Peale.] 280 [December. 



His father was in life successful in a mechanical profession, and 

 realized property, which was subsequently lost, thus calling forth the 

 energy of his mother, as previously noticed ; it is, therefore obvious, 

 how the mechanical tendencies of the subject of this notice, had 

 their origin ; and accordingly, the occupations and amusements of 

 the boyhood of Matthias, were mechanical, in which he indulged, as 

 far as time and limited means permitted. 



His education, under such circumstances, was necessarily confined 

 to the ordinary acquirements of elementary instruction, which after- 

 studies, and associations, much improved and enlarged. 



The profession chosen for him, to which he was apprenticed, was 

 that of jeweller, in the obligations of which, he was faithfully occu- 

 pied during the five years of his minority, in Frankford, Pennsylvania. 



After this he was employed in the establishment of Fletcher & 

 Gardener, in this city, extensive manufacturers and dealers in jewelry 

 and plate. The first named being subsequently one of the officers 

 of the Franklin Institute, in which Institution Mr. Baldwin exercised 

 an active and influential part, as will be noticed hereafter. 



Mr. Baldwin commenced business on his own account in 1819, 

 probably in partnership with Mr. Colton, in the manufacture of 

 jewelry, and appears to have been successful for a limited time only, 

 as he subse<:|uently changed his business to the manufacture of book- 

 binders' tools, calico-printers rolls, &c., in which he became associated 

 with Mr. David Mason. In this business the enlarged views of Mr. 

 Baldwin and his careful manipulation, were eminently important, 

 and the results such, as usually accompany skilled, practical ability. 

 Thus associated a manufactory was established, beginning in the year 

 1825, that rendered the country independent of foreign supply. It 

 was situated in a small street, running north from Walnut Street, 

 above Fourth Street, in this city. It was in this place that the author 

 of this memoir made the acquaintance of Mr. Baldwin, which after- 

 wards ripened into an intimacy, that continued in uninterrupted 

 harmony to the end of his life. 



The success of the firm in the departments just noticed, and the 

 increase of business arising from it, induced a change of locality to 

 a larger space, and increased power j it was effected by removal to 

 Minor Street near Sixth, in the latter part of 1827 or beginning of 

 1828, and it was here that the dawn of his prosperity had its rise, to 

 shine tbrth a bright and glorious noon, of utility and success. 



It was in this workshop that Mr. Baldwin made the designs for, 

 and built his first steam engine, intended to supply the motive power 



