When he was 24 years old, he came to America on the ship "Planter" in 1635 and landed in Boston, MA. On June 1 he was "admitted" to dwell at Yarmouth. He resided in the part of Yarmouth now known as Dennis, MA.

"Francis Baker was born in England in 1611. His last residence in his native land was at Great St. Albans, Hertfordshire, and in 1635 he came over in the ship 'Planter,' locating at Yarmouth, Mass. He married Isabel Tarning, of Yarmouth, and died in 1696, the last of the first comers."

"Frances came to New England in the 'Planter,' 1635."

"Francis Baker was born in England in 1611. In 1635, he embarked in ship Planter, for New England, bringing a certificate signed by the minister in Great St. Albans, Hertfordshire County, his last place of residence, that he had taken the oath of allegiance and supremacy. He was described as a 'tailor,' but he afterwards exercised the calling of cooper and blacksmith. In 1641, he married Isabel Twining, of this town, with whom he lived fifty-five years. The same year he was admitted to dwell in yarmouth, but 'not to have any of the lands assigned to others without their consent.' For that reason, probably, he had to take up his residence on the eastern side of Bass River, near Follen's Pond, whichw as not then occupied, where he died in 1696 aged 85 years - the last of the first comers. He was not in full accord with the Puritan notions of the time."

"Mr. Baker came over in the Planter, 1635, at the age of 24, from Gt. St. Albans, Hertfordshire. By his m. with Isabel Twining, dr. of Wm., 1641, he had Nathaniel March 27. 1642, about which time he settled in Yarmouth".

He is listed as one of the Dennis First Comers: "1641 Baker, Francis M[ayfair] E. side of brook above Kelley's Bay Reference R51, 129, S68, D536"

"On 2 April 1635, 'A Taylor Francis Baker,' aged 24, was enrolled to be transported to New England on the Planter, having 'brought certificate from the Minister of St Albons in Hertfordshire; [Hotten 45]. COMMENTS: There is no evidence to connect this Francis Baker with the 'Francis Baker, cooper,' who was admitted to dwell at Yarmouth on 1 June 1641 [PCR 2:17]. The six-year gap with no records, coupled with the differing occupations, makes it extremely unlikely that this was the same man."

Details to be entered from "Francis Baker and Descendants".

He "embarked for Boston 2 Apr 1635 in the Planter of London, aged 24, and received a grant of land in present Dennis (then in Yarmouth) 1 June 1641. Possibilities as to his parentage are suggested by Henry F. Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England, II. 1405-6 and Bertha W. Clark, "Descendants of Francis Baker of Yarmouth" (typescript, 1951, at New England Historic Genealogical Society, p. 1)."

He appears on the court records for "selling wines without license".

"A 'rate' made this year, April 29, by Messrs. Edmund Hawes, Samuel Rider, and James Matthews, 'towards the chage of the late war', shows both the tax-paying inhabitants at this date, and their comparative wealth . . . Francis Baker 2.6.9".

"Writer now believes it to be more probable that Francis Baker and his wife were buried in the graveyard first named [in the old graveyard], near the South Dennis railroad station."

"Baker Family Characteristics" to be entered (from info of Laurie (e-mail LorenMC1).

He is listed as a Cooper, Blacksmith and surveyor.

"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 Nathanial Baker. It is possible that he was a son of John and Margery Madestard Baker, of Hertfordshire, England, who had several children, among them were: Nicholas, died November 14, 1632, married Mary Hodgetts; John; William; and four daughters."

He has also been said to be the son of Nicholas Baker (b. 1574 Farmlingham, Suffolk, Eng; d. 4 apr 1631) and Mary (b. ca 1589, Gt, St. Albans, Hertfords, Eng).

"It is also possible that he is the son of Thomas Baker (Chr 7 July 1612 at St. James Clerkenwell, London), his wife was Francis Ingram. They were married at St. james Clerkenwell, 24 Aug 1592. [192] <../wc_src.html>

"On 1 June 1641 Francis received a grant for land near Follens Pond on Nobscusset Territory (now Yarmouth, Massachusetts). His grant is not within the bounds of Dennis. On 17 June 1641 he married Isabelle, daughter of William Twining. This is the first marriage of record at Yarmouth, it lasted 55 years. Their first child was born in Boston in 1642, they moved to Yarmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, before the second was born in 1645.

He "went from Ply. to Y., where he was permitted to dwell June 1, 1641, a few days before his m. In 1659 we find him in Eastham on 10 acres 'lying upon Poche, ' by the land of his wife's father Wm. Sr. These acres were soon sold to Wm. Jr., and he ret. to Y. where he was engaged in the cooper trade, and also surveyor of highways. His name appears in the Ply. Court Rec. 1653-1672. Will made 1693: his d. occurred July 23, 1696. As the early rec. of Y. are lost to 1671, doubtless important facts relating to the Twining and Baker families are destroyed. "

"The Court Rec. tell us he was a Cooper by trade and that 1648 he was made surveyor of highways for Y., 1653, presented by G. J. 'for retailing wine contrary to order of Court;' 1655, likewise, for abusing a servant. In 1657 took oath of fidelity; 1665, fined for breach of peace, and 1680 sues Abraham Hedge for 12 pounds, for tar barrels."

"In 1658 Francis had a grant of 10 acres near his father-in-law in Eastham. The town records list him as a Cooper, Blacksmith and surveyor.

The following are abstracts of Barnstable County, MA Probate Records (Will of Francis Baker). I obtained it from The Mayflower Descendant CD, I have.

Harry Hadaway Bow, NH

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[THE WILL OF FRANCIS BAKER] [p. 30] "Francis Baker of Yarmouth" made his will 4 March, 1692/3. Bequests were as follows: To "wife Jesball all my housing and lands in .... Sd yarmouth both uplands and meadow lands during her Natural life, also .... unto my sd wife Jesball all my Cattle and all my other moveable estate .... She my sd wife paying all my Just debts and legases to my children" To "my Grand Son Samuel Baker the Eldest Son of my Son Nathaniel Baker" 2 shillings. To "my Son John Baker" 5 shillings. To "my Son Daniel Baker" 5 shillings. To "my Son William Baker" 5 shillings. To "my Daughter Elisabeth Chase" 5 shillings. To "my Daughter Hannah Pearse" 5 shillings. "These above sd legases to be paid .... within one year after my decease" All moveable estate and all real estate remaining after the decease of testator and "my wife Isball" is given "to my son Thomas Baker". "wife Isball and my Son Thomas Baker" were appointed executors. "I .... do desire that my frinds John Miller and Thomas Bills boath of sd Yarmouth woold be helpfull with my executors for ye Settling of this my last will" The will was signed by a mark, and witnessed by John Miller and John Okelia. On 8 December, 1696, John Miller made oath to the will and that he saw John Okelia sign as a witness. [p. 31] On 8 December, 1696, the will was probated, and administration granted to "Isball Baker", the widow, and Thomas Baker, the son.

"Francis Baker, arrived at Boston on the Planter, residing there several years before moving to that part of Yarmouth now known as Dennis, Mass. On June 17, 1641, sixteen years after getting his grant of land at Yarmouth, Francis married Isabel Twining." He arrived in Boston on 7 Jun 1635 on the ship PLANTER. "After April 11, 1635 the Planter departed London and arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, June 7, 1635. . . Source: 'Hotten's Lists', pages 43, 45-50, 53, 55-56. . . From St. Albons in Hortfordshier . . . Baker, Francis ....24....Tailor""

He was also said to have married Isabel on June 11, 1641.

"Francis Baker, the immigrant ancestor of the Baker families of Hyannis, Massachusetts, was born in England, and came from Great St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, in the ship 'Planter' in 1635, when he was twenty-four years old. He lived a few years in Boston and then removed to Yarmouth, on Cape Cod. He married, in 1641, Isabel Twining, and the historian of 'Barnstable Families' tells us that their descendants may be numbered by tens of thousands, and among them will be found very many able seamen and good business men. He died in 1696, at Yarmouth, at the age of eighty-four years. His will was dated March 4, 1693, and he bequeathed to all his children, excepting Samuel, who must have died before him. He was a tailor by trade, but followed the trade of cooper at Yarmouth."

"Francis Baker, tailor, embarked on the ship Planter of London on 2 Apr. 1635, bringing a certificate from the minister of Great St. Albans, hertfordshire, England, and giving his age as twenty-four. His parentage is not definitely known. He may have been the Francis Baker, son of Thomas, who ws christened at St. James Clerkenwell, London, 7 July 1612. The age agrees exactly, and St. Albans is only twenty miles from London. thomas Baker's wife was Frances Ingram, who he married at St. james Clerkenwell 24 Aug. 1592."

"The Planter was bound for Boston, and in that town Francis baker resided for several years. On 1 June 1641 he received a grant of land near Follen's Pond in Nobscuset Territory, now Yarmouth, on Cape Cod. This land is not within the bounds of Dennis. On 17 june 1641 (sixteen days after getting this grant) Francis was married to Isabel, daughter of William Twining. This is the first married of record at Yarmouth, and it lasted for fifty-five years. The young couple lived in Boston until after the birth of their first child in 1642, but removed to Yarmouth before the second child was born in 1645. In 1658 Francis had a grant of ten acres of land fifteen miles to the eastward, near land of his father-in-law in Eastham. The Bakers were living on this land in 1659, but soon sold it to William Twining, Jr., and returned to their Yarmouth farm. There Francis spent the rest of his life, being variously described in the town's records as cooper, blacksmith, and surveyor. He died 23 July 1696 aged eighty-five. Isabel lived nearly ten years longer, dying 16 May 1706. Francis' will, written 4 Mar. 1693 and proved 10 Dec. 1696, mentions sons John, Daniel, and William; the eldest son of son Nathaniel, deceased; and daughters Elizabeth Chase and Hannah Pearse. He signed by his mark, which was a capital F written above a capital B. Wife Isabel and son Thomas were named as joing executors."

"Francis Baker also died [1696], aged 85. Mr. Baker came over in the Planter, at the age of 24, from Gt. "

"When John Hall of Yarmouth complained that his son, Samuel, had been abused by his master, Francis Baker, 'by kicking him and otherwise striking him,' the court's response was to have Hall pay Baker out for the remainder of his son's time. There is no record of Baker having been fined or warned in any way not to repeat the offense. It is quite possible that in all these cases the court considered that there had been provocation from the servant as well as an excessive reponse from the employer, and that the solution was to remove the servant but to uphold the prerogative of masters to correct their servants by not punishing the former."

Details to be entered. "One of the earliest marriages in the town of Yarmouth of which we have record is that of Francis Baker and Isabel Twining in 1641. The flood of applications for land on the Cape had led Plymouth to direct the committees of Yarmouth not to admit any new families unless they had been approved by the Governor and his Assistants (March 1639/40). Applicants had to bring with them a certificate from the place from which they came, affirming their 'religious and honest carriage.' Apparently young Francis Baker was able to produce such a testimony about his suitability, for his application made through Plymouth in 1641 was accepted and he was granted permission to join the Yarmouth commity. Baker had been born in 1611 and left England on the ship Planter in 1635. On the ship's list he was called a tailor which seems to have been a common subterfuge by which many skilled artisans left England. In fact, here in New England he was a cooper and sometimes a blacksmith by trade. The land he was granted to settle was at the head of Kelly's Bay on Bass River, near Thomas Falland, Gabriel Whelden and William Twining. That same year, he and Isabel Twining were married. They lived on Baker's original grant throughout their entire fifty-five years of married life. We know of eight children born to this marriage and many Baker fmilies till contribute to the well-being of both Yarmouth and Dennis to this present day." [

"Oct. 30, 1674, Francis Baker of Yarmouth sued him [William Nickerson] for the price of six meat barrels and work on tar barrels in 1670, and Nickerson brought a counter suit for damages by reason of the faultiness of a parcel of tar barrels made for him by Baker in 1667, partly by reason of the leakiness of several of them and partly because several of them were above the ordinary guage, and because Baker had overcharged him 6d. per barrel. Nickerson was beaten in both suits."

"In the early years a small community began about the headwaters of Bass. River. The first settlers - James Matthews, William Nickerson, Samuel Rider, Francis Baker, and Thomas Falland - were drawn there by fertile ground and the abundance of perring and perch."

Will: Barnstable Co. Probate Records, Book 2, page 30. In ye Name of god Amen I Francis Baker of yarmouth in the county of Barnstable in New England being of disposing mind and memory at this time Blessed be God: I do now make and ordaine this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following: I bequeath my soul to God that gave it to me and my body to ye dust from whence it was in decent Burial, and for that outward estate which God of his goodness hath given me: my will is and I do will and give to my loving wife Iesball all my housing and Lands in ye Bounds of sd yarmouth both up lands and meadow lands during her Natural Life, Also I do will & give unto my sd wife Iesball all my cattle and all my other moveable estate for ye comfort of her Life, she my sd wife paying all my just debts and legases to my children here after mentioned I do will and give unto my Grandson Samuel Baker ye eldest son of my son Nathaniel two shillings .... unto my son John Baker five shillings .... unto my son Daniel Baker five shillings .... unto my son William Baker five shillings .... unto my daughter Elizabeth Chase five shillings .... unto my daughter Hannah Pearse five shillings These aforesaid legases to be paid unto all and every of my children above named within one year after my decease: further my will is that what so ever of my moveable estate and cattle shall remaine and not be expended neither by myself not wife that after our decease ye remainder there of I do will and give unto my son Thomas Baker, and to my sd son Thomas Baker after my decease and ye decease of my wife Isball I do will and give all my housing orchards and lands and meadows what so ever unto him and his heirs forever I say to my son Thomas Baker his heirs and assigns forever, further I do ordaine nominate and appoint my loving wife Isball and my son Thomas Baker executrix and executor to this my last will and testament where unto I have set my hand and seal this fourth day of march Anno Dom one thousand six hundred ninety two three

The mark F Francis Baker B Signed sealed and declared in presence of us John Miller John Okelia (Okelley)

I Francis Baker do desire that my friends John miller and Thomas Bills both of sd yarmouth would be helpful with my executors for ye settling of this my last will as above expressed. John miller whose name stands as witness to this will made oath before Barnabas Lathrop esqr. Judge of Probate for ye county of Barnstable that he did see ye above named Francis Baker now deceased sigh & seal & declare this to be his last will and testament and saw John okelia set his hand as witness to this will December ye 8th: 1696: Examined and duly compared with ye original & entered December ye 10:1696 Attest Joseph Lathrop Regr. Probate: (6) [