Marty and Karla Grant

!NOTES:I (Marty Grant) don't know how or if I'm related to Morris Baker, but he could easily be related to my ancestor Jacob Baker (1760/65) who also lived in Ashe County.

Morris Baker was born before 1755 (per 1800 census). I don't know where he was born.

I don't know who Morris Baker's parents were. You'll find contradictory parents listed for him in various places on the Internet, but never with any proof attached, so I won't mention any of those names here. However, with a name like "Morris" it may be reasonable to assume he was somehow related to the Morris family. James Baker is often listed as his father, though it seems to me they are about the same age. James did have a proven son named Morris (per his 1801 Will), but I think it must be a younger man, but I could be wrong about that.

Based on the ages of his children, Morris Baker married someone prior to ca 1775. This may have taken place in Wilkes (now Ashe) County, North Carolina or perhaps somewhere else. I've not seen any proof for his wife's given name, though "Martha Smith" is listed by many others as his wife. He was married to a Miss Smith as proven by the Will of Hugh Smith which named Morris as his son-in-law.

On 12 Sep 1778 it was ordered that Morris Baker and others attend the next court as jurors. (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1778-1788 Volumes 1 & 11 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.) (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 10 Dec 1778 it was ordered "Scire Facias" issued against Morris Baker and others to show cause why they did not attend this court (he didn't show up for jury duty!). (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1778-1788 Volumes 1 & 11 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.)

On 23 Oct 1782 Morris Baker received a 91 acre State Land Grant on North Side South Fork New River, bordering James Baker and Andrew Baker. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book A-1 page 322 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books A-1, B-1, C-1 1778-1803 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.) (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 31 Jul 1783 it was ordered that Morris Baker and others were ordered to attend the next court as jurors. (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1778-1788 Volumes 1 & 11 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.)

Morris Baker was listed several times in Wilkes County Court records as a juror.

On 22 Nov 1783 George Morris sold Morris Baker 50 acres on East Side of South Fork New River. Witnessed by Andrew Baker and William Nall. George Morris might be a relative for he was associated with various Bakers. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book A-1 page 327 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books A-1, B-1, C-1 1778-1803 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.) (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 24 Jan 1786 it was ordered that several men including Morris Baker act as a road jury for a road from John Sheppards to foot of Mountain at head of Reddies River. All of these men presumably were neighbors and lived in that area: William Nall, Morris Baker, James Baker, Martin Adams, John Read, Jesse Ray, John Robins, William Vias, James Sheppard, Barnet Owen, David Owen, Francis Vannoy, Martin Gambill, John Tyre, Nathaniel Vannoy and Robert Sheppard. (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1778-1788 Volumes 1 & 11 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.)

On 23 Jan 1787 a road crew was named for the road from James Bakers on New River to Franklins Road: Martin Gambill, David Richardson, William Richardson, Cannaday Richardson, James Williamson, John Fips, Moses Toliver, Jesse Toliver, Zachariah Wells, Ephraim Osborn, David Smith, Alexander Smith, Alexander Johnson, William Scott, William Collens and Morris Baker. (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1778-1788 Volumes 1 & 11 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.)

Morris Baker was listed on the 1787 State Census in Wilkes County. He was listed in Captain Nail's District. James Baker was listed in that district also, possibly his brother, or possibly even his father.

!CENSUS:1787 Wilkes Co, NC pg 173 Morris Baker 1-4-4-0-0
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 21 - 60 (1727-1766) Morris BAKER (bef 1755)
4 Male(s) -21 +60 (1766-1787) Son? (1774/87)
Son? (1774/87)
Son? (1774/87)
Son? (1784/90)
4 Female(s) all ages (bef 1787) --- SMITH Baker (Bef 1755) wife
Daughter? (Bef 1787)
Daughter? (1774/84)
Daughter? (1784/90)

On 20 Apr 1788 Morris Baker sold 91 acres to Alexander Smith on West Side of New River bordering James Baker and Andrew Baker. (This seems to be the 1782 Land Grant to Morris Baker). Witnessed by William Nall, John Koons and William Sturdie. Morris signed with a mark. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book B-1 page 67 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books A-1, B-1, C-1 1778-1803 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.) (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 31 Oct 1788 it was ordered that a jury view the road from foot Mountain to head of Reddies River to Doeny's Nob (Knob): William Nall, John Robins, Andrew Baker, James Baker, Justice Boling, William Colvard Jr, David Owen, Morris Baker, John Koonts, Alexander Smith, David Smith, Robert Nall, Fredrick Blair, John Anderson and John Tiry. (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1778-1788 Volumes 1 & 11 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.)

Morris was listed on the 1790 census in Wilkes County. He was listed next door to James Baker (brother, father?) and Alex. Smith (brother-in-law?). They were in the 16th Company, which is presumably that part of Wilkes which later became Ashe County.

!CENSUS:1790 Wilkes Co, NC pg 124 Morry Baker 1-4-5-0-0
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774) Morris BAKER (bef 1755)
4 Male(s) under 16 (1774/1790) Son? (1774/87) –> gone by 1800
Son? (1774/87) –> gone by 1800
Son? (1774/87) –> gone by 1800
Son? (1784/90)
5 Female(s) any age (before 1790) --- SMITH Baker (Bef 1755) wife
Daughter? (Bef 1790) –> gone by 1800
Daughter? (1774/84)
Daughter? (1784/90)
Daughter? (1784/90)

On 28 Jul 1790 a road jury was made to view the road from Bear Creek up a ridge along the ridge to the Waggon Road: James Bunyard, James Baker, Morris Baker, Peter Eller, Fredrick Black, John Fouts, John Sheets, David Smith, Thomas Dixon, Alexander Smith, William Sturdie, Owen Williams, Christian Shearer, Henry Michael and Bob Gardner. (Wilkes Co, NC Court Minutes from Wilkes County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1789-1797 Volumes III & IV by Mrs. W. O. Absher.) (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 22 Aug 1795 Morris Baker received a 28 acre Grant on South Fork of New River, bordering Alexander Smith. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book B-1 page 533 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books A-1, B-1, C-1 1778-1803 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.) (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 20 Aug 1798 George Barger sold Morris Baker 83 1/4 acres on West side Praters Creek. Witnessed by Alexander Smith and John Koons. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book D page 508 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books D, F-1 & G-H 1795-1815 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 6 Nov 1798 Alexander Smith sold Morris Baker 100 acres on South Side Praters Creek. Witnessed by Robert Nall and Justice Boling (who was married to a Baker). (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book D page 506 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books D, F-1 & G-H 1795-1815 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.).

On 13 Dec 1798, Morris Baker received a State Land Grant for 25 acres on South Fork of New River. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book D page 695 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books D, F-1 & G-H 1795-1815 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.).

On the same date (13 Dec 1798), Morris Baker received another State Land Grant for 200 acres on East side of South Fork of New River under Peak Mountain near branch Roans Creek. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book D page 699 from Wilkes County, North Carolina Deed Books D, F-1 & G-H 1795-1815 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.).

In 1799, Ashe County was formed from the north western portion of Wilkes County, including the area were most of the Wilkes County Bakers lived.

For the 1800 census, Morris Baker was listed in Ashe County along with several other Bakers. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were, nor where he was living. This record shows that many of his sons from 1790 had moved out by this time.

!CENSUS:1800 Ashe Co, NC pg 72 Morris Baker 11001-22101-0-0
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up (before 1755) Morris BAKER (bef 1755)
1 Male(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Son? (1784/90) –> gone by 1810
1 Male(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Son? (1794/1800)
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1755) --- SMITH Baker (Bef 1755) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25 (1774-1784) Daughter? (1774/84) –> gone by 1810
2 Female(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Daughter? (1784/90) –> gone by 1810
Daughter? (1784/90)
2 Female(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Daughter? (1790/94)
Daughter? (1794/1800)

Morris is probably still in Ashe County for the 1810 census, but unfortunately the census taker only used initials, but there was only one "M. Baker" listed, and that is probably Morris. However, there is a problem with this record, for the age of the oldest male in the household is not old enough to be Morris, though it probably is him. He was just two houses from Barnabas Evans (1769) who lived in that part of Ashe that later became Alleghany County.

!CENSUS:1810 Ashe Co, NC pg 10 M. Baker 11010-11201-0-1
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Morris BAKER (bef 1755)
1 Male(s) 10-15 (1794-1800) Son? (1794/1800)
1 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Son? (1800/10)
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765) --- SMITH Baker (Bef 1755) wife
2 Female(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Daughter? (1784/90)
Daughter? (1790/94)
1 Female(s) 10-15 (1794-1800) Daughter? (1794/1800)
1 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Daughter? (1800/10)


Morris Baker was listed on the 1815 Ashe County tax list in Captain Weaver's District. He was taxed for 150 acres on Grassy Creek. There was a younger Morris Baker (1780/90) around, and this 1815 listing might be for him instead, but I can't be sure.

I was unable to find Morris Baker on the 1820 census in Ashe County. He may have died in the 1810's or else moved away.

!CENSUS:1787 Wilkes Co, NC pg 173 w/Morris BAKER no ages (bef 1787);

!CENSUS:1790 Wilkes Co, NC pg 124 w/Morris BAKER no ages (bef 1790);

!CENSUS:1800 Ashe Co, NC pg 72 w/Morris BAKER age 45+ (bef 1755);

!CENSUS:1810 Ashe Co, NC pg 78 w/M. BAKER age 45+ (bef 1765);

!CENSUS:1820;

!NOTES:I (Marty Grant) don't know how or if I'm related to Jeremiah Baker, but he could easily be related to my ancestor Jacob Baker (1760/65) who also lived in Ashe County.

Jeremiah Baker was born ca 1800/10 (per 1830 census). I don't know where he was born, though probably in Ashe County, North Carolina.

Jeremiah Baker is a proven son of Morris Baker (bef 1755) as named in a deed where he relinquishes his share of the estate.

Jeremiah Baker would probably have been home with his parents for the 1810 census and listed in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10). His father Morris Baker had one son that age with him in 1810.

In 1820 Jeremiah Baker would probably still be home with his parents, except that his father died in late 1810. His mother was not listed on the 1820 census by name, and if still living, must have been residing with a child or other relative. Jeremiah was probably wherever she was.

Jeremiah Baker married someone in the 1820's. I found no marriage record for him in Ashe County.

Jeremiah Baker was listed in Ashe Co, NC for the 1830 census. He was just a few houses from Zachariah Baker Jr (1800/10), relationship unknown.

!CENSUS:1830 Ashe Co, NC pg 16 Jeremiah Baker 1000100000000-0100010000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Jeremiah BAKER (1800/10) s/o Morris
1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30)
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) Wife? (1790/1800)
1 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25)


I was unable to find Jeremiah Baker on the 1840 census. He may have died in the 1830's or moved away from Ashe County. The 1840 census index shows 38 men of this name in various states.
Children

Jeremiah Baker had two children per the 1830 census records. I have not identified them yet. I would assume that they migrated away in the 1830's with their parents.

!NOTES:
Children
Morris Baker and Miss Smith had several children per the early census records. I have not identified any of them yet. However, I have seen names of children published in books, and presented online, yet never with any proof that they were his kids. The list could be accurate, but I have no proof to back it up yet.
Unknown Son (1774/87). Morris Baker had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home in 1787, aged under 21 (born ca 1766/87) and still home in 1790, aged under 16 (born ca 1774/90), but gone by 1800, so probably married or dead by then.

This could be James Baker (1775/80) who was in Ashe Co, NC in 1800 and later. Other researchers list him as a son of Morris, and he does fit, but I have no solid evidence proving he was a son.

Unknown Son (1774/87). Morris Baker had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home in 1787, aged under 21 (born ca 1766/87) and still home in 1790, aged under 16 (born ca 1774/90), but gone by 1800, so probably married or dead by then.

This could be Jonathan Baker (1775/80) who was in Ashe Co, NC in 1800 and later. Other researchers list him as a son of Morris, and he does fit, but I have no solid evidence proving he was a son.

Unknown Son (1774/87). Morris Baker had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home in 1787, aged under 21 (born ca 1766/87) and still home in 1790, aged under 16 (born ca 1774/90), but gone by 1800, so probably married or dead by then.

This could be Zachariah Baker (1775/80) who was in Ashe Co, NC in 1800 and later. Other researchers list him as a son of Morris, and he does fit, but I have no solid evidence proving he was a son.

Unknown Son (1784/90). Morris Baker had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home in 1787, aged under 21 (born ca 1766/87) and still home in 1790, aged under 16 (born ca 1774/90), and still home in 1800, aged 10-15 (born ca 1784/90), but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then.

I don't know who this was.

Unknown Daughter (bef 1787). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She was apparently home in 1787, no ages given, and still home in 1790, no ages, but gone by 1800, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1774/84). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She was apparently home in 1787, no ages given, and still home in 1790, no ages, and still home in 1800, aged 16-25 (born ca 1774/84) but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1784/90). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She was apparently home in 1787, no ages given, and still home in 1790, no ages, and still home in 1800, aged 10-15 (born ca 1784/90) but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1784/90). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She didn't seem to be home in 1787, so probably not born yet. She was home in 1790, no ages, and still home in 1800, aged 10-15 (born ca 1784/90) and still home in 1810, aged 16-25 (born ca 1784/94).

Unknown Daughter (1790/94). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She was apparently home in 1800, aged "under 10" (born ca 1790/1800) and still home in 1810, aged 16-25 (born ca 1784/94).

Unknown Son (1794/1800). Morris Baker had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1800, aged "under 10" (born ca 1790/1800) and still home in 1810, aged 10-15 (born ca 1794/1800).

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1800, aged "under 10" (born ca 1790/1800) and still home in 1810, aged 10-15 (born ca 1794/1800).

Unknown Son (1800/10). Morris Baker had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1810, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10).

Unknown Daughter (1800/10). Morris Baker had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1810, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10).