"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."
-- John Adams, 1765
The Miami Valley is in southwest Ohio. It includes parts of Montgomery, Greene, Preble, Clark, Miami, Darke, Champaign, Shelby, Logan, Butler, and Warren counties.
The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the 13 colonies which became the newly formed United States.
Jacob Baker was born on May 20, 1753 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania according to Pennsylvania Church Records of the 18th Century. His parents were Philip Baker and Anna Catherine Gramm. He was christened on June 24, 1753 at the First Reformed Congregation’s Church. The sponsors for his christening were his aunt and uncle, "Jacob Kuebelinger and wife [Veronica Gramm Kiblinger]."
Jacob married Magdalene Kibler before 1776 when he was twenty three years old. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Jacob and Magdalene Baker.
Jacob was a soldier in the American Revolution. He served as a private in Shenandoah County where he resided.
He moved his family to German Township, Clark County, Ohio where he died on September 21, 1821 at age 73. He is buried in Lawrenceville Cemetery in Clark County with his wife and other family members. Jacob’s tombstone inscription reads
Jacob Baker, died Sept 21 AD, 1821 in the 73 year of his age.
His will was probated on October 1, 1821. It was dated on September 17, 1821, a few days before he died.
Clark County, Ohio was formed March 1, 1817, from Champaign, Madison and Greene Counties. The first settlement was in 1796. The inhabitants of German Township were German Lutherans who came from Virginia.
Shenandoah County, Virginia was established in 1772. It was originally Dunmore County.
Choosing a Godparent sponsor was not just a formality in 17th century Germany. Each child had one Godparent of the same gender. It established ties between families that were near kinship. The Godparent was expected to provide spiritual support and material support in times of need.
Pennsylvania is one of the 13 original states and was originally founded in 1681 as a result of a royal land grant to William Penn, the son of the state's namesake.
The first Europeans settled in the Northwest Territory in 1788. Migrants came from New York and New England. Ohio was admitted to the Union as the 17th state on March 1, 1803.
Many settlers in the Shenandoah Valley were Germans from Pennsylvania called the "Shenandoah Deitsch."
Seals were used to authenticate documents and men were expected to have a personal die. Records in deed books are copies and signatures are usually in the clerk’s handwriting. The clerk drew a circle around the word “seal” to indicate that the original document was sealed.
Will of Jacob Baker
Clark County, Ohio Will Book A, page 59
Date of Will, September 17, 1821
Date of Probate, October 1, 1821
In the Name of God, Amen, be it remembered that I, Jacob Baker, Senior of German Township, Clark County, State of Ohio, being weak in body but of sound mind and perfect memory and mind, Blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following; (that is to say).
First, after my just debts are paid, I give and bequeath unto my son, Philip Baker, three hundred dollars. I then give and bequeath to my son Henry Baker, the one fifth of my land supposed to be ninety-six acres, more or less, the one third bottom and the two thirds upland, including the improvements where he now lives. I also give and bequeath unto my son, Jacob Baker, one fifth of my land supposed to be ninety-six acres, more or less, including all the buildings where I now live. I also give and bequeath unto my son Martin Baker, one fifth of my land supposed to be ninety-six acres, more or less, along the East line of my land, including the improvements where he now lives. I also give and bequeath unto my son John Baker, one fifth of my lands supposed to be ninety-six acres more or less. I also give and bequeath to my son, Samuel Baker one fifth of my lands supposed to be ninety-six acres, more or less.
I bequeath unto my beloved wife the third of all the profits arising to be paid to her by my said sons, Henry, Jacob, Martin, John and Samuel, if requested and my son, Jacob to furnish her with good house and garden or with a sufficient part of the house we now live in. He shall also furnish her with good firewood at her home. I also give and bequeath unto her my two best cows, and my Jacob is to feed and keep and take care of them for her during her natural life.
I also give and bequeath unto my Daughter Magdalena, my loom together with all the reeds, gears etc. belonging to it.
It is also my Will that the balance of my moveable property is to be sold by my executors and the money arising there from to be equally divided among my three daughters.
It is also my will to appoint my beloved wife and my son Jacob, my executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one.
Jacob X Baker
Signed Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of
William Miller, Lewis Pentz, John Beamer
Cattle were vital to a household and an important legacy.
Unweaned cattle are calves.
Female cattle are heifers and cows (had a calf).
Male cattle are steers (castrated) and bulls.
Oxen are trained draft animals and are often castrated adult male cattle.
Lawrenceville Cemetery is in the village of Lawrenceville, German Township, Clark County, Ohio.
Buildings in Clark County, Ohio ranged from simple log cabins to sophisticated Italianate and Gothic Revival structures.
The first Europeans settled in the Northwest Territory in 1788. Migrants came from New York and New England. Ohio was admitted to the Union as the 17th state on March 1, 1803.
