History of Misquamicut

Casey Mylek, Ben Arruda, and Evan Ferguson

Westerly

• 1662- John Babcock and his father James were 2 of the 18 settlers of Misquamicut.

• John married Mary Lawton (legend has it, they eloped to Westerly and lived alone in the wilderness)

• 1675- War broke out *between?* John remained in Westerly after the settlers left and fought in the Stonington militia.

• 1678- He was considered as an official citizen of Rhode Island and was appointed Conservator of the Peace for Westerly.

• May/June 1685- John died.– Personal property came to 790 pounds, 3 shillings,

was “the largest recorded in the town for many years”

– He left no will and, by English law, all lands passed to the oldest son, which was James.

James Babcock

• Signed an agreement stating he would only take half of the farm, the rest being left to his mother

Babcocks & Smiths• 1734- Joshua Babcock *relation?* built the mansion

where he would practice medicine• Ran a retail business and became very involved in

colonial politics.• 1770’s- Benjamin Franklin made visits to Mr. Babcock

rumored they were very close friends.• 1772- Joshua appointed first colonial Postmaster of

Westerly with the post office located inside the house.• Signed RI’s Declaration of Independence on May 4,

1776• 1783- Joshua dies.

The Granite Industry

• 1845- Orlando Smith discovered a granite outcropping on the Babcock farm– 1846- He bought the farm for $8k.

• 1850’s- Granite business expands to include cutting monuments (it gained a national reputation)

• 1859- Orlando dies.

Babcock-Smith Mansion

• 1884- Renovation of the mansion during this era gave the house a Victorian look.– Stained glass windows in the entryway– Balcony over front door– Wrap-around porch– Interior highly decorated– Reflected the style of the period

Misquamicut

• 1890- Bought by settlers from Sosoa, a Montauk Indian chief

• 1900- Westerly residents set up cottages to use the area for recreation– Became connected to town center & nearby Watch Hill by

trolley• Called Pleasant View until 1928• Was wiped out by Hurricanes in 1938, 1944, and 1954– After the 1954 hurricane, a mile-long stretch of beach was

condemned to be developed into Misquamicut State Beach