W.E. Baldwin

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

W.E. Baldwin

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

BALDWIN is a very old name, and was in use a long time before men had surnames. It was in England, as appears from the records, as early as the year 672, and quite common in that country in the days of the Conquest. It appears in the roll of Battle Abbey. The five BALDWINs, earls of Flanders, were men of distinction, the fifth marrying the daughter of Robert of France. His daughter, Matilda, married William the Conqueror. The name was common in Flanders. Normandy and Italy. It is of Saxon origin, and signifies "Bold Winner." The general prevalence of the name dates from the Crusades. when it was taken as a title of honor. BALDWINs were earls of Devonshire. The traits which distinguished the bearers of this name in the early times have been transmitted to their descendants and are apparent to the present day. While the lapse of years, and the frequent destruction of early records make it impossible to establish all the links which connect the Morris county bearers of the name with those of earlier date, there is no doubt that the connection is there, both physical and mental points of resemblance proving this fact conclusively, as in the case of W.E. BALDWIN, a well known farmer of Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey.

Bleecker BALDWIN, his father, was born in Morris county, but went to New York when he was still young and engaged in business there until his death in Morristown at the age of fifty years. His home was in Morristown, New Jersey. He married Adelaide, daughter of John BATES.

Transcribed by Ida King