James Babington was born circa 1832 at the Babington family home in Camaghy, Magheracloone, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, the son of John Babington (Circa 1786-1866) and Mary Levins (?-?).
James Babington enlisted in the Irish Constabulary (Reserve) on 13 July 1852. On 1 Nov 1852 James was transferred to Co. Donegal in the Irish Constabulary. James was promoted to First Sergeant in the Irish Constabulary on 1 December 1852 or 1853. On 20 April 1855 James Babington resigned from the Irish Constabulary (Emigrated).
James left Ireland for Australia sometime after 20 April 1855, likely going to Adelaide in South Australia. In Adelaide James enlisted in the South Australia Police (foot branch) on 6 September 1855. James served eight months in the South Australia Police, resigning on 30 April 1856. On 21 May 1856 James enlisted in the Victoria Police and was posted to Kyneton. By 1 December 1859 James had been promoted to Sergeant First Class in the Victoria Police.
In April 1860 James Babington married Ellen McNamee (born in Co. Tyrone in about 1836) in Melbourne, Victoria.
In 1870 in Kyneton, Victoria James Babington had dealings with the then 15 year old Ned (Edmund) Kelly, the famous Australian bush-ranger. The only known letter in Ned Kelly's own hand is a 28 July 1870 letter to Victoria Police Sergeant James Babington.
After Kyneton James was posted to South Melbourne in the Victoria Police. James moved to Ballarat as Sub-Inspector in the Victoria Police. James and his family lived on Camp Street in Ballarat. James Babington died of valvular heart disease in Ballarat on 15 June 1881. An impressive monument to James Babington was erected in the New Ballarat Cemetery in Ballarat by members of the Victoria Police which note James, his wife Ellen, his son John James (died in and buried in Western Australia), and his daughters Mary Helena, Florence Edith, and Elizabeth Catherine. James' other son William George also died and is buried in Western Australia. Another daughter named Theresa May died in 1933 in Ballarat. None of James' apparently ever married and had childern.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1832 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 15th Jun 1881 | |
