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Note; Robert Baker , son of John Renta Baker & Elizabeth Terrill, was born March 1, 1774 in North Carolina. He died November 29, 1859 Owsley Co., Ky. He was married twice,1st to Elizabeth “Liddie” Hammonds b. 1775 d. 1824, 2nd Catherine “Kate” Bowling b. 5-10-1777 d. abt. 1850, daughter of James Bowling & Sally Blevins. Kate was the widow of John Amis who was killed August 7, 1807.
Robert, Elizabeth & CatherineBaker are buried Cortland Cemetery, Buffalo, Owsley Co., Ky.
In the year of 1791Robert Baker served as a 17 year old private under Captain Jacob Tipton (Tipton County Tennessee is named in his honor) in the tragic battle that became known as St. Clair’s Defeat. Jason Walker Bowling, in an interview with Rev. John Jay Dickey states Robert and his friend William Neal were in St. Clair’s Defeat. Captain Tipton had organized this militia company during April-May 1791 at Jonesborough (Washington County, Tennessee), under Regimental Commander, Major Rhea. In one description of St. Clair’s Defeat it is stated: “the Indians killed over nine hundred of St Clair’s army, took seven pieces of cannon, two hundred oxen, a great number of horses, but no prisoners.”
Robert Baker and William Neal survived this battle and later became residents of Clay County,
Kentucky. One story relates that William Neal before his death requested that he be buried along side his old friend Robert Baker. They are buried side by side in Cortland Cemetery.
The first Clay County Court met at the home of Robert Baker on April 13, 1807, shortly after the formation of Clay County. The first Justices of the Peace attending this meeting were Ezekiel Smith, John Haddicks, John Bates, John Gilbert, Robert Baker, Elijah Bowman and William Strong. In his statement supporting the Revolutionary War claim of Thomas Stapleton,
Robert stated that he was Sheriff of Clay County in 1810.
On July 31, 1813, (War of 1812) Governor Isaac Shelby, the old hero of the Battle of King’s Mountain, issued a proclamation stating: “ I will lead you to the field of battle, and share with you the dangers and honors of the campaign.” This proclamation raised 4,000 militia men, far exceeding the number requested by Governor Shelby.
Among the men responding to this call were 29 men who formed a company of militia from Clay County under Captain Thomas McJilton, Lieutenant Robert Baker, Ensign Pleasant Parker,
2nd Sergeant Daniel Sybert. The company saw service under Colonel William Williams’ 11th Regiment that was attached to the 2nd Division before the battle. Daniel Sibert’s letter to his brother gives an excellent description of the company’s participation in the battle. Robert Baker’s old friend William Neal was a member of Captain Daniel Garrard’s company in this campaign.
After these two campaigns Robert Baker settled in the area that became Owsley County. From their home on Buffalo, Robert and Elizabeth Baker raised a family of nine identified children