The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baldwin, Ashbel

BALDWIN, Ashbel, clergyman, was born in Litchfield, Conn., March 7, 1757. He was graduated from Yale college in 1776, and served as a quartermaster in the revolutionary army. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Seabury, Aug. 3, 1785. This is memorable as being the first Protestant Episcopal ordination which took place in the United States. In 1786, he was priested and appointed rector of St. Michael's church, Litchfield, Conn., a position which he held until 1793, leaving it to take charge of Christ's church, Stratford, where he remained until 1824. He also held parishes in Wallingford, Meriden, North Haven and Oxford, until the infirmities of age obliged him to retire in 1832. He acted as secretary of the general convention and of the diocesan convention of Connecticut. He died at Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1846.