Capt. John ‘Teneretta’ Baker

John Baker: Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
Marriage: Jan 5 1767 - St James Northam Parish, Goochland, Virginia, Wife: Susannah Perkins

Name: John Teneretta "Renta" BAKER , Capt.

• Sex: M
• Title: Captain
• Birth: 24 Jan 1744, Beaverdam Creek, Virginia
• Death: 10 November 1831 in Ricetown, Owsley/ Clay County, Kentucky
• Burial: Buried in the John Baker Cemetery in Owsley County, Kentucky
• Military Service: Captain
• Note: Sometimes known as" Renta", "Terrenta","Renta Dan" or "Renta Den". Settled on Buffalo Creek, Owsley County, Kentucky. Died 1830, Owsley or Clay County, Kentucky.
• Parents: Andrew Baker and Susannah (Unknown)
• Spouse: Elizabeth

Biography

From https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Baker-1670

John was a "Long Hunter" and in 1763, was living on the Green River, in what is now KY, with the Cherokees. Beginning about 1763, he and other Long Hunters hunted and trapped on the Green River, making trips down the Cumberland River, to Spanish Natchez to sell their furs. Col. Gasper Mansker once became ill in Natchez, and John Baker stayed with him until he was able to travel, then he & Gasper walked cross country back to Virginia John served as a Captain in Col Benjamin Cleveland's Regiment during the Am. Rev. A great grandson, when applying for membership in the SAR, wrote, "Capt. John Baker and his company went to the rescue of Col. Benjamin Cleveland when the Tories were about to hang him." John Renty came to KY after the War & lived in Fayette, Boyle, Madison, Rockcastle & Clay Counties. Late in life he married 2nd, Aza Williams. After Aza died John lived in a rockhouse near the mouth of Buffalo Creek, now in Owsley Co, KY, & died there in 1820. John Rentie is said to have fathered several 1/2 indian children.

Allen E. Robertson gave an interview in 1898 in Clay County in which he discussed "Renta" and some of his sons.[1]

The Baker Family DNA projects have ruled out any possibility that his father is the son of Robert Baker. The descendants of the Rev. Andrew Baker, John Renta Baker, Bolling Baker, and Morris Baker all have matching Y-DNA. None of the descendants show any proof of Native American ancestry in their autosomal DNA.

There are no records that indicate that Andrew Baker was married to Mary Bolling. The deed and survey records for Andrew Baker show that his wife was Susannah.

Origins

http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~katy/genealogy/baker/b14075.html

ANDREW BAKER and Susannah [BAKER] had the following children:

1. JOHN "Renta" BAKER. There is a strong tradition John Renta's wife was a Terrell; perhaps a niece to the long hunter Obadiah Terrill.
2. James BAKER was born circa 1746. He died in March 1801 at the age of 55 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. James' wife was Mary, surname unknown; they were married before 1770, Rowan Co NC
3. Rev. Andrew BAKER. About 1769 he married Elizabeth Avant,
4. Morris BAKER. He reportedly married Jane Smith.
5. Robert BAKER was born in 1754. He died after 1819 at the age of 65 in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Robert's spouse is unknown.
6. George BAKER. Married Susannah Morris.
7. Martha "Pattie" BAKER. Married Justice Bolling.
8. Bolling BAKER. Married Martha "Patsy" MORRIS.
9. Eleanor "Nellie" BAKER was born on 9 December 1765. She died on 22 December 1842 at the age of 77 in Ashe County, North Carolina. Eleanor married Jessie Ray, bond dated 8 Jan 1782, Wilkes Co. Bondsman: Justius Bolling [husband of Eleanor's sister Martha]

Family

THE BAKER FAMILY GUNMAKERS OF PENNSYLVANIA < pdf > Page 36

John Renta & Elizabeth (Terrell?) Baker had thirteen (13) children:

1. William Baker, b. 1788 Rutherford Co., NC; d. 15 Jan 1850(?), hanged for murder of Frani Prewitt; m. to Matilda Unknown.
2. George Washington Baker515, b. 29 Mar 1779516, Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., NC517; d. 14 Aug 1846, Linn, Missouri518; bur. Linn, Missouri; m. 13 Jul 1800, Garrad Co., KY to Esther Robertson, daughter of Samuel Robertson519. Is he the George W. “Balldy George” BakerError! Bookmark not defined.Error! Bookmark not defined. m. to Rachel Strong? George Washington Baker took his family to Missouri ca. 1827520.
3. Lt. Robert Baker aka “Julius Bob”, b. 1 Mar 1774, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 29 Nov 1859, Owsley Co., KY, (age 85); m. 1st 1792521, Lincoln Co., KY to Elizabeth Hammon, b. 15 Aug 1775, Madison Co., KY; d. 1824, Clay Co., KY522; m 2nd 24 Feb 1835, Clay Co., KY to Catherine “Katy” BollingError! Bookmark not defined.Error! Bookmark not defined..
4. Nancy Baker, m. to Rev. William Coats. Rev. Coats was a Baptist minister. They moved from Tennessee to Missouri around 1830523.
5. Ifa/Igha524 "Sookotosh" Baker525, b. 8 Aug 1790526, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 12 Sept 1866, Alcorn, Jackson Co., KY; m. 28 August 1805 Madison County, Kentucky to Elisha Harrison.
6. Isaac Baker527, b. 1757, Chowan, NC; d. may have been killed at Logan’s Station, Chowan, NC; bur. Chowan, NC
7. Bowling Baker528, b. ca. 1764, Buncombe Co., NC; m. 1798, Madison Co., KY to Mary Rogers.
8. Margaret529 Patricia "Pattie" Baker530, b. 1764, Wilkes Co., NC; m to Justice Bowling531.
9. Andrew Baker532, b. 1765, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 1841, Laurel Co., KY; m. 24 Dec 1816, Washington Co., KY to Nancy Anna Briant.
10. John Durkham Baker533, b. 1770, Buncombe Co., NC.
11. James Claybank Baker534, b. 1767, Buncombe Co., NC; m. to Susannah Unknown?
12. Mary Baker535 - may not have m. to536. (new to my listing 01/04)
13. Thomas Baker, d. 1889, Manchester, assassinated outside courthouse, while guarded by State Militia; m. to Emmay Lyttle. – new to my listing 01/04.
14. Esther Baker, m. to John Allen. – new to my listing 01/04.
15. Elonar Baker, m. 8 Jan 1782, Wilkes Co., NC to Jesse Ray. – new to my listing 01/04.
16. Richard Baker II, b. 25 Jul 1797, Washington Co., TN; d. 25 Aug 1871, Wise Co., VA; m. to Abigail Beverly, daughter of Elijah & Mary “Polly” (Freeman) Beverly. – new to my listing 01/04.

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Burial update

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/213340759/john-tenerentta-baker Retrieved 8 May 2023

JOHN (TENERENTTA [on Ancestry they aka Renta / Renty) BAKER SON OF THE PATRIARCH ANDREW BAKER SR.,

THIS IS THE CORRECT CEMETERY not Cortland and thanks to William Gabbard, Marion Abner and Tom Barrett from the Owsley County Historical Society and many years of Baker research, it has been determined beyond speculation, he is buried here.

(2 more incorrect memorials have recently been added - they are using the headstone from Courtland that are incorrect in date and participation in the Revolutionary War.

The headstone removed from Cortland Cemetery recently placed here, is still incorrect, a new one needs to replace it with the correct information for his date of birth and death AND No documentation has ever been located that conclusively proves John Baker was a Revolutionary War soldier as his brothers, Private Reverend Andrew Baker, born 1749 (DAR Patriot #A004862) wife Elizabeth Avant; Private Bolin Bake (DAR Patriot #A004878) wife Patsy Morris and Captain George Baker (DAR Patriot #A004927) wife Susannah Morris, and son Robert "Bob" Baker. Nor did John own land that would have typically been given as a Land Warrant for military service.

This Cemetery formerly called the Abner-Bishop Cemetery is located on the north side of Bishop Bend Road, past Right Fork of Buffalo Road, Owsley County, Kentucky, 41721. The coordinates are 37.354263, -83.641716. There are several reliable sites you can research this lineage, Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association www.tfkrha.org , the bakerdna.org , Yahoo Groups Descendants of Andrew Baker Sr . , The Baker DNA site, and others.

John, son of the Patriarch Andrew Baker Sr. and Mary Baker; was the brother of at least the following; Reverend Andrew Baker Jr. , Captain Reverend George Baker, Bolin Baker, James Baker, Morris Baker, Sr., Leonard, Elijah, and Joseph;

John, husband of Elizabeth (Last name Terrill has never been proven, neither do dates or locations coincide), and many children. (I will list at a later date) and father to the child known as Ipha Baker Harrison, mother possibly Agatha Williams but not documented. DNA does not support a connection to Native American ancestry for John Baker whose ethnicity proves to be of British descent; Ipha Baker - Harrison may or may not be at least 1/4 if any, but no documentation on her maternal side has been found to date.
( I will enter the information when it becomes available)

PLEASE DO NOT CONNECT ANY SPOUSE OR CHILDREN TO THIS MEMORIAL!! Thank you. Our duty to the lineage of this Baker family is to find ACCURATE information and not speculation.

Notes

The following information supplied from many other researchers.....Credits will be given when known.

All the information on the rest of the Baker family history, beginning here and going back to Andy Baker, born about 1604 in England, has been gathered from submissions from many other Baker researchers. A great deal w as found on LDS files and a great deal on the Baker-Bolling Web site. Many people have researched this family from John "Renta" and Elizabeth Terrill Baker, Andrew and Mary Mollie Bolling, Robert and Mrs. Robert Baker, John Baker and Andy Baker. That is a total of five generations from the birth of John "Renta" Baker in 1735 to the birth of Andy Baker in Abt. 1604 in England, approximate 135 year span.

It does not seem prudent for me to try to duplicate what has already been done. What I will do as I enter this data through these five generations, is to enter data where the facts are not in agreement. The researcher will be able to take a look for their own evaluation. Byron Brown, January 4, 2000! History used from Andrew "Andy" Baker to John "Renta" Baker ta ken from several web sites and many researchers via the internet. A list of most of the web sites can be seen in notes on Andrew "Andy" Baker, born 1604 in Buckinghamshire, England

History also used from the LDS John "Renta" Baker submitters. 35 pages can be printed out from this site. Just put in the name John "Renta" Baker in.

Below is the balance of the article which began in notes for Robert Baker, grandfather of John "Renta" Baker. NOTE: Found in BAKER FAMILY NEWSLETTER (INTERNATIONAL) VOLUME #10 1997. A Genealogical publication ISSN: 0893- 5831 Editor/Publisher, Crystal Jensen, 326 Panhorst Staunton, Illinois 620 88. http://members.tripod.com/Crystal_J/Baker.html

GOOD BAKERS~BAD BAKERS
BY CLYDE N. BUNCH

If you talk to many people in Clay and Owsley Counties today about early settlers, eventually the name JOHN "RENTA" BAKER will come into conversation. He is thought to have been a very EXCEPTIONAL PERSON, but who? Why has his name survived all these years?

John "Renta" Baker was a son o Andrew Baker and Mary Bollin. He was born in Pennsylvania in about 1735 and brought into the valley of New River when but a youth. His early life was mostly spent in the forest. The time he spent in the woods was probably the closest thing to schooling he ever received. It is quite understandable that he became a professional hunter when he grew to manhood. He was a member of one of the first organized hunting parties to cross the Appalachian Mountains. This party was lead by Benjamin Cutbirth in the summer of 1767. Ben Cutbirth and John Renta were raised in the same neighborhood on New River. They lived a few miles apart. Cutbirth and Baker would go on many hunts together. They developed a friendship for each other, a bond that would span nearly a lifetime.

Benjamin Cutbirth was a relative to Daniel Boon. He was married to Boone's niece, Elizabeth Wilcoxen. Daniel Boone, at the time, was living on the south side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, some twenty-five miles away on Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Yadkin river. Cutbirth and Baker 's hunting trip in 1776 proved to be a great success. After selling their furs, they managed to make as much in one hunting season, as they would in several years of back breaking farming. Word soon spread of their success and that of other hunting parties. In 1769 the largest and most famous hunting party ever formed in the area met at the mouth of Reedy Creek in Virginia. These men would become known as the "LONG HUNTERS", so called for the great distances they traveled and the long periods of time they were out. Some of these hunters were away from home for as much as two years and a few even longer. Most of them had returned home by late June of 1771, with the exception of John Renta Baker, Cassius Brooks, and eight others. These men built two boats and two canoes and continued to hunt and trap for several more months. They worked their way down the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers to the Mississippi River. They then descended that river to the settlement at Natches. Here they sold their furs and returned home overland.

John Renta Baker encountered another problem after returning to his ho me in Wilkes County,. He had seen this one coming for a long time, but neither he nor his neighbors knew what to do about it. This problem was the Loyalist or more often called Tories. They had gained complete control of the valley. The political and economic structure was solely in their hands now. Speaking out against the Crown was one sure way of getting into trouble. If a person was ever suspected of disloyalty, they we re often forced to take an oath of allegiance to the King before they we re allowed to sell their products at market. Needless to say, this harassment brought on many hard feelings. This would all come to an abrupt ending when a man by the name of Benjamin Cleveland moved into the Valley. He would prove to be the Tories worst nightmare. Not long after his arrival, he gathered together some forty of the most headstrong men in t he area. These men became known as "Cleveland's Devils" or sometimes call ed "Cleveland's Bull Dogs". They would soon rid the Valley of Tories, forcing them into the surrounding mountains. Col. Cleveland's main solution to the Tory problem was always the same. On the limbs of a giant oak tree, standing in Wilkesboro, he hung every Tory he and his men could catch, with no exceptions. Justice was always swift and very permanent.

I would like to note here that I wan in Wilkesboro in the Summer of 1987. To the rear of the Courthouse still stands the above mentioned Oak Tree. It looked today much as I imagined it did in Cleveland's time. It stands there as if it were defying time itself. At the base of this magnificent old tree is a small plaque. It reads: "THE TORY OAK". On the limbs of this tree Colonel Ben Cleveland and "others" hanged Tories during the American Revolution. I knew that John Renta Baker had been on of Cleveland's Devils and as I stood here, I could not but wonder how many hangings he had witnessed or even taken part in?

When the Revolutionary War broke out back east, it came to no big surprise to John Renta Baker and his neighbors. After all, they had been fighting their own war with the Tory for quite some time. The main impact of the war did not come to the Valley until September 1780. A rider came with some shocking news. Col. John Sevier, commander of the Wataugh Station in Tennessee, had sent him. Col. Sevier informed Col. Cleveland that he had just received word from Col. Patrick Ferguson, a British officer under the command of General Cornwallis. The message came in the form of a warning. It stated that if he, (Col. Sevier) did not lay down his arms and stop this rebellion against the Crown; he would come, "hang their leaders and lay waste to their country with fire and Sword. Riders had also been dispatched to Col. William Campbell in Virginia and Col. Isaac Shelby in Tennessee with the same message. All were advised, with the utmost urgency to gather as many men and as much supplies as possible. The Americans had made up their minds, they were not going to wait f or the war to come to them, they were going to meet it head on. In less than a week Col. Cleveland had mustered about 350 men and started out to join the main force. When united with Campbell's and Shelby's men, the American Army amounted to a little over 900 men. The British officer, Col. Ferguson, had about 100 regular soldiers under his command. He had also managed to recruit about 900 to 1000 Tories also. Col. Ferguson and his men had fortified themselves on top of a mountain. The battle was fought on October 7th, 1780 and would become known as the Battle of Kings Mountain. The battle ended in defeat for the British. They lost 157 men that day, among them their leader, Col. Patrick Ferguson.

There was little time for rejoicing over their victory of the battle. A more pressing problem was now at hand. These men had been continuously on the move and marching for many weeks. They were hungry, cold, tired, and a long way from home. Their food and other provisions were almost depleted. If this were not bad enough, they now had 750 British and Tory prisoners to contend with. Of these, 60 were wounded. They resorted to scavenging for food anyway or anywhere they could find it. It was late in the year and all the crops had been harvested. Occasionally, they would come across an abandoned garden, where they would sometimes find sweet potatoes green pumpkins. These they fried and ate as if they were some sort of delicacy. As each day padded the situation became worse. A constant reminder of all their suffering was always close at hand. These were the British and Tory prisoners they had captured. The hate and resentment for them grew with each passing day and was about to reach a boiling point. Of course, Col. Cleveland had his usual solution to t he problem. He simply just wanted to hang them all. Col. Shelby and Camp bell were not quite as blood thirsty, but did agree to Hold trials, hoping to appease him and some of the others. So on the 7th day after the battle, a makeshift Court was set up in the middle of the woods. The trials began early and lasted all day. Needless to say, few of the prisoners were pronounced Innocent, most were sentenced to hang. That night in a nearby forest, a very eerie scene took place. By the Pine-knot torches the prisoners were placed on horseback and hung, three at a time.

This process was repeated over and over, until the total of nine had be en hung. At this point a stop was called. What had begun in a rage of hate and revenge, had ended in total silence. Never the less, it sent a very clear message to the remaining Tory prisoners of their situation. With in the next few days most of them had managed to escape. Of the 750 prisoners taken, only 130 were turned over to the authorities at Hillsborough, North Carolina.

The Battle of Kings Mountain was one of the most decisive battles of the Revolutionary War. But for the people in Wilkes County, North Carolina the war was a long way from being over. The personal war that Col. Cleveland and his little band had waged against the Tory, once again raised its ugly head. A certain Tory leader by the name of Capt. William Riddle made a bold move. A party of six or eight men, led by Capt. Riddle, sneak ed into the Valley and captured the biggest prize of all, Col. Ben Cleveland.

The Colonel was on a visit to his plantation up at "Old Fields". The creek that ran through is plantation and still bares is name today. This w as on Saturday, April 13, 181. The Tory had been following Col. Cleveland and his whereabouts for quite some time. They had finally located him at the house of Jesse Duncan, a tenant of the Colonel's plantation. Not known to the Tory, there were two men in the house at the time. Richard Callaway and John Shirley, who had come over to visit the Colonel and decided to spend the night. The Tory knew that the Colonel was not going to be taken without a fight, so they devised a plan. Under the cover of darkness, they came and stole the Colonel's horses, knowing he would think they had broken loose and would try to find then. Sure enough, the next morning the Colonel after discovering his horses missing, set out to find them. His tenant, Duncan, came along accompanied by Richard Callaway and John Shirley. As the Tory had planned, they ran head on into their ambush. Col. Cleveland was taken prisoner. Richard Callaway was shot through the thigh and left to die. Jesse Duncan and John Shirley had managed to escape.

The discovery of what had taken place was not made until later that morning, Joseph Callaway, who I guess became concerned in the whereabouts of his brother, set out to find him. After reaching Duncan's house, he discovered no one there and the horses gone. It was about this time Callaway heard gunfire. He ran in the direction from where the sound came and the rediscovered Shirley and Duncan. After the story was related to Joseph Callaway, he mounted his horse and road off as fast as he could in the direction of his father's house, a short distance away. After telling his father, Thomas Callaway, the location of his wounded brother, he remounted his horse and set out again. This time to tell Colonel's brother, Capt. Robert Cleveland, of the situation. There was no time to waste. Capt. Robert Cleveland lived some 12 miles away. By the time Callaway reached his home and the return trip, the trail would be long cold. In a short time the whole neighborhood was alerted.

William Callaway, another brother of Richard, John Rena Baker and Samual McQueen set out on the trail in pursuit of the Tory. After tracking most that day, shortly before dusk they discovered the Tory camp. Not wanting to alert the Tory of their presence, our little rescue party retreat ed back down the trail and bed down for the night. Just before sunrise of the next morning, Capt. Robert Cleveland rode up with another twenty or so. After exchanging ideas of how to deal with situation, the party moved in closer to take a look at their camp. The Tories were going ab out their business preparing breakfast, totally unaware of what was about to take place. Old Ben Cleveland was setting on a log, acting as if he didn't have a care in the world. He was among the first to discover the presence of his rescuers. The Colonel was a very large man, weighing upward to 300 pounds. When the first shots rang out he knew it would be of little use for him to try running . So he just sat there on the log shouting, "Hurrah for Brother Bob! That's right , give 'em hell !" With this he fell backward off the log and lay on the ground, in fear of being shot by one of his own men.

With exception of one, the Tories made their escape, including their leader, Capt. Riddle. But Colonel Cleveland was not to be denied is revenge. Capt. Riddle and two others by the names of Reeves and Goss were captured shortly after. It does not take much imagination to figure out their fate. That's right! The Oak Tree in Wilkesbore. But, it could never be said the old Colonel wasn't an understanding person. He did allow Capt. Riddle's wife to watch as he hung her husband.

The mentioned Callaway family was kinfolk to John Renta Baker. Thomas Callaway was married to Mary May Baker. She was an aunt to John Renta and sister to Andrew Baker. Thomas Callaway's son, Richard, was one of the founders of Boonesbourogh, Kentucky.

John Rent Baker continued to live in Wilkes County, until about 1790 or 1791. At which time he, and his old hunting companion Benjamine Cutbirth, with their families moved to Carter County, Tennessee. John Renta lived here for six or seven years before moving to Hawkins County, Tennessee. He remained there only a short time. In about 1798 he moved into t he the Blackwater Settlement in Lee County, Virginia

By 1800 John and his friend John Abner had penetrated the wilderness by foot, horseback, and boat settling near what is now the Clay-Owsley Count y, line near to what is now Cortland. This is about the same time the Gabbard family migrated from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee to settle in what was then Madison County, and is now Jackson County, near McKee. There are many connection between the Gabbards and the Bakers.

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From: Captain John Renty Baker, By Wm O'Connor.

Captain John Baker October 1735-1820 Clay County, Kentucky, married 1st Elizabeth Terrill, d/o James Terrill and a niece of Obediah Terrill, Long Hunter. John was a Long Hunter and in 1793 was living on the Green River, in what is now Kentucky, with the Cherokees.

Beginning about 1763 he and other Long Hunters hunted and trapped on the Green River made trips down the Cumberland River to Spanish Natchez to sell their furs. Col. Gasper Mansker once became ill in Natchez and John Baker stayed with him until he was able to travel, the he and Gasper walked cross country back to Virginia. John served with Col. Benjamin Cleveland 's Regiment during the Revolutionary War.

John Renty came to Kentucky after the Fayette, Boyle, Madison Rockcastle and Clay Counties. Late in life he married Aza Williams. After Aza died John lived in a rock house near the mouth of Buffalo Creek, now Owsley Count y, and died there in 1820. John is said to have fathered several 1/2 indian Children.

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Industrial Authority Owsley County Action Team City of Booneville Fisc al Court Education History

Early Beginnings

Owsley County was formed in 1843 from portions of Clay, Breathitt, and Estill Counties and was named for Governor William Owsley. Owsley County was Kentucky's 96th county. Parts of Owsley County were used to form Jacks on County in 1858 and Lee County in 1870.

The first settlers in Owsley County were John Renty Baker and John Abner. They first settled in 1780 near the present Clay County line at Courtland. The exact year of their settlement is unknown, however, a gravestone found in a cemetery in Upper Buffalo Creek reads, "Milly, wife of John Abner, died March 1846."

John Renty Baker and his sons, who were all gunsmiths, also invented and developed hand operated machines to cut the rifle barrels. John Renty's father, Robert Baker, developed the rifle that became known as the "Kentucky Rifle".

John Renty Baker was known as one of the "Long Hunters", spending more th an a year at a time in the forests of Tennessee and Kentucky trapping and hunting. In "The Conquest of the Old Southwest", it is stated that in 1 766 John Baker hunted with Daniel Boone's brother-in-law, John Stewart. He lived on the Green River among the Cherokees in what is now Kentucky and made trips down the Cumberland River to Spanish Natchez to sell their furs.

After the death of his wife, John Renty Baker became a recluse and lived in a rock house near the mouth of Buffalo Creek and died there in 1820. He fathered at least 21 children that are documented.

The Bakers are the source of many colorful stories. The were involved in one of the longest and bloodiest family feuds in U.S. history which beg an in 1943 when Dr. Thomas Baker (a grandson of Julius Bob) shot John Bales. Dr. Baker and John Bales were both married to daughters of John White and the two young couples became more intimate than is usual in this mountain country. Dr. Baker became insanely jealous of his wife and Bales. Finally in a fit of rage, he deserted her and began suit for divorce but suddenly withdrew it. He went to the salt works, where Bates worked in Manchester, called him to the door and shot him with an old-fashioned "pepper box" pistol. Bates died, but while he was dying he cursed Baker and authorized $10,000 from his estate to be used toward the capture and conviction Baker. The feud lasted for 59 years and took over 100 lives before it ended.

The first settler in the City of Booneville was James Moore, Sr. The site of their home is located just outside of Booneville in front of Booneville Homes apartments. James Moore, Jr., son of James Moore, Sr., built a two room cabin on the opposite side of the river from his parents. This home still stands, although it has been remodeled through the years, and is owned by Mayor Charles Long and his wife.

The Moore's land included all of Booneville, east across the South Fork River and toward Lerose. The community was known as Moore's Station and w as later named Booneville after Daniel Boone. James Moore, Jr. was the first postmaster. Elias Moore donated land for a seat for the new county in 1843 and the town was incorporated Booneville in 1846. The Owsley Court House Post Office opened in 1844 and was renamed Booneville in 1846. In 1858, Owsley County lost some of it's territory to Jackson County and in 1860 to Wolfe County. In 1870, when Lee County was formed, again Owsley County lost some of its territory.

The Moores, Bowmans, Bakers, Gabbards, and Reynolds were the first permanent settlers.

Most land patents came from Virginia. The three types included military service, grants from settlement or preemption, or warrants from the treasury. There are still families here who have their original land grants.

In January 1929, and again on January 5, 1967, there were courthouse fires. All records were lost in the 1929 fire.

For more information contact:

• Ronnie Callahan, Jr. - Chairman
• Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority
• P.O. Box 637 · Booneville, KY 41314
• Phone: 606-593-6800 · Fax: 606-593-7700
• Email: rcallahan@owsleycountykentucky.org

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• Birth: Oct. 7, 1735 - Ashe County, North Carolina, USA
• Death: 1820 - Ricetown, Owsley County, Kentucky, USA

John Baker was officially married two (2) times. Last count there were twelve (12) children with Elizabeth Terrell. No children with Susannah Perkins. There were two (2) children with an Agatha "Aza" Williams but there is still question whether these two were ever married.

Family links:

Spouses:

• Elizabeth Terrell Baker (1734 - 1785)
• Susannah Perkins Baker (1750 - 1815)

Children:

• Andrew Baker (1765 - 1841)
• Robert T. Julius Baker (1774 - 1859)

Inscription:

• JOHN BAKER COL NC MILITIA REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1735 1820

Burial: Cortland Cemetery, Cowcreek, Owsley County, Kentucky, USA

• Created by: Richard Wayne Baker
• Record added: Sep 19, 2011
• Find A Grave Memorial# 76785586
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=76785586

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Inscription: JOHN BAKER COL NC MILITIA REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1735 1820

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via father Andrew W. Baker by SmartCopy: Nov 25 2015, 0:03:26 UTC

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Parents:

• Andrew Baker
• Mary Bolin

Masonic emblem on old stone 1 Mar 1774 29 Nov 1859(New Stone) Lt. 2nd Reg., William's Mountain Ky. Volunteers, War of 1812 His old stone is not now readable. In 1976 this stone read died 29 Nov 1859 age 86 years. Two old stones on each side believed to be those of his two wives.

John Baker was officially married two (2) times. Last count there were twelve (12) children with Elizabeth Terrell. No children with Susannah Perkins. There were two (2) children with an Agatha "Aza" Williams but there is still question whether these two were ever married

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via Elizabeth Baker (born Terrill) by SmartCopy: Nov 25 2015, 2:13:44 UTC

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There is a conflict in the records as to exactly who was the father of John “Renta” Baker, born in 1735. It may have been Andrew or James, (son of Robert Jr). John “Renta” was one of the famous “Longhunters” who went west of the Blue Ridge Mountains on extended hunting and trapping trips. He was also a member of the “Cleveland Bull Dogs”, who ran theTories out of Wilkes/Ashe County, N.C. and surrounding areas just before the Revolutionary War. John “Renta” Baker’s exploits are described in several books currently in print.

• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/108708614/person/1...

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John was a "Long Hunter" and in 1763, was living on the Green River, in what is now KY, with the Cherokees. Beginning about 1763, he and other Long Hunters hunted and trapped on the Green River, making trips down the Cumberland River, to Spanish Natchez to sell their furs. Col. Gasper Mansker once became ill in Natchez, and John Baker stayed with him until he was able to travel, then he & Gasper walked cross country back to Virginia John served as a Captain in Col Benjamin Cleveland's Regiment during the Am. Rev. A great grandson, when applying for membership in the SAR, wrote, "Capt. John Baker and his company went to the rescue of Col. Benjamin Cleveland when the Tories were about to hang him." John Renty came to KY after the War & lived in Fayette, Boyle, Madison, Rockcastle & Clay Counties. Late in life he married 2nd, Aza Williams. After Aza died John lived in a rockhouse near the mouth of Buffalo Creek, now in Owsley Co, KY, & died there in 1820. John Rentie is said to have fathered several 1/2 indian children.

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 26 2019, 20:04:55 UTC

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jul 21 2021, 16:57:04 UTC

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From Wikitree:

"John was a "Long Hunter" and in 1763, was living on the Green River, in what is now KY, with the Cherokees. Beginning about 1763, he and other Long Hunters hunted and trapped on the Green River, making trips down the Cumberland River, to Spanish Natchez to sell their furs. Col. Gasper Mansker once became ill in Natchez, and John Baker stayed with him until he was able to travel, then he & Gasper walked cross country back to Virginia John served as a Captain in Col Benjamin Cleveland's Regiment during the Am. Rev. A great grandson, when applying for membership in the SAR, wrote, "Capt. John Baker and his company went to the rescue of Col. Benjamin Cleveland when the Tories were about to hang him." John Renty came to KY after the War & lived in Fayette, Boyle, Madison, Rockcastle & Clay Counties. Late in life he married 2nd, Aza Williams. After Aza died John lived in a rockhouse near the mouth of Buffalo Creek, now in Owsley Co, KY, & died there in 1820. John Rentie is said to have fathered several 1/2 indian children."

Comments

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Baker-1670

The information found here is absolutely not correct. His date of birth and death date are wrong. His place of burial is wrong. This information has been confused from a different John Baker. I have copies of extensive research from a Professional Genealogist named Jackie Burton along with Barney Baker. His father Andrew has been confused with another Andrew Baker, also. Most of the information I have can be found at https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ahf76NNwAEphg8EKbXQZ1BTagRn6XQ. Please contact me if you wish for more details from the book in my possession.

References

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Baker-1670 cites

1. Marriage Name: John Baker, Event Type: Marriage, Marriage Date: 9 Nov 1770, Marriage Place: York, USA, Spouse Name: Mary Rhodes, Page number: 212, Volume Number: 115, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 (Not the wife of this John Baker)
2. Military U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc
3. Burial Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 07 February 2019), memorial page for John Baker (1735–1820), citing John Baker Cemetery, Owsley County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by J P (contributor 48946326). Find A Grave: Memorial #9341300 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9341300 (wrong photos)
4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/213340759
5. "DNA Project" * Ancestry.com DNA link
6. https://www.familytreedna.com/public/baker/default.aspx?section=yco... My FamilyTree BAKER DNA Project Website - Y-DNA DNA Colorized Chart viewable
7. http://www.bakerdna.net/ BAKER Family Y-STR DNA study & Lineages
8. Allen E. Robertson, interview by John J. Dickey, Clay County, Kentucky, 1898, contributed by Margaret Robertson, Pioneeer History, Madison, Kentucky, usgwarchives, (http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/madison/pionhist/robertso.txt and archived : accessed 6 September 2015).
9. John “Teneretta” Baker 1744-1831. Researched & compiled by Jackie T. (Walker) Burton & Barney M. Baker. https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ahf76NNwAEphg8EKbXQZ1BTagRn6XQ