Woolsey Baldwin

Woolsey Baldwin, son of Elnathan Baldwin and Keziah?----, was b. in New Jersey on Sept. 17, 1756; he was an elder in the Freehold Church and a Revolutionary Soldier; he m. with RACHEL MILLER on Mar. 20, 1786. She was b. July 16,1766. He d. May 1, 1832 in Freehold Township, New Jersey; she d. Nov. 14,1843. They are buried at the Brainerd Cemetery at the Presbyterian Church in Cranbury, NJ.

Children were: Elizabeth "Betsey" Stevens (2/19/1792), James Henry (9/25/1799), and Rachel M. (c1795).

Woolsey Baldwin, with his brother Enos Baldwin, purchased 100 acres of land on June 10, 1785, along both sides of lower Stockton Street. Woolsey would have the house (shown) built and Enos would have the predecessor to the current 137 Stockton Street built. That part of 137 Stockton Street is no longer standing. On November 8,1789, Woolsey and Enos subdivided the 100 acres leaving Woolsey with 51.3 acres. After his death, his executor, John W. Davison, sold this house with .22 acres to Robert T. Purdy on February 26,1833.

Woolsey was a' veteran of the Revolutionary War 'and, at age 36, the Ensign in "The Hightstown Company of Infantry" commanded by Capt. James Finley. This company of local militia was enrolled on Apr. 10,1793.

WILL OF WOOLSEY BALDWIN:

In the name of God,Amen; I Woolsey Baldwin, of the Township of Freehold, in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, being in ordinary health and of sound mind,memory and understanding for which blessing I do devoutly thank my God, do make, publish and declare this my last will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, First, I most humbly resign my soul to God who gave it, trusting in the words of the blessed Redeemer for acceptance and my body to the Earth from whence it came in full assurance of its resurrection the last day. My burial I submit to my surviving friends. It is my will and I do positively order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. I do order my executor herein after named to sell all my personal Estate as soon as he may judge most beneficial after my decease. Also to sell and convey all my lands,tenements, hereditainments and real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever at private or public sale to the descretion of my said Executor, as he shall think to the advantage of the same.

Item: I give and bequeath unto 'Eunice Richmon' one hundred dollars forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto 'my wife Rachel Baldwin' six hundred dollars forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto 'my daughter Elizabeth S. Johnston' one hundred dollars forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto 'my daughter Rachel M. Baldwin' six hundred dollars forever. The remainder and residue of my Estate both real and personal after paying my debts and funeral expenses above named, I give and bequeath unto said 'wife Rachel Baldwin, my said daughter Elizabeth S. Johnston, James H. Baldwin, and Rachel M. Baldwin' to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike and to their heirs forever.

If 'my wife Rachel Baldwin' shall not release her right of Dower in my lands and real estate within thirty days after my decease than the above bequests unto her to be void and of of no effect. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint John W. Davison, Esq. Executor of this my last will and testament with full power to sell and convey all my Estate foresaid and make good and legal deed or deeds for the same according to law. In ---- whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of November 1831. Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Woolsey Baldwin to be his last will & testament.

In the presence of Samuel Rue, Aaron Rue, and George W. Davison.

• SPECIAL THANKS TO THE Hightstown East Windsor Historical Society, 164 N. Main St., Hightstown, NJ 08520 for providing documents and data.
• THANKS ALSO TO Linda Johnston for providing records of Family Bible as written and transcribed by R.M.B (Rachel Miller Baldwin).'SEE MEDIA-PHOTOS for photo copy of Family Bible pages.'
• Woolsey Baldwin House, Hightstown, NJ photo courtesy of the Hightstown East Windsor Historical Society,164 N. Main St., Hightstown, NJ. 08520
• http://dunhamwilcox.net/nj/cranbury_nj_presb_bapt.htm.Data re ch. Betsey Stevens Baldwin and James Henry Baldwin
• http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofoldpres00hale#page/32/mode/2up
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~woolsey/oddsends/...
• http://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_w.... Woolsey Baldwin 1756-1832