Levi D. Babbitt

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Levi D. Babbitt

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

One of the thoroughgoing business men of Morristown, who has climbed the ladder of success and gathered the fruits of honorable, earnest toil, is Mr. BABBITT, the subject of this sketch. For forty-four years he has been a resident of his city, his name inseparably connected with commercial interests here. The salient points in his business career are resolute purpose, unflagging industry and unabating zeal, and to these are attributable the prosperity which crowns his life work.

In the Life and Memories of Charlotte Cushman is found the early history of the BABBITT family, from which we glean the following items: The Cushmans were among the Pilgrims, Robert Cushman being the founder of the family in the United States. Dr. Erasmus BABBITT was a leading physician of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and also a prominent citizen. In 1758, he married Mrs. Mary (MARCY) REMINGTON, a daughter of Colonel Moses MARCY and a widow of Dr. Mesach REMINGTON, the first physician in Sturbridge. The second child, Thomas BABBITT, graduated at Harvard in 1784, studying under Dr. Warren in Boston. Erasmus BABBITT, Jr., his second son and third child, also graduated at Harvard, in 1790, studied law and married Mary SAUNDERS, and they were the grandparents of Charlotte Cushman, her mother being the daughter of Mary Eliza, who married the seventh Elkanah Cushman, who was the father of the celebrated Charlotte.

Erasmus BABBITT, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, removed from Litchfield, Connecticut, to Morris county and engaged in the manufacture of nails in connection with work at the blacksmith's trade. He resided for many years in Mendham, New Jersey, and there passed away at the age of sixty years. He married Miss Elizabeth BANKS, and their children were: Elias R., Sarah, Nancy, Martha, Ebenezer, Amzi A., John and James. The father of our subject, Elias R. BABBITT, was born in Mendham and for many years engaged in business there as a merchant tailor, also at No. 3 Chatham street, New York (was there in 1828): he did business for the grandfather of the present firm of Brooks Brothers, extensive manufacturers of clothing in New York city. He married Evelina BAILEY, of Middletown, Connecticut, who had previously been married. Her first husband was William Loundsbury, of Stamford, Connecticut, and to them was born a son, William Loundsbury, Jr. To Mr. and Mrs. BABBITT were born six children: Joseph, George, Levi D., Louise, Eveline, and Hampton M. The father was a Democrat in politics and a leading business man of Mendham. He died in 1850, at the age of fifty-seven years, and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in 1891, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Levi Dayton BABBITT was born at Mendham, New Jersey, December 20, 1831, and remained in that place until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Morristown, where he has since made his home. He has always engaged in the clothing business, carries a large stock and has a splendidly equipped store. His long continuance in business here indicates his success and his standing in business circles. He commenced life with no capital save a good knowledge of tailoring and a laudable ambition to succeed, and has steadily worked his way upward to affluence.

Mr. BABBITT was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah M. CRAMER, and their children are Horace A., William Dayton, Ella A., E. Nelson, P. Paul, George E. and Louise Evelina. In his political views Mr. BABBITT is a Democrat and has served as a member of the Morristown common council, of the township committee and of the board of education for seven years and would not serve longer. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of the Memorial Association of Morristown.

Transcribed by Christopher Cresta