Timothy Baldwin

     Timothy was born circa 1600 in Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Timothy married Mary Welles circa 1638 in Buckinghamshire, England. Timothy & Mary had children: Mary [4/--/1643][m. 10/21/1660, Benjamin Smith,], Hannah [8/--/1644][m. 2nd Elnathan Botsford], Sarah [chr. 8/--/1645][m. 12/14/1663 Samuel Buckingham [1641].¹ In 1639, Timothy was one of the first settlers in Milford. He & his wife, Mary joined the Church there on 5 March 1643. In 1640, "Itt is ordered that Tymo. Baldwin's lott shall have land laid to itt for 6 heads, and 500 l, and reserved for an elder." This was ordered, 1644/1645, to be bought in by the town. The Baldwin's homestead was on the west side of Milford Main street, just south of where the N. V. & N. H. R. R. crosses the trestle work.² Timothy's wife, Mary, died on 31 July 1647 in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower.³ Timothy married Mary (?) on 5 March 1649 in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut. Mary brought a son, John into their marriage.⁴ Timothy and Mary had children: Abigail [bp.12/29/1650], Ann [bp. 7/01/1655-7/21/1655] & Timothy [6/12/1658-12/08/1703] [m. Mary Beard].⁵ A few years after his 2nd marriage, Timothy & Mary went to live, for a while, in Guilford, Connecticut. They sold the Mepham property and moved back to Milford. Mary joined the Church in Milford in December of 1653. Timothy departed this life in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut. Timothy made his will on 31 January 1664/65.

I, Timothy Baldwin of Milford do make this my last Will and Testament: I give to my eldest daughter Mary Smith, the wife of Benjamin Smith, Lands adjoyning Samuel Buckingham and John Lane. Item. I give to my daughter Hannah Baldwin £50. Item. I give to my daughter Sarah Buckingham £50. Item. I give to my son Timothy Baldwin all my houses, Lands and Meadows Lying in Milford that is undisposed of, to enter upon, but two thirds thereof until after the decease of my wife. I give to my three grand children, to each of
them, a ewe sheep. Item. I give unto John Mappam, my wive's son, £4 upon this condition, if he be obediant to his mother and carry dutifully towards her. Item. I give unto our Honor Paster, Mr. Newton, £5. I doe give unto my servant Jeremie Andros one sheep when his time is out, to what I have already promised him to be paid by my executrix, in case he carry dutifully to his Dame. I constitute my wife sole executrix, and doe give and bequeath unto her al ye rest of my estate undisposed of, and the Improvement of al my houses, Lands and meadows, till my son Timothy come to ye age of twenty one years. My will is that my son Timothy should be brought up in learning, that he be taught to read and write well. I desire that Mr. Benjamin Fenn, Deacon Clarke, George Clarke Jr. and Samull Coley be overseers. - - Timothy Baldwin, [L.S.] -- Witness: George Clarke, Sen., George Clarke, Jr.⁶

Timothy departed this life before 6 February 1664/65 in Milford. 17 January 1664/65 is given as his death dates, but from the probate record, his will is dated 31 January 1664/65 and the probate date is 2 March 1664/65.⁶ The inventory of Timothy's estate was taken on Friday, 6 February 1664/65. By Alexander Bryant, George Clarke Sr. & John Clarke. It was valued at £529-18-06.⁷ His will was probated on 2 March 1664/65 in the Court at Milford.