Edward Baker^[1]

1608 - 1687  (79 years)

• Name	Edward Baker  [2, 3]
  Birth	1608	Lavenham, Suffolk, England
  Gender	Male
  Arrival	1630	Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA   [2]
  	Settled
  Residence	1630	Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA   [4]
  Fact 1	14 Mar 1638	Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA   [2]
  	Freeman
  Fact 2	1657	Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA   [3]
  	Relocate
  Death	16 Mar 1687	Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA   [3]
  Person ID	I4173	Master
  Last Modified	7 Jun 2021

  
  

  Father	John Baker,   b. 1588, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA d. 1696, London, London, England (Age 108 years)
  Mother	Sarah Baker,   b. 1580, , , , England d. Yes, date unknown
  Marriage	1610	, , , England
  Family ID	F1372	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Joan Lane,   b. 1618, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 9 Apr 1693, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 75 years)
  Marriage	1641	Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
  Children	+ 1. Joseph Baker,   b. 1640, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 29 Oct 1675, Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA (Age 35 years) + 2. Mary Baker,   b. 1 Apr 1642, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 1 Dec 1719, Milton, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA (Age 77 years) + 3. John Baker,   b. 1645, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 15 Sep 1719, Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA (Age 74 years) + 4. Timothy Baker,   b. 1647, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 30 Aug 1729, Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA (Age 82 years) + 5. Thomas Baker,   b. 1653, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 3 Oct 1734, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 81 years) + 6. Edward Baker,   b. 1655, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 1 May 1691, Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 36 years)
  Family ID	F1369	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 1608 - Lavenham, Suffolk, England Arrival - Settled - 1630 - Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA Residence - 1630 - Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA Fact 1 - Freeman - 14 Mar 1638 - Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA Marriage - 1641 - Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA Fact 2 - Relocate - 1657 - Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA Death - 16 Mar 1687 - Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  History of Essex County, Massachusetts edited by Duane Hamilton Hurd pg 345 LYNN REGIS. — It is within the knowledge of the writer that some good people of the ancient borough of King's Lynn now take a lively interest in what pertains to our own Lynn, which, during its comparatively short life, has so far outstripped its prototype, in population at least. They appear to regard us as a sort of vigorous child, a little presumptuous, perhaps, but one in whose prosperity they may delight, as if in some mysterious way it contributed to their honor. It is but a few years since they learned anything of us. Less than fifteen years ago a lawyer there assured the writer that to him our Lynn was only known through Longfellow's "Bells of Lynn." The celebration of our Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary, to which some of the authorities there were invited, had much to do with rendering our name familiar. And then the Christian sympathy engendered by the giving and receiving of the stone from the ancient wall of stately old Saint Margaret's, to be wrought into the rising wall of Saint Stephen's, was a significant occurrence. It is true that not a large number of our early settlers came from that place ; but there were one or two of more than ordinary family connection. It is not necessary to here speak of the eminent Whiting, through whose instrumentality the names of the places were made identical ; nor of some others elsewhere named. But it may be interesting to note in passing, that Richard Hood, ancestor of George Hood, our first mayor, who settled on Nahant Street, was from Lynn Regis. Several old names common in both places could be mentioned — a fact which, though not conclusive evidence of near family connection, are yet strongly indicative of kinship. For instance: There was a Thomas Laighton, mayor of Lynn Regis in 1476; and one of our most active and enterprising settlers was Thomas Laighton, who located near Saugus River in 1635. Edward Bakerwas mayor of the borough in 1550 ; and from Edward Baker, who came hither in 1630, Daniel C. Baker, our third mayor, descended. Benjamin Keene (a later name with us) was mayor of old Lynn in 1683. In 1737 " Charles, Lord Viscount Townsend, was Lord High Steward of Lynn Regis." He undoubtedly belonged to the same Towusend family with Edward Baker Edward Baker, a farmer from England, who, accompanied by his wife Joan, came with the fleet commanded by Governor Winthrop which arrived in Boston in June, 1630, and settled almost immediately at Lynn, just accross the bay, at a place still known as Baker's Hill. Edward Baker's descendants were prominent in the early history of Massachusetts and connecticut as soldiers, patriots, and statesmen. [Virginia Woolf writes in her memoirs (Family Flash-Backs & Miscellaneous Memories of Virginia Baker Woolf) that Edward Baker came to this country from London with George Winthrop and settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1628.] The Wentworth Genealogy By John Wentworth pg 396 Col. Otis Baker was son of Capt. Thomas and Christin6 (Otis) Baker, of Northampton, Mass.; Capt. Thomas was son of Timothy Baker,* who was son of Edward Baker, a freeman at Lynn, Mass., in 1638. Col. Otis Baker was member of the Provincial House of Representatives at Portsmouth, N. H., 1768, 1770-2-3, and also in 1775, when the Provincial government was abandoned. December 21, 1775, he was chosen a Representative to the revolutionary legislature at Exeter, which resolved itself into an independent State government, and elected him one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he had held under the Provincial government from the organization of Strafford County, Timothy Baker was a leading character in Northampton, often selectman, on important committees of Town and Church, was called "Mr." from the first, then "Ensign," and finally " Lieutenant." The final record is, " 30 August 1729, Lieut. Timothy Baker died." He married, 1st, 16 January 1672, Grace Marsh, and had Grace Baker, born 1673, died 10 February 1673; and Timothy Baker, born in 1675, died in infancy. His wife died 31 May 1676; and 1678 or 9, he married, 2d, Sarah Atherton, the widow of Rev. Hope Atherton, minister of Hatfield, who was chosen chaplain of Capt. Thomas Lathrop's Company, which was cut to pieces by the Indians at Bloody Brook (Deerfield), Mass. She was a daughter of Lieut. John Hollister, of Wethersfield, and married Mr. Atherton in 1674. She had by him three children. Timothy Baker had by her, John Baker, born 3 February 1680; Thomas Baker, born 14 May 1682; Edward Baker, born 12 November 1685 (left no male issue); Prudence Baker, born 14 May 1687; and Deliverance Baker, born 13 November 1689, died 1710. Capt. Thomas Baker (for whom see -N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, 1851) married Christine" Otis, daughter of Richard and Grizzel (born 6 March 1662, daughter of James and Margaret Warren, of Kittery, Me.) Otis, of Dover, N. H., who was born at Dover, N. H., in March 1688-9, and when the town was taken and destroyed by the Indians, on the morning of 28 June following, she was carried captive with her mother to Canada. The French priests took this child, then three months old, under their care, baptized her by the name of Christine, and educated her in the Romish religion. She passed some time in a nunnery, but declined to take the veil. About the age of sixteen she married a Frenchman, whose name was recorded on the Brookfield, Mass., Records, Le"-Bue, and in Col. Stoddard's Journal (see N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, April 1851), Le-Beau. But her desire to see Now England was so strong that, upon an exchange of prisoners in 1714, being then a widow, she left her children, who were not permitted to come with her, and returned home, where she abjured the Romish faith. M. Seguenot, her former confessor, wrote her a flattering letter in 1727, warning her of her danger, repeating many gross calumnies which had formerly been vented against Luther and the other reformers. This letter being shown to Gov. William Burnet, he wrote her a sensible and masterly answer, refuting the arguments and detecting the falsehoods it contained. Both these letters, written in French (as neither Christine at that time nor the priest understood English), were translated and printed. A copy may be found in the Athenaeum Library, Boston; it is also reprinted in the Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society. She had three children by her French husband; they remained in Canada. Col. Otis Baker was the sixth of her seven children by her second marriage in 1773, and so continued to hold it until he was elected a State Senator in 1785, which office he held two years. He was one of the N. H. Committee of Safety from 1776 to 1777, and he succeeded Col. John4 (160) Wentworth, of Somersworth (the fourth in descent from Elder William1 by his son Ezekiel2, and grandson Capt. Benjamin3) in command of the old 2d N. II. Regiment. Col. Baker resided in Dover, N. H., on Silver Street (now so called), Christine" (Otis) Baker removed to Dover, N. H., about 1734, with her husband, Cnpt. Thomas Baker. They resided on the northwest corner of Pleasant and Silver Streets. She died 23 February 1773. The New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth, 5 March 1773, says, " She joined the church under the care of Rev. Solomon Stoddard, of Northampton, Mass., and removing to Dover, she there lived in good reputation, being a pattern of industry, prudence, and economy. She bore a tedious illness with much patience and calmness. The number of her posterity of three generations is seventy-two, and fifty-seven of them are now living." " Richard Otis, smith, may inhabit," is the first mention of this emigrant, and is on the Boston records, 28 May 1655. He was taxed at Dover, N. H., the next year, and was a blacksmith there until his death. His first wife was Rose, daughter of Anthony Stoughton, who probably came over with him, and by whom he had seven children. His second wife was Shuah, widow of James Heard, by whom it is supposed he had no children. By his last wife he had two children. He was killed on the morning of 28 June 1689, in the attack on Dover, in which twenty-two were killed and twenty-nine carried into captivity. The garrison houses there were surrounded with timber walls, the gates of which, as well aa the house-doors, were secured with bolts and bars. The neighboring families resorted to these houses at night for safety. Approaching the place with professions of peace, the Indians sent two of their squaws to each house to ask lodgings for the night, with the intention of pening the doors after the inmates were asleep, and giving the signal, by a whistle, to the savages to rush in. The stratagem succeeded. On the night of Thursday, 27 June 1689, in unsuspecting confidence the families retired to rest. When all was quiet the gates were opened and the signal was given. The Indians rushed into Major Waldron's house, and though seventy-four years old, he with his sword drove them from room to room until stunned by a hatchet thrown by an Indian, who came through another room behind him. They then cut him in pieces and set the house on fire. Otis's garrison met with the same fate. He was shot as he was rising up in bed, and his son, Stephen Otis, and daughter, Hannah Otis, were killed, the latter — then two years old — by dashing her head against the chamber-stairs. Another account is that Richard Otis was shot whilst looking out the window on the first alarm. The wife and infant child (of three months old) of Richard Otis with the children of his son, Stephen Otis, and others, twenty-nine in all, were carried captive to Canada, where they were sold to the French, — the first English prison- The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 1851 pp 191-200 Her husband Capt Thomas Baker, was born at Northampton, Mass., 14 May, 1682, the son of Timothy Baker, who was the son of Edward Baker, a freeman at Lynn, 1638. Edward went to Northampton about 1658, the fourth or fifth year of its settlement, where he had grants of land from the town. He remained there a number of years, was selectman, &c. ; returned to Lynn and there died, March, 1687. His wife was Jane . He left .in Northampton two sons ; Joseph f and Timothy J ; and had sons, Edward 2 and Thomas * at Lynn ; John,2 who it is believed, settled in Dedham, where his descendants are very numerous ; and perhaps others. His will is dated 16 Oct., 1685, but he names in it only two or three of his children, as he had given them portions by deeds. He appointed " a decent funeral, suitable to my rank and quality," and exhorted his children to live in peace and the fear of God. Joseph Baker,2 m. Ruth Holton, 5 Feb., 1662, nnd had Joseph, b. 20 Jan., 1664; Ruth, 6 May, 1668; Mary, 5 Sept., 1670; Samuel, 11 Sept., 1672 ; Joseph, 25 Jan., 1675. Of these, Ruth m. Ebenezer Alvord, 1691, and Joseph was slain by the Indians, while at work in his meadow, 1675. Timothy Baker,2 was a leading character in Northampton, often selectman, on important Committees of Town and Church, was called, " Mr." from the first, then " Ensign," and finally, "Lieutenant" The final record is, "30 Aug., 1729, Lieut Timothy Baker died." He m. 1st, Grace Marsh, 16 Jan., 1672, and had Grace, 1673, d. 10 Feb., 1673 ; and Timothy, 1675, d. in infancy. His wife d. 31 May, 1676, and 1678 or 9, he m., 2d, Sarah Atherton, the wid. of Rev. Hope Atherton, minister of Hatfield, who was chosen chaplain of Capt Lathrop's Company, which was cut to pieces by the Indiana at Bloody Brook, (Deerfield.) She was a dau. of Lieut. John Hoilister, of Wethersfield, and m. Mr. Atherton, in 1674. She had by him three children. Timothy Baker had by her, John,* 3 Feb., 1680 ;THOMAS,8 14 May, 1682; Edward,8 12 Nov., 1685, (left no male issue) ; Prudence,' 14 May, 1687; Deliverance,3 13 Nov., 1689, d. 1710. Capt John Baker,* (eldest son of Timothy) m. Rebecca Clark and settled on the old homestead — became one of the most influential men in the town ; had 7 sons, viz : John, Noah, Aaron, Elisha, iSlephen, Timothy, Elijah, and two daughters. All the sons except Timothy, (who lost his life in the expedition against Louisburg, in 1745.) married and settled in Western Massachusetts, all lived to be 80 years old or over, and all left numerous families, whose descendants are scattered all over the United States, from Vermont to Texas. Elijah was the <*rand-father of the Hon. Osmyn Baker, late M. C., from A MI lie IM. Mass., now of Northampton. Capt Thomas Baker, was an adventurous character, and had no fixed residence, except at his father's house in Northampton, until the consummation of his romantic affair with Christine" Otis. After his birth, his name does not appear again on the Northampton records, until the record of the birth of his daughter, spelled by the clerk " Chrittian." From the fact of finding this record at that place, it is inferred that he had not then fully established himself at Brookfield. He was among the captives who were taken at the destruction of the town of Deerfield, 29 B'eb., 1703-4, and was carried to Canada. He had not been in captivity long, when he with others, determined on making their escape. They had not however, proceeded far in their elopement, when they were overtaken and carried back, and threatened with immediate death by being burnt at the stake ; and would have been, had not some of the French interceded in their behalf. Capt. Baker and his men, went down the Merrimack to Dunstable, and thence to Boston, and made application for the bounty, May 8th, 1712. They brought but one scalp, yet claimed pay for several, as they believed they had killed some wlio.se scalps they could not get. This occasioned some delay, and the men came home. On the 10th of June, the General Court granted 40 pounds, or pay for four scalps, not because they believed so many Indians had been killed, but they were willing to reward the bravery and enterprise of Capt. Baker, and his 32 men. They allowed Capt. Baker's company wages from 24 Mch, to the 16th of May, 1712. — M&. letter of Sylvester Judd, Esq. The account given by Mrs. Bean, the daughter of Capt. Baker, adds some incidents to this affair. She said that the enemy were composed of a large body of French and Indians, who were coming down from Canada to kill and destroy the English ; that they were in their boati sailing down the River: that Baker, having previously discovered them, secreted his men in ambush, on the the banks of the river. Capt. Baker died at Roxbury of the "Lethargy", to which disease he had been some time subject — at which place he was on a visit to some cousins of his, by the name of Sumner.* The time of his death is not known, but it was sometime prior to Mr.*. Bean's . marriage, about 1758, as she and her mother were then living with Col. Otis Baker. He was " past his labour," in 1735. The following is the Petition of Christine Baker, and the order of the General Assembly, of N. H. ; the original of which is in possession of the family of her descendant, the wife of Hon. Paul Wentworth, of Concord, N. H. :To his Excellencie, Jonathan Belcher, Esqvire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Mafties Province of New Hamps'e, The Honourable the Council And House of Repretrnttativet, Now Conven'd in General Asseembly. THE HUMBLE PETITION OF CHRISTINE BAKER, THE WIFE OF CAPT. THOMAS BAKER, OF DOVER, IN NEW HAMP8*E AFFOR SAID, MOST HUMBLY SHOWETH ! That your Petitioner in her Childhood was captivated by the Indians in the Town of Dover, afibre said, (where she was Born) and carried to Canada, and there Brot up in the Romish Superstition and idolitry. And was there Maryed and well settled, and had three children ; and after the Death of her husband, she had a very Great Inclination to see her own country ; And with Great Difficulty obtained permission to Return, leaving all her substance and her children, far by no means could she obtain leave for them ; And since your Petitioner has been maryed to Capt. Baker, she did undertake the hazzard and fatieug of a Journey to Canada againe in hopes by the interest of friends to get her children, but all in vaine — so that her Losses *re trebbled on her ; first the loss of her house well fitted and furnished, and the lands belonging to it ; Second, the Loss of Considerable part of her New England Substance in her last journey to Canada ; and thirdly, the Loss of her children. Yet still she hath this Comfort since her return : That she is alsoo returned into the Bossum of the Protestant church ; for wen. she most heartily thanks Almighty God. And now your Petitioner having a large family to support, and by the Changes and chances of fortune here is Reduced to very low Circumstances ; and her husband past his Labour. Your Pet'r Lately made her case known to several Gent, in the Government of the Massa. who out of a Charitable Disposition did supply yor. Petitioner with something to set her in a way to subsist her family ; And also advis'd to keep a house of Entertainment ; And the Gen'll Assembly of that Govermt. took your Petitioner's case into their consideration, and made her a present of 500 acres of land in the Province of Maine, and put it under the care and Trust of Coll. Win. Pepperell, Esq., for the use of your Petititioner (exclusive of her husbands having anything to do with it.) Now your Petitioner by the help she hath had, has hot, a lot of land and Built a house on it on the Contry Rlioade from Dover meeting bouse to Cochecho Boome ; and have bedding and other

  
  

• Sources

  [S761] Yates Publishing, Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Tree. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=157654141&pid=69 [S126] Nelson M Baker, Genealogy of the Descendants of Edward Baker of Lynn, Mass, 1630, (Syracuse: Nelson M Baker, 1867), Page 7 (Reliability: 2). Edward Baker was the emigrant ancestor of the family whose genealogy is herein set forth. He was an Englishman, a farmer, and settled on the south side of " Baker's Hill," in Saugus, (then Lynn) Mass., in the year 1630. Undoubtedly he came hither in the large fleet under Gov. Winthrop, which sailed from England in April, and arrived at Boston and Salem in June and July, 1630. This fleet consisted of eleven vessels, and brought about 1700 colonists. " Some of them were from the western part of England, but the greater number from about London. On their arrival they began to make settlements in the pathless woods." Mr. Dudley says that some of them settled " upon the river of Saugus." Lynn was first settled only the previous year by five families, and this year received the large addition of fifty persons, with their families. Research has failed to bring to light anything concerning him prior to his arrival in Lynn. The hill0 to which his name was first given, has known no other, and yet stands, " rock-ribbed and ancient," an enduring monument to the God-fearing, liberty-loving and hard-working pioneer who gave us this goodly heritage. He was admitted a ''Freeman "* March 14,1638. All that is known of his wife is, that her name was Joan, (Jane) and that she died April 9, 1693. " Baker's Hill " may be seen near the Saugus branch of the Eastern Railroad, two or three miles from Lynn, towards Boston. [S126] Nelson M Baker, Genealogy of the Descendants of Edward Baker of Lynn, Mass, 1630, (Syracuse: Nelson M Baker, 1867), Page 8 (Reliability: 2). In 1657 he removed from Lynn to Northampton, Mass., only three years after the settlement of that town, where he had several grants of land from the town, purchased several lots besides, held important town offices, and remained many years, " respected and influential." In later years he settled his sons, Joseph and Timothy, there, and returned to Lynn, where he died March 16, 1687. Mr. Nowhall« says, "The will of Mr. Baker is dated Kith October, 1685, and having previously provided for some of his children by deed, not all of them are named in it. He exhorts his family to live peaceable and pious lives, and desires for himself 'a decent funeral/ suitable to his rank and quality while living.' " His burial- place is unmarked and unknown. None of his lands are in the hands of his descendants. He had five sons and one daughter", viz :— ('2) Joseph* b. (3) Mary- b. April 1, 104-2. (170) John" b. 1645. (7) Timothy-1 b. 1647. (4) Thomas" b. 1653. (6) Edward' b. il. are unable to account for his return to Lynn. His circumstances in Northampton seem far preferable every way. e. History of Lynn, by Alonzo Lewis and .Tames 1Í. X'ewha!!, 1865. It is a very interesting work, giving many curious details of early pioneer life. We were unable to ttml the Will, else we should insert it entire. /. It may of interest to explain, that prior to 1Î42, funeral expenses were offen very large, there being furnished by the estate, mourning apparel, gold rings', gloves, wines and liquors in very lavish stvle. In one instance 3000 pairs of gloves, and200 gold rings were given away at one funeral. InlH2alaw was passed prohibiting all this, except six pairs of gloves to'the bearers, and one pair to the minister.-Hiitory of , . 248. . This is probably the order of their ages, from comparing the dates of marriages and birlhs. Possibly he had another daughter. Elizabeth. The Lynn records say that "John Witt and Elizabeth Baker, was married (lie 14th day of January, IfiTG," and give Ilieir family. The lire- sumption, however, is against it. Perhaps, also, there were other children who died young. Nearly all the town records of Lynn, for ttie first II fly years or more, having been lost, w'e have no means of knowing more than these. It may be that Edward was older than Thomas ; he appears to be named before him in his father's will. It seems that the two latter never had lunch to do with the rest, and were lost sighl of more than a hundred years ago. It was nearly so with John at Dedham, which was owing, probably, to the distance apart, and the difficulties of making journcvs in those times. [S1149] Ancestry.com, A genealogy of the descendants of Edward Baker of Lynn, Mass., 1630, (Ancestry.com Operations Inc).