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 ca 1780/90 (per 1830 census), probably in what is now Ashe County, North Carolina. He may have been named for the elder Morris Baker (bef 1755) who could be his Uncle or somehow related.

I believe this must be the same Morris Baker who is a proven son of James and Mary (---) Baker of Wilkes and Ashe Co, NC and Jefferson Co, TN.

Morris Baker was probably one of the four apparent sons home with his parents for the 1787 census, aged "under 21" (born ca 1766/87).

He was probably one of the four apparent sons home with his parents for the 1790 census aged "under 16" (born ca 1774/90).

His family moved west into nearby Jefferson County, Tennessee in the 1790's.

Morris was probably still with his parents for the 1800 census, but unfortunately that census is lost for Tennessee.

His father James Baker made his Last Will and Testament in Jefferson County on 11 Mar 1801 and named son Morris (and others as well).

Morris Baker married someone before ca 1810, probably in Jefferson County. I don't know his wife's name, but she was born ca 1780/90 (per 1830 census). An Ashe County deed dated 10 Jun 1815 names the heirs of John Koons and includes Morris Baker in the list of heirs (as well as Jonathan Baker). This would probably have to be this same Morris Baker as the elder Morris was dead by this time. That means that Morris (the younger) married Miss Koons ca 1800-1810 or thereabouts, probably in Ashe County. Unfortunately her given name was not mentioned. (Thanks to Gale Wallen for this deed reference: Ashe Co, NC Deed Book C page 478).

Morris Baker may have been listed on the 1810 census in Jefferson County, but unfortunately that census is lost for Tennessee.

The same is true for the 1820 census.

Morris Baker was in Ashe Co, NC for the 1830 census. He must have moved there in the 1820's from wherever he had been living before (Jefferson Co, TN, presumably). He was listed just three houses from James Baker (1775/80), his first cousin, I think.

!CENSUS:1830 Ashe Co, NC pg 5 Morris Baker 1112001000000-0001101000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Morris BAKER (1780/90)
2 Male(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Son? (1810/15)
Son? (1810/15)
1 Male(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Son? (1815/20)
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25)
1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30)
1 Female(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Wife? (Miss Koons) (1780/90)
1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Daughter? (1800/10)
1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Daughter? (1810/15)


Morris was no longer in Ashe for the 1840 census. He must have moved away somewhere. The 1840 census index shows thirteen men of this name in various places, the nearest in Morgan County, Tennessee (who was a much younger man, but near a Zachariah Baker). I have not checked the other listings to see which of them could be the same Morris Baker (1780/90).

!NOTES:Children

Morris Baker and wife had lots of children per the 1830 census. I assume that all (or most) of these moved away when their parents did, in the 1830's.