Thomas Baker (1765-1831) and Mary Cantrell of Wilkes and Ashe County, North Carolina

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The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Thomas Baker as far as can be proven. I have a feeling that he is a cousin to my ancestor Jacob Baker (1760/65), but no proof of that yet. They may not be related at all.

Note: Much family data is found in Revolutionary War Pension file R-430 wherein Thomas' widow Molly applied for a pension based on his service.

Note on Baker DNA Study: No proven descendant of Thomas Baker has yet taken the test, however if his parentage is correct, he should match those in the "Thomas Baker 1711-1777" group, for that Thomas (1711) is grandfather to Thomas (1765). This Baker DNA group has four participants so far, all of whom are from David Baker (1749-1838) who would be an uncle of this younger Thomas (1765). They all match one another as they should. One DNA match is a descendant of Adam Jackson Baker (1815). His parents are unproven but some think he is a son of Thomas (1765). DNA certainly supports that theory but doesn't prove it.

Thomas Baker was born 1760/65 per census analysis. His widow stated that he was 66 when he died in March 1831. If correct, that puts his birth year at either 1764 or 1765, both of which match his census records. I don't know where he was born exactly, though certainly in Virginia (probably Culpeper County).

Thomas Baker appears to be a son of William Baker and Anne Gambill of Culpeper and Botetourt Co., VA. I have not researched that family, but I've seen bits of evidence that seem to support this connection.

When Thomas was still young his father was killed by Indians. Thomas was principally raised by his uncle Martin Gambill.

Thomas Baker served as a Private during the Revolutionary War under Capt. William Nall and Capt. Martin Gambill, under Col. Benjamin Cleveland and Gen. Griffith Rutherford.

After the war Thomas Baker married Mary "Molly" Cantrell in Wilkes County. Her maiden name and the date of marriage was given in her widow's pension application. In her first deposition (7 Dec 1851) she listed 20 Mar 1786. In another deposition (31 Aug 1854) she listed 20 Mar 1787, and finally in 1856 she listed 22 Sep 1787. I assume the last is most accurate. She mentioned she had no record of the marriage, nor was there a marriage bond for they married "by publication" (banns). They were married in Wilkes by William Nall, Justice of the Peace.

Mary or Molly was born ca 1767/68 per her age of 82 on the 1850 census.  In her deposition of 7 Dec 1851 she was listed as 83 years old, which agrees with the 1850 census entry. She stated she had no record of her age, and that her husband was "much" older than she. Actually he was only about 4 or 5 years older!

Thomas Baker was not listed on the 1787 State Census of North Carolina in Wilkes County. Several other Bakers were listed in that county though (which see).

The Bakers lived with Thomas' uncle Martin Gambill for a few years right after they married (per Pension files). However they don't actually seem to be with them on the 1787 census. Martin Gambill was listed on that census in Wilkes in Capt. Nall's company (William Nall who was listed next door to him, and whose daughter Gambill had married). Gambill's household contained one male aged 21 to 60 (born between ca 1727 and ca 1766). That would be Gambill himself. He also had two boys under 21 (born ca 1766-1787), one of which could be  Thomas Baker, but it doesn't quite fit. There was only one female in the house which was most likely Mrs. Gambill (Nancy Nall). Morris Baker was just two houses away. That suggests, but doesn't prove a relationship between the two Baker families.

Thomas Baker is listed on the 1790 census in Wilkes County. He was in the 10th Company. There was one other Baker there, though not listed nearby, Ab. Baker (Abraham or Abram Baker).  Thomas' uncle and foster-father Martin Gambill was also in that district.

1790 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1790 Wilkes Co, NC pg 123 Thomas Baker  1-1-1-0-0
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774)	Thomas BAKER (1764/65)
1 Male(s) under 16    (1774/1790)	Son? (1784/90)
1 Female(s) any age (before 1790)	Mary Cantrell Baker (1767/68) wife

I did not find Thomas Baker mentioned in Wilkes County, N.C Deed Books A-1, B-1 and C-1, 1778-1803. Martin Gambill was mentioned with land on Peach Bottom Mountain (present day Alleghany County) and Orr Knob.

I did not find Thomas Baker mentioned in Wilkes County N.C., Court Minutes, 1778-1788.

Thomas Baker was named in Wilkes County court on 4 Feb 1796 as the overseer of the road replacing Elijah Pennington. The road description was not given. (From Wilkes County, N.C., Court Minutes 1789-1797, this was his only mention in that book).

In 1799, Ashe County was formed from the north western portion of Wilkes County, including the area were Thomas Baker lived (or else he moved into that area in the 1790's). It is possible that he lived near the border, for he seemed to be back and forth in Wilkes and Ashe.

For the 1800 census, Thomas Baker was listed in Ashe County along with several other Bakers (which see). Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who Thomas' neighbors were, nor where he was living. For some reason, Thomas' household contained 4 adult males, I don't know who these were, whether relatives, or just boarders.  His wife's age is way off here, but that is a typical census problem. There seem to be other problems with this listing as well as he had children in 1810 who should have been listed back in 1800 but weren't.

1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1800 Ashe Co, NC pg 73 Thomas Baker 10140-01000
Analysis:
4 Male(s) 26-44       (1755-1774)	Thomas BAKER (1765)
					Brother? (1755/74) --> gone by 1810
					Brother? (1755/74) --> gone by 1810
					Brother? (1755/74) --> gone by 1810
1 Male(s) 16-25       (1774-1784)	Son? (1774/84) --> gone by 1810
1 Male(s) 0-9         (1790-1800)	Son? (1790/1800) --> gone by 1810
1 Female(s) 10-15     (1784-1790)	Mary Cantrell Baker (1767/68) wife

On 6 Aug 1808, Thomas Baker and John Sales witnessed a deed in Wilkes County from Margery Reaves to Zebediah Baker for land on Middle Fork of Hunting Creek. Thomas signed with a mark. [Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book G-H page 141 from Wilkes County, N.C., Deed Books D, F-1 and G-H, 1795-1815]

I found Thomas Baker on the 1810 census back in Wilkes County.  He was not listed near the other Bakers there that year (which see). His household contained several females who were old enough to have been listed back in 1800 but who were not. I don't know who they were.

1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1810 Wilkes Co, NC pg 267 Thomas Baker  10001-33110
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 and up    (bef 1765)	Thomas BAKER (1764/65)
1 Male(s) 0-9         (1800-1810)	Son? (1804/10)
1 Female(s) 26-44     (1765-1784)	Mary Cantrell Baker (1767/68) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25     (1784-1794)	Daughter? (1784/94) --> gone by 1820
3 Female(s) 10-15     (1794-1800)	Daughter? (1794/1800) --> gone by 1820
					Daughter? (1794/1800) --> gone by 1820
					Daughter? (1794/1800)
3 Female(s) 0-9       (1800-1810)	Daughter? (1800/04)
					Daughter? (1804/10)
					Daughter? (1804/10)

By 1815, Thomas Baker was back in Ashe County again. He was listed on the tax list there for the year 1815 in "Captain Weaver's District."  Thomas had 250 acres on "South Fork", valued at $400, and was taxed for 1 poll (himself). Other Bakers were in this same district, including Morris Baker, John Baker, Elijah Baker, Zechariah Baker and James Baker (these last two were also on South Fork).

Thomas Baker was listed on the 1820 census in Ashe Co, NC. There were quite a few Baker families in Ashe County, NC (which see). Unfortunately, the 1820 Ashe County census was alphabetical, so we can't determine where anyone lived, nor who their neighbors were.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Ashe Co, NC pg 4 Thomas Baker 210001-22201
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up   (before 1775)	Thomas BAKER (1764/65)
1 Male(s) 10-15       (1804-1810)	Son? (1804/10) --> gone by 1830
2 Male(s) 0-9         (1810-1820)	Son? (1810/20) --> gone by 1830
					Son? (1815/20)
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775)	Mary Cantrell baker (1767/68) wife
2 Female(s) 16-25     (1794-1804)	Daughter? (1794/1800)
					Daughter? (1800/04) --> gone by 1830
2 Female(s) 10-15     (1804-1810)	Daughter? (1804/10) --> gone by 1830
					Daughter? (1804/10) --> gone by 1830
2 Female(s) 0-9       (1810-1820)	Daughter? (1810/20) --> gone by 1830
					Daughter? (1815/20)

Thomas Baker was still in Ashe Co, NC for the 1830 census (which see). Fortunately, this one was in the original order, so we can determine (more or less) where each person lived and who their neighbors were.  James Baker (1790/1800) was five houses away. Hiram Baker (1804) was three houses away.

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Ashe Co, NC pg 11 Thomas Baker  0101000010000-0010010010000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 60-69        (1760-1770)	Thomas BAKER (1764/65)
1 Male(s) 15-19        (1810-1815)	Son? (1810/15)
1 Male(s) 5-9          (1820-1825)	Son? (1820/250
1 Female(s) 60-69      (1760-1770)	Mary Cantrell Baker (1767/68) wife
1 Female(s) 30-39      (1790-1800)	Daughter? (1794/1800)
1 Female(s) 10-14      (1815-1820)	Daughter? (1815/20)

Thomas Baker died either on 4 Mar 1831 or 14 Mar 1831 (both dates given in Mary's Pension Affidavits), in Ashe Co., NC. The last affidavit gave 4 Mar 1831 as the date, so it was probably more accurate.

I was unable to find widow Mary Cantrell Baker on the 1840 census. She was not a head of household, nor did any of the Baker households (which see) have a female her age residing with them. She was probably with a married daughter that year.

For the 1850 census, widow Mary was living in Ashe County with the James and Jane Ready (or Reedy) family. One would assume that Jane was Mary's daughter or granddaughter. The only Baker nearby was Adam Jackson Baker (c1815) who was ten households away. Others list him as her son, but I've seen no proof yet, other than proximity.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 ASHE CO., NC Page 238B  House/Family #   14/  14

READY JAMES           28 M W FARMER                     NC                   1821/1822
READY JANE            25 F W                            NC                   1824/1825
READY WILLIAM          3 M W                            NC                   1846/1847
READY ELIZABETH        1 F W                            NC                   1848/1849
BAKER MARY            82 F W                            NC                   1767/1768

In the 1850's (through 1856) widow "Molly" Baker made several affidavits to get a Pension based on her late husband's Revolutionary War service. These are recorded in Pension File R-430. Mrs. Nancy Gambill, aged 94, widow of Martin Gambill also made a statement on her behalf in 1854.

I didn't find Mary "Molly" Cantrell Baker on the 1860 census. She probably died before then.

Children of Thomas Baker and Mary Cantrell. Thomas Baker had lots of children per the 1790 through 1830 census records. I have not identified any of them yet, though I suspect that Hiram Baker (c1804) is his son, but have no solid proof. In the Pension files it is mentioned the first two children (a boy and a girl) died young, but that they raised a large family. Unfortunately none of them were named. In Mary's last affidavit (in 1856), a Mr. John W. Baldwin and a Mary Baker were witnesses. One would assume they were related, but I don't know how.

Widow Mary Cantrell Baker was living with James and Jane (---) Ready in 1850. Jane was born ca 1824/25 per that census and close to that per 1860. This doesn't match any of Thomas and Mary's children per the census records. This suggests that Mary could be a granddaughter or perhaps not even related. I'm listing Jane as a grandchild of Thomas and Mary for now, just so I don't lose track of her.

Unknown Son (1774/84)

Unknown Daughter (1784/94)

Unknown Son (1790/1800)

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800)

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800)

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800)

Unknown Daughter (1800/04)

Unknown Son (1804/10)

Unknown Daughter (1804/10)

Unknown Daughter (1804/10)

Unknown Son (1810/20)

Unknown Son (1810/15)

Unknown Daughter (1810/20)

Unknown Daughter (1815/20)

Unknown Son (1774/84). Thomas Baker had an unidentified son this age. He was home with him in 1790 (aged under 16, born ca 1774-1790), and still home in 1800 (aged 16-25, born ca 1774-1784), but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1784/94). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was not home with him in 1790 or 1800, but was home in 1810, aged 16-25 (born ca 1784-1794). This absence from the earlier records may indicate that this isn't a daughter at all, but someone else who was just living with him in 1810. She was no longer with him by 1820.

Unknown Son (1790/1800) Thomas Baker had an unidentified son this age. He was home in 1800 (aged under 10, born ca 1790-1800), but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was not home in 1800, but was with him in 1810 (aged 10-15, born ca 1794-1800), and gone by 1820, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800) Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was not home in 1800, but was with him in 1810 (aged 10-15, born ca 1794-1800), and gone by 1820, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was not home in 1800, but was with him in 1810 (aged 10-15, born ca 1794-1800), and still home in 1820 (aged 16-25, born ca 1794-1804), and still home in 1830 (aged 30-39, born ca 1790-1800).

Unknown Daughter (1800/04). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was home in 1810 (aged under 10, born ca 1800-10), and still home in 1820 (age 16-25, born ca 1794-1804), but gone by 1830 so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1804/10). Thomas Baker had an unidentified son this age. He was home with him in 1810 (aged under 10, born ca 1800-10), and still home in 1820 (aged 10-15, born ca 1804-10), but gone by 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

I strongly suspect that this unknown son is Hiram Baker (c1804). My proof is all circumstantial:

1. Hiram was near Thomas on the 1830 census.

2. Hiram named his oldest son "Thomas"

3. Thomas did have an unidentified son this age per census analysis.

One flaw with the above is in DNA test results. A descendant of Hiram Baker has taken the DNA test, and his results do not match those in the Thomas Baker (1711-1777) group. If Hiram was a son of Thomas (1765) his male Baker descendants should have nearly identical Y-Chromosome DNA results. In fact, as of this writing (04-17-2006) the Hiram Baker DNA results match no one else in the Baker DNA study.

DNA test results seem to remove Thomas from being a candidate for Hiram's father. However, with just one test result we can't rule it out completely. There are always anomalies. If a second proven descendant of Hiram (from a different branch of his family) were to take the test and his results matched the others, then that would prove there is probably no anomaly.

See Hiram's page for more on him.

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was home with him in 1810 (aged under 10, born ca 1800-10), and still home in 1820 (aged 10-15, born ca 1804-10), but gone by 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was home with him in 1810 (aged under 10, born ca 1800-10), and still home in 1820 (aged 10-15, born ca 1804-10), but gone by 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1810/20). Thomas Baker had an unidentified son this age. He was home with him in 1820 (aged under 10, born ca 1810-20), but gone by 1830 so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1810/15). Thomas Baker had an unidentified son this age. He was home with him in 1820 (aged under 10, born ca 1810-20), and still home in 1830 (aged 15-19, born ca 1810-15).

This could be Adam Jackson Baker (c1815). I have no direct evidence linking them, but Jackson Baker was very close to widow Mary Cantrell Baker on the 1850 census, in fact the only Baker listed even remotely close to her. He does fit age-wise. I have nothing else that connects them though. See his own page for more on him.

A descendant of Adam Jackson Baker has taken the DNA test and his results match those in the Thomas Baker (1711-1777) group. This means he certainly could be a son of Thomas Baker (1765-1831). It doesn't prove they are father and son, but it certainly proves they are related.

Unknown Daughter (1810/20). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was home with him in 1820 (aged under 10, born ca 1810-20), but gone by 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1815/20). Thomas Baker had an unidentified daughter this age. She was home with him in 1820 (aged under 10, born ca 1810-20), and still home in 1830 (aged 10-14, born ca 1815-20).

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