Nicholas Babbs, Jr., Mayor of Guildford

Nicholas Babbs is first heard of in 1539 when he appears on a list of "Harnes Appoynted within the Towne of Guildeford". In June 1541, he was elected, along with one other, as Constable. On 16 June 1542 he and another were elected Flesh and Fish Tasters. On 3 November 1544, he served on the jury in the case of Campion and Compton versus Hammond. On 27 April 1545, Nicholas Babbs is on the list of approved men, indicating that he had earlier served as Bailiff. The same year, Nicholas is mentioned as an Affeerer. An Affeerer is basically an official who assesses fines which are not already standardly fixed. Nicholas was elected Bailiff again on 5 October 1545, and the same year he is listed as a Fishmonger for the whole of Lent, though his name is struck through, and he was apparently assessed 6p. for the privilege. On a tax list of 2 May 1546, Nicholas is listed under Saint Mary's Parish and was assessed 5p. for goods and 2s. for lands and tenements.

The only land record found for Nicholas is in 1550: "Nicholas Babbe, plaintiff, vs. Henry Alby, gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife, and Christopher Parkeherste, son and heir of George parkeherste, deforciants...A messuage, 42 acres of land and 8 acres of pasture in Guldeford, Stoke next Guldeford and Merrowe - Octove of Hilary."

At the time of his Burial he was called Mayor of Guildford in the record.

Sources:

Author: Threlfall, John Brooks

Title: Fifty Great Migration Colonists to New England & Their Origins

Abbrev: Fifty Great Migration Colonists

Publication: John Brooks Threlfall, Madison, Wisconsin 1990