1640.. One of founders of Woburn, Mass
1649.. Married Phebe Richardson, daughter of Winthrop Fleet parents Ezekiel and Susannah Richardson
1651-1673.. Has 11 children - two die as infants
1661.. Built the Baldwin Mansion
1698.. Passes away in Woburn, Mass
1990.. The Baldwin Mansion is opened as a restaurant in Woburn. Open today!

Henry was born in England. There are several theories about his origins. Phebe was baptized June 3, 1632/33 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. When Phebe was born, there were likely not more than 3,000 colonial settlers in the Americas. By the time we have the first record of Henry in Massachusetts, the number of colonial settlers in America likely did not exceed 30,000. We are truly descended from the earliest of American pioneers! 

From: The Baldwin Genealogy – From 1500  to 1881, Charles Candee Baldwin, Cleveland, Ohio, 1881, Henry Baldwin, of Woburn, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, Pg. 616:
 

"Henry Baldwin, of Woburn, was a freeman there in 1652. Sewell’s “History of Woburn” says he was a subscriber in Charlestown to the town orders for Woburn, in 1640, and after that a distinguished citizen of the latter town. I doubt whether “subscriber” means he signed them. The copy in Woburn Records has such peculiarities of spelling as shows the whole was written by one man, probably Edward Johnson. The name appears there as Henry Bolden; but his own signature to his will is well written and spelled. Henry was then evidently young. On p. 385, of his valuable history, Sewell give the date of the town orders as 1641.

He lived at “New Bridge,” or North Woburn, where in each succeeding generation some of his descendants have lived and been large owners of land. He was Selectman in 1681, and a Deacon from 1686 to his death.

There is a tradition in later days that he came from Devonshire, in England, as there is also among the descendants of John, of Billerica. The latter married Mary Richardson, cousin of wife of Henry. I think it not unlikely that they are related. It will be seen in my account of John, that the older tradition was that he was from Hertfordshire. The name Henry was one very common in the family of Bucks and Herts. The suggestion that they came from Devonshire, has arisen apparently in later times, and probably from the fact that the name Baldwin was there an old one – the first Earl of Devonshire, under William the Conqueror, having that name. This tradition is found in the “Vinton Memorial” and other places. The arms to be found in this branch of Baldwins do not belong to the Devonshire Baldwins.

Henry married November 1, 1649 (Sewell says Nov 1, and Savage says Sept 1) Phebe, eldest daughter of Ezekiel Richardson, of Woburn, and born perhaps in England; baptized in Boston, June 3, 1632, and perhaps born there (Charlestown), where her parents, Ezekiel and Susanna, appeared in 1630. He died February 14, 1697/98; his widow, Phebe, Sept 13, 1716. His original will was admitted to Probate April 4, 1698, where he is called Deacon Henry, and is to be found in East Cambridge, Mass. His children were: Susanna (died young), Susanna, Phoebe, John, Daniel, Timothy, Mary, Henry, Abigail, Ruth, Benjamin."

 

The Chronological History of Woburn, Massachusetts relates that the Baldwin Mansion in North Woburn was built by Henry Baldwin in 1661. This mansion is still standing and currently houses a restaurant called Baldwin's Restaurant. It no longer stands on the original ground, however. It has moved to 2 Alfred Street, Woburn, MA 01801. If you are in the neighborhood, call (617) 932-9812 for reservations!

Florence Baldwin, in "Heritage", edited by Douglas J. Geist (1986), relates the following about what she imagines life may have been like for them:
 

"What a long story is cramped into these few words. It requires no great stretch of the imagination to picture their humble home in the wilderness. No doubt it was a log cabin with puncheon floors, and perhaps high windows, as a protection from wild beasts and Indians. A fireplace at one end gave light and warmth on a cold winter evening. No pictures on the wall, except those of the dancing fire light. No musical instruments. No radio, telegraph, or even a newspaper, brought them news from the outside world. Their library probably consisted of the Bible, a hymn book, and possibly one other loved volume. Their pictures were those that nature made. The wooded hills, beautiful fertile valleys, limpid streams in which they could see the trout play and catch the image of the birds as they darted over head. Above the whole, the canopy of blue sky. Their music was the songs of birds, murmuring brooks, and the cries of wild four-footed creatures in the forest.

I can imagine the Indians coming to beg food from their scanty store. Again, I see the family in terror, lest a warring tribe attack them. They must often have suffered from the rigorous New England winters, and sometimes needed medical care which could not be obtained, except from a civilized nation. But between them and that nation rolled the broad expanse of the Atlantic. Evidently, they enjoyed some religious privileges and took an active part in the betterment of their community. They had their simple joys and friendships with those who were passing trough the same experiences as they. Their blood must have tingled with the freedom of the new world. And can't we almost feel it ourselves as we fancy the liberty which they enjoyed? "

Children: Henry and Phebe had 11 children  at least 49 grandchildren from which there are many tens of thousands of descendants out there!
 

• Two died while infants.
• Susanna (m Israel Walker)
• Phebe (m Samuel Richardson, a first cousin to her mother)
• Daniel, stayed in Woburn and died there.
• Henry, stayed in Woburn and died there
• Abigail, stayed in Woburn and died there.
• John's whereabouts are not accounted for in Candee Baldwin's genealogy in 1881. Possibly his descendants have latched onto us by now, or perhaps he had no descendants.
• Timothy moved to Stoneham, Mass and died there.
• Benjamin moved to the Windham County, Connecticut area (Canterbury and Norwich).

Henry Baldwin witnessed the will of John Baldwin of Billerica. They married cousins (both were Richardsons.) Candee Baldwin in the Baldwin Genealogy speculates these two factors could lead one to believe these two men were brothers.

Return to the Baldwin Page

Return to Mom's Side

| Top of Page | Home | Heritage | Fam Histories - Mom's |  Surnames | Other Stuff | What's New | E Mail |
 
Copyright 1996, 1997 Norris Taylor