Ebenezer Baldwin, born in 1790 in New Haven Connecticut, graduated from Yale and attended Litchfield Law School, the nation’s oldest proprietary law school. He then came to Albany and was admitted to the New York bar in 1813. He was a diligent and effective lawyer and became a firm partner in 1820. During his career he served as the Albany County Surrogate, Albany City Recorder and as a Master in the Chancery Court. In addition, he was the Military Aide to Governor DeWitt Clinton and held the rank of Colonel. A highly intelligent and forward-thinking person, he strongly supported Clinton and his projects, including the building of the Erie Canal and a proposed railway between New York and Boston.
In 1828, due to failing health, Baldwin retired from the practice of law and returned to Connecticut. He went on to publish several books including the Annals of Yale College.
His younger brother Roger Baldwin also practiced law and famously defended the rights of the Africans in the landmark Amistad case. Roger then went on to become governor of Connecticut.
In 1838, Ebenezer Baldwin died at the age of 47.
