Marty and Karla Grant

!NOTES:Hiram Baker was born ca 1794/1800 (per census analysis). I don't know where he was born, though probably in what is now Ashe County, North Carolina (which was part of Wilkes County until 1799).

I don't know who Hiram's parents were. There were several Bakers in the area who could be his father. James Baker (1775/80) had an apparent son this age. Morris Baker (bef 1755), Zachariah Baker (1775/80), and Thomas Baker (1760/65) also had at least one apparent son Hiram's age (per 1800 and 1810 census records). Any of them (or none of them) could be Hiram's dad. I have no evidence to narrow it down yet.

Hiram Baker would probably have been home with his parents for the 1800 census and listed in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800). The Baker's I mentioned above as possible parents, each had an apparent son that age in 1800.

Hiram would probably have been home with his parents in 1810 probably in the age 10-15 age group (born ca 1794/1800). James Baker (1775/80) had an apparent son that age, as did Zachariah Baker (1775/80) and Morris Baker (bef 1755) as did an unidentified "J. Baker" who might be John Baker (1783). I don't think he was old enough to be Hiram's father, but could be an older brother instead.

Hiram Baker did not appear to be listed on the 1815 Ashe County Tax list, so he probably did not own any land yet.

Hiram Baker married someone between 1810 and 1820, presumably in Ashe County (no marriage record found). I don't know his wife's name, but she was also born ca 1794/1800.

Hiram Baker was listed on the 1820 census in Ashe Co, NC. There were quite a few Baker families in Ashe County, NC. Unfortunately, the 1820 Ashe County census was alphabetical, so we can't determine where anyone lived, nor who their neighbors were.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Ashe Co, NC pg 4 Hiram Baker 000100-20100
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 16-25 (1794-1804) Hiram BAKER (1794/1800)
1 Female(s) 16-25 (1794-1804) Wife? (1794/1800)
2 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Daughter? (1810/20) –> gone by 1830 unless 1820/25
Daughter? (1815/20)


Around 1825 another Hiram Baker (c1804) came of age and of course it is possible to mix up any records pertaining to them. The younger one used "Jr" on at least one record that I've found.

Hiram Baker was still in Ashe Co, NC for the 1830 census. Fortunately, this one was in the original order, so we can determine (more or less) where each person lived and who their neighbors were. Joshua Baker (1800/10) was close by. Perhaps a younger brother. The younger Hiram Baker was listed, but not close by, and used "Jr" to distinguish himself from the elder Hiram Baker.

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Ashe Co, NC pg 33 Hiram Baker 0100010000000-3210010000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) Hiram BAKER (1794/1800)
1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25)
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) Wife? (1794/1800)
1 Female(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Daughter? (1815/20)
2 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25)
Daughter? (1820/25)
3 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30)
Daughter? (1825/30)
Daughter? (1825/30)

I was unable to find Hiram Baker on the 1840 census. He may have died in the 1830's or moved away. The younger Hiram was still in Ashe in 1840. He had dropped the "Jr" since he no longer needed it. The 1840 census index showed 33 listings for men named "Hiram Baker" though many were in New England states or other places that were not typical migration destinations from Western North Carolina. However, there were several in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky and other states were this Hiram certainly could have gone. I checked the 1850 census for a Hiram Baker born ca 1794-1800, but found no likely matches anywhere.

Children of Hiram Baker. Hiram Baker had lots of children per the 1820 and 1830 census records. I have not identified any of them yet. I would assume that all of them migrated away in the 1830's with their parents.