The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-01-27
Benjamin Baldwin.

The WATCHMAN is much indebted
to Hon. II. G. McDuffee Of Bradford
for the subjoined sketch OF one of the
early settlers of that town. II will be
read with interest, particularly by the
older residents of the town and of the
county, also. In this connection the
WATCHMAN wishes to express its obi
CATION to Mr.. McDuffee for other sim
liar sketches that have appeared from
time to tine in the Bradford items of
this paper.
Benjamin Baldwin and his wife,
Lydia Peters, were born in Hebron,
Conn. They came to Thetford, VT,
then to Oxford, N. H., and from there
to Bradford about the year 176S May
20, 1777, the town voted to send Bildad
Andross aud Benjamin Baldwin to the
convention which was to be held at
Windsor, on the fourth of June in that
year, for the purpose of organizing
new State. 1t was at this time that the
name New Connecticut, which had
been adopted in the preamble Of West
minister, was changed TO Vermont. Mr..
Baldwin was an active member of the
convention which declared Vermont
free and independent State. A consti-
tuition was formed July 2, 1777, which
was the nucleus of onr present state
constitution. The following paragraph
| is taken from this first constitution:
Each member of the House OF Representa-
tives, before he takes his seat, must de-
clare his belief in one God, in future re-
wards 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
Assembly met at Windsor, in the
church, March -, 1878, and adjourned
March 20 to the first Tuesday in the fol
loving June, to convene at the house of
Capt. Stephen Fay, in Bennington. At
the next session in Bennington, June
II, 1778, Benjamin Baldwin and four
others were appointed judges of a
special court for the shire of Newbury.
The term continued until June 26, when
the body adjourned 10 such time as the
Governor should call it together. Mr..
Baldwin was the member from Moore
town (now Bradford) in the first
and second Legislatures of Vermont
OTIS, ITO also for the years 1880
1888 and 1884. The first body was
composed of sixty-three members, moi
lawyer among them. Vermont had
at this time, three foes to contend with
wolves, tories and New Workers. The
wolves were shot on the run, the prop,
erty of the tories confiscated, and the
New Workers were given the full bene
fit of Vermont's first seal, the beech
seal.
Mr.. Baldwin was the town clerk Of
Bradford in 1882 and 1888, and in 1875
and 1880. He was also county clerl
for some time, resigning at the June
term in 1888. He was one of the com
mittee of inspection appointed October
20, 1885, by the Legislature to give title
to the settlers on the gore of land be-
tween Corinth and Mooretown.
Mr.. Baldwin built the first saw mil
in Bradford, in the year 1774, on thu
site of the present saw mill. There
has been mill at this place ever since
and it has always been called the Bald
win 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 Watt
River road, about half mile westerly
from the saw mill, now owned by Eli
Shumway, was built by Mr.. Baldwin
no one knows just when, but it mus
be, at least, one hundred and ffteer
years old. Mr.. Baldwin lived there OF
the farm and kept hotel for many
years before his death, which occurred
February %, 1918. He lived to b,
eighty-6ve years old.
Mrs. Baldwin was famous midwife
and very efficient landlady. 1t il
said that, at one time, Ira Allen,
brother of Ethan Allen, called at tn,
Baldwin tavern and ordered breakfast
Mrs. Baldwin, like any other woman
was curious to know who her CUES
was, and inquired his name. Mr.
Allen informed her, and said, "Nt
other woman ever had seven suct
children as my mother" Mrs. Baldwin
replied, Eyes, there was one, Mar,
Magdalene." Jesse A., and George
w. Baldwin, now living in Bradford
are descendants of Benjamin ant
Lydia Baldwin.