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Levi Baldwin
1782 - 1829 (47 years)
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Name Levi Baldwin Birth Abt 1770 USA 
[1] Birth 1782 USA [2] - (North America from Baptism)
Gender Male Military Deployment Between 1803 and 1806 Lewes, Sussex, England [3] - Quartered in Lewes and, Brighton, Sussex. 80 miles away at Boulogne, Emperor Napoleon had an army of 100,000 men waiting to invade England
Miltary Service 1806 [4] 4th Dragoons (Queens Own) 
Levi 4th Dragoons Troop1 Levi 4th Dragoons troop 2 Military Deployment 1807 Chichester, Sussex, England [3] - With the threat of invasion over, the regiment marched from its barracks in Lewes, to Chichester where it spent a year, followed by 6 months at Ipswich.
Military Deployment Between 1808 and 1809 Canterbury, Kent, England [3] - In the November, the regiment were now based in Canterbury when it received orders to prepare to embark for active service in Portugal
Military Deployment Between 1809 and 1814 Spain [3] - The regiment formed part of Wellington's army in the Peninsular Wars. The following battles were granted as Battle Honours :
Battle of Talavera - 27/28th July 1809.
Battle of Albuera - 16th May 1811.
Battle of Salamanca - 22nd July 1812.
Occupation 1812 Soldier Military Deployment Between 1814 and 1819 Carlow, Ireland [3] - After six months in Dublin, the headquarters moved to Carlow in the February, with the troops dispersed increasingly over the entire south of the country. The reason for the dispersal was that Napoleon had escaped from Elba and his landing in France had required other regiments from Ireland. By the summer, the 4th Dragoons were the only regiment left in the country.
In November, the headquarters moved to new barracks in Cahir, where they stayed until 1819, when it moved to Cork.
Residence Between 1819 and 1829 New Street Area, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England [5] Residence 1819 Queen Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Military Deployment 1820 Birmingham, Warwickshire, England [3] - 1819 : The regiment finished a tour of duty in Ireland and moved to the West Country, with headquarter in Exeter and troops in Plymouth, Truro and Taunton - helping the excise men to control the smuggling.
1820 : In the spring they marched to Birmingham with two troops detached at Coventry but a few weeks later they were called to London and were posted to Croydon, Lewisham and adjacent towns.
Name Levi Balden Occupation Between 1820 and 1830 Musician Residence 1821 Little Wharf Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Adult Baptism 10 Apr 1821 Saint Martin's, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England [6] Residence 1824 Vale Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Residence 1826 Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Residence 1828 Five Dwellings, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Death May 1829 Tongue Sreet, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England [7] Burial 14 May 1829 Saint Phillip's Churchyard, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Residence 1831 Tonk Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England [8] Notes - Levi Baldwin a man of Colour
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The first reference to Levi Baldwin so for found is in the sporting life magazine in May 1806.
"In the evening of the first day of Goodwood Races, there was a foot race between Levi Baldwin, a black trumpeter in the 4th dragoons, and a Yorkshireman ; they ran a hundred and fifty yards, for twenty-five guineas, which was easily won ..."
It should be noted that Goodwood Racecourse is only a couple of miles from Chichester.
In 1808 while the regiment was in Canterbury Levi married Sarah McGilchrist. Sarah's father was likely stationed there also as the 3rd and 4th Dragoons spent three days on board ships at Portsmouth in December 1808 prior to being stood down.
In march 1809 shortly after the baptism of daughter Jane, the regiment marched to Portsmouth where on the 16th April they sailed on the Venus for Spain
The next reference to Levir is at Chichester, where in 1810, he and Sarah baptised a daughter Jane. Later at Glasgow he was described as a soldier but the Chichester registers prior to 1813 do not list occupations.
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The History of Roussillon Barracks, Chichester
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" Various records show that the Barracks were built over a period between 1795 and 1813 at a cost of ?76,167, on land that was purchased from the Bishop of Chichester. It lies in the parish of St Peter the Great and from marriage registers of St Peters up to 1794, it shows that the military were on site from the mid 1700s. In 1767 the marriage took place of a drummer in Lord London's Regiment and also of a trumpeter in Lord Albermarle's Regiment. In 1768, three weddings took place by members of 70th foot, General Cholmondely's Regiment and 3rd Regiment of Dragoons. The Barrack accommodation at this time was tents. "
Note the reference to 3rd Dragoons, this regiment was the one Sarah's father Henry McGilchrist served in, see his notes.
Worthy of Note also :-
At St Peter The Great on 6 April 1802 the Following Couple were married by Licence:
William X Shrubb of the Parish of Headley in the county of " Southampton " and Jemima X Balwin of this parish
Witnessed by John Moorey, John Frogbrook and George Wright
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The next reference to Levi Baldwin (Balden) is at Glasgow in 1812 regarding the baptism of his son Levi Balden. Levi at this time is described as a soldier although no discharge papers can be found for him. It is quite possible that he was not discharged to pension, he may well have died in service, although no reference to him as a soldier were found at Birmingham, in that case it will be more difficult to find his records but not impossible.
We do have a clue however, the second witness to this baptism, John MacDonald also born America,( New York), about 1782, served in the 2nd Batt' 71st Light Infantry enlisting 2nd May 1808. His discharge papers describe him as " of black complexion " These regimental records will be checked in due course for this period. Note the 2nd Battalion of the 71st were disbanded after Waterloo in 1815.
(Further details re - John McDonald Abstract From WO25 - 459 Description Book
Page 34 WO25/ 459 71st Foot 2nd Battn 1810 - 1820
John McDonald Age 26 5'4 " Complexion Black; Visage - Round; Eyes - Black; Hair - Black Born America - New York; occupation - Weaver
Date and Place of Attestation for a Limited Period - Glasgow 9 May 1808 Discharged - 24 Sept 1810 Not Recommended for Pension}
Abstract of Baptismal Entry at Barony
" Levi Balden Soldr and Sarah McGilchrist had their - child born 13 May baptised 10 June 1812 named Levi, John Macdonald and Henry Mcgilchrist Witnesses.
NB There were quite a number of soldiers baptising children at this period.
Margaret dau Willian Gray Soldr and Janet Rellie 16 June Wit Daniel Rellie and Robt Gray
James son Adam Cook soldr and Eliz Turner 27 June Wit Thomas Turner and Peter Tenyson
Robert son Thomas Gilmour soldr and Janet Smith 7 July Wit John Henderson & Geo Allan
Janet dau Andr Munro soldr and Margaret Cathel 21st July wit by John Thompson & Samuel Brown
Agnes Dau Wm Dun soldr and Agnes Anderson 28 July Wit by Geo and Wm Smellie
William son Robert Jack soldr And Janet Ballock 3 Aug Wit by John Wiseman & John Bilsland
NB the following entry from the Glasgow Death Records of 1855:-
MCDONALD,John-Soldier/pensioner-male-34-born Glasgow-4 months in Glasgow.Parents-John MCDONALD, Soldier(dec) and Sarah MCDONALD nee SINCLAIR. Died May 25, 1855 at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow of Cardiac Dropsy as cert by Charles F. McLauglan MD. buried High Church Cemetery, Glasgow as cert by the warden. Signed Sarah MCDONALD, her X mark, mother
Current state of Military research :
The description books for the 71st foot have been read on film but the writing is very faded. The fact that no referance to Levi can be found is therefore not conclusive. The musters will read in due course. He is definately not listed in the 3rd Dragoons, the regiment of Henry McGilchrist, as the muster rolls for this regiment have been examined for this period.
A day at Kew confirmed Levi was in the 4th Dragoons in 1809, two pages from the pay books listed Levi as one of the 10 Trumpeters. Sadly no description books have been found and current research is limitted due Corona Virus restrictions.
The first reference found of Levi Baldwin in Birmingham is at the burial of Isabella his daughter on 7 Feb 1819, she was only 8 months old at the time and it appears unbaptised. This reference is to be found in the St. Philip's Register.
Later on 10 April 1821 when Levi Baldwin was baptised as an adult. The minister wrote " Born 1770 or thereabouts in North America, a Musician and man of Colour " . His burial entry in 1829 however gives his age as 47 indicating he was born circa 1782.
Why was he baptised at this time? Normally it would indicate a marriage but in this case we know that Levi was already married, his daughter Isabella born in 1818, Jeremiah c. 1814 and Levi 1812. It is therefore highly likely that he was baptised as a relative newcomer to the parish.
Levi and his wife Sarah subsequently baptised two more children at Saint Martin's, Caroline in 1826 and Sarah in 1828 a year before Levi died in 1829. He was always referred to as a musician and appeared to have no other trade unlike his son Jeremiah who was a brass founder and musician and described sometimes as a fiddler.
The burial registers reveal three more unbaptised children who died in infancy Thomas, 1823 and James, 1825 besides the previously mentioned Isabella,1818.
NB the Burial Registers have not been checked post 1837 yet.
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It is interesting to note that the first civil registration for this family, that of Caroline, daughter of Jeremiah, was in the name of Caroline BALDEN not Baldwin. See also the baptismal entry for Levi Balden 1812
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After Levi's death in 1829 Sarah married John Chinn in 1831 and they moved to Ryecroft Walsall some time between the census of 1841 and 1851.
The Baldwin - Chinn family seemed to have some interest in Ryecroft, Walsall prior to 1841 as Caroline, Jeremiah's sister, died there in 1837 although both Jeremiah, his mother and step-father were still in Birmingham.
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Worthy of note are these other entries found in Various Birmingham registers:-
St May's Whitall Street Burials:
9 May 1824 Sarah Baldwin age 75 Widow of Wharfe St.
NB when Levi was baptised in 1821 he was said to live Little Wharfe St.
St. Martin's Register of Burials:
30 Aug 1835 Mary Baldwin Wife of William age 52 of Tonk St.
15 Feb 1837 William Baldwin 56 of Rea St (near Barford St.)
(Note the reference to Tonk St 26 April 1831 Sarah dau Levi and Sarah)
With regards to the above William and Mary baptised the following children at St. Martin's
William was described as a Gardener and they lived at Old Inkleys
Thomas BALDWIN on 10 Jun 1813 born 17 Dec 1812
William BALDWIN on 22 Nov 1814 no birth date Given possibly born before William
Mary Ann BALDWIN on 18 Aug 1817 born 22 April 1814
Edward BALDWIN on 12 Sep 1821 born 27 July 1819 (Father Green ?Gisege?
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Person ID I307 bolstridge Last Modified 19 Mar 2023
Family Sarah McGilchrist, b. Between 1794 and 1795, Devizes, Wiltstshire, England d. Aug 1863, Ryecroft, Walsall, Staffordshire, England (Age 69 years) Marriage 25 Apr 1808 Saint Mary's Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, England [9] 
Levi Baldwin = Sarah McGilchrist Witness Wm ?????? Witness M??????? ??? Minister John Yeates Notes - Why have I assumed that the Levi Balden and Sarah McGilchrist who baptised a son Levi at Glasgow in 1812 are the Levi and Sarah from Birmingham?
The baptism at Glasgow was in the name Balden the same as the first civil registration entry in Birmingham indicating the same pronunciation. Levi was said to be born in North America, there are many Balden surnames in the IGI there and relatively few in the British Isles for this period.
We know from register entries that Levi was at least part black and was a musician. The two witnesses of the baptism of Levi junior were :-
(1) Henry McGilchrist: Assumed to be Sarah's father, of black origins born in Jamaica and a Musician. See notes Henry McGilchrist.
(2) John MacDonald: John's discharge at Glasgow on 24th September 1810 reveal he was " born New York, America - of black complexion "
John MacDonald enlisted on 2nd May 1808 and served in the 2nd Battalion 71st Regiment of Light Infantry.
Children 1. Jane Baldwin, b. Feb 1809, Chichester, Sussex, England [natural]+ 2. Levi Baldwin, b. 13 May 1811, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland [natural]+ 3. Jeremiah Baldwin, b. 1814, Not in Warwickshire, England d. 27 Jun 1845, Rushall, Walsall, Staffordshire, England (Age 31 years) [natural]4. Henry Baldwin, b. May 1815, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland [natural]5. Isabella Baldwin, b. Jun 1818 d. Feb 1819, Queen Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (Age 0 years) [natural]6. Caroline Baldwin, b. 28 Aug 1820, Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England d. Jun 1837, Ryecroft Street, Walsall, Staffordshire, England (Age 16 years) [natural]7. Thomas Baldwin, b. Aug 1823 d. May 1824, Vale Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (Age 0 years) [natural]8. James Baldwin, b. 2 Aug 1825, Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England d. Aug 1825, Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (Age 0 years) [natural]9. Sarah Baldwin, b. 7 Sep 1826, Five Dwellings, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England d. Apr 1831, Tonk Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England (Age 4 years) [natural]Documents Levi Baldwin = Sarah McGilchrist Family ID F1512 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 19 Mar 2023
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Event Map 
Birth - Abt 1770 - USA 
Birth - 1782 - USA 
Military Deployment - Between 1803 and 1806 - Lewes, Sussex, England 
Military Deployment - 1807 - Chichester, Sussex, England 
Military Deployment - Between 1808 and 1809 - Canterbury, Kent, England 
Marriage - 25 Apr 1808 - Saint Mary's Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, England 
Military Deployment - Between 1809 and 1814 - Spain Child - Jane Baldwin - Feb 1809 - Chichester, Sussex, England 
Child - Levi Baldwin - 13 May 1811 - Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland 
Military Deployment - Between 1814 and 1819 - Carlow, Ireland 
Child - Jeremiah Baldwin - 1814 - Not in Warwickshire, England Child - Henry Baldwin - May 1815 - Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland 
Residence - Between 1819 and 1829 - New Street Area, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Residence - 1819 - Queen Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Military Deployment - 1820 - Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Child - Caroline Baldwin - 28 Aug 1820 - Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Residence - 1821 - Little Wharf Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Adult Baptism - 10 Apr 1821 - Saint Martin's, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Residence - 1824 - Vale Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Child - James Baldwin - 2 Aug 1825 - Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Residence - 1826 - Dudley Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Child - Sarah Baldwin - 7 Sep 1826 - Five Dwellings, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Residence - 1828 - Five Dwellings, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Death - May 1829 - Tongue Sreet, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Burial - 14 May 1829 - Saint Phillip's Churchyard, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England 
Residence - 1831 - Tonk Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England = Link to Google Earth Pin Legend 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
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Documents 
Adult baptismal record of Levi Baldwin
Entry in the Saint Martin's, Birmingham baptism register.
Sporting Life Magazine 1806
Foot race at Goodwood May 1806
Histories Black Musicians of the British Army
Background Information
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Sources - [S395] Parish Registers Birmingham, St. Martin's, (Name: Film of Original Registers;), Ref: DRO 34/12.
Levi Baldwin of Little Wharf Street born 1770 or thereabouts in North America a musician and Man of Colour
Entry In Register - [S624] See Death, (Name: From Death or Burial entry;), Age 47.
- [S677] H.M Chichester & G. Burges-short, Records & Badges of the British Army, (Name: Greenhill Books; New ed of 1900 ed edition (1 Jan 1920);), ISBN-13: 978-0947898229.
- [S674] Sporting Magazine, Volume 28 - Page 97.
In the evening of the first day of Goodwood Races, there was a foot race between Levi Baldwin, a black trumpeter in the 4th dragoons, and a Yorkshireman ; they ran a hundred and fifty yards, for twenty-five guineas, which was easily won ...
- [S617] Martyn Parsons, Residences of Levi & Jeremiah Baldwin, (Name: Gathered From Various Sources;).
Queen Street later became part of Stephenson Street.
Vale Street is now under the present New Street Station
Little Wharf Street not found yet, but there was a Wharf Street parallel to Broad Street.
Dudley St. is at the back of New Street Station.
Five Dwellings was off Tonk Street by No. 23.
Tonk Street ran from 25 Smallbrook Street to Hill Street.
New Inkleys was off Dudley Street by No. 47;
All these places where within spitting distance of The Theatre Royal New Street - [S395] Parish Registers Birmingham, St. Martin's, (Name: Film of Original Registers;), 10 Apr 1821.
Levi Baldwin of Little Wharf Street born 1770 or thereabouts in North America a musician and Man of Colour - [S396] Parish Registers Birmingham, St. Phillips, (Name: Film of Original Registers;), M 63.
Levy Baldwin of Tongue St. age 47 buried
NB this possibly Tonk St - [S377] Note Well.
NB Levi actually dead at this time this date is when his daughter Sarah Died - [S694] Parish Registers KNT, Saint Mary Northgate, 25 April 1808 By Banns botp.
Leve X Baldwin = Sarah X McGilchrist
Witnesses Unreadable See Scan
Levi Baldwin = Sarah McGilchrist
- [S395] Parish Registers Birmingham, St. Martin's, (Name: Film of Original Registers;), Ref: DRO 34/12.
