The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Benjamin Baldwin.

I \ biographical sketch of one of the early set
tiers of Bradford, by II c. MCDuFrEE.
Benjamin Baldwin and his wife, Lydia
Peters, were born in Hebron, Conn. They
removed to ThetfOrd, VT, then to Orfordy
n. H., and from there came to Bradford
about the year 176S. The 29th of May.
l777, the town voted to send Bildad An
dross and Benjamin Baldwin to the con-
ventiOn at Windsor, which was to be held
June 4th, for the purpose of organizing
new state. 1t was at this time that the
name New Connecticut, which had been
adopted in the preamble at Westminster,
was changed to Vermont. Mr.. Baldwin
was an active member of the convention
which declared Vermont a free and indie
pendent state. A constitution was form
ed July Cd, 1777, which was the nucleus of
our present state constitution. The fol-
lowing paragraph is taken from this first
constitution:
Each member OF the House of Representatives,
before he takes his seat, rust declare his belief
in one God in future rewards and punishments-
and must profess the Protestant religion
Mr.. Baldwin was chosen clerk of the
first legislature of Vermont, to fill the
place of Thomas Chandler, who had been
appointed Secretary of State. The As
sembly met at Windsor, in the church, on
March 18th, 1873, and adjourned March
18th to the first Tuesday in June next,
to convene at the house of Capt, stephen
Fay, in Bennington. At the next session
in Bennington, June 18th, 177S, Benjamin
! Baldwin and four others were appointed
judges of a special court for the shire OF
! Newbury. The term continued until
| June 26th, when the body adjourned to
such time as His EXcellency, the Govern
or, should call it together Mr.. Baldwin
was the member from MOOretOwn now
Bradford for the first, 177S and second,
1889 legislatures of Vermont, also for the
years 1850, 1888 and 1884. The first body
was composed of SiXty-three members,
not Il lawyer among them.
Vermont had, at this time, three foes
to contend with, wolves, tories and New
Workers. Iie wolves were shot on the
run, the property of the tories cOnHscat-
ed, and the New Workers were given the
full benefit of NermOnt'S first seal, the
beech seal.
Mr.. baldwin was the town clerk OF
Bradford in 1882 and 1883, and III 17SS and
1889. lie was also county clerk for
some time, reSigning ut the June term III
1888. He was one of the Committee OF
Inspection appointed Oct. 9th, 1888 by
the legislature to give title to the settlers
on the gore of land between Corinth and
MOOretOwn.
Mr.. Baldwin built the first saw mill in
Bradford, in the year 1774, on the site of
the present saw mill There has been d
mill at this place ever since. and it has
always been called the Baldwin Mill.
The original dam, it is said, is still in use.
The bridge across Waits River has also
borne his name. The TWO story brown
house on Waits River road, about half a
mile westerly from the saw mill, now
owned by Ellis Shumway, was built by
Mr.. Baldwin-nO one knows just wbeny
but it must be, at least, one hundred and
fifteen years old. Mr.. Baldwin lived
there on the farm and kept hotel for
many years before his death, which oc-
CURED Feb. 22nd, 1918. He lived TO be
eighty-five years old.
Mrs. Baldwin was a famous midwife
and very efficient landlady. 1t is said
that, at one time, Ira Allen, a brother of
Ethan Allen, called at the Baldwin tav-
ern and ordered breakfast. Mrs. Bald
win, like any other woman, was curious
tu know who her guest was, and inquired
his name. Mr.. Allen informed her, and
said, mo other woman ever had seven
such children as my mother" Mrs. Bald
win replied, yes, there was one, Mary
Magdalene.'
Jesse A.. and George w. Baldwin, now
living in Bradford, are descendants OF
Benjamin and Lydia Baldwin.
\ weed in the garden can beleaSily de-
stroyed when it first starts. Consump-
tion can be nipped in the bud by One
Minuta Couoh ('urp A. r. Clarke BT1u-