Recently while going through the deed records for Young County, Texas, I found a 1919 affidavit listing all the heirs of Francis Marion (F.M.) Baldwin. Francis M. Baldwin died in 1900. In 1919, his widow, Mary (Sadler) Baldwin and son, E.L. Baldwin had this affidavit recorded at the county court house.
It is true that present day researchers already know this information from a variety of sources - census records, death records, marriage records, and family records. But what I like about this 1919 affidavit, is that it was created and sworn to by F.M. Baldwin's widow, Mary Baldwin, and son, E.L. Baldwin. The affidavit is documented proof of the relationships within the F.M. Baldwin family. Since both Mary Sadler Baldwin and Francis Marion Baldwin were born in the Republic of Texas, this affidavit would be good documentation for descendants to add to applications for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas or Sons of the Republic of Texas.
There are a few bits of information in the document that are noteworthy.
- F.M. Baldwin died intestate and there was no probate.
- Since no official death record for F.M. Baldwin exists, the death date given in this affidavit could act as a death record and it supports the death date on the headstone.
- All of the girls in the family have their husbands listed.
- A. Lafayette Baldwin, the oldest son, died prior to 1919, and so all of his descendants are named as heirs in the affidavit
- Mary stated that thirteen (13) children were born to "this union", two of who died before they reached their majority. We only have record of twelve (12) children. One son, Lemuel H. Baldwin, died as a 22 year old single man in 1904. He would be one of two children who died young leaving no heirs. That leaves an unknown mystery child we know nothing about.
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF YOUNG
BEFORE ME , the undersigned authority , on this day personally appeared E. L.
Baldwin, Mary Baldwin, and C. D. Yancy, J. B. McGlamery, known to me to be
credible citizens of Young County , Texas , and being by me duly sworn deposes
and say: That they were each well and personally acquainted with F. M. Baldwin,
during his life time that they knew him and his family for many years and that
the said F. M. Baldwin is dead and that he died intestate in Young County,
Texas, on or about the 21 day of May, 1900; That no probate proceedings have
ever been had on the estate of the said F. M. Baldwin, deceased.
That the said F. M. Baldwin, deceased was but once married and that to one of
these affiants, Mary Baldwin, and to this union were born 13 children, two of
whom died before they reached their majority and were never married and had no
heirs other than their father and mother; That the other eleven children and
heirs are named as follows, towit : A. H. Baldwin, a boy; E. L. Baldwin, a boy;
C. R. Baldwin, a boy; Willie Ann Baldwin, a girl; who intermarried with one J.
P. Hyden; R. L. Baldwin, a boy; Mittie Jane Baldwin, a girl who intermarried
with Virgil Matthews; W. L. Baldwin, a boy; R. Y. Baldwin, a boy; Alice
Baldwin, a girl, who intermarried with one C. L. Atcheson; Lena Baldwin, a girl,
who intermarried with one John Hill; A. Lafayette Baldwin, deceased who is
survived by the following named children and Anna Cartwright is a widow; Cora
Baldwin, a girl who intermarried with thee -- Van Horn; all of the above named
children are of age and have been for some time, and the remainder of said
children are minor under the age of 15 years ; Hattie Baldwin, Willie Baldwin,
Dewitt Baldwin, Alvis Baldwin, Thurman Baldwin, and Fred Baldwin, That the
above and foregoing named persons are the heirs and only heirs at law of F. M.
Baldwin, deceased . That the said Mary Baldwin has never remarried since the
death of the said F.M. Baldwin, deceased and is at present living as a widow.
WITNESS our hands at Eliasville, Texas, this the 14 day of January A. D. 1919
E. L. BALDWIN
MARY BALDWIN
C. D. YANCY
J. B. McGLAMERY
Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 14 day of January A. D. 1919
W. J. Hughes, J. P. & Exofficio Notary Public in ( SEAL ) and for Young
County , Texas .
Filed for record March 17 , 1919 at 4 : 30 P. M. Recorded March 19 , 1917 at 4
: 30 P. M.
C. W. HINSON HINSON , C. C. C. Y. C. T. BY Pearl Matthews Matthews DEPUTY
Related Links:
F.M. and Mary Baldwin Family
Francis Marion Baldwin Profile - Ancestry.com
Francis Marion Baldwin - FamilySearch.org
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
