James Baldwin

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Perry Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, USA
• Census: 1870, Perry Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, USA
• Census: 1880, Perry Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, USA

Notes:

James Baldwin went to California during the Gold Rush and reportedly returned a wealthy man. He is mentioned in a book about Muskingum County by Norris F. Schneider, entitled "Y Bridge City." The book states that "the returning forty-niners did not always tell how much gold they found. All were believed to be rich. James Baldwin came home and divided his gold with the man who furnished money for his trip. With his own share of the gold he bought a farm in Perry Township on the site of the Zanesville Airport. Many people tried to borrow money from Baldwin, thinking he had plenty and would not miss it. Baldwin was honest and did not want to lie to people. So he carried two pocketbooks. One was named 'World.' When some one asked him for money, Baldwin opened that pocket book and truthfully said, 'You see, I haven't got a cent in the World.' " At the time of the 1880 census, he was living with his sister, Nancy, in Perry Township, Muskingum County, Ohio. The birthplaces of their parents were given as Virginia. By the time of his death, he owned several tracts of land in Perry and Salt Creek Townships. His estate was valued at about $40,000. His nephew, Samuel Russell, was accused of ransacking James' personal papers on the night of his death and destroying evidence of his debts to James.

Obituary from the Zanesville Time Recorder, Monday, September 23, 1895:
Death of a Wealthy Landowner
James Baldwin, one of the wealthiest land owners in Muskingum County, died at his home in Perry Township about six miles northeast of the city, yesterday afternoon of dysentery, at the age of seventy eight years. He was rather an eccentric man, having lived his life a bachelor. Until about a year ago his sister kept house for him. Since her death a distant relative has made her home with him. No arrangements have been made for the funeral.

Obituary from The Daily Signal, Monday, September 23, 1895
A Large Landholder
James Baldwin, of Perry Township, died yesterday afternoon at his home six miles northeast of the city. He was sixty eight years old. He had amassed during his life a very considerable fortune, and his landholdings have been among the largest in the county. He was never married. By his neighbors he was regarded as a very eccentric person. The funeral will take place tomorrow at 1:30 o'clock from Salt Creek Baptist Church.

Birth:
After the death of James's father, Samuel Baldwin, in 1830, Adam Shoemaker was appointed guardian of his minor children. James was reported to be 13 years old on 14 Aug 1830.