Hi Artful,
I don't have any info on the popularity of other 'Babes in the Woods' stories or other formats. But as I stated I do know the long ballad was very popular during the 18thc going by the numerous printings. Perhaps a scholar familiar with other forms could enlighten us. The small pottery figures that were sold in the streets by hawkers were modelled on famous people and very familiar popular figures in literature and general fiction.

My suggestion was that the pottery figures were probably based on the old ballad, but you may well be right.

I completely agree that the Gardiner piece should be considered an original and separate song. To be considered as related to the ballad it would have to have substantial text in common.