The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Upright stone, contemporary with the death of the Patriot
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
From Fort Ann, New York, drive north on Route 4 for approximately 3.9 miles to NY-22 South (Empire State Trail) Turn right onto NY-22 South. Drive about a mile to Quarry Road. Turn right onto Quarry Road and follow it approximately 0.3 miles to the Comstock Cemetery (you will pass the Baker Cemetery)
Author: John Shaw Lynch II
Reuben Baker was born in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, on 30 May 1758. His parents were John Baker (1720-1764) and Hannah Mason (1728-1807). Reuben was five years old when his father died. John Baker’s will named his wife and children, including Reuben, and stipulated the sale of several land parcels to ensure his family’s upkeep.
Baker enlisted as a private in Captain Michael G. Houden’s company, the 5th Massachusetts Regiment, on 1 July 1780. Colonel Rufus Putnam was the Regiment’s commander. Reuben was just shy of his 22nd birthday when he enlisted. He completed his six months of service on 1 January 1781. The 5th Massachusetts was assigned to the Highland Department during this time. The Highland Department was established in June 1775 and tasked with defending the Hudson River north of New York. This area, most importantly, included West Point. The Department was abolished in January 1783.
Private Baker was under the orders of six departmental commanders during his six months with the 5th Massachusetts. These senior officers were: Alexander McDougall (21 June 1780 – 03 August 1780); Benedict Arnold (3 August 1780– 25 September 1780); George Washington (25 September 1780 – 28 September 1780); Alexander McDougall (28 September 1780 – 05 October 1780); Nathaniel Greene (5 October 1780 – 17 October 1780); William Heath (17 October 1780 – 11 May 1781).
Arnold’s treason must have indirectly touched Baker at some point because Arnold weakened West Point’s defenses by shuffling troop deployments and reducing the fortress’ supplies by pushing them out to distant units. One wonders if Private Baker was part of the troops formed to witness the 2 October 1780 hanging of John Andre, the British intelligence officer working with Arnold.
Reuben Baker enlisted again on 14 October 1781 for ten days of service in Captain Noah Hinman’s company of Colonel Asa Banks Regiment of Massachusetts Militia.
January 1783 saw the abolishment of the Highland Department (15 January) and the marriage of the 26-year-old Reuben Baker to 19-year-old Lydia Mason, born on 4 July 1765. The two were married in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, the bride’s hometown, on 8 January 1783. She was the daughter of Jesse Mason and Lois Mason. Reuben and Lydia Baker had sixteen known children:
Nathan was born in 1783
Reuben Jr. was born in 1784
Luarany was born in 1789
Isaac was born in 1786, and died young
Lydia was born in 1787
Zepheniah was born in 1791
Nestor was born in 1793
Hannah was born in 1795
Alice was born in 1798
Nelson was born in 1800
Morrell was born in 1802
Gardner was born in 1804
Lucina was born in 1806
Lourina was born in 1808 and died young
Paulina was born in 1808
Sarah “Sally” was born in 1810
Reuben and Lydia eventually moved to Ft. Ann, Washington County, New York. Reuben died on 19 October 1811; he was 53 years old. Lois followed him 11 months later, passing on 17 September 1812 at 47 years of age. Both are buried in the Comstock Cemetery, Ft. Ann, Washington County, New York.
Sources:
Lois Mason’s birth and death date from Find-a-Grave and associated photographs of her gravestone.
Letters of Administration of Estates 1787 – 1916, Vol. 1, page 231
Surrogate’s Court, Washington County, New York.
Sessions, Lois Millard (National number 264345); DAR Application 2 May 1930; Qualifying Ancestor Reuben Baker (A005059).
Baker, Reuben Sr.: Find-a-Grave ID number 11207631
Baker, George Comstock; Short Notes on the Baker Family; 1898. pages 5-6
Mason, Lydia.: Find-a-Grave ID number 11207589
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