Baker Ancestors
Alexander Baker Our Immigrant Ancestor
Arrived 17 April 1635
Ship: Elizabeth & Ann
London England to Boston Massachusetts
I've decided to put together a new webpage with data on our direct Baker lines starting with Alexander Baker born in 1607 in England.
Below you will find information on each generation of our Baker Tree. I have included source data and will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Please read! Alexander Baker of Boston was not the same Alexander Baker who married Elizabeth Farrar.
For many years records have circulated linking Alexander Baker of Boston to an Alexander Baker of Clifford's Inn, London who married Elizabeth Farrar, (also spelled as Flourney or Flurnoy).
Recent research has proven that we are dealing with two separate couples.
For clarification I will refer to them as Alexander-Boston and Alexander-New Windsor (England). The Alexander-New Windsor is son of Alexander Baker and grandson of George Baker.
This Alexander married Elizabeth Farrar and he is recorded in several Heraldic Visitations, the marriage of his daughter Mary is found in the Westminster Abbey records and his will is found in New Windsor.
The Alexander Baker who along with his wife Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) came to Boston in 1635 on the Elizabeth and Ann with their two daughters
Elizabeth and Christian. Alexander-Boston is well identified in Boston church and town records and I have a copy of his will from Boston.
I have created a page with copies of these records for review, please take time to look at these records at:
Alexander Baker and Elizabeth Farrar Please feel free to contact me for further discussion of this correction.
Additionally a message on the Baker Yahoo groups located at Message #9956 Alexander Baker and Westminister Abbey Records
outlines why Alexander who came to Boston could not be the same Alexander who married Elizabeth Farrar.
According to John Camden Hotten in his book Original Lists of Persons of Quality, Alexander Baker age 28 came from London in 1635 with his wife Elizabeth aged 23
and two daughters, Elizabeth aged 3 and Christian age 1. He brought with him "testimony from the Minister of his conformitie to the orders discipline
of the Church of England, from two Justices of peace, he hath taken oath of Allegeance Supremacie".
I was curious as to who else traveled on the same ship as Alexander Baker and his family, so I searched for the passenger manifest.
I have extracted all the names that I have found and you can review them on this page: Elizabeth and Ann London to Boston.
I believe that I have named everyone on this voyage, but if I missed anyone, please let me know.
Below I have started an descendancy chart beginning with Alexander Baker. My husband Tony descends from Alexander thru his son Joshua and his wife Hannah Tongue.
I'm looking for others who descend directly from Alexander, and carry the Baker Surname, please contact me at bakerfamily78@hotmail.com
1st Generation
Alexander Baker was born abt 1607 in England. He died between 18 Feb 1684/5 (date of will) and 11 May 1685 (date of probate) in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
Alexander married Elizabeth in about 1630, she was born abt 1611 in England.
Alexander Baker and Elizabeth had the following children:
1. Elizabeth Baker was born in 1632 in England. Elizabeth married Thomas Watkins in abt. 1652 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
(First known child born 27 November 1652, Boston).
2. Christian Baker was born in 1634 in England. Christian married Simon Roberts on 18 May 1654 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
Simon was christened on 23 Mar 1638 in Saint Peter, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.
They were the parents of 7 known children, John, Simon, Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth, Ann and Joseph.
3. Alexander Baker was born on 15 Jan 1635/1636 possibly in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts. He was christened on 5 Oct 1645 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
He died before 1685 as he is not listed as being alive in his fathers will.
4. Samuel Baker was born on 16 Jan 1637/1638 possibly in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts. He was christened on 5 Aug 1645 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
He died before 1685 as he is not listed as being alive in his fathers will.
5. John Baker was born on 20 Jun 1640 possibly in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts. He was christened on 5 Aug 1645 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
He was still living in 1684/5; nothing further has been found about him.
**6. Joshua Baker was born on 30 Apr 1642 possibly in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts. He was christened on 5 Aug 1645 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
He died on 27 Dec 1717 in New London, New London, Connecticut. Joshua married Hannah Tongue daughter of George Tongue and Margery Poole on 13 Dec 1674 in New London, New London, Connecticut.
Hannah was born on 20 Jul 1654 in New London, New London, Connecticut. She died on 1 Dec 1713 in New London, New London, Connecticut. They were the parents of 9 known children, Elizabeth, Joshua,
Alexander, John, Sarah, Hannah, Benjamin, Mercy and Patience. (see below for further details).
7. Hannah Baker was born on 29 Sep 1644 possibly in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts. She was christened in Oct 1645 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. She died in 1716.
Hannah married John Alger before 1679 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. They were the parents of at least one known child named John.
8. William Baker was born on 15 Mar 1647 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He was christened on 18 Apr 1647 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States.
William married Eleanor before 1669 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. First known child Elizabeth born 29 Mar 1669 in Boston.
They were the parents of 5 known children,
Elizabeth, Alexander, Sarah, William and William.
9. Joseph Baker was christened on 8 Apr 1649 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He died before 1685 as he is not listed as being alive in his fathers will.
10. Sarah Baker was christened on 25 Mar 1651 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Sarah married Jonathan Wales in 1685. (Eldest known child born 19 January 1687/8,
three years after Sarah is called Wales in her father's will). They are the parents of at least one known child named Elizabeth.
11. Benjamin Baker was born on 16 Mar 1652/1653 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He was christened on 27 Jan 1653 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
He died before 1685 as he is not listed as being alive in his fathers will.
12. Josiah Baker was born on 26 Feb 1654/1655 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He was christened on 4 Mar 1654/1655 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States.
He died on 19 Jun 1729 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Josiah married Mary Crosse daughter of John Crosse and Mary before 1680 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
(Eldest known child born 8 Jun 1680 in Boston). They are the parents of 7 known children, Alexander, Elizabeth, Mary, Mary Hannah, Josiah, Katherine and Mary.
**our direct ancestor, see next generation
Notes:
As stated above Alexander Baker arrived in Boston in 1635, According to John James Babson in the History of the Town of Gloucester (Essex, Mass)
Alexander Baker was the owner of a house and land and may have for a short time been an early resident, he later lived in Boston (see page 61).
Alexander Baker is included on a list of early settlers who were known to be residents or proprietors of Gloucester from the time of its permanent settlement to the close of 1650.
However no distinction is made to what year during that time they first arrived.
Babson states according to town records "the first ordering, settling, and disposing of lots, was made by Mr. Endicott and Mr. Downing, commissioners, 2d month, 1642".
How many people were then here is not known: but at this time, the settlement assumed more consequence, from the arrival of Rev. Richard Blynman or Blinman with several
families from Plymouth Colony; and it was, at a court in May in that year, by the simple form of incorporation then used, established as a plantation and called Gloucester.
In my research for early records of Gloucester, I ran across Charles Olsen who wrote The Maximus Poems, a project that was to remain unfinished at the time of his death.
An exploration of American History in the broadest sense, Maximus is also an epic of place, Massachusetts and specifically the city of Gloucester where Olson had settled.
Dogtown, the wild, rock-strewn centre of Cape Ann, next to Gloucester, is an important place in the Maximus Poems. What an odd place to find Alexander Baker, but there he was.
Using the Maximus poems and a guide to The Maximus poems of Charles Olsen by George F. Butterick, I found the following:
See the unpublished "Done Fudging Gulls" which begins:
If Savage is right Alexander Baker can be taken as the earliest person to put himself here after Stage Fort
The following is taken directly from the Maximus Poems, (sections in quotes) Olsen writes: Thursday Sept 14th 1961:
"Elicksander Baker, on the River Bank Above Done Fudging 16-THIRTY-FIVE and to: FORTY-FIVE, his age 28 to 38, and having by wife Elizabeth in those years 5 children - certainly
the earliest known births in Gloucester (except for Conant children, Woodbury? Balch? Stage Fort 1623/4 to 1626/7-Alexander, born Done Fudging Jan 15, 1635/6 (the father and mother
having arrived at Boston in mid-summer, aboard the Elizabeth & Ann, Capt. Roger Cooper, with first children Eliz age 3 and Christian age 1) thus Alexander Baker II possibly 1st child
born at Gloucester among the persons of the incorporation of the Town".
"He refers to the next children born as "Samuel, January 16, 1637/38; John, June 4, 1640; Joshua (from whose blood Ethan Allen*), born Gloucester April 30th 1642 - just about day Endecott & Downing
divided Gloucester up - and Hannah, September 29, 1644; sometime after her birth and before October 4, 1645 (date the mother and father are admitted Boston Church) the Bakers sold out at
Done Fudgin, to George Ingersoll, from Salem (Ingersoll was still in Salem, date his fathers will, 1644")
*This refernce is to Mary Baker, granddaughter of Joshua Baker who married Joseph Allen in 1636/7 and became the mother of Colonel Ethan Allen.
In 1646, there is a record of George Ingersoll purchases of Baker's land along the Annisquam near the Harbor
Olsen continues "One has then a placement; a man & family was on the River just above the Cut by 1635. And for 10 years. Also probably his neighbor Stephen Streeter may have been there that early?
In any case as goodmen Baker & Streeter the two get referred to in jointure the moment the Town is found; and curiously, their adjoining property is picked up from them by another pair
equally holding together Gloucester for similar 10 years, Ingersoll and Kenie, though each leave Done Fudging quickly for the Harbor; each is possessed of a front on Fore street, & the water, by 1647 (Dec.)"
"Baker thus fixes occupation of Cape during least known years between 1st settlement and incorporation as Osmund Dutch does the "fisherman" of the Harbor front: his letter to
wife Grace is - from Cape Anne as nauta or sailor - July 18th, 1639 and Abraham Robinson Thomas Ashley (whose property Widow Babson bought up at his bankruptcy 1642) and
William Browne show - via shallop - as down there on the Harbor before June 1641 - and "fishermen" specifically (Thomas Lechford, Notebook, page 406)"
"Add William Southmeade or Southmate as possessing Thompson fishery stage Duncan's Point and therefore probably here as early at Dutch (and Thomas Millward AND
you have a handfull who are hidden handfull from which fell the later life as though they were....yes
Elicksander Baker
Goodman Streeter
Osmund Dutch
William Southmate
Thomas Millward
Abraham Robinson
Thomas Ashley
William Browne
and definitely the ministerial student Thomas Rashleigh, traveling from the Divinity School which Harvard college was 1639 to hold service on Curtis Square
(where R R cuts between Burial Ground and hill) so more parson by Baker and Streeter?"
In the summer of 2010 I visited Gloucester and copied pages of the town records pertaining to Alexander Baker. Below are those entries:
Volume 1 page 12: Given unto Mr. Richard Blynman by the commisioners 2 mo 1642, 8 acres of upland having the highwa (sic) on the one side and running from his house
unto the Rocks southeast and on the other side to Thomas Wakley's fence. Also 12 acres of marsh upon the west side of the Amesquam (sic) river bounded to the norward (s9c)
with the cove that runs up to Mr. Bruens marsh and on the southward with another piece of marsh of Mr. Bruen and 2 arces of marsh of Thomas Skellins which was primarily given
to Steven Streeter and Alexander Baker. The said marsh is bounded from a Rock lying on the upland from the marsh of Mr. Bruen and so to the nearest part of the first creek.
Volume 1 page 29: 3 mo 1649 James Avery, 6 acres upland at hed (sic) of Little River to be laid out. 3 acres of marsh in Chedacco next to Silvestes Evelleth and by the side of
Skellins marsh the one end butting on a fresh runn. He bought of Henry Felch 3 acres of upland one acre joining to the house he bought of him which lyes (sic) next to the Lott that
was James Smith and 2 acres of upland lying at the head of Goodman Streeters lott (sic) and betwixt Will Meades and Goodman Bakers and bounded with the common.
Volume 1 page 36: 24 of 8 mo 1651: James Smyth hath sold is Lott (sic) which given him by Mr. Endicott & Mr. Douning which weare (sic) commission appointed by the General
Court to order the affairs of Gloucester for that yeare (sic) It lyeth (sic) next to the lot that was Elicksander Backers (Alexander Baker) now in the possession of Thomas Skellins
and the nearest house lot to the beach on Anesquam (sic) butting the common on the east and on the north to flech.
Volume 1 page 323: 25 Jan 1703/4 William Sargeant claims two common rights, one for Streeter house and one for Elicksander Baker house which her bought of Thomas Skellins.
In Babson's History, page 169, Stephen Streeter is an early settler who may have preceded the settlers of 1642, as Mr. Blyman's (Rev. Blinman) grant includes lot "primarily given" to
Streeter, (and Alexander Baker). Streeter had a house here, but did not remain in town long after its permanent settlement, for in 1644, he was residing in Charlestown.
In A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England Savage mentions that a land grant given to the Rev. Richard Blinman was the same land that had been previously offered to
Alexander Baker. The area being at the inner edge of the Cut, where a ledge rises quite abruptly on the bank of the Annisquam being called "Dunfudgin". When a boat was brought through the Cut,
the crew had to fudge it along with poles. As soon as they reached the deeper water, however, with broader steeragway, they could ship their poles and hoist their sail, they were done fudging.
On 4 October 1645 Alexander Baker and his wife Elizabeth were admitted to the Church in Boston. The following day 5 Oct 1645 five of Alexander's children were christened in the same church.
According to the Town Records of Boston Alexander Baker was listed as a freeman 6 May 1646 and was listed as the Boston Clerk of the Market 11 March 1666/7, Constable 24 Apr 1676.
On 30 April 1678 Alexander Baker of Boston was "freely discharged from attending upon ordinary trainings he keeping arms according to the law."
On 21 January 1674/5, Capt. John Hull confirmed the sale of land adjoining Alexander Baker's property to John Man and Alexander Baker by Hudson and Sarah Leveret of Boston.
In his will, dated 18 February 1684/5 and proved 11 May 1685, "Alexander Baker of Boston," collarmaker, "being in the seventy ninth year of my age ... God having bestowed
twelve children on me and my dearly beloved wife Elizabeth, and enabled me by his blessing of my labors in my calling to bring the most of them to trades and see them settled & disposed
of into a married condition, seven of them being yet alive, "bequeathed to "my children, i.e. John, Joshua, William, Josiah, Elizabeth Watkins, Christian Roberts and Sarah Wales"
5s each; residue (except the workshop, tools, and three or four feet of ground from the shop bequeathed to"my son William whom I have brought up to my trade")
to "my well beloved wife Elizabeth Baker", she to be executrix. (For anyone interested I have a full copy of his will).
Sources:
1. First Church of Boston, Massachusetts: Birth and Baptism Records1630-1868
2. Boston Town Records
3. Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths 1630-1699
4. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England 1628-1686
5. Boston Probate Records
6. Suffolk County Deeds
7. "The Original Lists of Persons of Quality" John Camden Hotten
8. "The Baker Family Records" J. Montgomery Seaver, American Historical-Genealogical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9. "History of the Town of Gloucester" John James Babson
2nd Generation
Joshua Baker was born on 30 Apr 1642 possibly in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts. He was christened on 5 Aug 1645 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.
He died on 27 Dec 1717 in New London, New London, Connecticut. Joshua married Hannah Tongue Mintern, relict of Tristram Mintern of New London on 13 Dec 1674 in
New London, New London, Connecticut. She was the daughter of George Tongue and Margery Poole and was born on 20 Jul 1654 in New London, New London, Connecticut.
She died on 1 Dec 1713 in New London, New London, Connecticut. A sister of hers married Gov. John Fitz Winthrop.
Joshua Baker and Hannah Tongue had the following children:
1. Elizabeth Baker was born on 4 May 1676 in, New London, Connecticut. She was christened on 8 Aug 1703 in First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut. She died on
11 Nov 1711 in New London, Connecticut. Elizabeth married Richard Atwell son of Benjamin Atwell and Mary Uncas on 11 Mar 1703 in New London, New London, Connecticut.
Richard was born on 1 May 1679 in New London, Connecticut. He died on 12 Nov 1727 in New London, Connecticut.
They were the parents of at least 3 known children, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Richard.
2. Joshua Baker was born on 5 Jan 1677 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. He died on 26 May 1740 in New London, Connecticut. Joshua married Marion Hannah Hurlburt
on 27 Mar 1703 in New London, Connecticut. Marion was born in Apr 1683 in New London, Connecticut. They were the parents of 11 known children, Joshua, Samuel, Elizabeth,
Gideon, Lydia, James, Anna, Stephen, Sarah, John and Asa.
3. Alexander Baker was born on 16 Dec 1679 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. He died on 15 Feb 1724 in New London, Connecticut. Alexander married Mary Pemberton on
11 Jun 1707 in New London, Connecticut. Mary was born on 29 Apr 1684 in New London, Connecticut. She was christened on 29 Apr 1684 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
They were the parents of 7 known children, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, Pemberton, Sarah, Joseph and Lydia.
4. John Baker was born on 24 Dec 1681 in New London, Connecticut. He died on 15 Feb 1750 in Roxbury, Litchfield, Connecticut.
John married Sarah Hurlburt in abt 1706 in New London, New London, Connecticut.
Sarah Hurlburt was christened 22 Aug 1697 in Roxbury, Litchfield, Connecticut. They were the parents of 7 known children,
Ephraim, Mary (she married Joseph Allen and is the mother of Ethan Allen), Remember (his son was Remember Jr, of Revolutionary War Fame)
Sarah, Elijah, Jesse and Elisha.
5. Sarah Baker was born on 18 Jan 1683 in Woodbury, New London, Connecticut. She was christened on 8 Aug 1703 in First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut.
Sarah married Andrew Davis on 9 Dec 1708 in New London, Connecticut. Andrew was born about 1678 in New London, Connecticut.
They were the parents of at least one known child named Jerusha.
6. Hannah Baker was born on 18 Jan 1683 in Woodbury, New London, Connecticut. She was christened on 8 Aug 1703 in First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut.
Nothing further is known of Hannah.
**7. Benjamin Baker was born in 1685 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. He was christened on 6 May 1711 in First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut.
Benjamin married Mary Avery daughter of Thomas Avery and Hannah Raymond on 14 Aug 1718 in Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Mary was born after 1695 in New London, Connecticut. He died on 27 Sep 1779 in Westport, Fairfield, Connecticut.
They were the parents of 7 known children, James, Samuel, Benjamin, Mary, Avery, Ebenezer and Joshua (see below for further details)
8. Mercy Baker was born in 1687 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. She was christened on 6 May 1711 in First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut.
Mercy married James Greenfield after 1707 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. I have not located children for this couple.
9. Patience Baker was born in 1689 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. She was christened on 6 May 1711 in First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut.
Patience married John Rouse about 1709 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. John was born in 1689 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. I have not located children for this couple.
**our direct ancestor, see next generation
Notes:
Joshua Baker, the fourth son of Alexander Baker, b. 30 Apr 1642, was the ancestor of the Baker families in Montville. He removed from Boston and settled at New London, Connecticut around 1670.
In about the year 1700 he received a deed from Owaneco, the Chief of the Mohegans, for a large tract of land in Mohegan, Connecticut, on which his sons afterwards settled.
A portion of the same tract some of his descendants still occupy. This tract of land was located in the vicinity of the famous Cochegan Rock. Additionally Joshua Baker is listed as one of the patent
holders in the patent of New London sanctioned by the Governor and Company, 14 October 1704. He received shares in the town plot and became a large landholder. Joshua's son Benjamin later
sells a portion of this land that he received from his father.
Sources:
1. Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths 1630-1699
2. The Barbour Collection
3. New London, Connecticut Vital Records
4. "History of Montville, Connecticut: formerly the North Parish of New New London" Henry A. Baker
5. Diary of Joshua Hempstead
6. "The Groton Avery Glan" Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery 1912
7. Colonial Families in the US Volume 5 Page 28
3rd Generation
Benjamin Baker was born in 1685 in Montville, New London, Connecticut. He was christened on 6 May 1711 at First Church of Christ
in New London, New London, Connecticut, United States. He married Mary Avery daughter of Thomas Avery and Hannah Raymond on
14 Aug 1718 in Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut. Mary was born abt 1695 probably in New London, Connecticut and died in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Benjamin Baker and Mary Avery had the following children:
**1. James Baker, born 30 Jun 1722, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States; he married Thankful Coley,
13 Mar 1755, Southbury, Litchfield, Connecticut. James died 20 Dec 1761, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Thankful Coley was born 11 Nov 1733 in Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, daughter of Andrew Coley and either Thankful or Patience.
They were the parents of 3 known children, Benjamin, Andrew and Luce.
2. Samuel Baker, born 28 Mar 1724, Fairfield, Connecticut he died 23 Apr 1803 in Weston, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Samuel married Sarah Barlow, 28 Feb 1754, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut. Sarah Barlow was born 23 Mar 1732 in
Fairfield, Connecticut, she died before 1 Nov 1799. They were the parents of 4 known children, Mary, David, Eunice and Avery.
3. Benjamin Baker was born on 10 May 1728 in Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut. Nothing further is know of Benjamin.
4. Mary Baker, born 24 Apr 1732, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut; she married Samuel Turney, 5 Nov 1750,
Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. Samuel Turney was born abt 1732 in Fairfield, Connecticut and
died 27 Aug 1777 in Greenfield-Fairfield, Connecticut. They were the parents of 3 known children, Abigail, Samuel and Mary.
5. Avery Baker, born 22 Oct 1734, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut; he married Hannah Allen, 10 Jun 1770, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Hannah Allen was born 20 Sept 1727 in Fairfield, Connecticut. Nothing further is known about Avery and Hannah Baker.
6. Ebenezer Baker, born 9 Dec 1736, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, he married Mabel Lockwood, 8 Aug 1765, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut;
he died 1 Oct 1817, Westport, Fairfield, Connecticut. Mabel Lockwood was born in 1743 in Fairfield, Connecticut and died 14 Mar 1797 in Fairfield, Connecticut.
They were the parents of 11 known children, Molly, Lockwood, Nathaniel, Ebenezer, Daniel, James, Mabel, Damaris, Salome, Joseph and Lewis.
7. Joshua Baker, born 22 Apr 1740, Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, he married Abigail Sturges, 15 Mar 1769, Westport, Fairfield, Connecticut.
James died 15 Mar 1776, in Canada. When his older brother James died, Joshua became the guardian of his brothers two sons, Benjamin and Andrew Baker.
Abigail Sturges was born 29 Nov 1743 in Fairfield, Connecticut and died 9 Aug 1791 in Fairfield, Connecticut. They were the parents of 3 known children,
Abraham, Joseph and Joshua (who was born 2 months after his fathers death in Canada during the Revolutionary War)
*our direct ancestor see next generation
Notes:
Benjamin Baker the son of Joshua Baker and Hannah (Tongue-Minter) was baptized as an adult 6 May 1711, at the First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut.
The entry of baptisms by Elipalet Adams read, "1711 6 May, Benjamin, Mercy and Patience BAKER, the children of Joshua BAKER were baptized.
It is interesting to note that the following entries are also found in the records of the First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut, baptisms by Gurdon Saltonstall:
1. 1702, 25 Oct, Hannah BAKER wife of Joshua BAKER was baptized
2. 1703, 2 May, Joshua BAKER and Alexander BAKER were baptized
3. 1703, 8 Aug, Joshua BAKER had four of his daughters baptized viz. Elizabeth (wife of Rich. ATWELL), Sarah, Hannah, Mary.
I have been searching for a connection between Benjamin and Joshua, these baptism help to further that possible link.
He married Mary Avery 14 Aug 1718, they were published Sunday, 3 Aug 1718 as noted in the Joshua Hempstead Diary.
Benjamin Baker deeded land that he had of his father, Joshua Baker, to Samuel Avery, 1 April 1719.
Abraham Avery was one of the witnesses (New London Deeds 7:306) Benjamin conveyed his interest in the common lands to
John Bolles, 24 Feb 1742-43, being four-tenths of the land allotted to Joshua Baker, the elder, deceased, by the proprietors of New London.
When I was in Salt Lake in September 2007 I located several land deeds involving Benjamin, I'm currently in the process of transcribing these records.
Sources:
1. "The Later History of the First Church of Christ, New London, Connecticut" Baptisms by Eliphalet Adam
2. Diary of Joshua Hempstead
3. New London, Connecticut Vital Records
4. New London, Connecticut Deeds
5. "The Groton Avery Glan" Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery 1912
6. "History of Montville, Connecticut: formerly the North Parish of New New London" Henry A. Baker
4th Generation
I'm reworking the rest of this page, in the mean time I've left the old sections up for review
James Baker
Born: 30 Jun 1722 Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Married: 13 Mar 1755 Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Died: bef 1771 probably Connecticut
Wife:
Thankful Coley
Born: 11 Nov 1733 Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Died: bef 1771 probably Connecticut
Children:
*Benjamin b: 9 Jan 1756 married Abigail Wade*
Andrew c. 5 Mar 1758
*see next generation
Notes:
James Baker was one of six sons born to Benjamin Baker and Mary Avery. On 13 Mar 1755 he married Thankful Coley.
I have located 2 sons born to them, Benjamin born 9 Jan 1756, Fairfield, CT and Andrew baptized 5 Mar 1758, Redding, Fairfield, CT.
They may have also had a daughter Luce, there are records of a James Baker and wife in the New Fairfield Congregational Church,
29 Mar 1758 they are listed as communicants, 30 May 1760 there is a report of a daughter born to James Baker and on 13 July 1760
James Baker and wife are listed as having a daughter Luce baptized. Of further note the death of a James Baker is listed on 20 Dec 1761.
The James Baker I am searching appears to have died prior to the year 1771, which is the year his son Benjamin chooses his
Uncle Joshua Baker as his guardian. In 1773 Benjamin's younger brother Andrew also chooses Uncle Joshua Baker as his guardian.
I have not located a death record for Thankful Coley Baker but I am still searching.
Sources:
1. The Barbour Collection
2. Connecticut Marriages 1692-1832, Fairfield County Marriage Book A-K
5th Generation
Benjamin Baker
Born: 9 Jan 1756 Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Married: 20 Nov 1780 Litchfield, Connecticut
Died: 3 Jan 1809 Moulinette, Stormont, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Wife:
Abigail Wade
Born: 18 Aug 1757 Bradford, New Haven, Connecticut
Died: 9 Jan 1853 Dundee Huntington, Quebec, Canada
Children:
Benjamin b. 17 Aug 1781 d. 14 Jul 1797
Lucy b. 24 Jan 1783 married Orlando Brunson
James b. 24 Jul 1785 married Margaret Gallinger
Clarissa b. 3 Mar 1787 married Charles Blood
Sarah b. 15 Sep 1788 married Abner Young
Anna b. 19 May 1792 married Jacob Wade
Stephen b. 11 Aug 1795 married Wealthy Wade
*Edward Wade Baker b. 13 Aug 1797 married Mary Carpenter*
David Gilmore b. 7 Dec 1799 d. 5 Jan 1825
Johny b. aft 1799
*see next generation
Notes:
Benjamin Baker born 9 Jan 1756 in Fairfield, Connecticut, he was the 1st son of James Baker and Thankful Coley,
he had a younger brother named Andrew who was baptized 5 Mar 1758 at Redding, Connecticut.
It appears that their parents died while they were still young. Guardianship papers filed 14 Oct 1771 indicate that Benjamin
selected his Uncle Joshua Baker as his guardian, on 13 Jan 1773 Andrew also selected his Uncle Joshua Baker as his guardian.
Ralph Baker a descendant of Benjamin put together the following timeline of events in Benjamin's life using various sources
and the Revolutionary War Pension application filed by Abigail Wade Baker.
I can not begin to express enough thanks for all the wonderful research he has done over the years, but I will start here by saying
Thank You Ralph!!
The Ticonderoga/Lake Champlain area was very sparsely settled prior to the Revolutionary War. Most of the settlement of the high
ground on the west side of the lake area in New York was settled after the war. The area east of the lake is low and relatively flat for farming, etc..
This area was then the New Hampshire Grants-now Vermont. This is where a very few early settlers came in the late 1760's following the French and Indian War.
Research indicates that the most logical "connection" is Addison Township, VT. The Addison land (28,000 acres) was purchased by a group of proprietors.
from mostly southwest Connecticut. The first Grantees of Addison included Samuel, John, James and Ichabod Olmstead. A Samuel Olmstead was executor
of Peter Coley's will proved in 1743. Peter Coley was an uncle of Benjamin Baker's mother, Thankful (Coley) Baker.
The first meeting of the new proprietors of the Township of Addison was held in New Fairfield, CT in 1770. The first recorded transfer of title to land took place 8 May 1771
in Woodbury, Litchfield County, CT where Thankful (Coley) Baker was raised. The second recorded meeting of the proprietors was held 4 May 1773 in Dutchess County, NY
near Albany. At a later meeting in Dutchess County, NY on 30 Nov 1773, Jeremiah French, Daniel Prindle, and Aaron Paine were assigned to lay out lots of 100 acres each
with the work to be done in the spring of 1774. The first proprietors meeting held in Addison Twp. VT was in September 1774. The second meeting in Addison was on 18 Nov 1774.
The completed survey was apparently ready and Aaron Paine is present at a 24 May 1775 meeting in Addison.
It is possible that Benjamin Baker (age 18) worked for Aaron Paine during 1774-1775 helping to survey and lay out the Addison Township Lots. A man named Benjamin Paine/Payne
was in Addison VT for the first town meeting in 1784 following the Revolutionary War. He was one of the early proprietors of the town and a large land owner and speculator.
He built the old tavern at Chimney Point and operated a ferry from Chimney Point to Crown Point. Addison Center is 17-18 miles from Fort Ticonderoga as the crow flies and
Chimney Point is on the Lake and is 13-14 miles from Fort Ticonderoga.
According to Abigail's pension request her husband Benjamin Baker was working for a man named Paine/Payne near Ticonderoga, NY when they were both arrested for
being about the interests of the British. They were both taken to Portsmouth Jail and held until Benjamin enlisted out of jail and into the New Hampshire State Militia.
On 24 April 1775 a Benjamin Baker enlisted in Capt. Thomas McLauglin's Company, Col. John Starke's Regiment, New Hampshire Militia. He served 3 months and 15 days.
(This was one of the service records claimed in Abigails pension request of 1852).
On 29 May 1775, Benjamin's brother Andrew and Uncle Joshua Baker (8 June 1775) enlisted in the 7th Company, Col. Waterbury's 5th Regiment of the Connecticut Line.
On 26 July 1775 left Albany, NY for St. John's Canada via Fort Ticonderoga. In August of 1775 General Montgomery left Fort Ticonderoga to commence attack on
British strongholds in Canada. St. John's surrendered 12 Nov 1775, Montgomery went on to Montreal and later Quebec. In the fall of 1775 Andrew and
Joshua Baker return to Fairfield, CT from campaign in Northern District (Canada). Joshua Baker re-enlisted in the same unit and Andrew was discharged.
On 15 March 1776, Joshua Baker dies while with the Army in Canada. His will was proved November 1776.
On 5 Oct 1777 Andrew Baker marched with Capt. Andrew's Company, Col. Whiting Regiment Line, which was at Peekskill in Oct. 1777. Andrew deserted with four other men
on 13 Oct 1777, four more men deserted on 14 Oct 1777 and one sergeant deserted on 17 Oct 1777 (this was over one half of the unit)
The following may or may not be the same Benjamin Baker who married Abigail Wade, it is one of the Military service records cited by Abigail Baker in her pension request.
On 20 July 1778 a Benjamin Baker enlisted in Capt. James Berry's Company, Col. Thomas Poor's Regiment, Massachusetts State Militia. Benjamin was among those paid
September 1778 at Ft. Clinton and Nov 1778 and December 1778 at King' s Ferry. He was discharged 29 January 1779. If this was our Benjamin he may have returned
"home" to Woodbury, CT - - - if, with his father dead (1771) and his uncle/guardian, Joshua, dead (1776), his mother Thankful Coley Baker (if alive) had been living in the
Woodbury area, where she was raised, with her parents or other kin, Coley side or Baker side of the family. (Nothing has been found in the Connecticut records of her
remarriage or death after James died in 1771. Woodbury, CT is about 17 miles from Redding, CT, 14 miles from Litchfield, CT and 24 miles from Winchester, CT.
The following are additional details of Benjamin's life:
1. 22 Nov 1780, Benjamin Baker of Litchfield, Connecticut married Abigail Wade in Winchester, Litchfield, Connecticut.
2. Benjamin's son Benjamin Jr. was born 17 Aug 1781 and his daughter Lucy was born 8 Jan 1783.
3. 1784 the Revolutionary War ended.
4. June of 1784 the 2nd Battalion KRRNY disbanded, Benjamin was with the 84th Regiment of the KRRNY.
5. Benjamin Baker his wife and 2 children were listed on the Provision List at St. John's (St. Jean) Quebec Canada on 15 Sept 1874.
6. 24 July 1785 Benjamin's son James was born.
7. The 2nd Provision List of 1786 also included Benjamin Baker, wife and 3 children with location shown as Lancaster.
8. 17 June 1787 Benjamin Baker was appointed Constable of Lancaster Twp., Glengarry County, Ontario, Canada.
9. "Lunenburg or the old East District" by Jacob Pringle, published in 1890 lists Benjamin Baker as a member of the Royal Regiment of New York.
10. Benjamin received a U.E.L (United Empire Loyalist) grant of land, lot 11, Con 2 Township of Lancaster, Upper Canada.
In about 1790 Benjamin moved his family to Cornwall and on 3 Jan 1809 he drowned in the St. Lawrence River.
His wife Abigail Wade Baker died 9 Jan 1853 and is buried in the Blood Cemetery, Ft. Covington, New York.
Sources:
1. The Barbour Collection
2. First Congregational Church, Winchester, Litchfield, Connecticut
3. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Williamstown, Ontario, Canada
4. History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield by Donald Lines Jacobus
5. Loyalist in Ontario by William Reid
6. Annals of Winchester, Connecticut page 115
Loyalists and the Lost Villages Historical Society
At the end of the Revoluionary War many Loyalists headed north into Upper Canada, (present day Onatrio). Our family settled in
Moulinette, Stormont, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Tony and I visited this area several years ago. We spent a lovely day searching thru
the St. Lawerence Valley Union Cemetery in Long Sault. We also visited the nearby Upper Canada Village Pioneer Memorial in Morrisburg.
We discovered that the town of Moulinette no long exists, it is part of the 6 villages that were casualties of progress, they disappeared under
the waters of the newly created Lake St. Lawrence, when the St. Lawrence Seaway was built. We happened upon a small settlement of
old buildings and stopped, we were delighted to find "The Lost Villages Museum". This settlement consists of eight heritage buildings
from these former towns, they had been restored and moved to the Ault Park by members of the Lost Villages Historical Society.
There is a website for the society and you can find them at Lost Villages Historical Society.
Please visit their site for more details about these places.
6th Generation
Edward Wade Baker
Born: 13 Aug 1797 Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Married: bef 1820
Died: 14 Mar 1864 Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Wife:
Mary Carpenter
Christening: 29 Oct 1797 St. Andrew's, Williamstown, Glengarry, Ontario, Canada
Died: 9 Dec 1865 Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Children:
James Edward b. 27 Nov 1820 d. 12 May 1823
Mary Anne b. abt 1824 married James Raymond
*James Edward b. 19 Sep 1829 married Elizabeth Anne Mattice*
Louisa b. abt 1831
Margaret b. 13 Sep 1833 married Stephen Bull
Elizabeth b. 30 Mar 1837 d. 12 Apr 1837
Charlotte b. abt 1839
*see next generation
On January 27, 1819, at the age of 21 years, Edward Wade Baker, took the Loyalist Oath of Allegiance and was granted 200
acres of land on Lot number 22 on the South side of 2nd street in the town of Cornwall, in which he farmed and built a one
story frame house.
Edward Bakers burial is recorded in the burial registers of the Christ Anglican Cemetery, Moulinette, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone was moved from that cemetery during the flooding of the St. Lawrence Seaway and placed in a pioneer memorial
in the Upper Canada Village at Morrisburg, Ontario with other early settlers from the area.
He was a member of the Church of England and was recognized by the Magistrates that he retained his Loyalty and did his duty in the
defence of the Province during the late war (1814) with suspicion of aiding the enemy in any manner what-ever as a Yeoman.
7th Generation
James Edward Baker
Born: 19 Sep 1829 Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Married: 23 Sep 1852 Trinity Church, Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Died: 17 Jun 1897 Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Wife:
Elizabeth Anne Mattice
Born: 10 May 1831 Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Died: 13 Dec 1876 Moulinette, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada
Children:
Edward b. aft 1852
James Armond b. 27 Nov 1855
Florence Lyman b. 4 Jul 1859 d. 15 Aug 1861
Florence Elizabeth b. 4 Jun 1863 d. 10 Jan 1867
Carrie Estella b. 4 Jan 1866 d. 16 Jan 1867
*Henry Austin b. 15 Dec 1867 married Anna Christofferson*
Arthur Ernest Arthur Ernest Baker b. 20 Nov 1870
Heber Samuel b. 9 Mar 1875
*see next generation
James Edward Baker was a member of the Anglican Church in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. On 23 September 1852, he and Elizabeth Anne Mattice
were married by license at the Trinity Church in Moulinette, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth Mattice was the daughter of Michael Hiram Mattice and
Margaret Johnson Anderson. James was a farmer on 200 acres of land and on which he built a large two story home.
More Generations to come
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reserved.
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