Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================== Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page 295 - 296 MORGAN BALDWIN Around the name and memory of the first settler of a town, county, or State, there will always cling a peculiar interest, — an interest felt for no other class of men. Who was the first settler of this town? Why did he come in here alone? What must have been his feelings when he knew that for miles around him there was no other white man ? — will be the queries in after-years. Such a man was Morgan Baldwin, the first white settler in the town of Mundy. He was born July 15, 1796, in what was then called Newtown, Tioga Co., N. Y., but what is now known as Elmira, Chemung Co. His father. Col. Thomas Baldwin, was born in Norwich, Conn., Feb. 23, 1755, where he re- sided with his parents until the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, when he joined the American army, and served as a private in Gen. Morgan's command. He served seven years and participated in many battles and skir- mishes. He was slightly wounded at Red Bank and Brandywine, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. After the war, he, with his father's family, emigrated to the Wyoming Valley, where they lived until the Wyoming massacre, when they were driven out, two of his uncles being killed by the Indians. After the massacre. Col. Baldwin joined Gen. Sullivan as a scout, and for meritorious conduct was breveted ensign. The history of Sulli- ========================================================================== Page 296 van's campaign speaks of Ensign Baldwin being wounded at the battle of Chemung. In another place the history speaks of him as Col. Thomas Baldwin, and mentions that he was severely wounded. Col. Baldwin afterwards purchased as his farm the ground where he fell wounded, and the orchard he set out still stands near the battlefield. On this farm he lived until his death, which occurred Jan. 14, 1810. Morgan lived with his parents until he arrived at his majority, when he started out in life for himself In February, 1818, he married Miss Hannah Sly. The result of this marriage was three children, viz.: Almira, Mary, and John. Mrs. Baldwin died Aug. 4, 1826. After the death of his wife, Mr. Baldwin resided with his father-in-law until the fall of 1833, when he resolved to seek a home where land was plenty and cheap. He came to Michigan, and in February, 1834, located the land he now owns, on section 27, in Mundy township. There was then no white residents in the township, nor for many miles around. The following March he built a log house on his land, and April 5th following moved his family into it. He had previously (Feb. 14, 1834) married Mary Jane Yanger. Their daughter, Hannah, born March 31, 1835, was the first white child born in the township. She married David Joslyn. Mr. Baldwin had lived in the town a year and nine months, when Thos. Glover and David Gibson moved in and settled near him. Mr. Baldwin says it seemed to him then that the town was full, and he the happiest man in the county. The first summer he cleared ten acres, and in the fall sowed five acres of wheat, which yielded twenty-seven bushels to the acre and was threshed by Thomas Glover. Mr. Baldwin soon learned to talk with his Indian neighbors, with whom he lived on intimate and very friendly terms. They were of great assistance to him, and saved his family much suffering. The land he first bought has increased by subsequent additions to two hundred acres under good cultivation, upon which he still resides, and intends to pass the remainder of his days. He has lived to see the wilderness disappear, and in its place fine farms, with beautiful homes, churches, and schools. The six miles square of woods and swamps, which he saw when he first settled, is now one of the finest towns in the county. Then, the home of the Indians and wild animals; now, the home of an intelligent, enterprising people. Mr. Baldwin in early life was a Whig, and is now an ardent Republican. He was one of the first justices of the peace in the town, and held the office several years. Was town clerk, and has held other minor offices. In the war of 1812 he enlisted, but saw no active service. Has been for twenty years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Baldwin married, for his third wife, Eunice Dart, daughter of Joshua and Susannah (Stebbins) Dart. She was born Jan. 16, 1816; married Dec. 13, 1838. Children, — Mathew S., born Sept. 17, 1839; Ency, born April 12, 1842; Thomas, born Dec. 27, 1844, died Oct. 26, 1847; Morgan G., born Aug. 26, 1847; Susan, born June 7, 1851; and Vine, born Oct 12, 1854, died Dec. 5, 1857. ==========================================================================