James Baker was just a boy of 11 when the American Revolution broke out in the colonies.  With the flaming rhetoric of patriots inspiring them to take up arms, men of all ages joined the Continental Army and local militia companies to fight for freedom from the oppressive British crown.  Three of James’ brothers joined the army.  Brother Peter served four years, and was at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.  Both he and William also served in the War of 1812.

   James was the seventh child of James Baker, whose great grandfather, a Puritan, had emigrated from England in the 1630’s to escape religious persecution.  His mother was Jemima Kirk Baker, a Quaker preacher in the colony of New York.  The Bakers had thirteen children.  When the British invaded Long Island, the family moved to Dutchess County.

Read the entire article in the Aug. 31st issue of the Express.