Francis Baker

1611 - 1696

Francis Baker, known as Francis Baker of Boston, was born in England, in 1611, and was reported as a tailor at St. Albans, Hertfordshire.  He came from that place to America on the ship "Planter," arriving at Boston, where he settled in 1635. Nothing definite is known of his parents, but it is reported in the Colonial records that he was thought to be a brother of Nicholas and Nathaniel Baker. It is possible that he was a son of John and Margery Madestard Baker, of Hertfordshire, England, who had several children, among whom were: Nicholas, died November 14, 1632, married Mary Hodgetts; John; William; and four daughters.

Francis Baker was married in 1641 to Isabelle, daughter of William Twining, and removed to Yarmouth, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, where he was reported as a "cooper" in that year. He died at Yarmouth in 1696, and his wife died May 16, 1706.

Francis Baker had six sons and two daughters. In his will of March 4, 1693, he mentions all of his children except Samuel, leaving it to be supposed that they were (except Samuel) all alive at that date. Children: Nathaniel; John; Samuel; Daniel; William; Thomas; Elizabeth; Hannah.

Source:  Cutter, William Richard. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. New York, NY: Lewis Publishing Company, 1911.

---Submitted by Tina Hursh