Groups of descendants have collaborated in the past (15-10 years ago), emphasizing and using only actual records with a few references to tradition thrown in. I have been part of two of these groups - it was a privilege. I will copy here the scant records of Andrew and a few others naming possible kin. Unfortunately most of these offer no definite proof of family - only circumstances of probable age and location.
Although Andrew Baker is often seen with a wife named Molly Bolling, it seems unlikely. Neither the Baker nor Bolling families have found any proof of such a relationship - or any daughter about the age that married any Baker. Given that Andrew apparently named a son Bolling, it is not impossible there is some connection. There is no record naming a wife as Mary - in the only records which suggest a wife - she is Susannah. Of course, he could have married more than once but the fact remains no record has been found.
Some have tried to connect Andrew back to Pennsylvania Bakers but there is absolutely no actual record that would connect him to Pennsylvania in anyway. Some of the families into which he has been placed have no records of any son named Andrew. There was gunmaker, Robert Baker in Pennsylvania and obviously many wanted to claim this man but his record indicate he left only one son who was not named Andrew. This would seem to be a wild assumption with no basis in fact.
Find A Grave Memorial #94568112, has a Mary Agnes "Molly" Bolling, b. 1702 Prince George Co, VA, d. 1776, Culpeper Co, burial unknown. I would further suggest that SHE is unknown. Certainly this Andrew Baker has no record of being in Culpeper Co, VA. Middle names were rare in this era AND it is highly doubtful that a wife of Andrew was born that early (she was probably 20 years younger!) The FindAGrave Memorial for Andrew as "Andrew William Baker" is so divergent from actual records, it appears to be an entirely different man. There is a deed in 1768 in Rowan County, North Carolina, when Susannah, wife of Andrew Baker released her dower rights. This was not "Molly"!
Andrew Baker's parentage is impossible to determine from the scant records in this time periord - some researchers show his father as a James Baker, others the above mentioned Robert Baker, and even a Richard Baker. It has been my experience that when multiple parents are claimed, NONE ar actually proved! What is significant is that several proposed descendants of the likely sons of Andrew Baker - the Rev. Andrew Baker, John "Renta" Baker, Bolling Baker, Rev. Robert Baker, George Baker, and Morris Baker all have matching Y-DNA. A proposed son James as so far had no known descendant who has been tested. Any daughters are traditional and not proved. A Martha Baker did marry a Bolling in Wilkes Co, NC so is quite possibly a daughter. And an Eleanor Baker married Jesse Ray, also in Wilkes Co - at a time when some of Andrew's sons are living there.
Some of the following are records of an Andrew Baker, found by collaboration with other Baker researchers. References to source data were included. Andrew is thought to have been in the North Carolina back country before 1763 when time many of the settlers moved into the Moravian settlement at Salem, NC because of Indian activity. [Actually he may have been there as early as 1751] Most of the settlers returned to their lands on the New River.
"The Granville District of North Carolina," Hofmann
14 Jun 1751 Andrew Baker was one of the Chain Carriers for a survey of the plat of Marmaduke Kimbrough, 600 acres, Orange Co NC. Granted 2 Nov 1752. The plat names a line in Bladen Co.
19 Jun 1751 Andrew again served as a Chain Carrier to survey 632 acres in Rowan Co for James Carter. Granted 1 May 1753. The Plat mentions land in Bladen Co, surveyed for Andrew Baker.
NOTE; in 1751, Granville District was not yet a county and basically had no actual Western border - quite a large and undertermined territory. Anson county lay somewhere to the west and south of Granville, and was an even larger area encompassing most of the rest of western North Carolina. Bladen county as to the south of Granville with no boundary yet drawn between the two and just to the east of Anson. By 1753, two years later, Orange County had been formed on the West side of Granville between Granville and Anson, making Granville a much smaller county, and Rowan was formed from the western edge of Orange and from Anson. Bladen now just south of Orange County. These country boundaries were vague and unmarked. So it makes reasonable that a man found in Granville would later appear to be in Rowan County and could also have records in Orange County, or Bladen County. Not until 1777 would Wilkes Co, North Carolina, exist in name, but it was part of the old Granville District - some of Andrew's probable children were there.
"North Carolina Surviving Land Warrants and Surveys 1735-1749 and Surviving Land Entries 1743-1761"
Entries in Earl of Granville's District.
#1282, David Straham, 7 Nov 1751, 640 acres on the south side of S. Alamance above a mile above Andrew Bakers upper line
#6446 Andrew Baker Warrant dated 1 May 1757 to William Churton to survey 640 acres, Orange Co. Assigned to Timothy Shaw, living on the land survey'd 31 Jan 1761
#6043 Andrew Baker Warrant dated 16 May 1757 to Wm Churton to survey 640 acres in Orange Co, south side Nuese River ...including Baker's own plantation. Assigned to Nathaniel Kimbrough, grant 25 Jul 1760
"Rowan Co Deed Abstracts" Vol II, 1762-1772
4 Mar 1763 Rowan Co NC Deed. Elisha Lawrence late of Rowan Co to Andrew Baker, 450 acres on Grassy Bottom Creek granted by Granville, 25 Dec 1761
11 Mar 1768. Andrew Baker and wife Susannah sell to James Sheppard for 140#'s, 450 acres on Grassy Bottom Creek.
This record suggests that Andrew has passed, the widow living on her dower; the son John Baker surveying land next to Susanna, perhaps his inheritance. Dec 1779 Entry for Claims, Wilkes Co. Survey for John Baker a tract containing 200 acres lying and being in the county 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.(improvement) that Susanna Baker now lives on.
A Yahoo Mailgroup (now abandoned) made up of dedicated researchers of this Baker lineages and accepted information only from actual documents presented the following:
From the AndrewBakerResearch Yahoo mailgroup: #1545, 25 May 2016
The following is a somewhat sketchy and be no means complete timeline of our Andrew note that 1711 may or may not be our Andrew [ he refers to Rev. Andrew, jr. but many of the records are obviously older persons so I've included those references here.]
[These earliest records are possible ancestors of Andrew assuming he was first in Virginia since the majority of persons later found to the west in North Carolina had come down from Virginia. However. they offer no proof of relationship.]
1711 Wills of Richmond County VA Fookes Jones will witnessed by Andrew Baker and John Gilbert
If this is him why have we not found him anywhere else until 1750?? [Obviously not likely the same Andrew who had a deed in Rowan Co, NC in 1768 if he was old enough to witness a deed in 1711)
8-20-1741 Virginia Land Patents and Grants
John Shepherd, 389 acs. Henrico Co.; adj. Robert Webb, Giles, Richard Baker and Royall; 20 Aug 1741, p. 1090. L2.
Source: Cavaliers and Pioneers, by Nell Marion Nugent.
Jan 1742/43 (83)-83 Surry County Virginia Court Records 1741-1745 Book VIII
An Indenture of Mortage to James Baker Gent. And the Memoranum at the foot of the said Mortgage Written was Proved to be the Act and Deed of the sd. James by the Oaths of the Witnesses thereto and the sd. Memorandum and Indentures were by the Court Ordered to be Recorded.
Addional records that name Andrew Baker:
"Bladen Prect/County North Carolina Surviving Land Warrants and Surveys 1735-1749 and Surviving Land Entries 1743-176", Miles S. Philbeck
#1282 David Strahan 7 Nov 1751, 640a “on the south side of S. Alamance above a mile above Andrew Bakers upper line” Entry 39.
1753 – #4453. James Carter. 1 May 1753 632 acres in Rowan Co., joining the North Bank of the South fork of Deep River. Wits: Jno Haywood, James Campbell surveyed 19 June 1751 SCC: Andrew Baker, Griffin Green, Charles Robinson Dep Survr Plat reads “Land in Bladen County; surveyed for Andrew Baker” Hofmann, The Granville District of North Carolina 1748-1763, Volume 3:50
1755 – From the book, "Orange County North Carolina Records" Volume 1 ,Granville Proprietary Deeds and Surveys.
104. November 1755 Marmaduke Kimbrough, gentleman, three shillings being at a red oak cor. Of James Russell on N. side of Buffilo Cr. N 240 p. to a white oak & a hickory, W 400 p. to first station 600 acres, twenty E 400 p. to first station, 600 acres, twenty four shillings to rent per year, surveyed by Charles Robinson, 14 June 1751, Andrew Baker and Griffen Green SCC, survey lists land in Bladen County (SSLG 94-G)
This means that this Andrew S.C.C was a Chain Carrier and possibly one of the County Surveyors, or just a neighbor
Sep 1755 Orange Co., NC
John Bumpas agt. Andrew Baker: Petition. On Petition of John Bumpas against Andrew Baker Defendant for four pounds thirteen shillings and six pence Virginia Money said to be due upon Account. The same day came the Plaintiff by his Attorney and the Defendant failing to appear although duly summon’s and served with a Copy of the Plaintiffs Petition and account. The plaintiff proved his Demand to be just and true by his own Oath. Therefore it is the Oppinion of the Court that the Plaintiff recover against the Defendant his Damages aforesaid in form aforesaid and his Costs by him in tha behalf expended. Judgment L4:13:6, Clerk 1:1:11.
Source: Orange County, NC Court Minutes 1752-1761 Book 1 by Weynette Parks Haus
10 May 1757 ANDREW BAKER Warrent to WM Churton to survey 640 acres in Orange County on a Drain of Kemps Branch (which is the waters of the Neuse, joining OSBORNE JEFFRYS /s/ Jas Watson Back of document reads "To TIMOTHY SHAW Living on the Land Survey'd 31 January 1761
Andrew likely had a son James, but whether or not this is that son is doubtful given the date.
April 18, 1757 – GS Film 919, 386 Deeds New Hanover Co., NC – p. 260
To all people to whom these presents shall come, Greeting. Know ye that we, Jas. Baker, Susanna Baker, Samuel Watts, Thos. Watts, Joseph Bushel, Elizabeth and John Shepard, all of Hamton Town and Elizabeth City County in Virginia province who are all the heirs of Mr. Timothy Bloodworth, formerly of the said town, county and province above mentioned, but late of North Carolina, have in and for the consideration of ten pistoles to us in hand paid by Samuel Lewis of the aforesaid North Carolina and New Hanover County, the receipt of which we the said James Baker, Susanna Baker, Samuel Watts, Thos. Watts, Joseph Bushel, Elizabeth Bushel and John Shepherd do acknowledge for ourselves and each and every of our heirs that we are therewith fully satisfied and fully contented forever, we do therefore for ourselves and for our heirs bargain, sell, and make over firmly and absolutely forever all our right, title and interest we ever had, now have or possibly can have to the aforesaid Timothy Bloodworth’s estate…. Unto him the said Samuel Lewis and unto his heirs forever and further we do for ourselves and for our heirs forever acquit ourselves and our heirs from all ye right, title or interest we ever had now have, or possibly can have unto ye aforesaid estate of Timothy Bloodworth.
Witness hereof we have set our hand and seal this 18 day of April in 1757.
Wit: Thos. Parker Samuel Watts
Peter Manson James Baker
Timothy Bloodworth Baker Susanna Baker
Thomas Watts
John Shepherd
Joseph Bushel
Elizabeth Bushel
Note: Susannah Baker listed above is Susannah Bloodworth born about 1726 Elizabeth City, VA. Her parents were Timothy James Bloodworth and his wife Jane. (from Harley Bowling)
We don’t know if this James Baker is ours or not but the name James Baker with a Shepherd in NC it had to be put here for now
Sep 1758. Michael Synnot agt. Andrew Baker: Case. And the Defendant by his Attorney Comes and Defends the fource and injury when and where and saith that he did not Assume in manner and form as the Plaintiff against him hiath Declared and of this he puts himself upon the Country and the Defendant (sic) Likewise Therefore let a Jury come agreeable to act of Assembly to Recognize, et cetera. The same day came the Parties by their Attorneys whereupon came also a Jury towit: who being elected tried and sworn the truth to speak upon the issue Joined upon their oath do say that the Defendant did assume in manner and form as the Plaintiff against him hath Declared and do assess his Damages to Two pounds Seven Shillings and four pence Proclamation Money therefore it is the Opinion of the Court that the Plaintiff recover against the Defendant his Damages aforesaid in form aforesaid and his Costs by him in that behalf expended. Source: Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1752-1761 Book I by Weynette Parks
Abstracts of The Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Rowan County, North Carolina 1763-1774 Vol. II, by Jo White Linn.
4-15-1763. II:467. 15 Apr. 1763. Justices: Alexr Osburn, Jno Brandon, Wm Lynn. The following deeds of lease and release proved:
Elisha Lawrance to Andrew Baker for 450 acres on Grassy Bottom Creek granted by Granville Dec. 25th 1761. 5 Mar. 1763 (5:193).
3-11-1768 Page 582 Rowan County Deeds
Andrew and Susannah Baker to James Shepherd
This indenture made the 11th day of March in the year of our Lord 1768 between Andrew Baker of Rowan County in the province of North Carolina planter and Susanna his wife of the one part and James Shepherd of the County and Providence aforesaid planter of the other part witnessth that the said Andrew Baker and Susanna his wife and in consideration of 5 pounds to then in hand whereof they do hereby acknowledge having bargained and sold it by their presence do bargain and sell unto James Shepherd all that mejsuage and kindred plantation tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Rowan aforesaid on great joy bottom Creek beginning at a West at Oak on the bank of the said Creek running thence West 180 poles to a wife of thence North 400 poles to a B.O. thence East 180 poles to a B O thence 400 poles to the beginning containing 450 acres in the whole and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders with the rent and profits of the premises and of every part and parcel thereof to have and to hold said mejsuage temperament plantation tract or parcel of land and all and singular other the premises herein mentioned and intended to be hereby bargained and sold with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said James Shepherd and his executors administrators and assigns for the day before the date hereof or and during the term of one whole year from thence next ensuing and fully to be completed and ended yielding and paying therefor the yearly rent one peppercorn at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel only if the same then be demanded to the intent that by the virtue of these presents and the statute for transferring uses unto possession the said James Shepherd may be in the actual possession of the premises and be enabled to accept a grant of the revision and inheritance thereof to him and his heirs and assigns in witness thereof the said Andrew Baker and Susanna his wife have each of them here to set their hand and affixed their seal the day and year above written
Figned: Andrew Baker Seal Susannah (S) Baker Seal
signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us: Tavvut Grofs,Jacob Laesch
Note the above is the last record I have found of our Andrew in Rowan. The next record places Susannah next to John Baker, likely Andrew's eldest son.
Next mention of Susannah Baker. 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 River - 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 (improvement) that Susanna Baker now lives on for ??? Comp 2?? ... Dec. 1779.
The son John Baker was one of my 4th great-grandfathers. He will be discussed in a later Blog as will the other possible children of Andrew.
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