Early settlement

While it is most likely that hunters and trappers passed through the area in earlier years, Baldwin was first settled around 1813, credit given to Charles and Warren Granger as being the first white settlers to the area. The brothers put down roots on what was first called "Hammond Corners" and would later become North Chemung. The trek to their new home would have been difficult, due in part to thick virgin forest and ravines as well as swampland thick with underbrush.

Soon after the Granger brothers, Henry Tice came to Hammond Corners with his family from Ulster County in downstate New York in 1815. Also in 1815 came Jason Hammond with his five sons, Elisha, James, Robert, David and Cornelius. In the years that followed many more families came from New England, including Peter McCumber for whom the area known as "McCumber Corners" is named. Other families were the Whitakers, Collisions, Browns, Elstons, Drakes and many more. Many of these families still reside in the township or have close ties.

The first church society was organized in 1818 with worship services being held in various citizens' homes. It wasn't until 1852 that a church was built to serve all different faiths of the community. This church is the one that is still in use in North Chemung known as the United Methodist Church. In 1910 a church was built in Hicks and it too continues to be used.

The first school in Baldwin was started in 1819 with the children taught by John Tuthill Jr in a cabin owned by John Brooks. The first schoolhouse was built in 1821 at the corner of the North Chemung Cemetery. In 1869 a new schoolhouse was built across the road and is still standing. It has been a store, a private home and now belongs to the United Methodist Church primarily used to house the local food pantry.

Blacksmith shop in North Chemung, formerly known as Hammond's Corners 1897 - Courtright Collection

Early firsts

• First child born - Simeon Hammond in 1815
• First death - Thomas Weaver (killed by a falling log) in 1820
• First wedding - Nicholas Patterson to Anna Tice in 1818
• First local physician - Doctor J.W. Moore in 1836
• First mail service - In 1843, Anthony Collision, Postmaster

History as a town

The town of Baldwin was founded by an act of the state legislature on April 7, 1856 from part of the town of Chemung. The first town meeting was held May 6, 1856 at the house of Daniel R. Harris, innkeeper. William H. Little was elected Town Supervisor, Johnson Little as Town Clerk, Daniel R. Harris as Commissioner of the Highways, and William R. Drake, William and Jeremiah McCumber as Justices of the Peace.

In 1856 Baldwin was a small village; the 1860 census shows a population of 274. There were several shops and businesses that were closely linked to the agricultural makeup of the town. There were also sawmills and lumber not used locally was floated down Baldwin Creek, which runs through the town, and on to Elmira to be sold.

Social life was very localized, but for holidays and special occasions there would have been community-wide square dances filled with fun and music. In the early years of the town medicine shows and peddlers' arrivals would have been other exciting events for the people living there.

In 1875 there were 1,006 people living in Baldwin. However, with the rise of the Industrial Age there was less demand for handcrafted goods produced locally. With the completion of several railroad lines in Elmira more people began leaving Baldwin to make a living working in the factories in Elmira and beyond. By 1911 the town's population was down to 476.

On May 22, 1923, one hundred citizens of the town petitioned the supervisors of the county to have the town of Baldwin dissolved. The reason they gave was that the tax rates were excessive for citizens because of the lack of businesses in the township. It was proposed that the town be parcelled off and incorporated into the neighboring towns of Erin and Chemung. However, the petition was denied by the county, as once a boundary is laid down on the official maps it would take too much legal formality to change, and a unanimous demand would be required to do so.

In 1956 the town celebrated its 100th anniversary with a parade, dance and other fun. The town celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006 much in the same fashion, with many local and state dignitaries in attendance.

The census in 2010 listed the total population of Baldwin at 832. Farming continues to be a way of life for some in the town to this day, but to a much lesser extent. The past 20 years have seen many family farms, specifically dairies, close down operations as the cost of farming outweighs the income. Until recently there was an increased interest in natural gas drilling within the town and region until a state moratorium was made permanent by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Short of a few small home-based businesses, the majority of Baldwin's residents are employed in Elmira and the surrounding communities.

Life in the 21st century places demands on the citizens that take them outside the town's borders for both work and play. Still there is much history in this sleepy community, and the traces of yesterday are still to be found. In fact many of the older roads used in days gone by are now little more than cleared paths through the woods between existing roads for hikers to roam. There is evidence along the banks of Baldwin Creek remaining from the days of lumber mills that once occupied its shores, and many of the home buildings still stand, some still occupied by the descendants of those who built them.