462Henry Baldwin, the immigrant ancestor, probably from Devonshire, in England, was one of the first settlers of the new town of Woburn, and of that part of it which is now known as North Woburn. Here in 1661, he built the "palatial house which is still on of the most imposing in the town, and which, though with some changes and occasional improvement," has been owned and occupied by his descendants for six generations. The house is the oldest dwelling in Woburn. The estate connected with it and its owner, Colonel Loammi Baldwin, contained in 1801 the large number of 212 acres, valued at $9,000 by the town assessors at that time. A late owner, George R. Baldwin, son of Colonel Baldwin, is succeeded by his daughter, Mrs. Griffith. In 1820, the house was in looks much the same as now. The north chimney, put up by George R. Baldwin, was reputed to be the first "single flue" chimney made in the country. He designed the chimney caps and built a small addition to the rear of the house. On the south, between the house and the canal, was formerly a beautiful garden, with walks and trees, superior to anything of the kind then in this section. All traces of its appointments having long since disappeared, "neither fountain, nor arbor, nor walk, nor boat, is there now to hint at the story of the past." In 1832, George R. Baldwin occupied the mansion house. Attached to the estate in 1820 was a farm house which, doubled in size, still exists as an attachment to the larger place.
Henry Baldwin was a sergeant of the Woburn militia from 1672-85, and deacon of the First Church, Woburn, from 1686 until his death. |