The information below is presented in good faith in an attempt to provide a history of my Baker family that is as accurate as I can make it. From the present up to and including Joseph Baker (1810 – 1895), the names and dates have all come from family records and living memory. The history of the three Andrew Bakers comes from research done by the family (including many contributing cousins), Y-DNA and autosomal DNA test results, or, in the case of Rev Andrew Baker’s family, from his family Bible. (Specifically, our Bakers are in the Group 3 “yellow” section of the Baker Y-DNA Project; meaning that we are a Y-DNA match to Rev Andrew Baker, 1749-1815).

To restate, some of the historical information about the three Andrews has been confirmed by documents or historical records (Rev Andrew and his family), while some has so far not been documented (i.e., the families of “Old” Andrew Baker Esq/Sr and of Andrew Baker, 1777-1840)—but the research continues. One source of information has been the Revolutionary War pensions applied for by several of Rev Andrew’s brothers or their widows. A transcription of each can be seen at the links noted below. I’ve included 2 transcriptions for James Baker, because I’m not yet sure which is correct.

If you have any additional information that could help, please email here. I am completely open to all documentation, whether it conflicts or reinforces what we have so far.

Note that my direct paternal ancestors on this page are shown in red and with a single asterisk.
Also, there is now a type of family tree on this website. Choose a person in the “Person Index” list on that page and click the link at the end of the line.

–William A. “Bill” Baker
(son of Oddis Jackson Baker, son of William Josiah Baker, son of John Harvey Baker, son of Green Ward Baker, son of Joseph Baker, son of Andrew Baker, son of Rev. Andrew Baker)

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Andrew “Old Andrew” Baker Esq/Sr

Andrew Baker researchers now have a copy of a longhand document signed by Rev Andrew Baker stating that his father settled the “Peach Bottom” land. To complement that, we also now have a county court document that states that the Peach Bottom land was initially settled by Andrew Baker and his wife, Susannah. We have a PDF of the entire court case, but a transposed copy of what interests us is shown here. Putting the two documents together gives us proof that (1) Rev Andrew’s father was indeed Andrew Baker Sr and (2) Andrew Baker Sr’s wife was named Susannah.

In addition, we have the following excerpts from Rowen County Deed Abstracts at RootsWeb :

1768. Andrew BAKER & wife Susannah to James Sheppard for £140 proc. 450A on Grassy Bottom Creek. 11 March. 1768. Tarrut Gross, Jacob Loesch. Linn, Rowan County Deed Abstracts Volume II, 1762-1772, p.97.

There is a 1779 Wilkes record for a Susannah Baker – (survey for John Baker) living on an improvement close to 1749 Andrew 1750 Morris and James on the South Fork of the New – Entry officer of Claims for the County NC of Wilkes …a survey for John Baker a tract of land containing two hundred acres lying and being in the County aforesaid Lying on the South Fork of the New River beginning at the mouth of Rones Creek “Running down the River to Bakers Line” Running up the creek including the imprt that Susanna Baker now lives on for ??? Comp 2?? … Dec. 1779.

A Revolutionary War pension application by one of Andrew’s sons, George, states that he was born in Granville Co, NC in 1759. At that time, Granville Co was well established as far as location at the top, middle of the state on the VA/NC border (other counties that were at one time part or all of Granville or vice-versa are: Shaftsbury 1670, Albemarle 1664, Chowan 1668, Bertie 1722, Edgecombe 1741, Granville 1746). A good indication of the location of Andrew Esq’s home at the time.

Wife – Susannah. (Until research or DNA shows something different, I will leave the mysterious Susannah as Andrew’s wife.)

Children of this marriage (information from or corroborated by Revolutionary War pension applications is shown in maroon):

• James Baker (9 Nov 1755 – 7 Sep 1831, Madison Co, KY)  I am unsure of the following 2 scenarios for James Baker, but include them here for the time being. The first is the most likely to be accurate:
  

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  (1) MORE LIKELY—James Baker
  Mostly because of the locations involved (See copy of transcribed war pension application):

  • Married Elizabeth Montgomery (27 Nov 1766 – ?), married in Burke Co, NC on 20 Aug 1781. (Certificate dated April 14, 1851 given by the clerk of court of Burke County North Carolina that there is in his office an old marriage bond for the year 1780 and 1781 signed by James Baker on the back of which is the name Elizabeth Montgomery)
  • On 5 April 1851 in Madison Co KY, Mrs. Elizabeth Montgomery Baker, aged 86 years, appeared before the court to petition a widow’s pension under the act of July 4 1836 granting pensions to certain widows of soldiers in the Army of the Revolution in North Carolina. James entered the service in Rowan Co, NC in 1781 for 12 months and served in the Continental line of NC as a private.
  • Children of this marriage:
    • Rebeca Baker was born Nov 20: 1782
    • Charles Baker was born Jan 4: 1784
    • Marget Baker was born Feb 18: 1787
    • Sary Baker was born Feb 2: 1789
    • Elisabeth Baker was born May 31: 1791
    • Jane Baker was born Sept 20: 1793
    • James Baker was born Dec 5: 1795
    • Mary Baker was born April 1797
    • Elias Baker was born April 2: 1799
    • John Baker was born April 1801
    • Nancy Baker was born June 30: 1804
    • Rachel Baker was born June 30, 1804

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  (2) LESS LIKELY—James Baker
  

  • due to locations involved (See copy of transcribed war pension application):
  • Married Rhoda (?) on 8 Sep 1777 and lived in Abbeville, SC for 36 years.
  • On 29 July 1853, Lumpkin Co, Georgia, daughter and heir of James Baker, Rhoda S. Stephens (age 64), appeared before the court to claim any remaining war pension and/or land awards to her late father, James Baker (died 1 Nov 1833). See copy of transcribed application.
  • Children of this marriage:
    • Thomas Baker
    • James T. Baker
    • Susanna Baker
    • Isaac S. Baker
    • John B. Baker
    • Daniel D. Baker
    • Rhoda Baker Stephens

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• Elijah Baker (1742 – 1798) In 1828 in Hopkins Co KY, Elijah applied for a government war pension for his 3 years of service in the Colonial army from 1779 to 1782. On 7 Aug 1832, at age 74, in Washington Co, MO, he applied again. This was witnessed by an acquaintance of 12 years who also had a pension, Peter Pennell (a justice of the peace). I am not 100% certain that this was our Elijah Baker, but included the application transcript at this time. See copy of transcribed application.
  
• John “Renta” Teneretta Baker (7 Oct 1735, Pine Mountain, Wilkes County, North Carolina – 10 Nov 1831, Cortland Cemetery, Cowcreek, Owsley Co, Kentucky)
  • Married Elizabeth Terrill; Susannah Rowland; Susannah Perkins and Agatha “Aza” Williams
• Abendego Baker (? – ?)
• Cuthbert Baker (1746 – ?)
• Richard Baker (1747 – ?)
• *Andrew Baker, Rev (1749 – 24 Sep 1815)
• Morris Baker (1750 – 1813)
• Joseph Baker (1751 – 1838) On 21 Aug 1820, he appeared in court in Garrard Co KY to apply for a government war pension. He stated that he was a farmer by occupation and had 10 children with only 3 living with he and Susanna at that time. He said that he had been living in Hillsborough, Orange Co, NC when he enlisted in the army. See copy of transcribed application.
  • Married Susanna (?) Baker in Wythe Co VA in 1778. She stated in her pension application that Joseph died 1 Mar 1838 in Garrard Co, KY.
    • Abraham Baker (1786 – ?) On 25 Oct 1838, Abraham submitted an affidavit to the government saying that he was 52 years old and the 2nd child of Joseph Baker.
• Robert Baker (?) The information I had for this “uncle” was incorrect, so I removed it. Both earlier research by my father and results from the Baker DNA Project indicate that there was a Robert Baker in this group of siblings, so I will leave him here for now and try to find some biographical information. See From the Editor for more details.
• George F. Baker (1759 – 1841) In 1832, he applied for a government war pension for serving in the Colonial army & fighting the British and Indians in NC from 1776 to 1779 (2.5 years). See the transcribed copy of this application, witnessed by his brother, Bowling. In this application, George states that he was born in Granville County, NC on 14 Oct 1759. He was living in Wilkes Co at the time he entered the service. He says in the same document that he moved to Morgan County, Indiana in about 1827. See copy of transcribed application.
• Martha Patsy Baker (1761 – ?)
• ***Bolin “Kikpelathy” Baker (1738 – 1812) (or 1763 – ?; dates conflict in sources)*** In 1832, Bolin applied for a government war pension for serving in the Colonial army & fighting the British and Indians in NC, SC, and East TN from 1780 to 1782. See the transcribed copy of this application, witnessed by his brother, George. See copy of transcribed application. I’ve recently come across considerable, if not somewhat dubious, information about Bolin. Supposedly, he married an Indian princess: Aracoma Sky Cornflower Cornstalk, and they had 6 children. However, I have not seen any documentation given to substantiate this, even though I’m told that the entire town of Logan, WV commemorates the couple at a yearly festival. In the future, I’ll try to present any documented detail on a new page on this website, but for now, you can use these links to undocumented outside sources:
  https://www.theclio.com/web/entry?id=22280
  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=88954233
  https://www.geni.com/people/Aracoma-Baker/6000000003721776197?through=6000000006895419273
• Eleanor Baker (1765 – ?)
• Leonard Baker (? – ?)
• Sarah Susannah (Baker) Hughes (24 Dec 1711, PA – ?)

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Andrew Baker (18 Feb 1777 – 12 Jan 1840)

Wife – Jane ? (14 Mar 1782 – 20 Sep 1862)
Jane’s last name is not known at this time. The names Williams and Gilbert have both been suggested, but, to my knowledge, there is no documentation at this time that will clear up the matter. A family Bible, originally belonging to John E. Baker (16 Feb 1839 – 09 Dec 1902), that was, until his death, in the possession of Leland Alfred Baker (Missouri) may provide the answer. If Leland’s surviving children can be located, we may have access to the Bible. I believe my Aunt Lois Baker Nolen told me the children were now living in Washington state.

Children of this marriage: (The following list was given to me some years ago by members of my family who are now deceased. They told me the list came from “a family Bible signed by John E. Baker, son of Joseph Baker [below] and recorded by Leland Alfred Baker, John E. Baker’s grandson”. This would be the same Bible I mentioned just above. It is NOT the well-known Rev Andrew Baker family Bible.)

• William Baker (02 Mar 1801 – ?)
• Nancy Baker (17 May 1802 – ?)
• John A. Baker (18 Oct 1803 – ?)
• Elizabeth Baker (13 Apr 1805 – ?)
• Rebecca Baker (12 Nov 1806 – ?)
• Didania Baker (10 Jun 1808 – ?)
• *Joseph Baker (10 Apr 1810 – 10 Nov 1895)
• Polly Baker (10 Nov 1811 – ?)
• Lucy Baker (31 Aug 1813 – ?)
• Patsy Baker (09 Aug 1815 – ?)
• Casanara Baker (23 Mar 1817 – ?)
• Jane Baker (05 Nov 1819 – ?)
• Soloman Baker (22 Nov 1820 – ?)
• Evaline Baker (25 Aug 1822 – ?)
• Manervia Baker (31 Dec 1824 – ?)

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Green Ward Baker (1845 – 1906)

(29 Aug 1845 – 4 Oct 1906 Knox Co, Kenucky) buried on the “old Baker farm” in Middle Fork, near Grays community.

Wife – Eliza Jane Berry (born 22 Jul 1850 Claiborne Co, TN – died 24 Aug 1930 Knox Co, KY).

They were married 23 April 1868 in Knox Co, KY. Eliza was the daughter of William Jackson Berry (brothers: Nelson and Thomas Berry) and Elizabeth Edds. After Green Ward’s death, Eliza married Charlie Ollie. Eliza’s children did not approve of Ollie, and referred to him as the “peddler” or “Jewish peddler”. At some point, they managed to have the marriage annulled or succeeded in bringing about a divorce. Mr. Ollie was probably something of a rounder, because he was shot and killed several years later (1933) in Clay, County. His death certificate stated that he was from “Cantanna” in Syria. Some time after her divorce from Ollie, Eliza married Alexander Spurlock (1873 – 1936). I believe this marriage was also in Knox County, KY. It’s interesting to note that Eliza was buried with her first husband, Green Ward Baker.

[Note: the above information came from my Aunt Lois Nolan Baker, my Uncle Charles Baker, my father Oddis Baker, and my cousin Dee Smith. It is a combination of memory and oral recounting as well as researched records and documents by Dee.]

Children of this marriage and their spouses:

• Martha E. Baker (30 June 1869 Knox Co – 21 Oct 1918 Knox Co, KY)
  • Married Andrew J. Hutton, 25 May 1899 Knox Co, son of Leonard Hutton and Elizabeth Slemp
  • Married Robert Hicks, 5 April 1906 in Knox Co, son of Richard Hicks and Margaret Neft
• *John Harvey Baker (18 Oct 1871 Knox Co – 3 Dec 1951 Knox Co, KY)
  • Married Ellen Malissa Israel (6 Mar 1876 – 20 Feb 1962) 16 Jan 1895 in Knox Co
• Cordelia “Delia” Baker (22 Jul 1873 Knox Co – 4 Nov 1925 Whitley Co, KY)
  • Married William “Bill” Disney 3 Aug 1893 in Knox Co, son of Polly
• Joseph T. “Joe” Baker (13 Feb 1874 Knox Co – 17 July 1955 Knox Co, KY)
  • Married Axie Jones** and later Minnie Helton (?)
• William “Bill” Jack Baker (24 Nov 1878 Knox Co – 2 Nov 1944 Knox Co)
  • Married Mary Dozier (?)
• Green Washington Baker (8 Sep 1880, Fletcher, Laurel Co – 14 Nov 1945, Fletcher, Laurel Co)
  • Married Betty Jones** (?)
• Samuel H. Baker (1883 Knox Co – circa 1010 London, Ky)
  • Married Georgia Jones** (?)
• Eliza Ida Baker (10 Oct 1884 Knox Co – 6 July 1949 Knox Co)
  • Married Leonard Johnson (?)
• Dora Ellen Baker (1892 Knox Co – 2 June 1969 Whitley Co)
  • Married Arnold Clouse (?)

**These three Jones girls were sisters.

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Willie Josiah Baker (1907 – 1970)

(20 Sep 1907 – 30 Oct 1970) buried at Corbin, Kentucky

Wife – Bessie Edith Sasser (29 April 1907 – 4 January 1994)

buried with husband, Willie Josiah

Children of this marriage and spouses:

• *Oddis Jackson Baker (24 April 1926, Gray, Knox Co, KY – 5 December 2002, Clinton, Anderson Co, TN)
  • Married Vivian Vernice Baker (23 June, 1926, Balkan, Bell Co, KY – 29 Aug, 2013, Knoxville, Knox Co, TN)
• Charles A. Baker (14 Feb 1928 – 17 May 1992, Louisville, KY)
  • Married Anna Evelyn Campbell (30 May 1927 – ?, Louisville, KY)
• Lois Darleen Baker (born 31 May 1945, Corbin, KY)
  • Married Charles Nolan (18 February, 1946 – ?, Scottsville, IN)
• James Michael Baker (born 21 November 1949, Corbin, KY)
  • Married Virginia Anne Jewell (born 13 April 1948)

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(The last portion of this page is still being updated.)