William and Sarah Bull Baker arr 1827
(1789-1844; 1798-1828)
Background
William and Sarah Bull Baker were of English descent. William was born in
New Jersey and moved with his parents to Ohio. He was a soldier in the War
of 1812, stationed at Fort Wayne, Indiana, which probably interested him in
land in Indiana. In 1818 he married Sarah Bull of Bulls Run, VA. They lived
at Miltonville, OH, where William worked as a carpenter, and six children
were born.
Arrival
The Bakers arrived in Sheffield township from Ohio in 1827. With them came
a large family group, with relatives from both sides: Andrew Jackson Bull,
John and Jane Bull Patton, Robert and Nancy Bull, and Thomas Bull, and
Thomas and Elizabeth Baker. Other Baker brothers (Abner and John) also came
to Tippecanoe County. On the way, at Richmond, Indiana, William and Sarah
lost a small daughter, who was buried in a hollow log, an Indian custom,
because the ground was frozen. The Baker cabin, built on arrival in 1827,
was the first cabin east of the Wild Cat.
Baker cemetery
Shortly thereafter, they and the Crouse, Baer, and Bayless families set
aside land for a cemetery, with the provision that the cemetery would be
named for the family who buried the first loved one there. The small body
of William and Sarah's daughter was brought here and the cemetery named
Baker cemetery.
Accomplishments
William was a member of the United Brethren church. Circuit riding
ministers held services at the Baker cabin. In 1841 the township paid him
$75 to erect a bridge across the Wild Cat at Dayton, probably the first
bridge there. Before that there was only a ford.
Family
Sarah and William had six children. Sarah died in 1828. William remarried,
in 1832, to Hannah Moore. William and Hannah had six children. William
Baker died in 1844.
--Bibliography prepared by Susan Y. Clawson from censuses, local records,
newspaper clippings, and Tippecanoe County published biographies. Any
corrections welcomed.
Susan Y. Clawson clawsons(a)purdue.edu
Purdue Studies in Romance Literatures OFFICE (765) 494-3843
1359 Stanley Coulter Hall FAX (765) 496-1700
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1359 HOME (765) 296-3121
_____________________
Formerly PUMRL