Worcester County MA Archives Biographies.....Baldwin, Col. Jeduthan January 13, 1732 - June 4, 1788
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Source: Book, The DeBurians, Bangor, ME, 1906
Author: Thomas William Baldwin

COL. JEDUTHAN BALDWIN, 1775-1778, EDITED WITH A MEMOIR AND NOTES BY THOMAS 
WILLIAMS BALDWIN, published 1906. From the copy posted on Google Books. 

Page vii:			INTRODUCTION
EVER since the existence of the MS. of the Journal contained in this volume 
became known to members of The De Burians, it has been their great desire to 
print the same as one of their publications. After many delays the Committee of 
Publication has great pleasure in issuing the same as the Third Volume in their 
series of works inscribed to the memory of Richard De Bury, Bishop of Durham, 
1287-1345.

On December 8, 1897, a loan exhibition of rare articles of virtue, historic 
relics, art pieces, old lace, etc., was held at the residence of the Misses 
Baldwin in this city for the benefit of the Woman's Exchange. The original MS. 
of this Revolution Journal of Col. Baldwin, was one of the choice things 
exhibited at that time.

This MS. is now in possession of Miss Charlotte A. Baldwin, State Regent of the 
Maine Council of Daughters of the American Revolution. It formerly belonged to 
Thomas Williams Baldwin, Miss Baldwin's father, who inherited it from her 
grandfather, 

Page viii:
Luke Baldwin, a son of Col. Jeduthan Baldwin. Miss Baldwin does not remember 
when her father did not have this MS. and recalls many times when he took it 
from his desk and read some portions of it.

The Journal as now printed receives new interest from the fact that by order of 
the War Department of January 25, 1906, the Military Reservation at Sabino 
Head, at the mouth of the Kennebec River, in Maine, is named Fort Baldwin, in 
honor of this notable Military Engineer of the Revolution. The fort to be 
constructed at Sabino Head is to be located back of Fort Popham on the site of 
Popham's Fort St. George of 1607. The site was determined by a plan found in 
the general archives of Simancas, Spain, several years since and published in 
1890 in Brown's Genesis of the United States, vol. I, page 190. This land is in 
the present town of Phippsburg. The description of Fort St. George gave it 12 
pieces of ordnance, several houses, a church and a storehouse. Here was built 
the first vessel in America, the Virginia, 30 tons, the chief shipwright being 
one Digby of London. She carried the last of the colony back to England in 1608.

Col. Baldwin was Captain of a company in the expedition against Crown Point in 
1755-56 and served in the same capacity from March to December 1758, at Fort 
Ticonderoga and at Fort Du Quesne. The first portion 
Page ix:
of the Journal here printed is that kept by Capt. Baldwin at Fort William 
Henry, from December 1, 1755, to May 4, 1756. It is an interesting fact that 
twenty years after this he campaigned in the same section of country with 
Generals Schuyler, St. Clair and Gates, as Colonel and Chief of Engineers.
It is especially gratifying that The De Burians have had as editor of this 
volume and author of the Memoir of Col. Baldwin, his great-grandson, Mr. Thomas 
Williams Baldwin, who has devoted much painstaking care and a great deal of 
time to the preparation of the work. To him and to his sister, Miss Charlotte 
A. Baldwin, I wish to express my thanks for their great interest in placing 
this Journal before the historical students of the country. Moreover, I wish to 
make acknowledgement for the great assistance given in collating and revising 
the MS. for the press, to the other members of the Committee of Publication: 
Mr. Frank H. Damon and Bartlett Brooks, Esq.; also to Prof. James Brooks, a 
member of the Club, for his assistance in comparing the printer's copy with the 
original Journal.

As an important and interesting contribution to this subject, the sermon 
delivered at the funeral of Col. Baldwin, by Rev. Daniel Foster, A. M., is 
reprinted from the exceedingly rare pamphlet printed at Worcester, Mass., by 
Edward E. Powars in 1789.

Page xv:					MEMOIR
JEDUTHAN BALDWIN was born in Woburn, Mass., January 13, 1732. He lived here but 
a short time as his father, soon after his birth moved to Sudbury, Mass., but 
just what year we do not know.

In 1734 his father purchased land in Sudbury, his residence being given as of 
Woburn. In all later deeds his residence is given as of Sudbury, so probably it 
was in 1734 or shortly after that he took up his residence there.

He was the son of Isaac and Mary Flagg Baldwin, and grandson of Henry Baldwin 
of Woburn, who was the first of the family to settle in this country. His 
ancestors lived in what is now known as North Woburn, and built there in 1640 
the house which has since always been and now is called The Baldwin House, an 
illustration of which forms the frontispiece to this volume.

It was a cousin of Jeduthan to whom we are indebted for the Baldwin apple. His 
cousin Loammi Baldwin, who served with distinction in the Revolutionary War, 
and who was said to have been with Washington on that winter night when he 
crossed the Delaware, was the originator of this apple. It is said that once, 
when making a survey at Wilmington, he observed some woodpeckers flying around 
a certain tree and going to it he found some excellent apples under it. He took 
from the tree scions which he grafted on to trees of his own. Subsequently when 
he attended Court in his capacity of High Sheriff, and also when he traveled 
anywhere, he was wont to take scions of this fruit, as well as the fruit 
itself, to distribute among his friends. At first these apples were called by 
some Butters apples, from the party on whose land the original apples were 
found, and by others Pecker apples from the bird that first drew attention to 
them. But it is said that one day when Col. Loammi Baldwin had a party of 
gentlemen to dine he set before them a dish of these apples, and they asked him 
by what name the apples were called. "By no name in particular," the Colonel 
replied; "call them, if you please, Baldwin apples." And this has been their 
name ever since. The original tree was blown down in the great gale of 1815.

Jeduthan Baldwin left Sudbury when quite young and settled in Brookfield, Mass. 
Just when he went there we do not know but we find that, on May 9, 1754, he 
purchased 
Page xvii:
in Brookfield two lots of land, one of 6J acres, and another of 161 acres. In 
these deeds his occupation is given as Housewright. In all subsequent deeds of 
land, which he purchased, he is mentioned as Gentleman or the title Esq. is put 
after his name.
The town of Brookfield was divided into three precincts, one of which is now 
known as the town of North Brookfield. This was the part of the town in which 
he settled. He owned considerable land in the town during his life, as deeds 
are on record covering in the aggregate several hundred acres, which at 
different times he purchased, and but a small part of which he seems to have 
sold. The following item is taken from the report of the appraisers of his 
estate.

"The whole of the Real Estate, including the home farms, with the Buildings 
thereon standing, with a Pew in the Meeting House also one piece of Swamp and 
Meadow containing about 20 Acres, and another piece of Meadow containing three 
Acres, together with one-fourth part of the Brick Dwelling House formerly owned 
by Major Peter Harwood." This property the appraisers valued at 1085 pounds.

North Brookfield separated from the old town ecclesiastically in 1750, and 
educationally in 1756. And during the struggles of the eighteenth century this 
town took upon itself with the tacit consent of the mother town, the 
Page xviii:
burden of paying its military expenses and furnishing its quota of soldiers for 
the wars.

In the spring of 1755 an expedition was planned against Crown Point, and 
Brookfield furnished her full quota for the expedition, Jeduthan being in 
command of a company, and we have his diary running from December, 1755, to 
May, 1756. Dr. Benj. Gott, who was surgeon's mate on the staff of Col. Josiah 
Brown and who remained at Fort William Henry till March 31, 1756 says in a 
petition: "I was at Fort William Henry last winter and know that Capt. Jeduthan 
Baldwin dealt out from his private stores, Rum, brandy, sugar, coffee, tea, 
wine, etc., to the sick in the Hospital, the Commissary being destitute."
Some time during this war Capt. Baldwin was wounded so severely in the leg that 
the council of surgeons declared it incurable and advised amputation. He 
protested against the measure but they insisted and were about to bind him and 
perform the operation when he raised himself in his bunk, seized his bayonet 
and threatened any one's life who should attempt to bind him, saying that if he 
went he would go altogether. Needless to say, that the operation was not 
performed and his leg was saved.

In 1757 Jeduthan Baldwin was married to Lucy, daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer 
Parkman of Westboro. Rev. Mr. Parkman was the first minister settled in 
Westboro, 
Page xix:
going there in 1724, and remaining until his death in 1782. When he was first 
in Westboro it was a long way into the wilds, and in his diary, which he kept 
and a considerable part of which is preserved in the Library of the American 
Antiquarian Society in Worcester, we get an interesting insight into the life 
of a minister in the pre-Revolutionary times. In his diary under date of 1724 
he tells of going to meeting with his pistol in his hand and being much 
frightened on his return by seeing what he supposed was an Indian approaching, 
but on coming nearer he found that it was his landlord. From the same source we 
learn that on August 20, 1756, Isaac Baldwin, (father of Jeduthan), called on 
Rev. Mr. Parkman and wife to ask their "approbation of his son Jeduthan 
proceedings with your daughter, Lucy." The wedding day was afterwards set for 
April 21, 1757, but as the authorities appointed this day Fast Day Rev. Mr. 
Parkman sent word to Capt. Baldwin postponing the date of the wedding. By some 
chance the letter was not received and Capt. Baldwin did not learn of the 
postponement until his arrival in Westboro on the 20th. The wedding was 
solemnized on April 28th, under which date we find the following entry in the 
diary:
"Capt. Baldwin came, accompanied by his Br Nahum, but his Father and Mother 
whom I had writ to came not. My son Thomas went to Mr. Stowe of Southboro and 
brought up 
Page xx:
Miss Huldah. p.m. Mr. Martyn & his wife came. My son Ebenezer & his wife, at 
eve Mr. John Martyn junior & his wife and at the edge of evening the marriage 
of my Daughter Lucy was solemnized by Rev. Mr. Martyn."

Under date of May 2, we find the following entry: "Cold. Capt. Baldwin left us 
to go to Brookfield to come again not till after election. Miss Huldah still 
with us, a sober discreet young lady assists Lucy in Quilting a Bed Quilt."

Mrs. Baldwin remained with her father for a month after the wedding, and then 
Capt. Baldwin came and took her home to Brookfield. In Rev. Mr. Parkman's diary 
under date of June 8 we read that: "Capt. Baldwin (who came a little after 
midnight) to day takes his wife out in a Chair and yy ride over to Mr. Martyn’s 
and return at evening p. m. came his Father & Mother; & at evening his Uncle 
Samuel (with whom he served apprenticeship) we supped & lodged here. I would 
view the kind Hand of Providence that while I was somewhat put to't for fresh 
meat, Mr. Maynd kindly sent me a quarter of veal & some Butter, Mrs. Dolly Rice 
an old Cheese. Thos. went to Southboro to invite Miss Huldah Stow to go with 
his sister to Brookfield, but returned without her, it being too short warning, 
yet longer could not be given her. Lucy was so ill yesterday that it was 
uncertain whether she could go herself."

Page xxi:
Under date of June 9 he says: "Still hot and dry. My Daughter Lucy left us, & 
went with her husband to Brookfield. The Company that went from home with them 
were his Father & Mother & Uncle Samuel Baldwin."

In the part of Rev. Mr. Parkman's diary covering the years 1756 to 1761 
frequent mention is made of Capt. Baldwin, who on his way to Boston or 
elsewhere, would tarry for a day or night with his father in law.

Capt. Jeduthan Baldwin was in military service throughout the French and Indian 
war and we find it recorded that he was in service from March to December, 
1759, and we find references to him in Commissary Wilson's Orderly Book, at the 
expedition of the British and Provincial Army under Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Amherst 
against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 1759.

In March, 1759, Capt. Baldwin's father died and we find in the Diary the 
following entries:

"13. When I came home received a Letter from my Son Baldwin to inform me that 
his Father Baldwin died yesterday morning and to desire me to go to the Funeral 
to morrow."

"14. The morning was very stormy snowed & blowed so that I soon gave up all 
Thoughts of going to the Funeral of Br Baldwin neither could I so much as go to 
Southboro where I had designed before I recd the Letter of my son Baldwin."

Page xxii:
After the war Capt. Baldwin went into trading as is shown by the following 
entries in Rev. Mr. Parkman's diary.

"Nov. 14, 1760. My Son Baldwin from Boston here is going home with Quantity of 
goods in his carts, being about to set up Trading."
And again under date of February 4, 1761: "Billy set out for Boston in his 
Master Baldwin's Service."

"Feb. 7 a very rainy Time, yet at evening Billy returned from Boston having 
loaded up Mr. Walcott, as well as Mr. Bartlett's wagons from Brookfield for his 
Br Baldwin."

"Feb. 20. At night in the Rain comes my son Baldwin & a Negro he has bought of 
Maj. Curtis of Sudbury, a Chair & 2 Horses so that he has here at my Barn three 
Horses."

"21. A Rainy morning about 10 cleared. My Baldwins & their Negro Set out on 
their journey afterward it rains again & I fear they will not get home."
From this time to the opening of the Revolutionary contest we have no knowledge 
of his movements but we infer that he prospered in his undertakings for during 
this period we find he bought several parcels of land in Brookfield and was 
quite a land owner at the time of the opening of the Revolution.

It was during this period that he came into possession of a clock, the case of 
which he is reported to have made 
Page xxiii:
himself. The face of the clock bears the inscription "Jedu. Baldwin Brookfield 
1766." It not only tells the time of day, but also the day of the month. The 
works are of brass and are said to have come from England. The clock is today 
in good condition and keeping accurate time at the residence of Miss Charlotte 
A. Baldwin in Bangor, Maine.

From a Bicentennial Oration delivered at West Brookfield, July 4, 1860, by 
Lyman Whiting, D. D., we learn that on December 7,1773 a meeting of the 
citizens of the town was held and two letters were read from the town of 
Boston. At this meeting a committee of five, of which Capt. Baldwin was one, 
was appointed to consider and report a proper resolve relating to the 
importation of tea from Great Britain, "and such other matters as are proper 
for this town to do at this difficult time." This Committee made the following 
report with accompanying resolve:

"We think it our indispensable duty, in the most public manner to let the world 
know our utter abhorrence of the last and most detestable scheme, in the 
introduction of Tea from Great Britain to be peddled out amongst us, by which 
means we were to be made to swallow a poison more fatal in its effects to the 
national and political Rights and Privileges of the People of this country, 
than ratsbane would be to the natural body.

Page xxiv:
"Therefore, Resolved, that we will not by any way or means knowingly encourage 
or promote the sale or consumption of any Tea whatever, subject to a duty 
payable in America, but all persons whoever they may be, who shall be concerned 
in a transaction so dangerous, shall be held by us in the utmost contempt, and 
be deemed enemies to the well being of this country."

The authority above mentioned also gives the following sentences from the 
report of this committee:

"Loyalty and fidelity to our most gracious King, George the Third, and due 
obedience to the government under him, by Divine Providence and by Law 
established in this Province, we will to the utmost of our power maintain and 
defend. An uninterrupted Friendship and Commerce with the Country of our 
Father's nativity, we wish to continue to our latest Generation; but our dear 
bought rights and privileges we will never tamely give up." Further on they 
say "of our dearest civil and religious privileges when wrested from us, we 
shall not think our lives and property too much to be spent in their defense 
and recovery."

At a Town Meeting held March 14, 1774, Capt. Jeduthan Baldwin was chosen Town 
Clerk; also elected one of the Board of five Selectmen; also one of two 
surveyors of shingles. 

Page xxv:
September 12, 1774, a Committee of Correspondence consisting of eleven members 
was chosen by the Town and Capt. Baldwin served on this Committee.
September 26, 1774, Jedediah Foster Esq., Capt. Jeduthan Baldwin and Phineas 
Upham were chosen delegates to the Provincial Congress to be held at Concord. 
This Congress met in Salem on Friday, October 7, 1774, and at once adjourned to 
meet at the Meeting House in Concord. They met here for a week and then 
adjourned to Cambridge. This Congress was in session till October 29th, and 
then adjourned to November 23. When they met in November it seems to have been 
difficult to secure the attendance of the members for on the journal of the 
Congress under date of Friday, November 25th, we find the following resolve:

"Resolved, that Doctor Holton, Doctor Foster, Col. Roberson, Capt. Baldwin and 
Mr. Cushing be a Committee to wait on such Gentlemen of his Majesties 
Constitutional Council of this province, who are now in Town at the request of 
this Congress, and acquaint them, that this Congress respectfully acknowledge 
their cheerful attendance but will not be ready to offer any matters for their 
advice, until a Quorum of that Hon. Board shall appear, and which is soon 
expected, and that in the meantime a seat is provided for them in this House if 
they shall see cause to be present."

Page xxvi:
This is the only Committee on which we find the name of Capt. Baldwin. This 
Committee did not meet with much success for on the following day they reported 
that they had found but two of the absent members in town but had delivered 
them the message. The Committee were then ordered "to wait on the other 
Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council invited by this Congress to attend here as 
they come to Town and inform them of the Resolve of this Congress."

This Congress finally adjourned December 10, 1774. It was presided over by the 
Hon. John Hancock.

At a meeting of the Town held on December 26, 1774, a vote was passed to allow 
Jeduthan Baldwin ,£9-14 for services as delegate to the Provincial Congress at 
Concord and Cambridge, 45 days.

In January, 1775, a meeting was held and it was "Voted That the ministers be 
desired to notify contributions for the Boston sufferers." A committee of 
three, one from each precinct, was chosen to receive these contributions and 
transport them to Boston. Jeduthan Baldwin was the member from the Second 
Precinct or North Brookfield.
We know not what success the committee as a whole had, but we find in Vol. 4 of 
the Fourth Series of the Massachusetts Historical Collections the following 
letter which shows what success crowned the efforts of Capt. Baldwin:

Page xxvii:
BROOKFIELD, February 6, 1775. "To THE COMMITTEE OF DONATIONS, "GENTLEMEN,
"The bearer, Mr. Ayres, will deliver you 30 bushels rye, 14 do. Indian corn, J 
bushel beans, and 18 cheeses, weight 224 lbs., and two dollars in cash, which I 
received of the inhabitants of the second precinct in Brookfield, for the 
suffering poor of Boston, and is the whole that is brought in. There is not a 
man in this place but wishes you success, and are ready to lend you their 
assistance to the last extremity.
" I am your very humble servant, JEDU. BALDWIN, Committee."

In reply a letter was sent, which was a copy of a letter sent to the town of 
Brookline and which is printed in the collection above referred to. In this 
letter the committee acknowledge receipt of the contributions and thank the 
citizens for their generous donation to the people of Boston, "who are now 
suffering the severity of ministerial vengeance, for nobly exerting themselves 
in the glorious cause of American liberty. We trust that by the blessing of 
Heaven, and the kind assistance of our sympathizing and benevolent brethren, in 
this and the other Colonies, we shall be enabled to stand firm (as we have 
hitherto done), to the disappointment and disgrace of the enemies 
Page xxviii:
of America and the liberties of mankind. Accept of our grateful thanks for this 
mark of your affection and sympathy towards us in our unhappy situation.

"I am with due acknowledgments for the care you have taken, in the name of the 
Committee, Gentlemen, "Your obliged friend and servant, THOMAS CRAFTS, Jun."

In 1775 Capt. Baldwin was again at his service with the army as the following 
letter, the original of which is preserved in the library of the American 
Antiquarian Society at Worcester, will testify:

"CAMP AT PROSPECT HILL, July 7, 1775. "DEAR SIR: Last evening I had the 
pleasure of hearing of your return to Brookfield, by Mr. Sullivan, who informed 
me that matters were settled agreeably at Ticonderoga, and that the fort was 
under good circumstances, after meeting with some opposition with one of the 
officers. By an invitation from Col. Gridley, I went as an engineer (the 16th 
of June) upon Bunker Hill, in Charlestown, and threw up a breastwork, and was 
on that hill the whole of that memorable day. The 17th of June, at evening, we 
retreated out to Prospect Hill, and worked again all that night throwing up 
breastworks; and I have continued in that service as an engineer to this time. 
Page xxix:
I propose to stay here about a fortnight; by that time I expect to finish the 
fortification on this hill, and then I expect to return home, as there is no 
provision made for me in the army, and the Congress are requested by Gen. 
Washington not to give out any more commissions. You proposed to me to have 
another Member chosen to represent Brookfield with you. It would be very 
agreeable to me to have the favor of the people.
"I am, Sir, your very humble servant, JEDU'N BALDWIN."

At Bunker Hill his brother Isaac was killed. Isaac Baldwin at the very 
commencement of the war raised a company of men in Hillsborough, N. H., and 
brought them to Cambridge. While there with his men a tender belonging to the 
enemy got aground on the Chelsea ferry ways and he went with twelve of his men 
in open day in the face of the enemy and burned her, after taking out her guns 
and sails, by throwing a pitchfork of hay on fire in the cabin windows. Having 
accomplished this he put his men back one by one and himself brought up the 
rear under the fire of the British fleet and in this way reached their quarters 
safely with four of his men wounded. He fought valiantly at Bunker Hill and was 
shot through the breast and died that night. He is said to have loaded and 
discharged his musket three times after he was wounded. 
Page xxx:
When his men were carrying him off the field he exhorted them to fight saying " 
that they would win the day, and he would be with them again directly." He died 
that night.

Jeduthan Baldwin was active in planning the work around Boston during its 
investment and on March 17, 1776, he was made assistant engineer with rank of 
Captain at Cambridge. The diary of his which is here published commences 
December 8, 1775, and shows him to have been at Cambridge and vicinity until 
the middle of March 1776, when he received orders to go to New York, where he 
was set at work on the fortifications. April 26, 1776, he was placed on the 
continental establishment with rank and pay of Lieut. Colonel, and ordered to 
Canada. He went up the Hudson to Albany and by way of Fort Edward and 
Ticonderoga and down the River Sorell to Chambalee and Sorell. Here he met the 
army retreating. By the last of July he was back at Ticonderoga and was there 
at the time of Burgoyne's surrender. September 3, 1776, he was made engineer 
with the rank of colonel. In December, 1776, he returned to his home in 
Brookfield and in January, 1777, went to Boston and Portsmouth, N. H., but by 
the first of February he was back at Albany on his way to Lake George. He 
remained at Lake George until November when he again returned home. He served 
under Gen. St. Clair at Ticonderoga this year. For the 
Page xxxi:
next six months we have not his diary, but in July of that year he was in the 
neighborhood of New York, where he remained the rest of the year. This is as 
far as this diary goes but the diary of Rev. Ebenezer Parkman for the years 
1779 and 1780 has been published and from this we get occasional glimpses of 
Col. Baldwin, and learn something of his movements.

In his diary under date of March 14, 1776, he speaks of dining with Mr. Samuel 
Baldwin at Roxbury. This was Rev. Samuel Baldwin, who was a cousin of his and a 
Presbyterian clergyman, of whom it is said that he used to carry his arms to 
church, and on Thanksgiving Day, 1775, when addressing the Throne of Grace he 
thanked the Lord "that there was sufficient hemp in the colonies to hang all 
the Tories."

It was while at Ticonderoga in 1776 that he wrote a letter to his daughter 
Betsey which fortunately has been preserved; a facsimile reproduction of which 
is given on the opposite page.

In a book privately issued by the Massachusetts Chapters of the Daughters of 
the Revolution, and which is entitled: Honor Roll of Massachusetts Patriots 
Heretofore Unknown, and which contains a list of men and women who loaned money 
to the Government during the years 1777-1779, I find the name of Zeduthun 
Baldwin, which is probably meant for Jeduthan Baldwin, although 
Page xxxii:
in the list his residence is given as Lancaster instead of Brookfield.

By Resolve of Congress of March 11, 1779, a Corps of Engineers was formed with 
three companies of Sappers and Miners, which a Resolve of date of May 27, 1778, 
had ordered to be raised, all of them to be under the direction of the Chief 
Engineer.

It is interesting to note that this Corps was officered almost entirely by 
Frenchmen, there being but two or possibly three Americans in its list of 
officers.

The following were the officers who served in this Corps, as given in Heitman's 
Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army, and Hamersly's Army 
and Navy Register:
Chief Engineer: Brigadier General Louis Lebique Duportail.
Colonel Thaddeus Kosciusko
Colonel Baileul de la Radiere
Colonel de Laumoy
Lieutenant Colonel Cheval de Cambray
Major Jean Baptiste Obrey de Gouvion
Major Cheval de Villefranche
Major John Barnard de Murnan
Captain Pierre Charles L'Enfant
Captain Joseph Detzon
Captain Daniel Nevin
Page xxxiii:
Colonel Jeduthun Baldwin 
Major Ferdinand de Brahm 

Rev. Mr. Parkman seems to have shared in common with many others at that time 
the antipathy against Masonry, for under date of May 25 and 26, 1780, we find 
the following entries in his diary:

"May 25 I found that my son Breck is a FREE MASON."

"26 I discover also that my son Sam is, that Capt. Elias and yt Col. Baldwin 
are."

We do not know to what lodge Col. Baldwin belonged, having found nothing that 
would give us information on this point. The only other information we have as 
to his being a Mason is found in his diary under date of Nov. 4, 1777, where he 
says: " admitted to an Honorable Assembly." And again on Nov. ] 2 he says: " 
Recd into a Society as a Craftsman." We understand that there were many lodges 
formed in the army and possibly it was to one of these that he belonged.

During the year 1780 we find from a Memorandum Book kept by Ebenezer Parkman, 
Jr., who was with the Revolutionary Army, that Col. Baldwin was during the 
early part of the year at Morristown, N. J., and in February went to 
Philadelphia, where he remained a month and then returned to Morristown, going 
home to Brookfield in June for a few months. In the Fall of 1780 
Page xxxiii:
he was at West Point with his regiment of artificers. He resigned on April 26, 
1782.

It is reported that it was a member of Col. Baldwin's regiment who made the 
coffin that Major Andre was buried in.

Just before the army of the American Revolution was disbanded, at the 
suggestion of Gen. Knox, the officers formed themselves in April 1783 into a 
secret society for the purpose of keeping up their friendly intercourse and 
keeping fresh the heroic memories of the struggle they had been through. They 
likened themselves to Cincinnatus, who left his plow to lead an army and 
returned, after his war duties were over, to the plow again. Hence they called 
themselves The Society of the Cincinnati. They adopted a constitution and 
formed by-laws and chose Gen. Washington as their first President. Its branches 
in the several States were to hold meetings each Fourth of July and the general 
society to hold a meeting every May. The order was to be kept alive by descent 
through the eldest male representative of the members of the families. In its 
main intent the Society was to be a kind of Masonic brotherhood charged with 
the duty of aiding the widows and orphans of its members in time of need. The 
autograph list of the original members of the Massachusetts Society, deposited 
in the safety vault of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society, contains 
the names of 320 
Page xxxv:
officers and among them is found the name of Col. Jeduthan Baldwin.

In March, 1784, an academy was organized at Leicester, Mass., and in 1786 Col. 
Baldwin was a contributor to a fund for the academy to the amount of one 
hundred pounds.
In a Brief Sketch of the History of Leicester Academy, published by Emory 
Washburn in 1855, we find a notice of Col. Baldwin, which in part is as follows:

"Col. Jeduthan Baldwin deserves a prominent place in these notices on many 
accounts.
"He became a contributor to the fund in the sum above stated, in 1786, to 
enable the institution to struggle with the embarrassments that grew more 
oppressive, as the currency of the country depreciated, and the general 
stagnation of business paralyzed the industry of the citizen. For this generous 
and opportune assistance, the trustees passed a vote of thanks, May 23rd, 1787.

"Colonel Baldwin belonged to Brookfield. He was born in 1731, and died June 
4th, 1788. A sermon, commemorative of his character, was preached by the Rev. 
Mr. Foster, of New Braintree, which was published.

"He held, for many years, a prominent station in public life. As a military 
man, his reputation was distinguished. In the French war, at an early age, he 
held the commission of captain.

Page xxxvi:
"He took an active part in the measures of the Revolution, and was a member of 
the first Provincial Congress that convened in October, 1774. Its records show 
that he took a prominent part in its proceedings.

"He was, moreover, a member of the convention of the committees of 
correspondence that met at Worcester, in August, 1774, being associated with 
Judge Jedediah Foster and Capt. Phinehas Upham on that occasion.

"The importance of these trusts will be understood when it is remembered that, 
to these congresses and conventions, the government of the province was 
practically committed for several months after October, 1774, during which time 
the opposition to the mother country was assuming its form and consistency.

"He early took part, as a military man, in the revolutionary struggle, and, 
upon the organization of the continental forces, was promoted to the rank of 
Colonel, in which, it is said, "his conduct procured for him the cooperation of 
the first characters, and received the general approbation and esteem of his 
fellow soldiers and citizens."
"Surely his name should be held in grateful remembrance by Leicester Academy 
for his friendship to her in her weakness and, in a sketch of her history, he 
deservedly holds a place."

In 1787 what is known as Shay's Rebellion broke out and the inhabitants of 
North Brookfield were interested 
Page xxxvii:
spectators, for this Daniel Shay who was at the head of the rebellion was for a 
time a resident of Brookfield and in 1772 married Abigail Gilbert of that town. 
While he had many recruits from this section yet prompt and effective aid was 
rendered the government. Besides a company of infantry from the South Parish 
and a part of Col. Crafts company of cavalry, there was also a company of 
volunteers from the town under the command of Col. Jeduthan Baldwin. This 
company joined to Col. Crafts and conveyed in sleighs did effective work. They 
were sent to a place called Murrayfield to cut off a supply of provisions 
destined for the aid of Shay, which was guarded by a detail of soldiers. By 
making a sudden attack on the place at midnight they captured the whole party 
with fourteen sleigh loads of provisions, and the next day they pursued and 
routed what was left of Shay's band. We have preserved a memorandum giving the 
testimony or a part of it taken at the trial of the insurgents, which was kept 
by Col. Baldwin.


At a town meeting in Brookfield held December 26, 1786, a Report was adopted 
and forwarded to the Governor praying for an Act of indemnity in favor of the 
Insurgents, and this was followed about a month later by a Protest signed by 
ninety-six of the inhabitants of the town.

Col. Baldwin died at North Brookfield June 4, 1788, and on his tombstone we 
find the following inscription: 

Page xxxviii:
Be it remembered that
Here lies the body of
Jeduthan Baldwin Esq.
Col. & Engineer in the late American war 
Who died June the 4th 1788, Aged 56 
He was a true Patriot 
an intrepid soldier
an exemplary Christian
and a friend to all mankind
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

The North Brookfield minister being absent his funeral sermon was preached by 
the Rev. Daniel Foster A. M. from the neighboring town of New Braintree. The 
sermon was printed in Worcester in 1789 by Edward E. Powars, and I have been 
fortunate enough to find a copy of it.

The title page of the sermon is as follows:
Consolation in Adversity and Hope in Death. A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of 
Jeduthan Baldwin Esq. At Brookfield, June 6th, 1788, Who Died June 4th, aetat. 
57. By Daniel Foster, A. M. Pastor of the Church in New Braintree.

The sermon also bears the following dedication:
"To Mrs. Lucy Baldwin, Bereaved Relict of Jeduthan Baldwin, Esquire, and to his 
surviving Son and Daughter, this Sermon delivered at his Funeral, and now by 
their desire published, is respectfully inscribed, by their sympathizing 
friend, The Author."

Besides the two children mentioned in the dedication, he had two other 
children, one of whom, Jeduthan, was killed by being thrown from a cart October 
31, 1763, in the 6th year of his age. In the sermon he is spoken of as "in an 
instant flung out of time into eternity." The other child was Isaac who died 
April 1st, 1783, aged 19. A foot note to one of the pages of the sermon says of 
him; "He was a senior sophister in the University of Cambridge, a youth of an 
amiable disposition, studious and exemplary, greatly beloved by all his 
acquaintance while living, and much lamented now dead."

Page xl:
The surviving son above referred to was Luke Baldwin concerning whom we find 
the following entry in the diary of Rev. E. Parkman under date of Sept. 13, 
1779:
"Luke Baldwin from Brookfield and lodges, a pretty, agreeable, hopeful lad. May 
God make him a great Blessing."

Luke afterwards moved to the West Parish where the book of records kept in the 
Library building at North Brookfield says he built a magnificent house. Early 
in the nineteenth century he went to Boston to live, where he remained until 
his death in 1832. He left a large family and one of his sons, Thomas W. moved 
to Bangor, Maine, in 1837, and resided there until his death in 1874. He was 
the father of the editor of this volume.
We think we cannot close this Memoir better than by giving the following 
obituary notice, which appeared in the Massachusetts Spy, a newspaper published 
in Worcester under date of June 19, 1788:

"Brookfield, June llth, 1788.
"Died in this town, on the 4th day of June inst. Jeduthan Baldwin, Esq.; in the 
57th year of his age; and on the Friday following his remains were decently 
interred, in the presence of a large concourse of his friends and neighbors, 
who assembled on that sorrowful occasion to pay their last tribute of affection 
and esteem to a worthy 

Page xli:
man; at which time (the Clergymen of the town of Brookfield being absent) a 
pathetic and well adapted discourse was delivered, in the north parish meeting 
house, by the Rev. Daniel Foster of New Braintree, from Job xiv 10.— But man 
dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ?

Since writing this Memoir, announcement has been made by the War Department 
that the new fort at the mouth of the Kennebec River, Maine, is named Fort 
Baldwin in honor and recognition of the services rendered in the War of the 
Revolution by Col. Jeduthan Baldwin. This was brought about through the efforts 
of Col. John H. Calef, U. S. A., retired, who is a descendant of Col. Baldwin 
and has been earnest in his endeavors to have such recognition made.

Additional Comments:
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