] of Berkhamsted St Peter, Wheelright – Estate Records (1756-1757)](https://babbunabridged.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image.jpg)
Formal Transcription (Early Modern English) In the Name of God Amen the five and twentieth day of June in the thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britan & France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and soforth and in the year…
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Thomas Babb and the Struggle of a Maimed Soldier: A Lens on 1646 Hertfordshire
In the twilight years of the English Civil War (1642–1646)—a time when personal sacrifice was laid bare against the backdrop of national turmoil—one name captured my curiosity: Thomas Babb. Unearthed in a 1646 Hertfordshire County record, his story offers a rare glimpse into the lived reality of a wounded soldier and the early origins of…
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William Babb & the Barber of St Albans
In the hidden corners of St Albans’ history lies a remarkable deed—one dated March 17, 1702—that offers us a captivating glimpse into the everyday lives and monumental institutions of the past. This document records the granting of two houses on Cooke Rowe Street (now 37 High St Redbourne, Redbourn AL3 7LW) to John Midwinter, identified…
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Nehemiah Babb of Berkhamsted – Estate Records 1640-1641
Cover Image: Last Will and Testament – Feb 1640/41 (proved 7 Mar 1640/41) Formal Transcription (Early Modern English) On or about the beginning of the month of February Anno Domini 1640 Nehemiah Babb of Greatberkhampstead in the County of Herts[fordshire] – Clothworker being sick in body but of great mind & memorie for disposing of…
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William Babb of Berkhamsted – Estate Records (1698)
William appears to have been a resident of Berkhamsted his entire life. He is a member of the tree we refer to as Hertfordshire Pedigree (Berkhamsted 1546) Formal Transcription (Early Modern English) 1698Babb, Gulielmus de Barkhamsted Petri JuneApril Barkhamstead4 Jun 1698Inventorie ul nihaExebita jurat wianaRobert Brabant clerk Modern English Translation 1698Babb, William of Berkhamsted, St…
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John Babb of Hertford, Hertfordshire, 1723 – Estate Records
Today, we’re taking a closer look at the estate records of John Babb of Hertford, Hertfordshire, dating back to 1723. These records provide a unique glimpse into the life and times of our ancestors, offering valuable insights into their daily lives, social status, and economic activities. We last visited John when he obtained a license…
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Unearthing 17th-Century Trade: The Curious Case of John Babb
I’ve always been fascinated by the ways our ancestors organized their lives and built their economic world. While sifting through historical records from Hertford, Hertfordshire [pronounced Heart-ford-shire] I came upon a genealogical document from 1683, that tells us a little about one John Babb(s). John is currently part of a tree fragment that is named…
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Francis Babb: A Witness to History and Leadership in St Albans
Before we dive into the wine trade and Tudor feasts, let’s take a moment to recognize Francis Babb, a key witness to the 1592 indenture that granted Robert Robyns exclusive rights to sell wine in St Albans. Babb wasn’t just a passive observer—he was a three-time Mayor of St Albans, a position that placed him…
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Unraveling the Legacy of Francis Babb and Le Clockhouse
History has a way of leaving breadcrumbs, and sometimes, those breadcrumbs lead straight to fascinating discoveries. My latest deep dive into the past has uncovered the story of Francis Babb, a prominent figure in St Albans, Hertfordshire, during the late 16th century. His name appears in court documents, civic records, and even historical genealogies—but what…
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A Token for the Ages: Hertfordshire
This is the story of how a coin located in the British Museum is increasing our understanding of the Babb surname. Working to research the 1667 coin issued by William Babb, I’ve stumbled upon a bevy of several hundred records of Babb records in Hertfordshire, which is considered part of the “Home Counties” (Greater London).…