Hudson, Baldwin, Gregory, and Lee family papers

Collection

Identifier: MS H85

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of the papers of David Hudson (1761-1836), founder of Hudson, Ohio, and papers of the descending families of his daughter Anner Marie Hudson Baldwin, the first white settler born in the Western Reserve. Families include Baldwin, Gregory, and Lee families. Papers consist mainly of correspondence, business and legal documents as well as some photographs, memorabilia, and diaries.

The collections have been organized by family, although some of the individuals may span multiple families (i.e. depending on the date, Anna Gregory Lee is in both Gregory family and Lee family materials).Series 1: Hudson-Baldwin Family correspondence and records Contains general family correspondence from 1850-20th Century, and legal documentation. Letters are arranged by decade in order to provide some structure to the collection. Letters specifically addressed to Clara Baldwin have been reserved in their own folder to show a portrait of a young woman's correspondence. In addition, Ann Baldwin's will is of particular interest, as is the hand written death notice for Harriet (Hett) Baldwin at age 17. Series 2: Business records Contains county specific documents regarding taxes, land transfers, marriage certificates and election results from1839. Includes documents for Geauga, Medina, Portage and Summit counties. Correspondence from 1810-1849 is arranged by decade in order to provide some structure to the collection Some personal letters are included - but are mostly business related. Series 3: Genealogical notes Contains the genealogical research of the donor of the collection. Including detailed notes for the Oviatt family. Series 4: Leather pouch The collection is in four distinct series of information. The bulk of the information remains within the 1810-1850 date range with minor family correspondence extending through the beginning of the 20th century.

Dates

Creation: 1777 - 1950
Creation: Majority of material found within 1870 - 1890

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

David Hudson, Sr. (1761-1836) was born in Bradford, Connecticut in 1761. In 1799 Hudson set out from his home in Goshen, Connecticut, to survey land he had acquired in the Western Reserve. He returned in 1800 with his family and a group of settlers. Range 10, town 4, officially founded in 1799, was named Hudson in his honor in 1802. Hudson was the town founder and helped to establish much of the early religious, educational and governmental infrastructure. He helped to organize the first Congregational Church in Hudson in 1802 and was elected one of the deacons. Hudson was also instrumental in attracting Western Reserve College to locate in Hudson (he offered 160 acres of land and over $2,000), and later served as trustee. Hudson had nine children: Sameul (1785-1846), Ira (1787-1817), William (1789-1863), Milo (1791-1838), David Norton (1794-1796), Timothy (1796-1871), Abigail (1798-1860), Anner Maria (1800-1892), and David Hudson, Jr. (1805-1836). This collection covers families descending from Anner Maria. Anner Maria Hudson Baldwin (1800-1892) was born shortly after David Hudson's arrival to Hudson, making her the first settler child born in Summit County. Anner married Harvey Baldwin (1798-1880) on October 6, 1817. They had four children: Anna Norton Baldwin (1818-1825), Harriet Maria Baldwin (1824-1841), Clarissa Miriam Baldwin (1830-1907) and Lucy Susanna Baldwin (1843-1860). Harvey (also from Goshen) moved to Hudson in 1814 to clerk at his brothers' store (Augustus and Frederick Baldwin). He was a successor to his father-in-law David Hudson in his law and real estate business in Hudson in the 1800s. Clarissa Baldwin, daughter of Anner Maria and Harvey Baldwin, married Edwin S. Gregory. They had two children: Harriet M. (1851-1902) and Anna Gregory (1858-1903). E.S. Gregory was a professor of Latin at Western Reserve College from 1861-1866 Anna Gregory (7/23/1858-3/20/1903) married Henry Ebert Lee (1857-1934), son of prominent Toledo attorney (Gen.) John Calvin Lee and Charlotte Von Hoffman. Henry was mayor of Hudson for four one-year terms from 1888-1891.

Extent

7 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

David Hudson, Sr. (1761-1836) was the founder of Hudson, Ohio. The collection comprises papers of David Hudson as well as of the families descending from his youngest daughter, Anner Maria Hudson Baldwin (1800-1892), her daughter Clarissa Baldwin Gregory (1828-1893), and Clarissa's daughter Anna Gregory Lee (1883-1934)

Related Materials

The Hudson Library also owns an extensive artifact collection once belonging to the Hudson families (and their descendants). Many of the artifacts accompanied the manuscript donations. The artifacts have been cataloged separately and are not described here. See Hudson Library staff for more information. Some of the collection was reproduced on microfiche (including originals not owned by the library)