Thomas Baker

  General Notes:

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Thomas emigrated to Dedham, Ma., then to Newport, RI., and finally to Kingston, RI. By trade he was a tailor and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1655 and served the First Baptist Church of Newport, RI. In 1656, he and William Vaughn and others left the first Baptist church and formed a congregation known as the Second Baptist church of which he was for a time pastor. The reasons for the seperation are stated "Said, persons conceived a prejedice against psalmody and against the restraints that the liberty of prophesying was laid under, and also against the doctrine of particular redemption, and against the rite of laying on of hands as a matter of indifference". In 1685 he bought of Ralph Paine of Newport, 25 acres in Providence for 1 pound. And in 1689, Sarah and Thomas sold to Joseph Smith of Providence, for full satisfaction, right of common on Providence, bought of Ralph Paine
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Very little is known about the life of Thomas Baker. He was born in 1638, some say in Dedham, Essex, England and others Dedham, Essex, MA. No record of birth has been found. The birth date was taken from his tombstone.
Thomas must have apprenticed as a tailor, even before he was ordained a Minister in the Baptist Church in 1655, for in all of his land transactions, he names himself as a tailor, rather than as a Minister.
He must have been a very devout young man, to be ordained at the age of 17 or 18 years of age.
In 1656 he and William Vaughn and some others left the First Baptist Church and formed the Second Baptist Church. The reason for this separation were, "Said persons conceived a prejudice against psalmody and against restraints that the liberty of prophesying was laid under and also against the doctrine of particular redemption and against the rite of laying on of hands as a matter of indifference."
Bonnie Baker

*********Research done by Richard Baker****************
REV. THOMAS1 BAKER1 was born Abt. 16382, and died Abt. 1710 in N. KINGSTON, WASH., RI2. He married SARAH3.

Notes for REV. THOMAS BAKER:
Ordained 1655, and in 1659, at the insistance of Roger Williams, located to Newport RI, and then to Kingstown, where he organized the first "Six Principles" Baptist Church in that town at what is locally known as Stoney Lane, near Davisville. Rev. Thomas remained the presiding Elder of this ancient church until his death in 1710. He is buried in the churchyard. His birthdate is taken from the tombstone.
(Simon Baker and his descendants, by Sorenson)

Thomas must have apprenticed as a tailor, even before he was ordained a Minister, for in all his land transactions, he names himself as a tailor, rather than as a Minister. (In that time frame, very few Ministers were paid as full time clergy, and most had other occupations to sustain their families.)

Children of REV. BAKER and SARAH are:
2. i. BENJAMIN2 BAKER, b. 1676, Newport, RI; d. 1726, N. KINGSTON, WASH., RI.
3. ii. THOMAS BAKER, b. January 03, 1678/79; d. February 20, 1754, N Kingstown, Wash.RI.
4. iii. JAMES BAKER, b. 1682, North Kingstown, RI.
5. iv. COMFORT BAKER, b. 1684; d. November 06, 1749, Exeter, Wash. RI.
6. v. MARY BAKER, b. 1686, North Kingstown, Wash., RI.

Descendants of Thomas Baker of Rhode Island
compiled by John Komar

According to Church historians, Roger William's was instrumental in organizing the North Kingston church body, which later built the meeting house on Stoney Lane. Richard Smith, the first white settler in this locality, had leased land and erected a trading post in the midst of this Indian country in 1641. This was the only settlement south of Warwick until the charter went into operation in 1663. Roger William's, soon built his trading post near by, and spent much time there, although he kept his citizenship, in Providence. Between his two visits to London, from 1645 to 1651, he made his home in Narragansett. On Oct. 6, 1651 he sold his house to Mr. Smith.
Soon a settlement of hardy settlers sprung up around the pioneer settlement. It was ten years before the great Indian war, and there were many Indians in the area. So William's used the Post as a mission to preach to the natives. He held public worship once a month at Smith's for many years. John Winthrop Jr., Governor of Connecticut stated, "Mr. William's doeth exaceys amongst us and sayeth he will contuny itt, he precheth well and abel, and much pepell comes to hear him to theyr satisfaction."
In 1659, at the insistence of Roger William's, Thomas Baker removed to Kingstown and gathered a church together, the first "six Principal " Baptist church at Stoney Lane, near Davisville, of which he became the pastor, officiating for many years in that capacity, until his death in 1710.
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1 Thomas Baker born 1638, County of Essex, England, died 1710, Kingston, RI., married Sarah, born 1641. Thomas emigrated to Dedham, Ma., then to Newport, RI., and finally to Kingston, RI. At Newport he became a member of the First Baptist Church, his name is listed as the thirteen member between members who joined in 1644 and 1648. By trade he was a tailor and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1655. In 1656, he and William Vaughn and others, left the first Baptist church and formed a congregation known as the Second Baptist church, of which William Vaughn was the first pastor and Thomas the second. The reasons for the separation are stated" Said, persons conceived a prejudice against psalmody and against the restraints that the liberty of prophesying was laid under, and also against the doctrine of particular redemption, and against the rite of laying on of hands as a matter of indifference". In 1685, he bought of Ralph Paine of Newport, 25 acres in Providence for 1 pound. On 9 Nov 1685, Thomas requests consent of the Town of Providence, it was voted by the Town and granted to him that he may. And in 1689, Sarah and Thomas sold to Joseph Smith of Providence, for full satisfaction, right of common on Providence, bought of Ralph Paine.

Thomas married Sarah. (Sarah was born in 1641.)