american Antiquarian Society

Manuscript Collections

Name of collection: Location:

Baldwin1 Christopher Columbus, Papers, 1816-1835 Mss. boxes “B11Octavo volumes “B”Folio volumes “B”

Size of collection: N.U.C.M.C. number:

3 mss. boxes (approx. 1700 loose manuscripts); 62-450916 octave volumes; 6 folio volumes

RLIN id: MAAR91-A3

Sources of information on collection:

For a biographical sketch of Baldwin, see the introduction by Nathaniel Paine toDiary of Christopher Columbus Baldwin, Librarian of the American Antiquarian

Society, 1829-1835, 2 vols., printed in Transactions and Collections of theAmerican Antiquarian Society, vol. 8 (1901).

Source of collection:

Gift from the estate of Christopher Columbus Baldwin?

Collection description:

Christopher Columbus Baldwin (1800-1835), son of Eden and bigail (Force)

Baldwin, studied at Leicester Academy and Harvard College, from which he was

expelled after a disturbance and just before graduation in May 1823. He studied

law with John Davis (1787-1854) and Charles Allen (1797-1869) and was admitted

to the bar in October 1826. He began his practice in Worcester, but moved to

Barre and then Sutton in 1830, before returning to Worcester in 1832.

Baldwin was especially interested in history and genealogy. He became a close

friend of William Lincoln (1801-1843), and they jointly edited and published in

1825-1826 the Worcester Magazine and Historical Journal. In October 1827,

Baldwin was elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society and also

succeeded Lincoln as temporary librarian and cabinet keeper. In 1829, Baldwin

also succeeded Lincoln as editor of the National Aegis. In May 1830 when Baldwin

moved his law practice to Barre, he resigned as editor of the Aegis and as

temporary librarian of the Society. He was succeeded as librarian by Samuel

MacGregor Burnside (1783-1850)

Upon his return to Worcester in 1832, Baldwin was elected permanent librarian of

the American Antiquarian Society, a post which he held until his death. He was

an indefatigable collector and antiquary, soliciting books, newspapers, and

relics for the society cabinet. Baldwin was also an enthusiastic antiquary,

frequently visiting graveyards and copying epitaphs as well as collecting

materials for a history of Sutton, Mass. Baldwin never wrote the history of

Sutton and his tenure as librarian was cut short due to a fatal carriage accident

in Ohio during a trip West in 1835.

Baldwin’s papers include correspondence, legal documents, accounts, diaries,

(cont.)

American Antiquarian Society

Manuscript Collections

Name of collection:

Baldwin, Christopher Columbus, Papers, 1816-1835

Collection description (continued):

historical notes and transcripts, genealogical material, and three volumes ofepitaphs copied from graveyards throughout New England. The materials includefour volumes of correspondence as librarian at the American Antiquarian Society(1 February 1832-12 August 1835), five diaries for the period 1829 to 1835(except September 1832 to September 1833), a legal account book and docket books,genealogical material on the Baldwin family, notes for his projected history ofSutton, Mass., and index to Cotton Mather’s Magnalia Christi Americana, 1826, andthree boxes of loose material which consist of general correspondence, legaldocuments, and accounts. There is also an index, 1827, to Thomas Butchinson’sHistory of Massachusetts.

See Contents List.

22 June 1973revised 22 February 1978revised 3 July 1979revised 25 January 1999

American Antiquarian Society

Manuscript Collections

Christopher Columbus Baldwin, Papers, 1816-1835

Contents List

Manuscript Boxes

1 Correspondence, 1820-1829

Folder 1: 1820 - 1826

Folder 2: 1827, January - August

Folder 3: 1827, September - December

Folder 4: 1828, January - May

Folder 5: 1828, June - December

Folder 6: 1829, January - June

Folder 7: 1829, July - December

2 Correspondence, 1830-1835

Folder 1: 1830, January - March

Folder 2: 1830, April - December

Folder 3: 1831 - 1832

Folder 4: 1833 - 1835

3 Legal Documents and Receipts

Folder 1: Legal documents, 1826 - 1828

Folder 2: Legal documents, 1829 - 1832

Folder 3: Receipts, 1826 - 1827

Folder 4: Receipts, 1828 - 1829

Folder 5: Receipts, 1830 - 1835

Octavo Volumes

1 Diary, 1829 [53 p.]interleaved in Thomas G. Fessenden, The New England Farmer’s Almanack

2 Diary, 1829 [10 p.]interleaved in The Massachusetts Register and U.S. Calendar, 1829

3 Diary, 1830-1831 [225 p.]interleaved in Robert B. Thomas, The Farmer’s Almanack

4 Diary, 15 March - 10 September 1832 [43 p.]

(cont.)

Christopher Columbus Baldwin, Papers, 1816-1835 Contents List (cont.)

Octavo Volumes (cont.)

5 Letters from the Librarian, Volume I (1 April 1831 - 8 November 1833)[327 p.)

6 Letters from the Librarian, Volume II (25 November 1833 - 27 June1835) [152 p.)

7 Letters to the Librarian, Volume III (1 February 1832 - 28 October1833) [187 items)

8 Letters to the Librarian, Volume IV (17 June 1833 — 12 August 1835)[c. 177 items]

9 Cash Book, 1826 - 1831 [44 p.]

10 Vital Records and Historical Notes [32 p.]

11 Transcripts of Town and Court Records [65 p.]

12 Epitaphs (for Winchendon, Douglas, and Templeton, Mass.> [190 p.]

13 Epitaphs (for Cornish, N.Y., Windsor and Woodstock, Vt., Keene,Charlestown, and Claremont, N.H., and Graf ton, Templeton, andWinchendon, Mass.)

14 Epitaphs (for Sutton, Millbury, Armsby, Dudley, and Greenfield,

Mass.)

15 Baldwin’s index to the first part of Cotton Mather’s Magnalia ChristiAmericana, an ecclesiastical history of New England. The index,1826, is only partially complete [172 p., many blank)

16 Baldwin’s index to Thomas Hutchinson’ s History of Massachusetts, 1827

[164 p.)

Folio Volumes

1 Docket Book, #1, 14 September 1826 - 30 May 1829, with index [194 p.)

2 Docket Book, #2, 30 May 1829 - 6 September 1830, with index [91 p.)

3 Account Book, October 1825 - June 1828, with entries by WilliamLincoln and Baldwin. Probably accounts and subscriptions for the

Worcester Magazine and Historical Journal [80 p., many blank)

4 Diary, 15 September 1833 - 15 July 1835 [81 p.)lists visitors, travels, and events, with a small journal to 20

August 1835

5 Ledger of Legal Accounts, 1824 - March 1831, with index [117 p.]

6 Genealogy of the Baldwin Family, 1725-1832sixty-one letters, documents, extracts, and notes

2

The volume and box numbers listed on pages 1-li reflect the numbers which wereoriginally marked on the volumes and boxes and do not necessarily match the new labeling

LIST OP WRITERS )R THE CHRISTOPHER BALDWIN PAPERS Sys tern

b. 3v.?; 3 documents6 documentsV.)3

b.2, 7 documents

documentsdocuments

2 documents20 documents6 documentsdocuments

Abbot, Parchal, b.3 Bowdoin, James, v.3; 14 documentsW Adams, John Qiiincy, v.14. Bowles, Samuel, v.7

Allen, Flisha H,,b.3 3oden, Dwight, v.7Allen, Henry, b.3 Boynton, John, b.2,3; 2 documentsAllen, Joseph, b..3 Bradford, A., v.14Alien, Samuel, Jr., b.3 Bradley, John, b.3Allen, William, v.3 Braman, Amasa, b.3Alliers, James, b.3 Brazer, John A., v.3; 3 documentsAndrews, E., b.3 Brent, Daniel, v.7Arnold, S. Aug., b.3 Brigham, D., v.?Athenaeum, Committee of the Trustees, v.? Brigham, Varnum, b.3Atwill, William, v.14 Brown, James, v.7; 2 documentsAustin, E.G., v.3 Bruce, Abel W.,b.3; 2 documentsAustin, Nathaniel, b.3; 14 documents Buckingham, Joseph T., v.14Bacon, Peter, b.2 Buffum, William Jr., b.3Bailey, Silas, v.14 Burbank, Gardiner, b.3Baldwin, Aaron?, v.? Burzmell, Barker, v.7Baldwin, Christopher, v.14, b. 2,3; 29 documents Burr, Edward N., b .3; 3 documentsBaldwin, Eden, b,3; 7 documents Bush, Jonathan, b.3; 2 documentsBaldwin, Jonathan, b.3 Butler, Mann., v.14.Baldwin, Polly N., b.3 Byron, Noel, v.7Ball, Micah R.., b.3; 2 documents Carey, Mathew, v.7; 5 documentsBallard, Joseph, v..? Carter, James G.4 b.3Bancroft, George, v.14; 2 documents Cashswright?,Charles, v.7Bancroft,L., v.3,14; 3 documents Chaciwick, James, b.3Bancroft, TimotkaW., b.3; 2 documents Chamberlain, Levi, b.2; 2 documentsBaneft, W.?, v.? Chamberlin, Ljman, b.3Bangs, Edward D., Jr., v.14; 3 documents Chaplin, William, b.3; 3 documentsBank, Otis, b.3 Chase, Baruch,b.?Bapett, Isaac, b.3; 2 documents Chase, Ebenezer, b.jBarber, John W., v.7 Chickering, .esse, b. ; 2 documentsBarker, John IL, b.3 Child, Linus, b.3Eataxi, Charles, b.3 Choate, Charles, b.2Barnard, Hezh.,v?; 2 documents Clark, Eben L., b,?Barrett, A., v.7 Clark, John J., b.3; 14. documentsBartlett, Abel, b.2 Clark, William St. Claire, b.?Bartlett, Elisha, b.2 6 documents Coffin, Joshua, v.?,b.2; 9 documentsBartlett, Joel, b.3, 2 documents Cogoawell?, W., v.?Bates, Joseph A., b.2 Cole, Joseph G., b.2; 2 documentsBarton, Ira, v.14,b.3; 2 documents Colman, Henry, v.7Barton, Warren, v.7 Conant, Samuel W., b.3Bass, Seth, v.7 Cootfim?, George W., v.?Bassett, Isaac, b.3 Copeland, E., Jr., b.3Baxter, Daniel, b,3 Cowden, Auistus, b.2,3; 5 documentsBelknap, Andrew, v.7 Craig, John D.,v.?,b.3; 10 documentsBenedict, Amvi.?, v.7; 2 documents Crane, Calvin, b.3, 2 documentsBigelow, Asahel, b.2 Crosby, Philip, b.3Bigelow, Levi, b. 3; 14 documents Cushing. L. S., b. 3; 2 documentsBillaiix, A., b.2 Cutle’, David P., b.2Bixby, C.,L., b,3 Cutting, Samuel, b.3; 6Black, Archibald, Davidson, Henry, v.?; 14

____

Blce, George S., Davis, Mrs.?, b,2Bond, Moses, b.3; Davis, Charles, b.3Boot, Miss Fanny, Davis, George P., v.14;Borland, Francis, Davis, John, via, b.2;Borman, Charles, b.3 Davis, JosepI,v.?,b.3;Bottom, Frederick W., b.3 Davis, Merrill, b.3; 3

LIST OF WRITERS FOR Tff CHRISTOPHER BALDWIN PAFERS---page 2

b.2; 2 documentsdocuments

Day, Gilman, b, 2Day, WUlard, b,3Deane, Samuel, v.?Deere, William, v.?Delafield, John, v.14.Denny, Misses ?, b42Denny, Daniel, b,3Dexte, Franklin, b3Drake, Daniel, v.’Drake,Samuel Gardner, v.3,h; 10 documentsDiy, Abel, b.3Drury, Mrs. Calvin A., v.hDuponceati, Peter S., v.14.Dustin, Alexander, b.2Earl, Willard, b.3; 6 documentsEdgell, Kendall F., b.3Edwards B.B., v.14Elliot, William, b.3Elton, R., v.?Emerson, William S., v.; 2 documentsEssx Historical Society, v.?Estabrook, George, b.3; 6 documentsEstabrook, John, b.3Everett, Edward, v.3,14; 8 documentsEwing, John, v.?Farley, Benjamin M., b.3Farmer, John, v.3,14:b.2; 22 documentsFar!tham, John A., v.?Fay, Sullivan, b.3Felt, Joseph B., v.3,14; 3 documentsFenwick, B., v.?Field, David D., v.14

Alvan, v.?; 2 documentsFiske, Cbarle, b,3Fitts, George, b,3Flagg, Asa, b,3; 3 documentsFlint, Austin, b.3Flirt, John, v.14Folsom, “hanles, v,LiFolsom, George, v.?Foot, Sarzel A., v.?Worsom?, George, b.3Foster, Abner, b.3; 2 documentsFoster, William H.. b.3Fowle, William Bentley, v.?; 2 documentsFrench, Lipha, b.3Frink, John, b.3Fuller, Augtistus.F., b,3; 2 documentsGale, Lan, b,3Gardner, Society of the Fraternity

of the Odd Fel1ows, b,3Gay, William, v.14Gery, Martin, v.?Gibbs, Josiah W., v,?Gilbert, Dexter, b.3Godard, Nathaniel, b.3

Gsddard, Calvin, v.?Gold, Thomas A., b.3Goodbridge, Eliza, b.3Goodell, William, v,?,b.3, 2 documertsGoodrich, Charles B., v,?Goodwin, Daniel L.B., v.9Goodwin, Simeon Samson, v.3,14; 2 documentsGorham, Hiram, b.3Greele & Willis, b,3; 6 documentsGreen, Asa, b.3Green, William N., b,2Green, C.G., v.?Qreenoui. William W.. v.14; 2 documentsGreeve, Albert G., v.?; 3 documentsGregory, Donald, v.?Grille, N., v.?Gufts, George, v.?Hale, Benjamin, v.14Hamilton, Alexander, b.3Hamilton, Charles A., b,3; 3 documentsHanks, A.&T,, b.3; 10 documentsHarden, Harvey, b.3; 2 documentsHarlan, R., v.3Harnden, Harvey, b. 3Harrington, S., Jr.,Harris, Thaddeus M..Hart, John B., b.3Hascall, John, b.3Hastings, Hinorni?, b.2Hastings, William S., v.3, b.3; 3 documentsHatch, Chemy?, b.2Hayden, Otis, b.2Hayes, Horace, b.3; 2 documentsHewes ?, Abraham, Jr., b.3Hill, Alonzo, b,2; 14. documentsHill, Henry, v.14Hilliard& Brown, b.3; 6 documentsHilliard, Gray & Co., v.3; 2 documentsHobart, Billings, b.lHolland, William, v.3Holman, Stephen, b.3Holtorn ?, George, v.3Honori, J,A., v.3,h; 2 documentsHopkins, John, b. 3Hosmer ?, Je4’ferson, b.3Howe, Josiah, b.3Rowell, J,B., b.3Hubbell, Leeman, b.3Jackson, Ebenezer, b,3Jarves, James 3., v.14; documentsJerks, F H , b.3Jerks, W., v.3,14; 6 documentsJennison, Samuel, v.3Johnsor. Joshua, b.3; 8 documentsJones, Silas. b.3Jones. Thomas P., b.3; h documents

LIST OF WRITERS FV)R.PRE CHRISTOPKKR BALWTN PAPERS---page 3

b.3; 3 documents3 documents

Kendall, Dpvid, b.3Kendall. Jona-s. .3.)4; 2 onsKe’’ll, J’ °-. Q orientsTCiI’bnrn, W4’li.FI-’hal’ Abijah, b.3KimbalL James, b.3King, Charles, b.3King, Mavnard, b.3F’nicutt, Thomas, 1,.2Know’es, James 1),, v.?Knowlton, Charles, b.3Lamb, Joshua, b.2liarned, William A., v.li.Lathvop, William N., v.LL, b, 3; 2 documentebalm, Gales, v.3Lee, Artemas, b.3; 1 documentsLee, John, b,2Iee, Samuel’, r,3Leveretf ?, Daniel, v.3Lewis, Abonso, v.3l,inool”, Daniel W,, v.LLincoln, JohnW., v.t,b.2; 3 documentsLincoln, Levi, v.3,)4; 8 documentsLivPgston, Edward, v.3Locke, Andrew A., b. 3Loised ?, Len, v.3; 2 documentsLoring, Ellis, Gray, b.3; documentsLoud, Abler, b.2Lovering, A., ‘.hhovering, W., b.3Lowd, Allen, h.3Lowell, Charles, b.3Lyceum, American, Executive

Committee of, b.3Lnan, Samuel, v.13McMiirtrie, H., v.?Mauhale ?, J,, v.?; 2 documentsManning, John, b,3Mansf4eld, Daniel, b.3Maneon, George E., b.3Martin, Francis Xav&e’’, V.)4

Mason, Elisha F., 1,3

Massachusetts, Co’mnonwea1th of, v.3

Mechanic Association, v.3Melvill, Thomas?, v.?Merriam, E.&G., v,li.Merrick, Thornton A., b.3; 3 documentsMerrifield, Alpheus, ‘.3Merrill, James C., v.?Netcaff, PalDh, v.3Mule”, K”s, ?, b.2Mills, Fdmund J., ‘.3; 2 documentsMitchell, John, V.LLMitchell, Stphen Mix, v,?; 2 documentsM’Lane, louis, v,1.Moore, CW., b.2

Moore, C.W., b.2Montagu.e & Dinsmoor, b.3; 14 documentsMorton, Rodoiphus, v.?Nanel, Nathaniel, v.?Nelion, John, v.?Nelson, John, b.3Newoonib, Henry K., v.?,b.3; 6 documentsNewell, George, b.2; 6 documentsNewhall, William, b.3; 2 documentsNew Hampshire, Historical Society, v.?;

2 documentsNewman, H., v.?Newton, Mrs. ?, b.2Newton, Alfred, v.13Newton, Rejoice, v.?Olney, Amos A., b. 3; 3 documentsOlney, George R.A.., b. 3; 2 documentsPaige, George W., b. 3; 2 documentsPaige, William, b.3; 3 documentsPaine, Amos, b.3Paine, Mrs. F.W., b.2Paine, kIenry, b.2Paine, William P., v.14Parker, Ephraim, b.3Parker, Levi, b.3Paudsen, W.?, v.?Paine, John noward., V.)4Penniniaia, Abel B., b.3Permsyivania, Historical Society or, v.3Perkins, O.L.,v.?; 2 documentsPerry, Clark, v.?Peters, Onslow, b.3

Phelps, John, b.3Phelps, Samuel, b.3; 2 documentsPickering, Charles, v,?,b,2; 5 documentsPierce, Jonathan, b.3Pierce, Leonard, v.13Poor, Benjamin, b.3Porter, J., v.3,13; 3 documentsPratt, Charles L., b.3Prentice, Charls, b.3Prentice, Josiah, b.3Prentiss, John, v.13Putnam, Rufus, b. 2Ramsey, J.G,M., v.?,Rice, Matthias, b.3;Rice & Nides?, b.2Rich, Obadiah, v.13Ripley, Martin ?, v.?Rix, James N., v.14; 2 documentsFobbins, Loren, v.?Robbins, Thomas, v.13; 2 dooumentsRobinson, Ebenezer, b.3Royce, R C., v.?Russell, James D., v.13Salisbury, 5,, v.3,b.3; 2 documents

LIST OF WRITERS FOR THE CRISTOFBER BALDWIN P1PERS---age 14.

3 documents15 documentsb.3; t documents

Sanders, Lemuel, b.3Sawyer, Elisha, b,3Sawyer, Joseph, b3;Sawyer, Seravh, b.3;Sawyer, Seraph B,W,Sawyers?, Johr, b.2Shattuck, Lemuel, v, 3; ) documentsShaw, Linus H., v.3Sibley, John, v.3,Li; 14 documentsSibley, Jonas, v.L, h.3; 6 documentsSilliman, Benjamin, b.3Smith, Austin, b.3Smith, Samuel, v.?,b.3; 3 documentsSmith,T,?, v.3Southgate, Isaac, b.2,3; 2 documentsSouthwick, Benjamin T., b.3Sparks, Jared, v.3,l4; 14. documentsSpragtie, William B., b.2,3; 5 documentsStark, Caleb,Jr., v.lStearns, Charles, b,3; 2 documentsStearns, Thomas, b.3Stone, Micah., v,b; 2 documentsStow, Joseph, ‘r.?

Stratford, .B., v.14.Strong ?, Solo., v.3Sumn’, Bradford, b.3; 3 docwrentsSumner, Charles, v.l

•Sumner, Elisha,Surmbule, Benjamin, v.3Swan, N:rs. ? b.2Swift, Samuel, v.)4Swords, James, v.ii; 2 documentsSylvesle ?, Henry H., v.3Taf, Thidoiphus, b,2Tappan, John, v.14.Templerian, George, v.3,1: 7 documentsTenny, Daniel, b.3Thaler, William, v.?Thompson, James, v.14.Thornton, WiUiam, b.3Toppman, Charles, v.?Pranav PUre, v,lPuckean,Edwarft Jr.,v,?; 9 documentsTurner, Asa, b.2,3: ) documentsTurnar, Joseph, b.3United States. Department of State,

Patent Office,b,3; 14 docunertsUpham, Charles W,, v.3Upham, Daniel, b.3Upham, H. & F.F.,& Co., b.3Upham, Joseph, b.2,3: 3 documentsValentine, Gill, ‘b.3; 3 documentsVaux, Roberts, v.l: 3 docume”tsVickers, George, b.3Vose, Richard H., b.2; 3 documents

Wadsworth, Charles, b,2,3; 3 documentsWadsworth, David, b.3Waite, Prouty & Co., b.3; 2 documentsWalcott, Edward, b.2; documentsWaldo, Misses ?, b.2Wales, Jacob, b.2Walker, Lovell, b.3Walker, LmianB., b.3Wanen, Edward, b.3Warren, John C., v.14Washburn, ory, b.2; ! documentsWashburn & Go&ard, b. 2,3; 2 documentsWa-ferhouse, Benjamin Sr.,-.?Watson, Abraham A., b. 3Watson, Charles, b,3Watson, John L., v.?Watson, Samuel, b.3Watton, John F., v.?Webb, Thomas H., v..?Weld, Lewis, v.L’Wellington, Charles, v.?Wells, N., v.?Wheeler, Otis C., b.2; 6 documentsWheelock, Hi’am, b.2,3; 2 documentsWhitcomb, Mark, b.3White, Asa, b.3Whittemor ?, William H., b.3Wigglesworth, Edward, v.; 2 documentsWilde, George ?, v.14Wilkins, John H., v.?; 2 documentsWillard, Cephas b.3Willard, Joseph ?, v.3,14, b.2: 13 documentsWillard, L.H., v.?William, P.R., v,?William & Parsons, b.3Wflhiam,C,C,, v,?Williams, Joseph H., v.?; 3 documentsWilliams, William H., b.3; 2 documentsWinship, Cyrus, b.3Wilson, James, b.2Winthrop, George P., v.?; 2 documentsWinthrom, Thomas S., v.3, 14,b,3; 13 documentsWood, Richard & George S., v,’Wood, Samuel. b.3: 3 documen+sWoodward, Samuel B., “-.?: 2 documentsWoolsey, William W.. v.?Worcester Agricultural Sociey, Managers of

the Ball, b.2Worthington, Erastus,v.?: 2 documentsWright & Warren, b.3“ight, Charles, b.3Wright, Jobm, b.3; 2 documentsWr4ght, Hannibal, h.3; b documentsYoung, kiexander, b.3