An American Family History

Frederick County was formed in 1743 from Orange County. It became Dunmore County in 1772. The name changed to Shenandoah County in 1778. Augusta County became Rockingham County in 1778. In 1881 Page County was created from Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties.

John Baker was born about 1790 in Page County, Virginia. He was the son of Jacob Baker and Magdalene Kibler.

John, with his brothers, Philip and Samuel, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

He married Barbara Friermood on January 6, 1825 (or Jan. 20) in Clark County, Ohio. Barbara was born on November 9, 1802 and was the daughter of Matthias Friermood and Martha Hill. Matthias served in Michael Reader's Company in the Revolution. Barbara's sister, Eve, married Martin Baker.

John and Barbara's children were Silas Baker (1825), Obadiah Baker (1826), Jane Baker (1830), Obadiah Baker (1833), Lewis Baker (1833), Harriet Baker (1836) and Minerva Baker (1838).

The family helped organize and worshiped at Mt. Pisgah Church in Lawrenceville.

When his father died he inherited one fifth of his land which was ninety-six acres, more or less.

At the time of the 1850 census the family consisted of John age 50, Barbara age 45, Silas age 25, Huldah age 23, Jane age 21, Obadiah age 17, Harriet age 14, Lewis age 12, and Minerva age 9. John and Silas were farmers. (p. 67)

Barbara died on October 10, 1876. John died at age 95 on September 27, 1885 in Clark County and is buried with his wife in Lawrenceville Cemetery.