| Note | | http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=rw&p=surnames.greenlief&m = 23 after you read that message, click on the authors name - Rod Harless to see his other messages about Baker & Greenlief ********************************************* Immigrated to Virginia 1651, moved to Maryland by 1664 from Carla Baker McHenry's file: The following information is revised notes taken from a Baker paper researched and written by Jeanne Turley. Other sources used are sited throughout. Maurice Baker , also found as Morris or Mauriss, came to Maryland sometime prior to 1664 as a young man supporting his own passage as well as the passage of John Shelvers. 'Up until 1680, early Marylanders were granted 50 acres for each person transported into Maryland to reside.' (1) This method of acquiring land is referred to as headrights. In order for Maurice to receive his headright, he was required to name any individuals that he transported to the area. Upon his arrival he requested a warrant for 100 acres of free land -- a grant that he would not prove until 1675. Young Maurice seemed to be a man with money. He opted to acquire and sell several plantations along the northern shore of the Severn River in Maryland before proving his headright. Following are deeds patents and headright claims. November 8, 1664 - Richard MOSS of Anne Arundel Co. deeds to Maurice BAKER for unmentioned consideration, part of 'Young Richard' located at the head of Burke's Creek. Witnesses: John GRAY, Richard MOSS, John ASHWORTH, Elizabeth (EM) MOSS, Henry (HR) Ridgely December 10 1665 - Maurice BAKER, tailor, of Anne Arundel Co. assigns this deed to Robert DAVIDGE for deed already received to 180 acres of land in the Isle of Kent and providence of Maryland, lying at the head of a creek called Beaver's Rock Creek. The land is know as 'Raines' Witnesses: Edward WOODGREENE, Maurice BAKER, Thomas GIVINS (These deeds are recorded in court on December 11 1665. ) March 13, 1709 - These two deeds were recorded in court at the request of William PENNINGTON, claimor of the land. (A. A. Co. Deeds - Liber WH#4, folio 106) Patents by Morris BAKER in Anne Arundel Co., MD are 1668 - 'Baker's Increase' of 80 acres 1671 - 'The Range' of 50 acres 1687 - 'Baker's Chance' of 330 acres 1688 - 'Baker's Addition' of 263 acres 1688 - 'Charles His Forrest' of 295 acres In 1679, there are records that Maurice BAKER associated himself with the Quakers in Talbot County, MD. Other land records show him investing in tracts farther north at Rock Creek, Stoney Creek and near the Patapsco River. (Due to county boundary changes, this area at times is considered Baltimore County, MD) In 1688, he traded lands with William GOSNELL, husband of his daughter, Sarah BAKER. June 12, 1688 - Morris BAKER of Anne Arundel Co. deeds to William GOSNELL for 4,000 pounds of tobacco, a tract of land of 50 acres lying in Anne Arundel Co. on the north side of the Anne Arundel River. This tract was patented by Morris BAKER June 10, 1688. Witnesses: Henry CONSTABLE, Morris BAKER, Thomas BLAND, Elizabeth, wife of Maurice BAKER, a state of free will. (A. A. Co., MD deeds - Liber and folio illegible) June 12, 1688 - William GOSNELL deeded to Morrice BAKER for 4,000 pounds of tobacco 'Gosnell's Adventure' of 190 acres lying on Rock Creek, three miles from the Patassco River (Patapsco River). Witnesses: Henry CONSTABOLE, William GOSNELL, Thomas BLAND Maurice BAKER deeded this land to Martha SMITH, daughter, but deed was burned. The court accepts this and orders transfer to title on March 19, 1705 (A. A. Co., MD Deeds - Liber IH#1, folio 125) In 1699 Maurice BAKER sold his land along the Severn River. September 13, 1699 - Morris BAKER deeeds to Thomas REYNOLDS for 2,000 pounds of tobacco that part of 'Baker's Increase' lying north of the Seavond River (Servern River) containing 30 acres. 'Baker's Increase' of 80 acres was patented by Morris BAKER on June 7, 1668. From the records, it remains difficult to determine where Maurice BAKER moved from when coming to Anne Arundel Co., MD. A Maurice BAKER was an immigrant to Virginia for that year his headright was used by Thomas THORNBOROUGH when he patented 700 acres in Northhampton County, VA. Even earlier there was a Morice Baker who died by February 16, 1623 and was buried in James City, Viriginia. Records document Maurice BAKER's death between November 10 and December 28, 1700. On November 10, 1700, Maurice BAKER wrote his Will. (MD Calendar of Wills Vol 2 1685-1702, page 208) Speculation would be that he knew that death was near. On December 28, 1700, Maurice BAKER had died and his Will was probated. Details as written in the Will are as follows: 'to wife Elizabeth the Plantation on which he lived for her lifetime, then to his youngest son John. To sons Charles and William jointly all land lying on the east side of Stoney Creek - 'Baker's Choice'. To son Morriss all the land lying on the west side of Stoney Creek with the proviso that he make over 40 acres to John Wilkson upon the long Cove of said creek. To son Indimeon all land on east side of Stoney Creek know as 'Baker's Addition'. To daughter Martha Smith all the land lying on the head of Rock Creek until her son James SMITH became 21; then it to be his. If James died without issue it was to go to the 'next heir of Martha's body.' Witnesses: Henry and Mary WRIGHT, Joseph and Isaac CARTER Bondsmen for Elizabeth were his son Morris BAKER and John GERBY.' (MD Calendar of Wills Vol. 2 1685-1702, page 208) ------------------------------- Maryland Calendar of Wills: Volume 2 VOLUME II page 208 Baker, Mauriss, A. A. Co., 10th Nov, 1700; 28th Dec, 1700 To sons Charles and William equally Baker's Choice To son Mauriss, Charles Forest on condition he give Jno. Wilkinson 140 A To son Judemon, Baker's Addition To dau. Martha Smith during minority of her son James, land (unnamed) on Rock Ck. Wife Eliza:, extx. and residuary legatee of estate, real and personal, including dwelling plantation, which is to pass to young. son John at her decease Test: Henry Wright, Mary Wright, Jos. Carter, Isaac Carter 11. 22.6 |