TIMOTHY BAKER born circa 1743 - died 1810
Timothy Baker, the son of Matthes and Judith (WOOD) Baker, was born circa 1743 in Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Named for his paternal grandfather, Timothy initially resided in Hopewell Township, and was listed along with his father and brother William, at the time of the assessment of that district made in January 1781. By 1786 he had moved fro Hopewell Township and was residing in bordering Somerset County, where as "Thimothe Baker" he personally signed a petition claiming that he had rendered active service in the field at the time of the Revolutionary War.
Timothy eventually settled in Readington Township, Hunterdon County, which is situated adjacent to Somerset County and northeast of Hopewell Township. Here he purchased 126 acres along the "Channel of Campbells brook" where he resided until his death. Timothy Baker, Senior died intestate on August 14, 1810 in the 68th year of his age. An inventory of the estate of Timothy Baker late of the Township of Readington was made on October 6, 1810. Listed were a variety of farming implements (Waggon, Plough & Shear, Grass Sythe); crops (14 Bushels Flax seed, Seven Tons Hay, and Rye in Barn); and animals (Pride Cow with horns off, 17 Head Sheep, and Young Bay Mare), all of which would indicate that he was a husbandman.
About 1773 Timothy married Deborah, who surname is unknown. They were the parents of at least eight children. The eldest was evidently John who was born about 1774. His name headed the list of Timothy and Deborah's children at the sale of their father's land subsequent to his death. When his brother, Matthes Baker, was in legal difficulty, John was involved in the court proceedings. John's wife was Charity, the daughter of Ezekiel Cole.
Elijah Baker, was probably the next child of Timothy and Deborah Baker, and was born August 27, 1776. He was the second child to be listed as an heir of his father at the time of the sale of Timothy's Readington Township property. Elijah was also supportive of his brother Matthes at the time of his legal difficulties. Rebecca was the name of Elijah's wife, and the two are buried in a Readington Township Cemetery.
Francis Baker, the third child listed in the sale of his father's land, was born circa 1779. Nothing is known concerning this son. Matthes Baker was the next child listed among his father's children at the time of the sale of the paternal land, and was born on January 2, 1782. He was in considerable legal difficulty, and eventually became an insolvent debtor. Buried in the same cemetery as his brother Elijah, Matthes died on June 19, 1861. Obviously named in honor of his paternal grandfather, it is significant to note that he personally signed his given name as Matthes, as it is written on his tombstone.
Elizabeth was likely the next child of Timothy and Deborah Baker. She was born circa 1785 and married Cornelius Low. Deborah and Timothy Baker's second daughter was named Amy. Born about 1788, she married Isaac Voorhees. William Baker, born circa 1791 (son of my brother Timothy) he was left $300.00 according to the 1817 will of his paternal uncle and name-sake William Baker. Timothy Baker, junior, the youngest child of his parents, was born circa 1796 and died at the age of 16 on April 28, 1813.
TIMOTHY BAKER, son of Matthes and Judith (Wood) Baker, was born circa 1743 at maidenhead, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; died August 14, 1810, Readington Township, Hunterdon County; married circa 1773 DEBORAH, surname unknown
Children of Timothy and Deborah BAKER are as follows:
- John, born circa 1774
- Elijah, born August 27, 1776
- Francis, born circa 1779
- Matthes, born January 2, 1782
- Elizabeth, born circa 1785
- Amy, born circa 1788
- William, born circa 1791
- Timothy junior, born circa 1796