John Baldwin
John Baldwin
| Born | 1786-09-01 |
| Died | 1875-06-25 |
| Select Board | |
| In Office | 1816 - 1821 |
| Representative to the General Court | |
| In Office | 1826 - 1827 |
| Howe School Trustee | |
| In Office | 1852 - 1872 |
John Baldwin was born in Billerica on September 1, 1786, a son of William Baldwin (1748 to 1802) and Susanna Wilson. He came of one of the town's oldest families: his father and grandfather, both named William, had lived on the old Baldwin homestead on the road north of the meeting house (today's 376 Boston Road, the colonial John Baldwin House, which is named for the earlier Johns of the family, not for him). After his father died in 1802 his brother Thomas, as administrator, sold that house lot out of the family in 1806. On November 15, 1810, John married Clarissa Parker, a daughter of Isaac Parker of Andover, and they made their home in the Federal house at 14-16 Andover Road, which still bears his name.
Known to the town as Colonel Baldwin, he was, in Hazen's words, "a leading and influential citizen; often called to important offices." He was a selectman for five years, from 1816 to 1820, and represented Billerica in the General Court in 1826 and 1827. He was chosen a trustee of the Billerica Academy, and after the academy closed in 1836 he bought its building, which stood south of the Unitarian church, and turned it into a country store. His son John Baldwin Jr. succeeded him in the store, which also housed the center post office, before moving to Chicago. With his brother Henry Baldwin he bought the Wetherbee place across Andover Road in 1825.
He gave long service to the First Parish. Martha Hill Sage recalled in 1898 that "Col. John Baldwin, father of Miss Lizzie Baldwin, was the treasurer of this parish for over forty years and without any expense to the society," and that his daughter Sarah inherited his interest in the parish.
When Dr. Zadok Howe died in 1851, John Baldwin headed the list of the seven original trustees of the Howe School, with James R. Faulkner, Dudley Foster, William H. Odiorne, Marshall Preston, Amos Spaulding and George H. Whitman. He helped open the school in 1852 and served on the board until 1872.
Clarissa Baldwin died on May 28, 1867, and Colonel Baldwin on June 25, 1875. Their children included Sarah; John; Francis (1817 to 1878), whose daughter Annie married the Howe School principal Samuel Tucker; Mary, who married Charles H. Parker; and Elizabeth.
References
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), Genealogical Register p. 8, BALDWIN 21, John
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), Genealogical Register p. 7, BALDWIN 6, William (grandfather)
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), p. 257 (trustees of the Billerica Academy; closed 1836)
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), p. 258 (first trustees of the Howe School)
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), p. 305, Representatives (John Baldwin, 1826-27)
- Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), p. 307, Selectmen (John Baldwin, 1816-20)
- Sage, Old Families of the First Parish (1898), p. 15 (Col. John Baldwin, storekeeper and parish treasurer)
- Catalogue of Howe High School, 1897, Board of Trustees (John Baldwin, 1852-72)
- MACRIS BIL.4, Billerica Masonic Temple (Baldwin store in the old academy building)
- MACRIS BIL.29, John Baldwin House, 14-16 Andover Road
Deed References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Property | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 14, 1832 | Guardian's Deed | John Baldwin, guardian of Lucy Ann, Nathan and Elbert Mears | Michael McGlone | Details | Thomas Rogers Homestead McGlone Homestead |
316/166 (South) |
Under license of the Supreme Judicial Court, John Baldwin, Esq., guardian of three of the minor children of Nathan Mears, late of Billerica, deceased, sold at public auction on the premises on March 20, 1832 to Michael McGlone of Lowell, the highest bidder at $1,347.19, three undivided fifths of "a certain Farm of said deceased called his Thomas Rogers' Place with the buildings thereon" of 51 acres 65 1/2 rods: the road lot beginning at the northeast corner at the road leading to Bradley's Ferry and running westerly by a lane as the wall stands to the Billerica Town Farm, southerly to Zadock French and back by the road; "one other piece of land, part of said place, on which stands the dwelling house, containing one hundred and thirty one rods and a half rods, and is enclosed with a stone wall"; a lot between French and the Town Farm; the river lot from a black oak by the Town Farm to a maple and the Concord River, down the river to land formerly of William Livingston; and a ten acre lot called the "Dam Swamp." Signed March 20, 1832, witnessed by Marshall Preston and Nathaniel Stearns. The other two fifths, belonging to Edwin and Charles Mears, were sold to McGlone by their guardian Nathaniel Stearns in the same auction (Book 316 Page 168), and in 1835 C. Mears conveyed the "Thomas Rogers Place" and Dam Swamp to McGlone (Book 342 Page 334, index only). Billerica town book 16, pages 134-137.
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| February 22, 1843 | Deed | Francis Faulkner, John Baldwin and James R. Faulkner | Stephen Parker and Caroline Parker | Details | Samuel Manning Homestead Dr. Harlin Pillsbury House |
425/226 (South) |
Francis Faulkner and John Baldwin, Esquires, and James R. Faulkner, gentleman, all of Billerica, with their wives releasing dower, sell for $2,750 to Stephen Parker and his wife Caroline, of Lowell, "a certain farm with a dwelling house & other buildings thereon being the homestead of the late Mrs. Francis Caldwell," on the westerly side of the road from Lowell to Billerica and Boston, about 38 acres, bounded by the late John Foster, Concord River, land lately of William H. Nash and Stephen Winters, and the road, the lines about 189, 36, 189 and 36 rods. No deed from Robert Caldwell to his widow, or into the three sellers, was found. Signed Oct. 31, 1842. The Parkers, then of Dracut, mortgaged it for $600 to Louisa Jaquith of Billerica (Middlesex South Book 425 Page 228), discharged by her administrator to Samuel L. Pillsbury et al. in 1879 (Middlesex North Book 135 Page 378). The 1853 Walling map labels the place "S. Parker." Billerica town book 17, pages 421-424.
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Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.