Robert Baker Jr

  General Notes:

Bobby Gilmer Moss, The Patriots at Kings Mountain (Blacksburg, S.C.:
Scotia-Hibernia Press, 1990), page 10.
BAKER, ROBERT
b. 17 January 1754, Augusta (now Washington) County, Virginia.
Robert Baker, of Fincastle (now Washington) County, Virginia,
volunteered under Capt. James Thompson about the middle of June 1776 and
marched to the Holston River. He was in a battle against the Cherokee
Indian early in July 1776. Baker assisted in building Campbell's Fort and
served as a spy from the fort until marched by Capt. Dysart to the fort at
Long Island. Here he served as a ranger until sometime after the first of
January 1777. About the last of July 1778 or 1779 he volunteered under
Capt. William Edmondson and Col. William Campbell. In September 1780 he
volunteered as a sergeant to go against Ferguson and was under Capt. James
Dysart and Col. Campbell in the battle of Kings Mountain (where he was
wounded in the right thigh). Next he was a sergeant under Ensign John
Baker, Lt. William Russell, Capt. James Crabtree, and Col. Arthur Campbell
and was on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. Baker was granted
pension on his application executed 7 May 1833 while residing in Montgomery
County, Missouri. FPA S16628.

Robert Baker
[page A.]
R E V . R O B E R T B A K E R
1753 - 6 Aug . 1834
Andrew Monroe wrote the obituary of Rev. Robert Baker who was a Methodist
ministers from Montgomery / Calloway County , Missouri. Robert Baker was a
younger brother to Elder Andrew Baker- a primitive Baptist minister from
North Carolina and Lee County, Virginia.
Another of the fathers has fallen asleep. The Rev. Robert Baker - a
native of Virginia: who, when but a youth, joined the struggle of the
American Revolution. Through all the dangers of the war, he was preserved,
except in the battle of Kings mountain, at which he received a severe wound.
After the conclusion of the war, he accompanied some of the enterprising
emigrants to the west: and whenever necessary, he served in defense of the
frontier settlements, against the encroachments of savage men. He was held
in the confidence and high esteem of the pioneers in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Brother Baker was not satisfied with just sharing the honors of having
gained his county,s liberties, and of having braved the dangers of the
frontiers, but before he had reached the meridian of life, he sought and
obtained that liberty which the Son of God alone can give, whilst the fire
of Divine love was burning in his heart, he went a minister and inquired
into this matter. The minister informed him that he had experienced a
similar change when at college, but had never considered it his duty to make
it known to his congregations. At this, Brother Baker was much surprised:
for such were his views and feelings, that he considered it his duty to
publish what God had done for his soul, to all around him. He gave himself
to prayer, and went on his lonely way. rejoicing in the love of Christ.
When God pardoned his sins, he shouted. Glory to God! and so strange was
this sound, that the people thought him insane. He became acquainted with
the then persecuted Methodists and united with them. This was in the wilds
of Tennessee. A local preacher among the emigrants proposed to organize a
class. Brother Baker was the first to go forward: and according to his own
account, he was the first man who joined the Methodist Episcopal church,
west of the mountains. But he could not rest here: "the love of Christ" soon
"constrained him" to invite others to a participation of gospel grace. He
was soon licensed to preach. He was an acceptable preacher, and God gave him
many seals to his ministry, in different parts of the west. Brother Baker
settled in Misouri, in 1818, where he had a new field of usefulness: nor did
he fail to throw his mite to the utmost of his ability. Although time had
made some inroads upon his strength, his fine constitution and good health,
enabled him to labor considerably, and to be useful.
In 1826 , I saw this venerable servant of God: and I always esteemed it
a privilege to be in his company. He was always cheerful and happy: and
although he lived to see more than fourscore years, yet there was nothing
childish in his conversation or manners. He was, indeed, as a ripe shock of
corn.Having his "loins girt about, and his light burning,"he waited
patiently the coming of the Lord: and when he could no longer preach, he
would sometimes exhort and pray with uncommon fervency and power: and his
address to the Divine throne indicated how near he lived to God. Truly it
was as one speaking to his friend. He was beloved by all of his community,
and will long live in the memory of the people of Montgomery and Calloway
counties, Some months previous to his death, he was seized with the disease
which terminated his sufferings. He had every kindness shown by his
children, among whom he suffered and died . As he had furnished a pattern of
practical piety for more than half a century , so in his last illness, he
furnished an illustrious example of patience and fortitude: and as he
shouted glory, when he first entered the spiritual kingdom.
We have seen reason to believe , he shouted glory into heaven . When he
left this world . For not withstanding, he had lost his speech for fifteen
days previous to his death. He gave satisfactory evidence that God was with
him to bear his triumphant spirit home. He calmly fell a sleep in Jesus , on
the 6 day of Aug.,1834. God grant that his children, grand children, and
aquaintances, may follow him as he followed Christ: Saying, let me live the
life of the righteous that I may die his death.
This article was submitted to the Hancock Co. Tn. Historical Soc. from a
person living in Beavercreek Ohio. I was a member of that Society and was
sent this article. Dorcil Albair 145-C Channel Dr. Hackberry, La. 70645 Ph.
[318] 762-3774 . [1997]

The 3rd brother who was in Rev. War would be Rev. Robert Baker, who filed
for his pension in Rev. in 1806 while living in Clay Co., Ky. This I.D.'s
the 4 brother's in the war. The other's identified in the pension
application are: Andy, Jim , and Morris Baker.

  Research Notes:

The issue of Andrew Baker's is a good example of just what we are talking about. Perhaps I can explain it.

Robert Sr. and Susan Packer had the following children: Robert, Jr., (my grandfather) Douglas, Caleb, Andrew, Esq., (notice I do not give him the title Rev., when in fact he was a Rev. and Esq.), May, and Mary (the Mary we are talking about), and Samuel.

Robert Baker, Jr. married Mary (Unknown) and for years it was recorded that she married Mary Thomson, another daughter of Rev. John Thompson. This is not true for Mary Thomson married James Graham, Jr. However Robert, Jr. did marry a lady named Mary as proven by their wills. The children were James, Esq. (my grandfather), Elizabeth who married James Anderson, as proven by wills, and Samuel who married Elizabeth Thomson daughter of Rev. John Thomson. By the way this Samuel and Elizabeth moved to Rowan Co., NC., where Samuel died two years before his father Robert, Jr. Again this is proven by the wills.

Andrew Baker, Esq. married Mary "Molly" Bowling. And the children were William, Joseph, George, Bowling, and John "Renta" Baker (this is the John Renta you hear so many talk about.)

Mary Baker, married Capt., Thomas Callaway. The children were Charles, James, Richard, Elizabeth, Thomas, Jr., William, Joseph, and Frances Callaway. I do not know a lot about this line, but of course most were born in or around Ashe Co., NC.

Your other question.. Was my Robert Baker, Jr. and Mary brother and sister? Yes they were. A word of caution. Robert and Mary also had a sister named May. Many researchers cross the spouses of Mary and May. May married Robert Elliott. The other children are given at the start of this mail.

Now back to the Andrew Baker's. Many researchers keep confusing the above
Andrew Baker, Esq. with others men named Andrew of the same Bakers. As you know each generation seemed to use the same names over and over from generation to generation. It seems every generation had Robert's, Andrew's, and John's.

My James, Esq. Baker had a son named Rev. Andrew who was a brother to my Rev. Robert Baker. This is the Rev. Andrew that so many within our DNA study are related to. Although they are generations apart some still confuse the two. Now you see why I do not list Andrew Baker, Esq. as Rev.

Bonnie Miller's website are listed with each of her postings to the Ancestors Group. I think she made a posting yesterday and I know she listed the URL's. She has three sites and I use the Roostweb site most. Her Genealogy.Com site is good also.

After you look at her site the above information will make more sense to you.


I hope this has been of help to you. Anything you need, just ask.

Ron Baker