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An entry in the New Hanover County Court Minutes,18 dated Tuesday, 8 April 1806, reads:
A search of the microfilm, and an inquiry into the county courthouse records in Wilmington and the State Archives at Raleigh, NC, has not produced Arthur BAKER's will. Who is Margaret? Rebecca has been identified as his daughter so is Margaret his wife?
On 17 August 1807, a deed from J.G. SCULL to Arthur BAKER was proved by John SIMMONS and ordered to be registered.19 Although this is the same deed previously mentioned, it apparently was recorded after Arthur's death. The delay in the deed being recorded was a common practice of the time period.
Other documents of interest include the 1815 Lower Black River Tax List with listings for James and George BAKER and Isaac BORDEAUX, among other Bordeaux family members.20
A List of Taxes payable under the Act of Congress of the 5th of March 1816 on Lands, Lots, Dwelling Houses and Slaves within the 6th Collection District in the State of North Carolina and County of New Hanover, Buxtions Section has listed within the following: George BAKER, Value of lands & lots $100, Total Valuation $100, Amount of Tax 24 cents; James BAKER, Value of lands & lots $400, Total Valuation $400, Amount of Tax 74 (?) cents; John BAKER, Value of lands & lots $150, Total Valuation $150, Amount of Tax 36 cents; Isaac BURDEAUX (Bordeaux) Value of lands & lots $350, Value of Slaves $400, Total Valuation $750, Amount of Tax $1.62.21
Another List of Taxable Property in the Lower Black River District (year unreadable) lists George BAKER, James BAKER, Isaac BOURDEAUX .22
Although no marriage record has been found, James BAKER married Mary BOURDEAUX, daughter of Isaac BOURDEAUX, prior to the birth of their first child in about 1817.
The 1820 Federal Census lists a George, James, and Joseph BAKER.23 The entry for James reads: two males to 10 years old, one male 16 to 26 years old, one male 26 to 45 years old, one female to 10 years old, and one female 16 to 26 years old. George BAKER's entry, one line below Arthur's reads: one male to 10 years old, one male 26 to 45 years old, two females to 10 years old, two females 10 to 16 years old, and one female 16 to 26 years old.
In Land Grants of New Hanover County by Mae Blake GRAVES (c)1980, 24 Isaac BORDEAUX is listed as owning the following: Dec. 22, 1803 – 100 acres on the east side of the Cape Fear River, Bk. 118, Pg. 137. Shuck no. 2641; Dec. 14, 1816 – 52 acres on the south side of Lyons Swamp, Bk. 131, Pg. 22. Shuck no. 3072; Dec. 22, 1819 – 100 acres on the south side of Green Swamp, Bk. 134, Pg. 216, Shuck no. 3185. While James BAKER was not found in Ms. GRAVES' book, there are listings for Daniel B., George, and John BAKER. The entry for George BAKER reads: Dec. 17, 1819 – 150 acres adjoining the upper corner of Isaac BORDEAUX's land, Bk. 134, Pg. 145, Shuck no. 3183. The entry for John BAKER reads: Apr. 23, 1763, 300 acres on the east side of Black River, opposite his home place, Bk. 15, Pg. 516, Shuck no. 1380. Note: This last entry for John BAKER appears to be the same as that for John BAKER listed in Land Patent Abstracts, Colony of NC mentioned earlier.
Although I do not have concrete proof James BAKER is the son of Arthur BAKER, I believe it is safe to assume he is. JAMES, judging by his age on census records, is believed to have been born in 1790, and this date fits the census records for Arthur BAKER's household. In later years you will see that James BAKER has children by the name of John Franklin and Arthur Alpheus. Thus, I believe the children were named after their grandfather and great grandfather as was common. Also, fitting of that time period were marriages within families of close proximity to one another. Arthur BAKER's son, James, marrying Isaac BORDEAUX's daughter, Mary, fits this description. Additionally, James and George BAKER both owned land in close proximity of where I believe John Baker's plantation to have been located, thus they lived in the general area of where they grew up.
In the same descendancy chart with the BORDEAUX Family History mentioned earlier, I found Mary BORDEAUX listed as the spouse of James BAKER, and the daughter of Isaac BORDEAUX. The following deed 25 solidifies the connection between Isaac BORDEAUX, Mary BORDEAUX, and James BAKER.
State of North Carolina New Hanover County
The following deed,26 dated the 29th of November 1827, shows that James and Mary BAKER sold to John BORDEAUX the same land Isaac BORDEAUX deeded to Mary on 4 November 1825:
Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of
Wm MARSHALL James BAKER (seal) Wm C. MARSHALL Mary BAKER (seal)
State of North Carolina }County Court New Hanover County } March Term 1828
The execution of this deed was proved & ordered to be registered – Witness- Thos. F. DAVIS, Clk
Again from notes obtained from Ruth BAKER CASON, and a copy of a deed 27 acquired from the New Hanover County Courthouse, on 29 November 1827 George BAKER sold land to John BORDEAUX.
On 11 December 1827, James BAKER sells 290 acres to William MARSHALL. The deed 28 abstract reads: For $87.60 a piece or parcel containing 290 acres on the west side of the Black River and on the north side of Buckle Swamp~this plott represents 300 acres between the North West and Black River beginning at a stake, N 10 E 40 chains to a pine, E 5 S 75 chains to water and white oak on edge of Bear Island, S 10 W 40 chains to a stake, then to the beginning. Signed James BAKER. Witnesses: John CORBETT and John BOURDEAUX.
On 19 January 1828 the following land transaction took place between George W. BAKER and Wm. MARSHALL.29
On my last research trip to North Carolina in May of 1999, I set out with the topographical maps mentioned earlier to try and pinpoint where our BAKER ancestors lived, in what is now Pender County. After talking to several people, with last names that appear in the early deeds of New Hanover County, I was pointed in the direction of Mrs. Hattie SQUIRES who works at Moore's Creek Battlefield and is knowledgeable in the local history. When Mrs. SQUIRES mentioned to me that she was a MARSHALL descendant, I commented that the MARSHALL name appeared in our BAKER deeds. Upon more discussion, Mrs. SQUIRES produced an 1800's survey map, written on linen, by one of her MARSHALL ancestors detailing the land the MARSHALLs acquired and from whom. The BAKERs are clearly denoted on the survey map. Unfortunately my meeting with Mrs. SQUIRES took place in the evening and there wasn't time for me to obtain a copy of the map. However, with permission, you can bet it will be my top priority on my next trip to the area. James and Mary BAKER left North Carolina and arrived in the Northern Territory of Florida in January 1829.30 With them were their children, Isaac BORDEAUX, James Wesley, Azilpha Wesley, Arthur Alpheus, and John Franklin BAKER. Upon their arrival in Florida, another son, William Jackson BAKER, was born.
Records indicate that at the same time James and Mary BAKER left North Carolina for Florida so did George W. BAKER, and his wife, Nancy.
The 1830 Federal Census of Jefferson County, FL lists James BAKER with one male under 5 years of age, two males of 5 and under 10 years, two males of 10 and under 15 years, one male of 40 and under 50 years, one female of 5 and under 10 years, and one female of 30 and under 40 years in the household. The same census record lists George BAKER one line above James with one male under 5 years of age, one male of 40 and under 50 years of age, two females under 5 years of age, one female of 10 and under 15 years of age, one female of fifteen and under 20 years of age, one female of 20 and under 30 years of age, and one female of 30 and under 40 years of age in the household.31
The first Florida land record of James and Mary BAKER is Certificate #484 issued at the Tallahassee Land Office, entitled Preemption under the Act of 1830, and dated 8 October 1830. James paid $100.03 for 80.03 acres described as: West ½ of the Southwest ¼ of Section 35, Township 3 North, Range 6 East.32 This same transaction may be found in the Monticello, Jefferson County, FL Land Plats.33 James then purchased another 80.02 acres, Certificate #491, described as: East ½ of the Northwest ¼ of Section 9, Township 2 North, Range 6 East.34 Patents for both parcels were issued on 20 August 1834.35 The land combined, 160.06 acres, was sold to John BELLAMY for $350 on 19 August 1832. The deed 36 reads as follows:
Territory of Florida Jefferson County
This Indenture made this nineteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty two Between James BAKER and Mary BAKER his wife of the one part and John BELLAMY of the other part all of the County and Territory aforesaid. Witnesseth that the said James BAKER and Mary BAKER his wife for and in consideration of the sum of Three Hundred and fifty Dollars, to them in hand paid the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said John BELLAMY all their right title and interest in and to certain Tracts or parcels of Land being the west half of the South West quarter of Section thirty five in Township three of Range Six North and East, and the East half of the North West quarter of Section Nine in Township Two Range Six North and East containing in the whole one hundred and sixty acres and Six hundreaths of an acre. To have and to hold the same in fee simple to him the said John BELLAMY his heirs Executors Administrators and assigns forever. And the said James BAKER and Mary BAKER his wife for themselves their heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns will forever Warrant and defend the said bargained premises, unto the said John BELLAMY his Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns. In Testimony whereof the said James BAKER and Mary BAKER his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the date first above written. Tests: his John C. NEIL James X BAKER (seal) Elias EDWARDS mark Mary BAKER (seal)
Territory of Florida Jefferson County
Be it Remembered that on this Twenty Eighth day of August Eighteen Hundred and thirty two Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for said County Mary BAKER wife of the within mentioned James BAKER, who being Examined by me separate and apart from her said husband then and there did acknowledge that she voluntarily and of her own free will, and without any fear or apprehension from her said Husband did sign and seal the within Deed as her proper act in conjunction with her said Husband James BAKER. In Testimony whereof she hath hereunto set her hand and seal the date first above written.
Teste Taken & acknowledged before Me the day and year above written Mary BAKER (seal) Henson WILDER J.P.
Recorded this 10th of June 1835 John P. WYNN Clerk
It appears James BAKER was following suit of his brother, George W. BAKER, who was issued Certificate #483 at the Tallahassee Land Office on 8 October 1830. George paid $100.03 for 80.03 acres described as: East ½ of the Southwest ¼ of Section 35, Township 3 North, Range 6 East.37 This, too, may be found in the Monticello, Jefferson County, FL Land Plats.38 George, this time following suit of James, purchased a second parcel of land described as: West ½ of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 4, Township 1 North, Range Five East containing 82.25 acres. Patent #515 was issued for this purchase.39 George and Nancy, his wife, also sell their combined parcels to John BELLAMY for $350 on 19 August 1832. The deed 40 reads:
Mark
Territory of Florida Jefferson County
Be it Remembered that on this Twenty Eighth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty Two personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for said County Nancy BAKER wife of the within mentioned George W. BAKER who being Examined by me separate and apart from her said husband then and there did acknowledge that she voluntarily and of her free will, and without any fear apprehension from her husband did sign and seal the within Deed as her proper act in conjunction with her said Husband George W. BAKER. In Witness whereof she hath hereunto set her hand and seal the date first above written.
Before me the day and year her Above written~~~ Nancy X BAKER (seal) Hinson WILDER J.P. mark
Recorded the 12th of June 1835 John P. WYNN, clerk
I have a copy of a map from Jefferson County that has each piece of property Sections 19 through 36 of in Township 3 North, Range 6 East labeled with the owner's name. James and George's names appear on this map.41 Curiously there is a John SIKES who owns property 80 acres over from George BAKER. Could this be a relative of James and George's aunt, Emery BAKER SIKES?
I mention George W. and Nancy BAKER in my history as I strongly believe George is James' brother. I can not say this with certainty until I find documentation to prove it. However, the evidence of finding both George and James in North Carolina, the disposal of their NC property in the same time period to the same buyers, their arrival together in Florida, and their purchase of property within close proximity to each other strongly suggests this relationship.
During the November Term of 1835 James BAKER signed a letter to the Senate and House of Representative of the U.S. Congress that requests assistance in erecting a Courthouse Jefferson County, FL for the accommodation of the Courts, and the transaction of Judicial business.42
The Last Seminole War by Thomas H. Benton43 states, "On the 28 of December 1835 a United States agent in Florida, among others, was massacred by Indians under Osceola. The agent and some friends were shot while taking a walk near the agent's house; a sutler and his guests were shot at the dinner table, where Osceola had just been; two express riders were waylaid and shot in the road; Major Dade's command of 112 men was attacked on its way from Tampa Bay to Withlacoochee with all but four men killed. As all of these attacks took place on the same day, but far apart from one another, it has been surmised the attacks show an extensive plot launched by Osceola."
"Major Dade's command suffered greatly. The command, too weakened for further battle, the wounded too numerous to be carried along, and the men too precious to be left behind, built a pine pen and gathered the wounded and survivors into it to repulse the assailants as long as possible. By this time all the officers were dead, but one. He lay wounded and helpless on the ground. Of 112 men, only two remained without wounds."
"As the lieutenant lay dying, he gave leave to the survivors to do what they could to save themselves. He advised them to lay down among the dead and remain still in hopes of being considered dead by their attackers. The advice was followed and all became still, prostrate and motionless."
"A band of about forty negroe fugitives from the Southern States were the first to enter the pen. With knives and hatchets, they slaughtered all that showed the slightest signs of life. Only four of the living soldiers were able to remain without feeling, with two of these receiving stabs or blows."
"With darkness descending upon them, the four survivors struck out for Tampa Bay separating into two parties for safety. Two of the men met up with an Indian on horseback the next day. During pursuit by the Indian, the two men separated for greater safety. The shot of the Indian's rifle made known to the remaining man his comrade's fate. While the Indian gave chase to the remaining man, he was unable to find him as he hid in the tall grasses and palmettos. This man was the first to report Major Dade's defeat, but he was soon followed by the second two men."
"Thus began the Second Seminole War. It was the most troublesome, expensive and unmanageable Indian war in which the United States had been engaged. It continued for about seven years (1835 – 1842), cost thirty million dollars, and recommenced when supposed to be finished. Its termination was only affected after changing military campaigns into armed occupation by settlers."
A deed,44 dated 3 January 1838, between George W. and Nancy BAKER and Farnel DREW, reads:
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