Francis Baker and Isabel Twining: 17th Century Pioneers of Yarmouth, MA
Discover the story of Francis Baker and Isabel Twining, early settlers of Yarmouth whose legacy spans generations on Cape Cod.
Early Life and Arrival in Plymouth Colony
Francis Baker was born about 1611 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. He came to Plymouth Colony on the ship Planter in 1635. He was called a tailor on the passenger list, a common subterfuge by which many skilled artisans left England. His parents are not known.
Francis married Isabel Twining 17 June 1641, probably at Plymouth. Isabel was the daughter of William and Ann (____) Twining. Some sources have her as the daughter of William Twining Jr., but that's inaccurate.
Francis was permitted to dwell at Yarmouth in June 1641. He lived at what became the Mayfair area in Dennis, at the head of Kelley's Bay on Bass River and near Follins Pond. His original neighbors were Thomas Folland, Gabriel Whelden and William Twining.
Life in Yarmouth and Religious Beliefs
Quaker Connections
The family is believed to have been Quakers, as were many of their neighbors in the Mayfair area. Swift wrote that Francis was "not in full accord with Puritan notions."
Legal Troubles
In 1653 he was in court for "selling wines without license." On 8 June 1655 John Hall of Yarmouth complained that Francis Baker was abusing his servant Samuel Hall, who was John Hall's son, by kicking him and unreasonably striking him. The court took Samuel away, putting him in the custody of his father and the father was to pay Baker 8 pounds for Samuel's remaining term. There is no record of Francis being warned or fined.
Land Movements
In 1659 he was living in Eastham on 10 acres "lying upon Poche" by the land of his father-in-law William Twining. He soon sold the land and returned to Yarmouth where he was a copper and later a blacksmith. He served the town as surveyor of highways and on the jury. (Note that Nancy Thacher Reid writes that he never left Yarmouth.)
Francis Baker's Will and Final Years
Francis Baker wrote his will on 4 March 1692/3. Isabel is named as "Jesball," and he leaves her his house and lands (meadow and uplands) at Yarmouth, his cattle and moveable goods during her lifetime.
Will Provisions
He left five shillings to each of his children John, Daniel, William, Elizabeth Chase and Hannah Pearse. He left two shillings to his grandson Samuel, the eldest son of his son Nathaniel. All other real estate and moveable goods to go to his son Thomas. Thomas and widow named executors.
Estate Inventory
The inventory was taken on 24 November 1696 by Benjamin Gage (signed by a mark) and Isaac Chace and sworn to 8 December, 1696 by Thomas Baker of Yarmouth. The real estate, housing lands and meadow and orchard, had a value of £30.
Death and Legacy
Francis Baker died 23 July 1696 at Yarmouth at age 85, the last of the "First Comers" to pass on. He and Isabel had been married 55 years. Isabel died 16 May 1706.
The Baker Homestead
The Baker homestead was not sufficiently large enough to accommodate the growth of this family and the second generation settled in the area near the present day Ezra Baker School where West Dennis and South Dennis merge, and northward and eastward along the shore of Grand Cove.

Francis and Isabel had eight children: Nathaniel, John, Elizabeth, Samuel, Daniel, Thomas, Hannah, and William.
Children of Francis and Isabel Baker
1
Nathaniel Baker
Nathaniel married and had three sons Samuel, Nathaniel and Silas. I've seen conflicting information on his wife/wives. Some sources give his wife as Desire (perhaps Gray) and others give Mary Pierce as his first wife, Desire as second. Nathaniel died December 1691 in Yarmouth.
2
John Baker
John Baker married Alice Pierce, daughter of Abraham. They had seven children: Jonathan, Isaac, Mary, John, Bethiah, Elizabeth, and Sarah. They raised their family in Yarmouth. I believe he served in King Philip's War, despite his Quaker religion.
3
Elizabeth Baker
Elizabeth married John Chase and they had eight children: Sarah, Desire, John, Thomas, Jeremiah, Isaac, William, and Jonathan.
4
Samuel Baker
Samuel married Martha ____ and had Martha, Daniel, Hannah, and Sarah. I believe he also served in King Philip's War. Have read his children relocated to Swansea.
More Children of Francis and Isabel
Daniel Baker
Daniel married Elizabeth Chase and had Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, Abraham, Elisha, Hannah, Thankful, Tabitha, and Elizabeth. Daniel served in King Philip's War. He built a house in Dennis, now the oldest one standing in town and known as the Judah Baker house.
Thomas Baker
Thomas married Bersua (Lewis?) and had Mary and Thomas. He seems to have also served in King Philip's War.
William Baker
William Baker married Mercy Lawrence and lived at Yarmouth. They had 12 children: Mercy, William, Dorcas, Experience, Judah, Elizabeth, Josiah, Johanna, Patience, Elisha, James, and Thankful. He also served in King Philip's War.
Hannah Baker
Hannah married Abraham Pierce and lived at Plymouth. Children: Abraham, John, Samuel, and Isaac.
King Philip's War and the Baker Sons
Several of Francis Baker's sons served in King Philip's War (1675-1678), a significant conflict between colonists and Native Americans in New England.
1
John Baker
Served despite his Quaker religious beliefs
2
Samuel Baker
Also participated in the conflict
3
Daniel Baker
Fought in the war before building the house now known as the Judah Baker house
4
Thomas Baker
Records indicate he also served in the conflict
5
William Baker
Joined his brothers in military service during the war
Historical Sources
Charles F. Swift
History of Old Yarmouth; comprising the present Towns of Yarmouth and Dennis from the Settlement to the Division in 1794: With the History of Both Towns to 1876. Yarmouth Port, MA: The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, 1975 reprint.
Nancy Thacher Reid
Dennis, Cape Cod from Firstcomers to Newcomers, 1639 – 1993, 1996
Clarence Almon Torrey
New England Marriages Prior to 1700
CW Swift Publisher
Library of Cape Cod History and Genealogy, The Baker Family of Yarmouth, Descendants of Francis, No. 73, Yarmouthport, MA, 1912